Coloring the World for an A-OK Philippines

In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, more than 500 children with autism, together with their parents and companions, participated in the “Color It A-OK” activity, held recently at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia. The kids with autism colored a drawing pad measuring 860 sq. feet, which hopes to send a message of acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation for all persons with autism. The event was organized by the Autism Society Philippines, supported by SM Cares and SM Mall of Asia.

Thousands Join Angel’s Walk for Autism

Over twenty thousand autism advocates joined this year’s Angels Walk for Autism, the annual event that advocates for acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of Filipinos with autism towards an Autism-OK Philippines, organized by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP), together with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings.

This year’s celebration highlighted the country’s legacy of strong leaders that have brought the autism advocacy forward -- for the last 30 years, across 97 chapters, with 13,000 members -- and have become the foundation on which the next generation of leaders will build the future.

Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Holdings chairman of the executive committee, was honored as the inaugural recipient of the ASP’s Leadership Award for Autism Inclusion and Welfare. It is the society’s highest recognition, celebrating exemplary leadership that has significant and positive impact on advancing ASP’s vision of acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism in an Autism-OK Philippines. Beyond awareness, Mr. Sy’s leadership has inspired tangible, measurable action through the accomplishments of SM Cares.

“Although many are aware of autism, very few people actually understand what it means to live life on the autism spectrum. SM Cares and ASP come together as a community to remind everyone that autism awareness and acceptance should be part of their everyday lives.

Awareness is a good thing, but acceptance is far more meaningful,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who issued EO 711 of 1996, instituting the commemoration of the National Autism Consciousness Week, will be honored by ASP as the Father of the Philippine Autism Advocacy. “FVR’s leadership opened the doors for the government agencies and private institutions to begin the path towards genuine inclusion of persons on the autism spectrum,” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP national president, “His administration’s disability inclusive policies have put the Philippines ahead of our ASEAN neighbors in advocating for persons with autism and other invisible disabilities.”

The pre-walk program was led by Ms. Dang Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus and the inaugural ASEAN Prize Laureate 2018. The ASEAN Prize aims to recognise inspiring achievements and contributions that foster the ASEAN identity, promote the ASEAN spirit, and champion the ASEAN way. ASP is among the active movers behind the ASEAN Autism Network and the ASEAN Mapping Project.

ASP also awarded the Autism Works Partners of the Year honors to Dohtonbori Philippines, a Japanese casual dining pioneer and to Willis Towers Watson, a global leader in risk management and consultancy, for their unwavering commitment to creation of productive opportunities for jobseekers with autism.

The program included the presentation of the annual ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awards to Samantha Pia Cabanero (for Advocacy), Eduardo Enrique Munarriz (for Athletics), and Carlo Gregorio Veluz (for Visual Arts). It also incorporated the induction of the new ASP Board of Trustees, composed of parent advocates; and the first set of officers of the ASP Self-Advocates

Circle, composed of adults with autism.

Over 20,000 participants -- families, professionals, supporters from the government and private sectors, from the Philippines and overseas -- joined the annual walk from the MOA Arena to the SM MOA Music Hall. The walk is held with the support of the MOA Arena, SM Mall of Asia, National Council of Disability Affairs, ASEAN Autism Network and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability.

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support persons with autism and their families. Established in 1989, the organization -- composed of 13,000 members spread over 96 chapters -- has been in the forefront of providing services to families and individuals affected with autism.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy). As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports.

Website: www.autismsocietyphilippines.org

FB / IG / Twitter: @autismphils

Email: autismphils@gmail.com

THIRTY YEARS OF THE AUTISM ADVOCACY AT ANGELS WALK FOR AUTISM

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP), together with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, will hold the annual Angels Walk for Autism on March 3, 9:00AM, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Since it began in 2007, the walk continues to advocate for acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of Filipinos with autism towards an Autism-OK Philippines.

“Although many are aware of autism, very few people actually understand what it means to live life on the autism spectrum. SM Cares and ASP come together as a community to remind everyone that autism awareness and acceptance should be part of their everyday lives. Awareness is a good thing, but acceptance is far more meaningful,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who issued EO 711 of 1996, instituting the commemoration of the National Autism Consciousness Week, will be honored by ASP as the Father of the Philippine Autism Advocacy. “FVR’s leadership opened the doors for the government agencies and private institutions to begin the path towards genuine acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons on the autism spectrum,” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President,

“His administration’s disability-inclusive policies have put the Philippines ahead of our ASEAN neighbors in advocating for persons with autism and other invisible disabilities.”

The pre-walk program will include performances from children and adults on the autism spectrum and special guests, the annual ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awards and a special presentation on ASP’s milestones since 1989. Families, professionals, supporters from the government and private sectors, from the Philippines and overseas are expected to join the walk from the MOA Arena to the SM MOA Music Hall.

To know more about how to you can join Angels Walk for Autism, visit http://bit.ly/AW2019-know.

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support persons with autism and their families. Established in 1989, the organization -- composed of 13,000 members spread over 96 chapters -- has been in the forefront of providing services to families and individuals affected with autism.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy). As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares, or email smcares@smsupermalls.com.

SM AND DSAPI All Set For Happy Walk 2019

In celebration of the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), in partnership with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., will hold the annual Happy Walk for Down syndrome on February 24, 2019 at Halls 1 & 2 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The theme of this year’s event is “Living with Down, This Is My Story,” and will feature performances from children with Down syndrome, talks from honorary guests, and interactive booths.

“This is a time to tell our stories, the stories of our children. As each person goes through life, there are countless experiences that touch our lives. Some experiences can be so powerful that they have long-lasting and life-changing impact on our lives,” DSAPI Chairman Elmer Lapeña shares.

On its 17th year, Happy Walk continues to promote awareness and inclusivity for Persons with Down syndrome, and is expected to gather thousands of families, friends and advocates, as well as private and public sectors supporting the advocacy.

“SM has been and will always be for inclusiveness. Everyone should be able to enjoy the good things SM can offer, regardless of varying conditions. We are very grateful for the partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, who work endlessly to reach and help more people, and most importantly, provide access and care to the ones who need it most,” said Bien Mateo, SM SVP for Operations and Director for SM Cares Program on PWDs.

Registration starts at 7:00 AM and program begins at 8:30 AM. The event will be immediately followed by a parade around the SM Mall of Asia Complex. Simultaneously, SM City Bacolod will also join the celebration and have their walk as well.

Happy Walk for Down Syndrome has come a long way since it started in 2002, with only a handful of participants. It is also one of the many strong advocacies of SM Cares that champions the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“SM Cares enables us to expand all over the Philippines, increasing the impact and benefits to more and more families, helping persons with Down syndrome to live more normal lives,” Lapeña added.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy).

As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@smsupermalls.com.

To know more about Happy Walk for Down syndrome, you may contact dsapi@hotmail.com.