2011 ASP Family Day Celebration Highlights

By: Cristine Republica, ASP Trainee

ASP National and ASP Chapters from Bacoor, Commonwealth, Lagro, Pampanga, Diliman, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Metro South, UP-Camp Manila Chapters, San Fernando Pampanga, joined in the annual Family Day Celebrations. Other groups like STAC Quezon City, AMO-PDM, DENR, DOTC, DSWD-NCR, PVI Foundation Inc., The Institute of Health and Wellness, Bagumbayani, Cecilio Apostol Elementary School, Brgy. Comembo and JICA also came to support the event. The event ends the 15^th Autism Consciousness Week Celebrations.

Pa Raffle ng mga Anghel-2

This fund raising project aims to continue ASP’s Early Detection and Early Intervention Project. Every ticket bought is equivalent to helping targeted families of children with autism. Audiences scrambled for the last 7 tickets sold at the merchandise booth. The event took place during the Family Day Celebrations January 23, 2011, at Sky Dome, SM City, North EDSA, Quezon City.

Representative from SM Program on Disability Affairs Mr. Dennis Martel; Mr. Prime Bonife of DENR; ASP Trustee Carmel Almendrala; Governor to ASP Cavite Chapters, Jan Peña, and ASP National President, Grace Adviento; picked the lucky winners from the “tambiolo”. To read the winners for this year’s Pa-Raffle ng mga Anghel-2, click here .

Festive Mood
Aside from the raffle, the Sky Dome was in a fiesta mood with different booths and freebies for the whole family. Art Activity and Fun Games were provided by volunteers from PVI Foundation Inc., and Balloon Twisting and Face Painting, courtesy of Bagumbayani plus the energetic tandem of our emcees, Mom Lilet Laviña, a mother to Mikko a teen with autism and Amaris Cabason, sister of Vinz, a child with autism.

Amaris Cabason (left) and Lilet Laviña (right)

Participants were also treated to Terrific Talents of Person with Autism in area of singing. Carlo Turbolencia of New Era University gave an energetic and powerful upbeat song, “Dynamite” while Jaz Bongalon of ASP Lagro Chapter serenaded the audience with “Beautiful in My Eyes”.

There was On-the-Spot sketching courtesy of PWA Gabby Atienza; the Sibling’s Corner offered a Glitter Tattoos to adults and kids alike, courtesy of Ate Katrina, sister of Math Wizard Patrick and brother Angelo So, with other sibling support members, Anthea Peña, sister of Muneer, Ann and Emily Go, sisters of Gelo, Macy Adviento, sister of Adrian, Issa Cabason, sister of Vinz.

Gabby Atienza with his sketch

Katrina So with Mr. Prime Bonife of DENR

Since health is wealth, Clinica Manila headed by Raph Torralba, offered free blood pressure check-up for senior participants and Mr. Paolo Trinidad enticed the audiences with “Laughter Yoga” exercises. To keep the momentum going, ASP Dream Girls sent the audiences gyrating to “I will Survive” by Vell Barria and “All the Single Ladies” by Nica Escasiñas.

Other performers were Dave Ponce and his mom Aimee of ASP Diliman Chapter who gave a heart-wrenching duet “Sana”, Tristan de los Santos of ASP Commonwealth Chapter and Darlene de Guzman of St. Catherine.

Much to be Thankful For

Prior to the Family Day Celebrations, a Thanksgiving Mass at the Atrium of SM The Block, also in the same mall was held. Gabby Atienza and Michael Almendrala read the First and Second Reading, both are adults with autism.

Gabby Atienza and Mike Almendrala

Family, Friends and other supporters during the Holy Mass at Atrium SM North EDSA

The 15^th National Autism Consciousness Week celebration 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.