ASP Dagupan City Chapter Blazes Fire in Celebration of Autism Consciousness Week

By: Dr. Ma. Cristina Terrado - Broncano, ASP Dagupan City Chapter President

For its initial project, the Dagupan City Chapter of Autism Society Philippines decided to embark on their own version of colors of a spectrum photo exhibit entitled “Thru the Eyes of Autism”. With the help of Dagupan Bangus Litratista, they spent an afternoon romping the grounds of the Provincial Capitol in Lingayen. The pictures were exhibited initially at the Museo Dagupan, on January 23-25, 2012 in line with the opening of the celebration for Autism Consciousness Week. Present in the ribbon cutting ceremony was no less than the City Mayor, Benjie Lim who declared an all out support for people with autism who cannot afford interventions.

Ribbon cutting with the City Mayor Benjie Lim and
Chapter President Dr Ma. Crisitna Terrado-Broncano
and other chapter representatives

Last January 24, 2012, Chapter President Dr. Ma. Cristina Terrado - Broncano was invited to talk on Gandang Umaga Kapamilya, a local early morning show on ABS-CBN. Thursday, January 19, 2012, together with the City Health Officer, Dr. Leonard Carbonel, she again talked on Aksyon Radio, 1261khz, a local am station. Friday, January 20, 2012, again with Dr. Leonard Carbonel, she talked on Talk to Doc, a local early morning show on GMA. The media exposure opened the eyes of Pangasinenses to autism which was still a condition people shrug at in the province. The chapter president made it a point to everyone to accept and understand people with autism who need to be integrated into the society to create better opportunities and even a more productive life for them.

Tete a tete With ernest vidal on Gandang umaga kapamilya on ABS CBN

The media exposure also gave the photo exhibit at the CSI Mall Atrium a big draw. People came and saw the picture of autism and more families touched by the condition came out and applied for membership with the society. One parent even said “I am glad there is now a group like this in the city.” She was so glad to share her thoughts on bringing up her 13 yr old son diagnosed with autism.

The photo exhibit at the CSI Mall

(The photo exhibit, still ongoing at the Super 8 (West Gate) until Jan 31, will also be displayed at the ACES therapy center until February 3).

With a fruitful start of the year for the chapter, more projects are in the works to welcome new members and to create more awareness for people with autism and their families in the city and hopefully in the province.

You can contact ASP Dagupan Chapter President Dr. Ma. Cristina Terrado - Broncano at 0905-330-9194.