ASP Christmas Greetings

ASP Beneficiary of Photography with a Difference Workshop in Subic

By: Gina Bermudo, ASP Trustee

Autism Society Philippines Olongapo Chapter participated in the Second Subic Bay Photography Workshop with a Difference entitled, "Waves of Change-Second Wave", last December 13 at Ocean Park, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City.

ASP Trustee Gina Bermudo (1st row-2nd from left) and son Niko (1st row-left) with ASP Olongapo Chapter headed by Chapter President Edna Aragones (1st row-3rd from right)

The event was organized by Subic Bay Photography Society, headed by Roy Von Morales, co-founder of the photography group, with 20 active members. Their organization is recognized by Department of Tourism to promote Region 3 and Northern Luzon by showcasing the picturesque sceneries through photography.

As part of their advocacy program, which is now on its second year, twelve children with different disabilities were invited for a day of photography workshop. Each PWD was assigned a photographer and were taught how to use the camera and how to take good shots with professional quality but through the eyes of a special child.

Autism Society Philippines is one of the beneficiaries of this program. Among the 12 participants, 7 are under the Autism Spectrum Disorder mostly from Olongapo City except for Nicholas Bermudo, the lone representative from Metro Manila.

PWA Niko with Cesar Ignacio, his photographer kuya for the day

The PWD's had also the chance to play with the dolphins and watch shows that are not only entertaining but educational. The kids were taught survival techniques and how to take care of the animals at the walk on the wild side adventure. Each child was also given the chance to photograph and be photographed with the different animals. Meanwhile, the seal show emphasized the importance of the three R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in protecting the environment.

Also present in the workshop are Edna Aragones, President of ASP Olongapo Chapter and Gina Bermudo, ASP Trustee, who awarded a certificate of recognition to the management of Ocean Park Adventure for their invaluable support as sponsor of the Photography with a Difference Workshop.

ASP Trustee Gina Bermudo (right) awarded the certificate of recognition to the management of Ocean Park Adventure

December 17 Seminar at Baguio City

"Siblings Side of Story"

Parents often receive an outpouring of different forms of support upon the diagnosis of their child in order to help them accept, understand and deal with autism in their lives. Therefore, they also become, aside from their child with autism, the focal point of programs and services to address the varying needs brought about by autism. Unfortunately, there are other family members whose seem to be often left out. These are the other children or the siblings of the persons with autism (PWA). Much has been studied, read, seen and heard about the plight of the parent of PWA but little yet has been learned, discussed and dealt with the siblings. Unraveling the situation of the siblings of PWA conveys a message that they are seen as equally important as that of their parent in the world of autism. Knowing their issues and/or concern, needs and desires, and their aspirations in life in relation to their brother or sister with autism encourages widening of perspective in viewing and understanding the unique circumstances they are in. This knowledge can pave the way for creating a gamut of support services in addressing the needs of the siblings. As a result, this will invite, encourage and inspire them to heed the call of the Autism challenge within and hopefully, beyond their families.

Ms. Rosalyn Marie Gison Sorongon earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Equipped with more than a decade of teaching persons with autism (PWAs) and helping their families cope with this condition, she conducts orientations and trainings to parents and professionals on autism. A former School Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Las Piñas City, Teacher My finds fulfillment in her new role as a regular facilitator of workshops for siblings of PWAs as a result of her post graduate research on this sector.



Where: Vizcos at Puso ng Baguio Building along Session Road
When: December 17, Saturday at 1PM
For more details: Contact Belete Vizcocho at 09175069153

SM Sta. Mesa Vows to Respect Children’s Rights

By: Cath Genovia, ASP Program Assistant

“I promise to take care of your child and protect his rights whenever he is here in SM City Sta. Mesa!,” vowed 155 frontliners, staff from general services, cashiers and some tenants of the said mall, during their Children’s Month Celebration.

