Splendour 2015

Valentine's Day came early this year! The Autism Society Philippines was invited to Splendour 2015 organized by Ateneo SPEED on 7 February 2015.

Our Adults with Autism during their "Prom" night

There were musical performances, photo booths, dances and games. Participants were given special sashes with "Best Date,” "Mr. Energetic" and the like, as a fun way to recognize how special people with exceptionalities truly are. ASP's Andrea Alviso, Kenrick Cheng, Gio Koe, Ian Lopez, Mico Ramos, Angelo So, Patrick So, Carl Veluz and their dates enjoyed the evening very much. Even our chaperones (aka mommies) seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

I am looking forward to our next "prom!”

About the contributor: Carl Veluz was non-verbal at the age of 5, when he was diagnosed with autism. With perseverance and hard work, he graduated from high school in 2010. He continued his education at the Entrepreneurship School of Asia and most recently, at the Independent Living and Learning Center in Mandaluyong. Carl works as a staff assistant for his father's business and works part-time at Puzzle Gourmet Cafe in Quezon City. He continues to tend his on-line business called "Gregarious Gifts.”

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Posted in: adults,friendship,socialization,university

[Poetry] Melisande’s hand

My good friend Melisande

Does strange things with her hand

She waves it like a wand

For giants in the land

My young friend Melisande
She leads a quiet band
She does this with her hand
For giants in the land

My good friend Melisande
Makes castles in the sand
Then dances to a band
A princess of the land

I don't quite understand
My good friend Melisande
The leader of the band
Who dances in the sand

But my friend Melisande
Was drawn up from the sand
By God's all-knowing hand
To live here in our land

All these things in her hand
Belong to Melisande
Who draws things with her wand
And makes them live on land

I hope to understand
My young friend Melisande
Who dances to a band
Her world, it must be grand!

This poem is a fun look at stimming, a self-stimulatory behavior associated with autism, from the point of view of a genuine friend. July 30 is the UN International Day of Friendship. If you have a poem about friendship with a person with autism, send it to dropbox4asp@gmail.com, with a brief bio and photo. We will publish selected poems on the ASP blog over the calendar year.

Gomez Family

About the poet: Patricia Marie Grace S. Gomez is a two-time Palanca Awardee for Poetry for Children "Poems from the Pantry and Prehistoric Times" and Short Story for Children "A Thousand Paper Cranes." She also has honorable mention from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People-Salanga Prize for her children's story "Pepe's Gift" about the childhood of Jose Rizal. She lives in Bacolod City with her husband Mark and their two boys Mark Jr. and Malachy.

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Posted in: friendship,poetry

Pondering on the ASP Laguna Siblings Camp

ASP Laguna Chapter celebrating Sibling Camp last May 9-10, 2014 at the Rizal Re-Creation Center in Rizal, Laguna. The province of Laguna had a long distance away from Baguio City. It took me about 10 hours, 2 different rides in order to attend my first ASP Siblings Camp. But it wasn’t about the distance or the hours of travel. It was somehow about being with another set of family.

ASP Laguna Sibs Camp formed into circle

At a young age, being the firstborn gives you the idea that siblings are playmates. A few years pass and they are teammates. Probably they become confidantes a couple of years more even with the trivial fights and misunderstandings. After all, they’re the things that make you closer. You journey together in the stages of life, look out and have high hopes and wishes for each other. Having a sibling with ASD doesn’t change that.

We probably have our own uncertainties, expectations and understanding. But we have had the same experiences, struggles and questions. It wasn’t just about finding strength in numbers. But it was about connecting, sharing and reflecting. We try to seek meaning in our reflections. We draw courage and certainty from each other’s insights. Then from that experience, we move to face whatever things to come.

As I now continue with life’s travel, I somehow look forward to the ongoing role of a sibling with enlightenment and purpose. In a few months, I’d still be the same academic coach prepping him for his exams. In a few years, we’d be laughing about how one got heavy or when one badly needed a haircut or to shave. A couple of years more, I’d probably be congratulating him together with the teary-eyed family for whatever achievements he continues to gain. In about 10 years or so, he’d perhaps be a groomsman at someone’s wedding and an uncle for a cheery son or a lovely daughter.

Our roles might continuously be piling up. As a cheerer, advocate, counsellor, and so on. It simply gives life and meaning to being a sibling.

(This article contributed by Kuya Rhem Austeen L. Danio, 23 years old of ASP Baguio Chapter)

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Posted in: chapters,community,friendship,regional

Disability Perspective & Autism Orientation Seminar

The ASP City of San Fernando Pampanga conducted an autism orientations in commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day. The event was the 7th in the series that Teacher Joy Ofrecia, ASP CSFP Chapter President, has been conducting since January 2014.

As Teacher Joy arrives in her seminar venues, she observes people makingjokes and using the term "autistic" to describe some of their workmates with different or displeasing attitude. But as the seminar concludes, she would get comments like "kaya pala ganon sila," "di pala sila dapat tinatawag ng ganun," "pwede pala silang matuto" and so forth. These reveal that there is still much work to do to make the community aware of what autism.

