Angels Walk for Autism 2019: Building an Autism-OK Philippines

How do you make a country Autism-OK? For me, it should start at home – the awareness and acceptance. From there, build or join a community which can help both the child and the parents cope up and learn more. Continue being a voice for the organization so that others will learn and understand. But, is it enough to just learn and be aware? I have a special child and I will definitely push for more! This year’s Angels Walk for Autism celebrates acceptance and inclusion to society including giving jobs and recognizing persons with autism and other disabilities the capability to hold decent work.

Last March 3rd, the annual Angels Walk for Autism was held at the Mall of Asia Arena. Over 20,000 participants – families, professionals, supporters from the government and private sectors, from the Philippines and overseas attended the event and most of which walked from the MOA Arena to the SM MOA Music Hall.

Prior to the walk, a program was held at the MOA Arena with performances from talented children with autism. You won’t be able to tell the difference because they were awesome, can really sing and dance!

Mr. Hans T. Sy was also recognized for his exemplary leadership that has a significant and positive impact on advancing ASP’s vision of acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation of persons with autism in an Autism-OK Philippines.

The program also 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 will also incorporate 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. The festivities will include acts from special guests and performers on the autism spectrum and a special presentation on ASP’s milestones since its foundation in 1989.

Watch some of the performances and highlights of the program:

You can watch parts of the Angels Walk for Autism 2019 below:

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

Website: www.smcares.com.ph
FB / IG / Twitter:  @OfficialSMCares
Email: smcares@smprime.com

Visits: 1497