As part of the celebrations, ASP Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon, was invited guest speaker on“Social Protection and Proper Handling of Children with Disability”. The activity took place at the Events Center of the same mall last October 26, 2011.

In 2007, ASP National, together with its 54 Chapters nationwide, collaborated for the “Autism Orientation Project,” aiming to educate mall frontliners about Special Shoppers with Autism.This led to the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) and SM Supermalls partnership in envisioning a PWD- Friendly environment in the mall.

Engr. Adonna Dimapilis, SM City Sta. Mesa Building Administrator, related an incident in one of the SM Malls opened their eyes to the needs of customers with special needs.

The incident involved a missing person with autism was later reconciled to his mother. The SM Cares now integrates the “Caring for Special Customers” as part of their advocacy under the SM Program on Disability Affairs.

This year, Engr. Royston Cabuñag, head on SM Committee on Program for the Youth and Children’s Welfare, coordinated with Eng. Dimapilis, to invite Dir. Sorongon. According to Ms.Karen Joyce Cordova, SM City Sta. Mesa Operation Assistant, other programs of the Youth and Children’s Welfare also include the PWD Seminar, Breast Feeding and Caring for Special Customers Program.

Other invited speakers were Ms.Denia Gamboa of Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), who talked about "Children's Rights and/ or Development’ and Dra.Abigail Sarmiento-Mercado of Philippine Pediatrics Society, who discussed on "Children's Health and Nutrition”.

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For companies or establishments wishing to have a similar activity in your area, kindly coordinate with us through phone nos. 926 6941/ 929 8447 or email us at autismphils@gmail.com

Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to ASP Programs and Services. Donate to Autism Society Philippines Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call 9266941 / 9298447.

Paper Briquette Enterprise Revitalized in Laguna

By: Rizalinda Cansanay, ASP Laguna President

The National Council on Disability Affairs or NCDA granted the amount of Php30,000 to revitalize the paper briquette enterprise of ARC, ASP Laguna. Ms. Ruth Tacujan, a Program Officer at NCDA, saw the potential of the enterprise during the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) 4A visit to ARC last August 18, 2011. Immediately, a project proposal was made by the Chapter and submitted to DSWD Usec Alicia R. Bala. In November 2011, the project was approved for funding and funds released.

The production of the paper briquette involves at least six (6) individuals, each with their own interests and strengths. Two young adults with autism and 1 with cerebral palsy do the paper tearing, 1 young adult with autism does the soaking and pressing with the assistance of a caregiver, and 2 young adults with mental retardation do the packing and labeling under the supervision of a job coach. It was one of the enterprises developed by ARC for its young adults during the implementation of the Work, Live and Play Program which was funded by United Parcel Service (UPS) from June 2009 to May 2010. The paper briquette making was shared by the Senior Citizens Association of Barangay Batong Malake through its President, Mrs. Mercedes Palad, and later on polished by Kagawad Jun Montemayor.

Soaked paper molded into paper briquette using a briquette presser – 2 young adults at ARC, assisted by a caregiver, standing at right

Prior to venturing in the paper briquette enterprise, in October 15, 2009, ARC conducted an experiment using charcoal and paper briquette to cook rice, soup and fish. Ten pesos worth of charcoal and ten pesos worth of paper briquette were used to cook, using exactly the same conventional clay stoves, cook wares, and raw materials.

Paper briquette for drying

For details of the results of the ARC experiment, please call 049-536-0655.

The funds given by NCDA will be used in acquiring suitable briquette pressers, drying mats and a prototype stove that is appropriate for use of paper briquette as its source of fuel. With the rising price of LPG and the continuing denudation of our forests to produce wood charcoal, the paper briquette is definitely a wise alternative of saving money and saving our environment as well. And what is even wonderful, we make our young adults with different exceptionalities do productive and meaningful work!

You can contact ASP Laguna Chapter President Riza Cansanay at 0918 577 7940.

Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to ASP Programs and Services. Donate to Autism Society Philippines Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call 9266941 / 9298447.