Loboc links with Indonesia on educ, cultural exchange

FOLLOWING templates on culture as a tool for empowerment and thus feeling good which ultimately pushes one to heave out of poverty, Loboc ties up with Indonesia in a cultural exchange program that could allow both governments to learn from each other's examples and keep pace with development. In a rare opportunity, no less that Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy, Bapak Sanusi and Education and Cultural Attache Ibu Ira Hapsary responded to the invitation for cultural exchange by Loboc through Mayor Leon Calipusan signaled by the coming of Indon entourage, October 28-29 to personally confer with the Loboc dads.

Following the conferences, information leaked to this paper revealed that the education and cultural exchange program between the Indonesia and a local government unit commences in May 2007. In an interview with the Indonesian deputy Chief of Party, Sanusi speaking in English with traces of the peculiar Bahasa said he is excited with the tie-up especially with Loboc that has a similar environment and community structure with most Indonesian rural villages. By then, Indonesia sends a team of dance and literature experts and teachers to train on basic education for teachers, students and pupils including non-school aged children for free, Assumption College of Makati Director for Plans, Research and Development said in an interview recently. She further said that the Indonesian team would be bringing here their traditional musicians in a back to back concert with the famed Loboc Children's Choir also in May when the town rises for the feast of the virgin of Guadalupe, their second patron saint.

The project is also an outreach program of the Assumption College 's Graduate School Continuing Professional Education and Training Program, the Loboc born Biliran added. Assumption College has also been sending graduate students to Loboc for social community outreach, but this time, with the Indonesian cultural experts, the real exchange program comes alive and working for both communities. And not just that, the exchange program also offer to qualified Lobocanons education and cultural scholarships in selected colleges and universities in Indonesia to further spread the experiences of both communities.

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