Join the Paralym Art World Cup 2019!

The Autism Society Philippine is organizing a stable of artists willing to compete at the Paralym Art World Cup, a series of annual art events which will culminate with the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. The competition seeks to empower artists with disabilities all around the world.

¨Roads to the Festival¨ by Carl Veluz, Philippine Winner, Paralym Art World Cup 2018

This year theme for the Paralym Art World Cup 2019 is "Dance/Performance." "Dance/Performance" can mean many different things and can be observed all over the world-for example, scared dance as a prayer, sports performance, dance in a social occasion, dance in a street etc. This can be express many emotions and perceptions as well as stories behind. this is also can be based on everyday expressions, such as dancing with joy when you're happy, plodding along when you're sad. Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and fill out the form below.

Who can join?
Persons with autism, regardless of age, with a PWD ID or medical abstract from a developmental physician can join the competition.

What are the specifications of the art work?
Art work must be between A4（210mm×297mm）to A0（841mm×1189mm）in size. Art work can be digital paintings, colored pencil drawings, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, water color paintings, papercut art, print, embroidery, calligraphy, others. LIMITATIONS: When the surface of the submitted artwork is full of BUMPS to a degree that makes it impossible to scan, the artwork will not be considered for the contest. Photos and 3-dimensional objects will NOT be considered as legitimate applications.

How many entries can a PWA send?
Applicants can only send one entry.

How do we send our entry?
(1) Fill out the form below.

(2) Scan artwork with a decent scanner. Phone images are also acceptable but not ideal. Original art work must be between A4 (210mm×297mm) to A0 (841mm×1189mm) in size. Art work can be digital paintings, colored pencil drawings, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, water color paintings, papercut art, print, embroidery, calligraphy, others. Maximum file size is 10MB.

LIMITATIONS: When the surface of the submitted artwork is full of BUMPS to a degree that makes it impossible to scan, the artwork will not be considered for the contest. Photos and 3-dimensional objects will NOT be considered as legitimate applications. Finalists will be asked to send the original artwork to Japan.

(3) Scan artist's PWA ID and/or medical abstract from a developmental physician proving their disability.

(4) Create an email. Subject line must read: PARALYM ART WORLD CUP 2019 / Last Name, First Name of Artist.

(5) Attach files from Items 1 and 2 in the email and send to autismphils@gmail.com. Deadline is 28 May 2019, Tuesday, 5pm.

What are the prizes?
Prizes include JPY500,000 (grand prize) and JPY250,000 (second prize). Award winners of key prizes will also be invited to Tokyo to attend the award ceremony and reception party to be held in September 2019. Extra prizes will also be provided to the award winners. Airfare and accommodation for PWA and parent are included. Award winners will be responsible for the cost of passport and Japanese visas.

What is the selection process*?
June 2019 - Premilinary screening by the Paralym Art World Cup Executive Office and participating embassies in Japan
July 2019 - Final selection by judges panel, embassies and sponsor companies
September 2019 - winners will be announced on the Paralym Art World Cup website and will also be individually contacted by the Paralym Art Executive Office.

Winning artworks must be sent to the Paralym Art World Cup Executive Committee by post. (Shipping will be paid for by the committee).
*subject to change

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Posted in: art,competition,international

ASP colors our world Autism-OK!

The Autism Society Philippines commemorated World Autism Awareness Day through a collaborative art event aptly called the ASP Color It Autism-OK! at the Mall of Asia Arena Music Hall on 2 April, Tuesday. The event aimed to engage the Philippine autism community in an inclusive activity, where everyone, regardless of age and capabilities can participate.

The event began promptly at 3pm, with the opening prayer from Apolinario Mabini Awardeed and PWA Tomas Perez-Diaz. The ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off the event with ASEAN Autism Network Honorary Chairperson Dang Koe, ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP SACi Vice President for External Carl Veluz, SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Marketing (CSR) Chito Bauzon, and SM Mall of Asia Mall Manager Amy Gonzales. The creative minds behind the upcoming Cinemalaya entry "Iska" about an impoverished grandmother taking care of a grandson with profound disability from autism -- film director Theodore Boborol, award-winning indie actress Ruby Ruiz and upcoming actor Pryle Gura -- also held sheers to our opening ribbon.

The event featured the 860 square feet of coloring surface, reproduced from Summit Books' "Hue Can Do It Manila". The pages were illustrated in pen and ink by publications professional and designer Ms. Asa Montenejo. Big thanks go out to Summit Books Editor-in-Chief Lio Mangubat and Smart Parenting Editor-in-Chief Leah Nemil-San Jose for helping put everything together!

"Hue Can Do It Manila!" in 860 square feet.

ASP Angel Corps Volunteers manned our registration tables and volunteer PWAs donned angel wings to distribute and collect crayons from silver buckets.

About 580 participants registered from ASP chapters from all over Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna. ASP Pasay Chapter brought home first prize for biggest contingent -- 32 Kidzania tickets worth P26,000 from our friends from Cebu Pacific; while ASP UP CAMP won P10,000 gift certificates from the SM Store.

