The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of persons on the autism spectrum disorder. We envision a society where Filipinos on the spectrum become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive, socially-accepted citizens of an Autism-OK Philippines.

18 February 2010

Giant Leaps… Transcending Boundaries Continues!

By: Ranilo Sorongon, ASP Executive Director


After the tremendous success of the 14th National Autism Consciousness Celebrations; ASP flies to Thailand with the invitation to join Capacity Development of Self-Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities Workshop (CDSHOD).

The workshop was held last January 26 to 29, 2010 at Prince Palace Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. Delegates with vision, hearing, mobility disabilities; together with parents and their children with disabilities came from Southeast Asian Region; including Timor Leste.

The Philippines was represented by ASP Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon; Abner Manlapaz of Life Haven; Loloy Mercado of Katipunan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas (KAMPI) and Baby Padasas of Resources for the Blind, Cebu City Office.

participants of Capacity Development of Self-Help Organizations
of Persons with Disabilities Workshop (CDSHOD)

The workshop was organized by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) in partnership with Disabled Peoples International; with the support of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Nippon Foundation.

The workshop aimed to:

1. Further develop the capacity of Self-Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (SHOs) and to strengthen SHOs and promote inclusive development,

2. Increase understanding of the ASEAN mechanism through dialogue, and apply this to the enhancement of ASEAN regional collaboration through the active involvement of SHOs

3. Exchange information on the progress made in relation to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) and BMF+5 in ASEAN countries.


The five day workshop was very productive; the speakers and facilitators enlightened the participant PWDs and parents of children with disabilities.

One defining factor that stood out was the mutual respect, without discrimination, among the delegates. Everyone was given a chance to facilitate, share and ask questions-with respect, dignity and acceptance.

Lectures Beyond Borders

ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon was invited by APCD to give the following lectures:

The lecture, “Sustainable Management-The ASP Experience,” focused on how in 2002, ASP was at the brink of closing down due to internal problems and dire financial strains and how ASP rebounded to become one of the most dynamic and stable PWD Parent Support Organizations in the Philippines.

The lecture, “Resource Mobilization-The ASP Experience,” was given to a small group of delegates, focused on the basics of ASP’s fund raising activities during special events and advocacy events.

During the closing ceremonies, Mr. Sorongon also assigned to facilitate the Summation of Events and Learning Experiences from different participants.

Our sincerest thanks to the following: Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Nippon Foundation and Disabled Peoples International of Asia Pacific (DPI –AP); to all volunteers and Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) staff; and most especially to Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, APCD Executive Director; for the success of the trail blazing activity.

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