Autism Society Philippines joins 1st Earthquake Resilience Conference

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens, like everyone else in the affected populace, struggle through in times of natural disasters as earthquakes and typhoons. These two sectors are particularly vulnerable to the calamitous effects of the crises given the physical and/or mental limitations in their conditions, and the lack of plans and programs for PWDs and the elderly on how to best prepare for and deal with such calamities.

Participants attending 1st Earthquake Resilience Conference including PWDs and Senior Citizens

A symposium to present and discuss the issue was held last 29 June 2015 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Under the auspices of SM Cares in partnership with DOS-PHILVOLCS, NDRRMC and MMDA, the half-day event was called “Earthquake Resilience Conference – 1st Earthquake Conference for Persons with Disabilities” which featured subject matter experts and attendees from Senior Citizen and PWD groups from around Metro Manila. The ASP participants consisted of PWAs, chapter leaders, parents, siblings and service providers.

Resource speakers included PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., Architect Jaime Silva of the United Architects of the Philippines, Mr. Mark Padil, a Behavioral Specialist from the Autism Society Philippines and Mr. Johnny Yu, Director of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Their highly informative presentations expounded on the nature and hazards/risks involved during earthquakes, as well as recommended course of actions our PWDs and senior citizens can do during such eventualities. Mark Padil for his part detailed on Persons with Autism (PWA) specific behaviors and practical response options for emergency assistance workers tending to PWAs.

The conference included an open forum session where a number of senior citizens and PWDs were able to ask questions. A small section in the venue displayed Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and paraphernalia recently acquired by the city of Manila for its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council unit. Towards the conference close, all participants received emergency preparedness tokens courtesy of SM Cares Foundation consisting of an information card, whistle and small flashlight.

One brief video presentation during the event, the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, emphasized on the need for PWDs’ inclusion in the overall disaster risk management plan and program of every community. Bringing this forward by way of this earthquake resilience conference is one major positive step toward this end.

This article is a contribution from Mr. Al Peña -- the “First Gentleman” to ASP’s immediate past president Jan Peña.

Read more »

Posted in: conference,disaster,sm

ARC Trainees In Action For Laguna Seminars

Autism Resource Center trainees participated in Laguna Seminars on Autism, which was held on June 26, 2015 at D. L. Umali Hall inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus. The seminars discussed topics involving the trends and aspects related to autism in Laguna province and the world in general.

D.L. Umali Hall

Though not part of the program proper, they took charge of the food distribution, where they provided morning snacks, lunch and afternoon snacks. They also manned the coffee booths, which were essential for the motivation of the participants.

The participants commented that their service is fast but organized. They added that the trainees were efficient in distributing the food and that they are adept in what they were doing.

The trainees also promoted and marketed products that they made. These include the timeless angel products like bracelets, cellphone charms, earrings, necklace, bookmarks, car charm, door charm. The survival bracelet and key chain, new product offered by ARC, were first introduced in the same event. The survival bracelet, which has a built-in whistle, can carry up to 550 pounds or approximately 250 kilograms when unraveled. The survival bracelets were made from parachute cords, which are used by many military units since the early 1940’s. On the other hand, the key chains have a built-in whistle and a fire starter which is waterproof. Such products can be used in time of emergencies like natural disasters and power outages.

The ARC team was composed of Michael Cansanay, Emman Zamora, Patrick Ian Cruz, Gino Luna, Joshua Pantoja, Ian Lopez, Kaymar Mendaña and Mico Ramos. They were assisted by Ms. Lian del Valle, Ms. Marivic Ramos, Ms. Vay Chavez, Ms. Deborah Sanchez, Ms. Cathy Lopez, Ms. Monette Garcia, Ms. Gigi Gomez, Ms. Vangie Biel and Ms. Jane Pantoja. Arnel Megino and Ms. Ardee Deang documented the events and provided assistance together with parent-volunteer Eman Teodoro.

The Laguna Seminars on Autism was organized by the two partner schools of Autism Society Philippines Laguna Chapter (First Steps Intervention and Therapy Center & Kids Cove Center for Children with Learning Differences) and the Philippine General Hospital’s Developmental and Behavioral Studies Unit in partnership with the Office of the Chancellor of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Department of Human and Family Development Studies of the UPLB College of Human Ecology, the UPLB University Health Service and Autism Society Philippines Laguna Chapter.

The speakers were Pilar Habito, Dr. Alexis L. Reyes, Dr. Rita Grace R. Villadovid, Dr. Ma. Anna Lourdes A. Moral, Ms. Mae Catherine S. Sadicon, Ms. Cecile Sicam and Dr. Joel D. Lazaro. The participants in the panel discussion held during the afternoon were Catherine L. Lopez (ASP Laguna Chapter President), Ms. Rhodela C. Manaloto (Co-owner of First Steps Intervention and Therapy Center), Rhodalyn Aurea B. Mendoza (Directress of Kids Cove Center for Children with Learning Differences), Rowena Ynion (Speech Therapist), and Elmer Alipala (Occupational Therapist).

“In general, the participation of the ARC/ASP Laguna team together with the enthusiastic reception of the participants made the event a resounding success.”

About the author: Ian Lopez is an incoming senior student at University of the Philippines Los Baños taking up BA Sociology. He is a self-advocate for people with disabilities and volunteers with ASP Laguna Chapter since 2009.

Read more »

Posted in: chapters,laguna,seminar

ASP joins Telus in a fun-filled Family Day

Telus International Philippines recently embarked on the fund-raising campaign among its employees for the Autism Society Philippines. The BPO giant’s Market! Market! and Mckinley sites sold autism awareness shirts in a Shirt-For-A-Cause Campaign, which raised P100,000 for ASP.

ASP boys just wanna have fun!

The employees also organized a Family Day at the Philippine Army Gym, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last 14 June 2015. They were joined by families from ASP National and multiple chapters from the south. The picnic grounds was dressed up like a carnival with bright colors, game booths, food booths and clown magic shows to the delight of the ASP and Telus families. Parlor games showered the attendees with Telus merchandise and other fun tokens. The genuine effort of the Telus employees to get to know more about autism and the families who live with the condition was evident.

ASP National President Mona Veluz, her son Carl, and the hard-working Telus organizing team

Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President shared that she had been part of the Telus family many moons before, as Director for Talent Acquisition Marketing. She noted her joy at how her two families -- ASP and Telus -- are coming together in a spirit of fun, generosity and genuine inclusion.

The ASP and Telus families celebrate!

During the event, Autism Society Philippines received a donation from Telus that will support education, employment and advocacy priorities. Aside from this effort, Telus International Philippines assists our ASP Laguna Chapter via grants which benefit its community based rehabilitation programs.

Read more »

Posted in: chapters,corporate,csr,donation,family,telus

ASP Family Support Group for June 2015

ASP monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants share their experiences and draw enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges. We welcome members and non-members to this intimate gathering.

Ms. Jan Peña with son Muneer

Our facilitator for the June 20 Family Support Group session is Mary Janette I. Peña. Jan is the immediate past-President of ASP National and one of the movers behind the meteoric creation of ASP chapters nationwide. Her exemplary efforts have gathered; hundred of members from Cavite alone. Her passion in serving the autism community earned her a title as ASP’s “hypermom.” Mom to her three children, Tita Jan’s second child is Muneer, a young man with autism.

Date: June 20, 2015
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Venue: Avida Settings Clubhouse Molino Road, Bacoor City, Cavite
Map: http://bit.ly/1Ih2ijE

Sign up for the Family Support Group below or call 7-903-5496. Only 15 seats are available.

Read more »

Posted in: chapters,fsg,regional