ASP Pasay was our big winner!

Ms. Carmen Zubiaga, Acting Executive Director of the National Council on Disability Affairs closed the event with a call to action to make every day "autism awareness" day; and the invitation for the vibrant Autism Society Philippines community to be more active in the cross-disability initiatives.

Ms. Carmen Zubiaga and the ASP National Trustees (L-R) Marivic Ramos, Helen Cheng, Donna Lim, Peng So, Dang Koe, Mona Veluz, Imee Alviso and Joy Ofrecia

This national autism advocacy event could not have been possible without the hard work of the ASP Color It Autism-OK! Project Team Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz, Ms. Peng So, Ms. Helen Cheng, Ms. Donna Lim and Ms. Imee Alviso. This was organized by the Autism Society Philippines with SM Cares, SM Mall of Asia, National Council on Disability Affairs, Summit Books, Cebu Pacific; and supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan-ASEAN Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, ASEAN Autism Network and the ASEAN Autism Mapping Project.

"The Autism Society Philippines makes every day World Autism Awareness Day!" -- seeing this flashed on the iconic SM MOA Globamaze was an awesome way to end the day, considering how the ASP Color It Autism-OK! Collaborative Art Event at the SM MOA Music Hall was a resounding success! #AutismOKPH #TRENTAgether

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Posted in: art,colors,WAAD

ASP's Project Gourm-A delivers an Autism-OK Dining Experience

Young adults on the autism spectrum of the Autism Society Philippines community congregated at the Vatel Restaurant Manila on the roof deck of the Hotel Benilde in Manila City to deliver an inclusive dining experience to advocates and supporters.

Hours before doors opened, PWAs were welcomed by the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde family. Student organizations Chefs in Progress and World Hoteliers in Progress of the DLC-CSB School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management and young adults with autism were assigned as kitchen staff, waiters and hosts, alongside neurotypical students to provide a unique dining experience. Students and PWAs were paired into work partners; and had a short team building exercise, before the dinner service began.

Youth of ASP and DLS-CSB SHRIM

ASP's Autism Works x Project Gourm-A [gur-'may] event aspires to discover and show off skills of individuals on the spectrum in the restaurant industry. The encounter inspired acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism through delivery of an autism-inclusive dining experience, development of employability skills of persons with autism in the food industry, development of autism-inclusive workplaces, and exposure of professionals in the food and hospitality industries to neurodiverse individuals.

Vatel Restaurant Manila Executive Chef Pierre Cornelis welcomed PWA Conan Dizon as one of his kitchen assistants, who helped in prepping and plating the sumptuous four-course dinner of curried cauliflower with roast cashew soup, asparagus pomelo salad with andalusia dressing, beef bourguignon and salmon fillet with tian vegetables and jasmine pilaf rice and a choice of cerveza negra and chocolate ice cream and mango crème brulee.

Dean Angelo, Chef Pierre, PWA Conan and Team Vatel

PWA Danica Escasiñas, ASP Autism Angels Achievement Awardee for Performing Arts in 2017, elevated the evening's atmosphere with her smooth renditions of pop ballads.

PWA Danica belting our a smooth tune.

Mr. Arthur Alina, Director for Hatcheries, trained and commanded the service crew, who delivered customer-endearing service throughout the evening. PWAs Katherine Nagtano and Carl Veluz welcomed the guests at the door and ushered them to their tables.

PWAs Katherine, Carl and CHIP's Janine

PWAs Jason Cando, Dreau Narciso, John Silva, Julius Sison and Brainard Tabije served their customers heart-warming French Mediterranean dishes. Aside from enjoying the experience, they all learned first hand how hard hotel and restaurant professionals have to work to deliver a
fine meal.

After being on their feet for the whole evening,
the ASP service team felt a profound respect for restaurant professionals.

Dean Angelo Lacson of De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde SHRIM is among the project's enthusiastic supporters; and was seen checking in on the DLS-CSB students and their neurodiverse partners all through out the night. "Embracing inclusion as School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management is not about just following the mandate of the College but rather our championing of equal opportunity and equal representation. This dinner involving young adults on the autism spectrum is our school’s initial step in providing them with hospitality and culinary enrichment options.” CHIP Adviser Chef Tiffany Santuyo, Chef Jester Arellano and WHIP Adviser Mr. Jerwin Pineda were also present to guide and inspire!

The Autism Society Philippines is thankful for the amazing support from the
DLS-CSB School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management.

Our happy diners included Bro. Dennis Magbanua FSC (outgoing President of College of Saint Benilde), Ms. Michelle Ressa Aventajado (Country Manager, Best Buddies Philippines) Ms. Suzanna Pavadee Vicheinrut Yuzon (Founder, Miss Possibilities), among other supporters who enjoyed a chill, laid-back dining experience.

