Jennifer Marie J. Yang, MD

Last Thursday, I flew to Cebu to fulfill one of the “deliverables” for the Balik Scientist Program award grant: consulting work to help establish a Performing Arts Medicine clinic in the city. Something along the lines of what we have at the UP College of Music, but a little more multi- and inter-disciplinary since we have the involvement of Cebu Doctors’ University College of Rehabilitative Sciences. Aside from physiatrists like me, we can get the physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and respiratory therapists on board as well.

We started out with visiting the Cebu Extension of Guang Ming College on Friday morning, followed by a late afternoon information session-lecture-career talk at Cebu Doctors’ University College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Saturday afternoon/evening was spent with Ballet Center Cebu, where we also observed dance classes involving students in their early teens and older dancers who already had advanced skills.

All in all it was a very productive trip. Daghang salamat to the Cebu members of PAMANA PH for graciously hosting me during my stay, and to the Balik Scientist Program for allowing me to spread our advocacy beyond Metro Manila.