By Cathy Genovia, ASP Volunteer
More than 5,000 angels flocked to join the ASP Angels Walk for Autism last 16 January 2011, at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City; with participants from as far as Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga and Naga. The ASP Angels Walk for Autism ushered in the 15th National Autism Consciousness Week celebrations, with the theme, “Autismo Paghandaan: Maagap na Deteksyon at Interbensyon Isakatuparan.” This year’s NACW is co-chaired by the Department of Transportation and Communications and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
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| The more than 5, 000 participants who joined the Angels Walk 2011 |
Friends from the Palms Country Club Fitness Center.
Click here to read about PCCFC , led the crowd to a special exercise number, followed by PWAs from ASP Cavite Chapters who led the Invocation with an interpretative song and dance number. ASP’s own AVP of National Anthem featured photos from the various Colors of “A” Spectrum workshops/exhibits of ASP Chapters around the country.
Angelic Messages
Engr. Bien Mateo, Director of SM Program on Disability Affairs, welcomed participants to SM, host to the ASP Angels Walk for Autism for the past three years. This was followed by the VTR of “The Heart of SM,” highlighting SM’s Corporate Social Responsibility Projects for Persons with Disabilities.
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| Engr. Bien Mateo Director of SM Program on Disability Affairs |
More Angelic messages followed from Mr. Prime Bonife, Focal Person on PWD Concerns of DENR, and Arch Rizal Morales of DOTC, this year’s co-chair to the 15th ACW; Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo of Phil. Coast Guard and Cong. Irwin Tieng of BUHAY Party List Representative.
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| Mr. Prime Bonife, Focal Person on PWD Concerns of DENR |
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| Arch. Rizal Morales of DOTC |
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| Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo of Philippine Coast Guard |
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| Cong. Irwin Tieng, BUHAY Party List Representative |
Walking for Autism
The 5,000-strong participants from schools, institutions, LGUs, NGOs, supporters, professionals, volunteers, and ASP Chapter representatives, friends and family members of persons with autism made a collective move to walk around the SM Mall of Asia grounds and re-converged to the Music Hall where the Variety Program took place.
Click here to read ASP National President’s speech for Angels Walk.
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| (from left) ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe, SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia, Arch. Rizal Morales of DOTC, Buhay Partylist Representative Cong. Irwin Tieng, SM Prime President Hans Sy, SMPDA Director Engr. Bien Mateo, Elmer Lapena of DSAPI, AVP Mall of Asia and SMNE Stephen Tan and ASP President Grace Adviento |
Variety Show and PWA Talents
To signify the opening of the program, students from Integrated Living Learning Center (ILLC) escorted ASP Chair Emeritus, Dang Koe, emcee for the event. Alternating with her are co-emcees, Teacher Kismette Cepe of ASP Bacoor Chapter and Paolo Aguilar.
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| ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe and the ILLC Hunks |
GMA Artists also came to support the celebrations with Kapuso Stars: Rich Asuncion, Prince Stefan and Rita Iringan, rendering song and dance numbers. Since the whole week is dedicated to persons with autism, PWAs also showcased their special abilities in singing and dancing - courtesy of ASP Trustee and Autism Talent Manager, Ging Viado, her staff and team from GS Option House.
PWA Singers
- ASP Dream Girls: Thara Marie Santiago, Vell Barria and Nica Escasinas;
- PWA Solo Singers: Jason Palmeda, Gabriel Nazareth, Rodrigo Luis Recto, Seann Espinili, Julian Raphael Taasan, Robert Meigh "BuBoy" Dolor
- 20 PWAs who joined in singing the 80’s hit song “We are the World”.
PWA Dancers
- Mark Lawrence Buendia, Daniel Garcia, Karen Marquez, Jesus and Joshua Barsatan; Ashley Taylo, Lance Mendoza, Kaleb Bermillo and Daryl Samalca;
- GS Angel Dancers: Dean Hernando Diaz, Gabriel Nazareth, Justin Bitanga, Jonathan Onnagan and Lanz Dimero;
- GS Angels: Cathroy Perena, Asha Leoncio, Jeremy Rodillas, Gabriel Serrano, Tristahn Cruzada, Vio Picardal and Brendan Sumande;
- Hip Groovers: Jerome Tiangco, Noelle Cruz, Ryan Beldia, Michael Perez and RJ Dordas.
- ILLC Hunks: Eion Crawford Atienza, Patrik Miguel de Leon, Joseph Garcia, Marius Anton Maniwang, Melvin Lloyd Ngo, Cornell Sarangaya, Dexter Yao and Carlo Gregorio Veluz.
- Transmovers Dancers: Lanz Dimero, Noelle Cruz, Justin Bitanga, Ryan Beldia, Michael Perez, Jason Palmeda, Dean Diaz and Jonathan Onnagan.
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| The ASP Talents |
Grace Abounds for Autism
The event was another fun filled experience not only to the children with autism but also to their families and supporters who have joined them in their journey. ‘Till our next Angels Walk!
The 15th National Autism Consciousness Week was made possible through ASP partners: ACW co chairs – Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Archdiocese of Manila Persons with Disabilities Ministry (AMO-PDM), Bagumbayani, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), House of Representatives Committee on Social Services, Liliane Foundation, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and SM Programs on Disability Affairs.
Our sincerest thanks to our following sponsors: SM Prime, SM Cares, SM Program on Disability Affairs, SM City North EDSA, Skydome, SM City Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, The French Baker, Unilever RFM Ice Cream, Inc ,Transaxion Unlimited Corporation ,Councilor Alfred Vargas, Ardex Motor Corporation ,Long Life Bakery, Philippine Multimedia Systems, Inc. , Richard's Food Products, Pizza Pedrico's Food Corporation, GMA 7, Home Town Realty Developer,Inc., Palms Country Club, McDonalds, Rey & Peng So.
Special Thanks to ASP Volunteers who helped and supported the Angels Walk for Autism: Teacher My Sorongon, Ms. Bing David, Ms. Rina Figueroa, UST Volunteers and Bagumbayani Volunteers.
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