ASP's Mona Veluz with Bro. Dennis Magbanua FSC,
Bro. Manny Sia FSC and friends

ASP's Imelda and Andrea Alviso, Miss Possibilities' Susanna Yuson
and Jacqueline Alba, and Best Buddies' Michelle, Nino and Gia Aventajado

"Benilde has always believed in the importance of inclusion. In providing our students with opportunities for learning, along with the necessary support and accommodations, we open doors for them to become contributing members of society" declared Ms. Nicky Templo-Perez, Director for the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde Center for Inclusive Education. "We are so excited to be supporting ASP’s Project Gourm-A and have our students from the SHRIM organizations work with persons with autism! I’m sure it will be a powerful experience for everyone."

The advocates of ASP and DLS-CSB SHRIM
smile after a long night. Tired but happy!

The ASP Project Gourm-A Project Team Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz, Ms. Peng So, Ms. Helen Cheng and Ms. Evelyn Go, were engaged and involved months ahead, ensuring an successful event and meaningful partnership.

"The Project GourmA event tonight delivered on its promise of an intimate, sumptuous dinner," shared ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz. "Aside from allowing the general public to experience how many young adults on the autism spectrum are ready for employment in the food and restaurant industry, our hearts are full because we saw how our diners, our PWAs and our partners had fun. Inclusion should always be this effortless."

Relive the experience through these photos.

The Autism Society Philippines, through its Autism-OK Philippines campaign, aims to build an autism-inclusive society by working proactively with the public and private sectors to create institutional mechanisms that inspire responsive policies and programs, autism-inclusive education, autism-friendly public spaces, compassionate workplaces, more transitions specialists, more professionals on the spectrum and livelihood opportunities for PWAs and their families. #AutismOKPH #TRENTAgether

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Posted in: gourm-a

ASP Family Support Group for April 2019

ASPs monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants share their experiences and draw enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges. We welcome members and non-members to this intimate gathering. New ASP members are encouraged to join.

Ms. Cecile Sicam

Our facilitator for this month is Cecile Sicam. Cecile Sicam is one of the 11 original founders of the Autism Society Philippines. She has served ASP in many capacities, as President from 2001 to 2004; and as its current Secretary, Education Committee Head and Project Manager of the Homepowerment Project. Cecile has been instrumental in the founding of Professionals for Autism Foundation, Inc., Center for Autism and Related Disorders, the Philippine Association for Behavioral Analysis. She taught SpEd for three years Santa Clara, California; and came back to serve Filipino children with special needs. She served as Directress of Bridges Foundation, Inc. Her adult son, Likas, has been employed for more than a decade.

Date: 13 April 2019, Saturday
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Venue: Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters
Address: #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentebella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Sign up for the Family Support Group via the on-line form below or call +632 903.5496. Only 15 seats are available.

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Posted in: 4parents

TEACCH-ing Made Easy

TEACCH-ing Made Easy

27 April 2019, Saturday, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

ASP National Headquarters, #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentebella,

Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City

Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Creating an environment conducive for learning and developing independence need not be difficult. Learn how to apply principles of Structured Teaching at home and in the classroom with practical examples and hands on experience in planning and making structured materials. The talk aims to explain the philosophy and significance of structured teaching, provide the different approaches in setting up the home and the classroom to guide the neuro-diverse learners where to be, what, when, and how to do tasks as independently as possible. Participants will be able to take their materials to use at home or in their classroom.

About the Speakers

Ms. Maria Cecilia Zamora

Maria Cecilia V. Zamora or Teacher Ichie received her Bachelor in Secondary Education and Masters in Health Education at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She received her second Master's Degree in Special Education at the Philippine Normal University. Her teaching experience spans 20 years, covering preschool to college levels. From 2011 to 2015, she devoted her time at Bridges Foundation, a school for children with developmental disabilities as a SPED teacher, handling a vocational class comprised of 14 to 21 year old students with various special needs. Presently, she is connected with UP College of Education and serves as the Executive Secretary and DEC member of the ASEAN Center for Preventive Drug Education.

Ms. Mary Rose Genova

Mary Rose Genova is a licensed Professional Teacher. She is a trained special education teacher, teacher-researcher, school kindergarten coordinator, school research committee (SRC) member and Division of Quezon City session guide writer. As a Special Education professional, Ms. Mary Rose handles self-contained programs for students with various learning needs. She prepares learning experiences suited to the needs of her students, including organization and structuring of the learning environment. As a public school Special Education teacher, she is able to accomplish these despite very limited resources.

Seminar Rates

The Seminar is exclusive to members of the Autism Society Philippines
P 800 - Seminar only (For existing ASP Members)
P 1,200 - Seminar + ASP membership

Seminar fees may be deposited to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 70 slots available. No refund will be given to participants who do not show up on the date of the seminar. For more details, please call ASP at 02-903-5496.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their application and implementation are left at your discretion. The views and personal experiences of the speakers are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros,4public,education,seminar