ASP Dream Girls Give Hope and Inspire Others

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

Quezon City, Philippines. 4th World Autism Awareness Day Celebrations

An earthshaking prayer by the ASP Dream Girls rocked the SM Sky Dome last April 2, 2011 during the 4th World Autism Awareness Celebrations. “Give us the strength to make it through….grant us faith to carry on….give us hope when it seems all hope…” The lyrics of the song captured the exact sentiments of the families of the children dealing with autism present that day.

The opening song number, “Note to God,” is composed by Diane Warren, and popularized by Filipina teen singing sensation, Charice Pempengco. Organizers thought the song is a fitting gesture to inspire other parents to keep moving on for their children’s future, and pleading to the Almighty God for help to carry on.

ASP Dream Girls, Vell Barria, Nica Escasinas and Thara Marie Santiago took turns during the stanzas, with alternating vocals and blending of second and third voices, and ended in a more than one minute vocalization solicited a thunderous applause.

ASP Chair Emeritus said during one of the interviews with GMA-7’s SAKSI TV crew “We want to appeal to the public for more compassion and more understanding. Kasi pag hindi na-iintindihan ang autism, pag dating sa public, merong mga incidents na…pag hindi na-iintidihan ang mga actions, sympre, pwedeng pagtawanan….pwedeng kutyain…”

ASP Trustee, Ging Viado, the girl’s mentor revealed that the three ladies have just recently spent over-night rehearsal sessions at her place to polish the opening number and other solo performances as this event is very special. Ging was pep talking to the girls, while parents and caregivers were fussing over their make-up and outfits.

“Madaling makita ito (ang autismo) as negative. Pero para sa akin, hindi disability ang autism. Para sa akin, asset pa nga iyan,” said the father of Nica Escasiñas, one of the ASP Dream Girls.

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ASP continues to educate the public through showcasing of talents of persons with autism. With early intervention, a caring and nurturing environment, supportive family members and hard working educators, persons with autism can reach their fullest potentials, and be empowered to inspire others. For more information on how you can help Autism Society Philippines, call us at 7-903-5496 or email us at autismphils@gmail.com.

Acknowledgements to partners and supporters: SM Programs on Disability Affairs, SM Supermalls, SM Prime, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), House of Representatives Committee on Social Services, Buhay Party List, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Katipunan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas (KAMPI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (DepEd) and Archdiocese of Manila Persons with Disabilities Ministry (AMO-PDM).