The Autism Society Philippines in unity with the Quezon City PDAO, National Council on Disability Affairs, National Historical Commission and the ASEAN Autism Network, began a new tradition in Quezon City last 2 April 2016. We forewent the speeches typical of these sorties and instead gathered in prayerful celebration of life on the spectrum.
Performers with autism Cid Tampo, Chaelda del Carmen, Nica Escasiñas, Franco Cagayat, Thara Santiago & ASP Diliman Chapter’s Choir crooned and danced to praise music on stage, inspiring the community to sing and dance with them.
These performances were punctuated by prayers from PWA Gerald “JR” Tan, ASP National President Mona Veluz, NCDA Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga, SPED Teacher Jasmin Guan, ADHD Society of the Philippines VP and Autism Kuya John Meria, Pastor and Autism Dad Michael “Mike” Cariño, ASP Damariñas Cavite President Janette Peña and PWA Cid Tampo.
Fr. Angelito Ancla shared a reading from the bible and raised his hand to bless the community. While Thara Santiago sang “You Light Up My life,” participants lit candles -- a ceremony representing how the light and warmth of our advocacy need to be passed on from person to person.
ASP National President Mona Veluz returned to the stage to usher the ceremonial lighting up blue of the historic Quezon Memorial Monument, in the name of autism awareness.
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| Lighting Up blue of the historic Quezon Memorial Monument |
Through the kindness of the Quezon City PDAO, the community of 300 participants -- from San Fernando, Pampanga to Iloilo City -- shared a humble agape meal amidst the festive camera clicks and familial hugs at the end of the evening.
We could also not forget the contribution and hard work from our volunteers from the ASP Angel Volunteer Corps and OT graduating student from the University of Sto. Tomas, who kept the programme seamless, assisted with security, even cleared the crowd when a PWA had a seizure -- admirable angels working in the background.
About the contributor. Lloyd Ngo worked as an ASP intern when he attended Independent Living and Learning Center. He began working in 2012 as an encoder at the Ongkiko Manhit Custodio and Acorda Law Offices in Makati. He is currently ASP’s Program Assistant for Communications.
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