Co-creation, imagination.

HIRAYA Collective hosts multi-sensory workshops and programs on various creative expressions and techniques such as culinary, dance, theater improv, pottery, robotics, gardening, among others.

hiraya

(n). Tagalog: imagination or vision

Movement & Rhythm

IMAGING & SENSING

PLay & innovation

flavor & aroma

WORDS & EXPRESSIONS

WELLNESS FOR ALL

launching workshops

Nov 6-16, 2022

lasap

(flavor and aroma)

• food and cafe trip
  
• accessible gardening and ecology of food
• plant-based cooking and baking
  

dama

galaw

(imagery and sensing)

• collaborative filmmaking
  
• pottery making
  
• sewing & accessory making
  

(movement and rhythm)

• pound workout
  
• adaptive sports: archery and swimming
• meditation and daloy movement
  

saya

diwa

(play and innovation)

• robotics
  
• IT project sharing and accessibility engagement
  

(words and expressions)

• theater improvisation
  
• creative narration / voice acting
  
• singing & musical instruments
  

aruga

(wellness for all)

• holistic wellness: qi gong, self-massage/acupressure, tapping, introduction to herbal tea
  
• ecological engagement: marine conservation
  

HIRAYA Collective conducted its pilot launch on November 6-16, 2022 with seven core members of Visually Impaired's Fashion and Lifestyle (VIFAL) team coming from different parts of the Philippines. The team came to La Union to interact, assess and co-create different various HIRAYA workshops. VIFAL's engagement and feedback has been invaluable in planning for future creative workshops that will be opened for the wider blind community in the Philippines and beyond

"Compared with the usual workshop where we only listen and talk, here, all our senses are working. As they said in education theory, the more senses that are working, the more the information is retained."

"I loved being one with nature too, during the activities. The workshop with Ea, Daloy, a lot of things were flowing in my mind too. When we were sewing, holding the turtle, exploring, doing ear acupuncture, I really enjoyed all of them."

JAELENE, special education licensed teacher, assistive tech trainer

visual acuity: totally blind since 2005 due to glaucoma

Jake, assistive tech trainer, website developer, computer technician

visual acuity: Totally blind since 2010 due to retinal detachment

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

lasap (flavor & aroma)

"All the condiments and ingredients were on the table, we smelled each one of them. It was so fun, we were all involved. We made the dough and added our own ingredients. I made two kinds of empanada. I fried it. It was so satisfying. Knowing I made everything from scratch, I felt so proud."

nina, writer, business woman, IT graduate

visual acuity: Light perception since 2004

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

galaw (movement & rhythm)

"I really enjoyed the archery. If you just watch, it’s cool. It looks so simple when they are doing it. In actual, you need to practice. Now, I can say I have my own sports – i can do this.

I am confident. I was able to hit the bull's eye!"

Karla, assistive tech trainer and moderator, cook and baker,

visual acuity: Totally blind due to brain tumor in 2013

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

saya (play & innovation)

"When I was sighted, I also enjoyed tinkering with things. When we assembled a robot, adding in the gears, that was fun too. There was also a tour on the gadgets for accessibility."

Jai, event organizer, writer, conceptualist,

bs psychology graduate

visual acuity: Totally blind since 2011 due to Glaucoma

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

aruga (wellness for all)

"Since I practice meditation, I really enjoyed what I learned from there. I apply it until now. Work is super hectic, everyday life we need to gain balance and mindfulness. I also practice the acupressure around the eyes, we learned it from there. I always talk about it. It’s super useful. I do it all the time."

bev, It professor, postgrad it student, writer

visual acuity: Inborn low vision due to Corneal Leukoma

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

diwa (words & expressions)

"All the talking parts, sharing, interviews - those are my weakness. I’m happy with myself that I was able to overcome them. I didn’t pass out. I feel proud of myself. My friends cheering me on helped too."

Jai, event organizer, writer, conceptualist,

bs psychology graduate

visual acuity: Totally blind since 2011 due to Glaucoma

"I was able to be just my real self. It was memorable. We were able to build a stronger group. An ensemble. We were able to know each other better."

raf, musician, ngo trainer, video editor, HRM graduate

visual acuity: low vision

since birth due to amblyopia

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022

dama (imaging & sensing)

"I enjoyed the pottery too. You might think it’s easy, it’s just spinning and you have to just hold it. It made our hands messy, but it was so fun. Like a stress reliever. It helps us work with being creative. You can decide on the design, how you want it to look. At first it’s hard to think but just let your creativity flow, your hands can decide."

JAELENE, special education licensed teacher, assistive tech trainer

visual acuity: totally blind since 2005 due to glaucoma

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022: Facilitators' Notes

Hiraya x VIFAL Learning Journey 2022: Facilitators' Notes

workshops led and facilitated by Learning Journey participants

with audiences both from the VI and sighted communities.

2023 Activities

2023 Activities

imagining and co-creating an inclusive future on cinema, environmental conservation, play, and creativity.

Developing Projects

Humans of Hiraya

Connect