The Disability Perspective & Autism Orientation Seminar was conducted at the DENR R3 Conference Hall, Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando Pampanga. Mrs. Vilma V. Garcia Region III Planning Management Division Chief & Vice-Chair R3 GAD Focal Point System, a grandmother to a person with autism, spearheaded the seminar which was attended by DENR R3 Regional Director Francisco Milla, Jr. and 35 GAD focal persons from the different DENR Provincial Field offices. The said orientation served as part of the knowledge accumulation of the focal persons of the Gender and Development Focal Point System of DENR Region III. Learnings from this are expected to contribute in the implementation of GAD related programs.

During the presentation on disability perspective, provision of a non-handicapping environment and the mandated 1% of employees in government offices should be PWDs were discussed. ASP's 1Pangako campaign video was shown and participants made their promise, lead by Juris Patrick N. Ofrecia.

PWA Juris Ofrecia leading 1Pangako

As the 14 behavioral manifestations of autism were being discussed, one mom in the audience began assessing the behavior checklist. She later shared during the open forum said that her son displayed seven of the fourteen and concluded that he might be on the spectrum. Interestingly, more participants came out to share that they too have a member in the family affected by autism.

More agencies, companies and groups, public and private, to visit in the coming days. ASP CSFP Chapter is taking the road to reaching more people to make them understand and care for individuals with autism.

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Posted in: 4public,chapters,community,education,friendship,government,regional,seminar

ASP speaks at SPEED Formations Assembly

(This article is the contributions Jed Carangan, member of the Ateneo Special Education Society.)

The Ateneo Special Education Society (Ateneo SPEED) is a student organization in the Ateneo de Manila University which caters to people with special needs. With the finality of the looming end of the school year, the members or the Speple, often pause to think about how to further live out SPEED’s advocacy beyond school, especially for graduating students. SPEED’s Formations General Assembly 3 (FGA 3) serves as an avenue for further reflection and self-exploration in the context of SPEED’s activities for the past year and what to do for the next year or the long-term in the context of SPEED’s advocacy. It is also a seminar that provides guidance to Speple should they choose to actively engage in championing SPEED’s cause.

Erlinda “Dang” Koe of Autism Society Philippines shared her experiences as a mother of three, her eldest son with autism. Despite the difficulties she encountered, she was still able to lead a fruitful and fulfilling life, both for her and all her children. As she shared her experiences, her words echoed the similar challenges that Speple face in interacting with persons with special needs, and it was touching to listen to how she found fulfillment and joy brought forth by her son, similar to the sense of fulfillment that Speple feel upon the conclusion of each area visit, and after being in the company of people with special needs.

ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe addresses the "Speples" on volunteerism.

She also shared the various ways that people can help in spreading ASP’s advocacy through volunteering to work for ASP. She shared how Speple after graduation can still continue to work for SPEED’s and ASP’s advocacy, even if they can no longer directly participate in the events of SPEED. This allowed Speple to consider different avenues for promoting SPEED’s advocacy beyond school, which is especially important for graduating students as SPEED’s members come from various courses. Inevitably, Speple will be pursuing different career paths after graduation, which will make it difficult for each of them to push for SPEED’s advocacy just as vigorously. Dang Koe’s talk allowed Speple to realize a common ground for them to continue promoting SPEED’s advocacy, despite the different paths in life that they would have taken, which is through the spirit of volunteer work.

After Dang Koe’s talk, the Speple were asked to break into small groups for further reflection on SPEED’s advocacy and Dang Koe’s talk. This was an avenue for the Speple to reminisce about their stay in SPEED, and to further reflect on how they cherish SPEED’s advocacy and how they have grown to embody its ideals.

Dang Koe was also joined by ASP Trustee Peng So, whose PWA son Patrick, is graduating from Ateneo de Manila this March with a BS Life Sciences, a 4-year undergraduate honors program.

Overall, the FGA 3 was an apt conclusion to SPEED’s year. It allowed its members to consider what can be done for the advocacy in the future and to look back at how they grew as persons dedicated to helping make the lives of people with disabilities richer.

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Posted in: ateneo,education,friendship

Discovering Best Buddies

Many of us have long recognized that the deficits associated with autism has made it difficult for young adults on the spectrum to connect with people their age, more so, make life-long friendships. Many long for the company of friends -- which is different from being with their parents, their family or their caregivers.

Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), founded by Anthony K. Shriver in 1989. Their programs include opportunities at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels. For adults, the Best Buddies Citizen program pairs adults with similar interests to be “buddies” through regular shared activities. While the initial commitment is only one year, the mutual benefit of these creative friendships have paved the way for lifelong connections.

Rhodora Fresnedi, host of the BB training, with ASP Trustees (L-R) Peng So, Carmel Almendrala, Mona Veluz and Cecille Sicam

Best Buddies has a strong presence in Latin and North America, Europe and other parts of Asia; but Best Buddies Cebu is one of their older chapters, having existed for twenty years in ten regional universities. The Autism Society Philippines is among the institutions eager to explore the offerings of the recently established Best Buddies Manila. Diana Rihl, Deputy Director of International Programs from Best Buddies HQ, assisted by Dr. Angelina Onrubia, Best Buddies Manila Program Director, gave a briefing to ASP and other potential partner institutions like Unilab, SHINE, One World, ILLC, Bridges Foundation. DSAPI, Xavier School, International School, British School Manila, among others, last 15 February 2014. The half-day session educated potential Best Buddies advisers on the tools and techniques necessary to roll out the Best Buddies chapter.

The Autism Society Philippines is looking into launching the BB Citizen Program for our PWA members. Stay tuned for more details!

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Posted in: community,friendship,partners