ASP Fieldtrip to Sanctuary for Children with Autism

By Cathy Genovia, ASP Program Assistant

ASP Trustees, staff and other families as well as ASP leaders from ASP Lagro and ASP Project 4 Cubao and their families had a wonderful adventure field trip to Philip’s Sanctuary, last November 6, 2011.

Mr. Pepe Pestaño, owner of Philip’s Sanctuary and his friendly staff, welcomed the ASP Family to their outdoor eco-recreation park, located in Pestaño Farm Road, Antipolo City. The 13-hectare property was created this eco-sanctuary in honor of Pepe and Nene Pestaño’s son, the late Ens. Phillip A. Pestano, PN

The trip was almost cancelled due to the heavy rains the previous night, but ASP National President, Grace Adviento, decided to push through with the event. Thankfully, the weather cooperated with the excited children and their family members during the day.

PWA JR Tan led the prayer

ASP National President Mary Grace Adviento welcome the participants

Everyone enjoyed the morning games like the three-legged race prepared by the ASP Staff and the recreational facilities like the hanging bridge, monkey bars, balancing logs, tire-bridge and other exciting team building courses, prepared by the Philip Sanctuary Staff. After the potluck lunch, the group went around the facilities to enjoy the different plant life and cottages. Others swam in the pool and tried the zipline.

The ASP Families enjoyed the facilities of the Philip's Sanctuary

The said field trip is one of the most enjoyable field trips of ASP. The Pestaño’s even prepared a sumptuous merienda of spaghetti and puto. Sir Pepe also spent time talking to the parents and other children. Sir Pepe said, when Philip was alive, he planted some of the indigenous Philippine fruits like mangostene around the sanctuary. He was also fond of children, thus the child-friendly facilities of the park.

ASP National President Mary Grace Adviento with Sir Pepe Pestaño during the awarding of certificate

The ASP Family with Sir Pepe Pestaño (seated - 6th from right)

Our sincerest thanks to the Pestaño Family and the Philip’s Sanctuary staff for a very fruitful event!

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Posted in: chapters,excursion,outing

Riding Helicopter and Flying Kite

By Emman Zamora, ASP Laguna autism self-advocate

Emmanuel Rei C. Zamora, fondly known as Emman, is a 12 year old boy who is presently enrolled as a first year high school student at Colegio de Los Baños in Los Banos Laguna. He loves outdoor sports, singing, reading books and collecting magazine about cars and trains.

He had his exhibit entitled "The Train Man" at the Basement Art Lab, last 10 August 2007. His Art teacher is Gerry Leonardo of Philippine Center for the Arts, UPLB. Emman also joins the young adults in Autism Resource Center in their activities.

Emman Zamora in a helicopter

Many students were going home after a night of partying, there were no jeepneys around. I slept for only five hours because I had to wake up at 2:00 am. My Nanay (mom) and I took a tricycle going to Olivarez Plaza, were we took the HM Transport Inc. bus A-315 a bus on its first trip going to Cubao. It traversed the SLEX (South Luzon Expressway). We alighted the bus from SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. We were early. To pass the time, I watched different buses going to and fro- this I enjoyed. I spotted two peculiar buses parking in front of SM Megamall. It was our ride. Normal 0 We were assigned to the Baliwag Transit, Inc.’s Man AG bus # 9927. We traversed EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue), which is known for EDSA 1 & EDSA 2 Revolution; NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), until the bus went off at Angeles City Exit. We reached the Angeles City Flying Club and were greeted by ultra-light airplanes flying by. It was a great sight.

The venue was in a hangar for light planes at Angeles City Flying Club Compound in Talimundoc, Magalang Pampanga. Each PWD was given a T-shirt and a red Canon visor. The program started with a prayer from a PWD, the Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas (the Lupang Hinirang) in audio only, followed by welcoming remarks. All the PWDs were assigned one Canon A-Team Photographer. My buddy was Earl.

So this is how a movie star feels! I have my own “paparazzi” now. While this was going on, my tummy kept on grumbling. I was super hungry, having just oatmeal when we left Los Baños.

Emman and Santa Claus

The emcees announced that we had a special guest coming in. Wow! It was Santa Claus flying in, not with the reindeer, but in a Philippine Air Force Huey helicopter! All the names of the selected PWD’s were called. When this writer of the article’s name was called, I went up the stage, pictures were taken.

I quickly went down and hurriedly open my gift from Santa. To my astonishment, I saw the latest issue of Top gear Philippines December 2010 issue and Road & Track’s April 2010 issue. Oh my! How did Santa know what I liked? Geez, it was great! Finally, after the ceremonies, we had a Jollibee breakfast!

Emman Painting

After the gift-giving and breakfast, we were sorted into groups. I belonged to group 3. After sorting us out, there was a photo-op. After the photo-op, we were asked to paint a streamer with real paint.

“Uh, oh! It was fun, well, except for the paint in my sock, shoes and pants, it could have been worse.”

After painting, I was hungry again. So I went to the siomai booth, the popcorn booth and the ice cream booth. After getting some food, my assigned buddy photographer, Earl, asked me if I wanted to go ride a helicopter. We rode on an R-22 Helicopter, with my Nanay.

I wasn't nervous because I have ridden an airplane but never ridden a helicopter.

After riding we had kite making. I wanted to try flying the kite I made, but we were asked to join a treasure hunt after lunch. We were led into a Mango Orchard beside the hangar. We were given a paper with symbols on it, we have to look for these symbols pasted on the mango trees and write what objects was there in that symbols. There were 10 symbols. Nanay and I went from one tree to another. We finished ninth. The others were faster than us. Prizes were given in the treasure hunt, one for me and Nanay.

We had another visitor, Jollibee! (mascot) There was a photo-op with Jollibee. Afterward we had a group picture with everyone from the activity. We said our good byes and went to our bus. Vell, my group mate, called it a “sauna bus”, ‘because the air conditioning was turned off! But soon drifted to sleep, dreaming about the day’s activities.

“I was able to fly my kite after the treasure hunt. Mine flew highest! I loved this activity! It was an awesome experience. I wish I could be invited again.”

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Posted in: chapters,excursion,journey,laguna,outing,self-advocates