{"id":2483,"date":"2019-11-25T09:26:13","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T14:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starr-commonwealth-new.local\/?p=2483"},"modified":"2019-12-03T11:50:22","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T16:50:22","slug":"the-balikbayan-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starr.org\/2019\/the-balikbayan-project\/","title":{"rendered":"The Balikbayan Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many trauma-informed practitioners, caring for the children they serve is often through the lens of \u201cpatient\u201d or \u201cstudent\u201d. Rarely does our work become too personal. For Starr Certified Trauma Practitioner Jon Jon Rivero, 2013\u2019s Typhoon Yolanda challenged his life\u2019s work in a region of the world he holds dear, and made him reflect on his own trauma in the process.<\/p>\n

Rivero is based in Alberta, Canada, where he and his wife, Paula, are the founders of Qi Creative<\/a>, a success coaching therapy practice with its own unique twist. From their website, Qi Creative \u201cbelieves in combining specialized passions with professional skills to help people use their strengths and talents to overcome challenges.\u201d Based on their book, My Name is Trauma, <\/em>Rivero leads workshops on trauma across the globe.<\/p>\n

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Jon Jon Rivero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staying true to their belief statement, Rivero\u2019s family has been involved in the Balikbayan<\/a> (meaning \u201cone who returns\u201d) Project<\/a> since 2007 in his family\u2019s native home of the Philippines. This initiative partners with a local orphanage in Tacloban, and involves local government, NGOs, and more to help those who have experienced trauma, particularly through play.<\/p>\n

In 2013, the Balikbayan Project was faced with one of its biggest tests yet. In November, Typhoon Yolanda decimated the Philippines. And for Rivero, this meant a return to Tacloban, but with a slightly different lens.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very humbling. We\u2019re trauma specialists, and here we are faced with this tragedy, scrambling and unsure which of our kids are safe. It reminded us that we\u2019re all human, and all wired to respond to events in different ways. That encouraged us to double down on our trauma-informed approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only did this experience provide personal and professional growth for Rivero, but it was also a chance to tell the story of Streetlight Philippines. You can watch the trailer for their 2020 documentary below:<\/p>\n