Diocesan priest holds arts therapy workshop

CEBU, Philippines - A diocesan priest trained abroad in therapy through arts will offer a summer workshop on expressive arts therapy at the Talavera Retreat House in Pardo, Cebu City.Fr. Loreto A. Jaque and his group DUWA (Deliverance and Uplift in the Wonders of the Arts) have prepared three modules for the workshop.

The first module is “Getting Creatively Messy: Expressive Arts for Teens” which aims to help teenagers explore and embrace their feelings using the expressive arts — drawing, dancing, writing, playing — to experience a greater sense of well-being.

Fr. Jaque said the first module which will run from May 5 (8:30 a.m.) to May 6 (11am) requires no artistic talent, except the desire to experiment and let go of self-criticism.

The second module which will be held on May 19 (8:30 a.m.) to May 20 (11a.m.) is “looking for the Beloved: Honoring the Mysteries of Falling in Love,” designed for singles between 20 years old and above.

“This module tends to visit the questions of the young people , “Why do we fall in love” why is love painful? And how can the arts help us nurse our pain? These are some of the questions dealt within this workshop. We will look at ways being in a soulful relationship and how do we honor and celebrate them artfully,” Fr. Jaque said.

The last module is “Wrestling with the Witch and the Tyrant: Finding Meaning in the Annoyances, Imperfections and Failures of your Partner” for the married couples.

“In this module, we will look at the struggles of living in a relationship with the soul of your beloved and give suggestions as to how couples can live their married life artfully,” said Fr. Jaque. The date of this last module is on May 26 (8:30a.m.) to May 27 (11a.m.).

The workshop fee is P1,300 inclusive of meals, snacks, and handouts. The participants are requested to bring notebook, pen, small candle, comfortable clothes for playing and dancing.

Fr. Jaque, trained in the Expressive Arts Therapy abroad, is a diocesan priest assigned at the Spiritual Pastoral Formation Year House, Archbishop’s Residence Compound, D. Jakosalem St. He is a member of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)-Cebu Chapter, the Philippine Association of Child and Play Therapy and the American Dance Therapy Association. (FREEMAN)