Nearly 2,000 people join the Angels’ Walk for Autism-OK Philippines, inclusion in Cebu

CEBU CITY – Nearly 2,000 individuals, families, groups, organizations, partners and special educators and the government sector joined the 40th “Angels’ Walk for Autism” and inclusion advocacy on April 21 at SM-Seaside City Cebu as a united show of support for the autism community and a call to build an Autism-OK Philippines.

The Angels’ Walk for Autism in Cebu was its second year and simultaneous with that at the MOA Arena Manila and in Davao.  More walks were also happening at later dates in Iloilo, Bacolod, and Lucena. The Walk is an initiative of the Autism Society of the Philippines in partnership with SM Cares.

At the Centerstage at SM-Seaside City Cebu, talented musicians with autism entertained the audience with a mini concert performed by the Spectrum Band, a group of self-taught young individuals with autism who are musically gifted in singing, drums, guitar, piano and some flair for theatre.

(Department of Health (DOH-7) donated nine boxes composed of a wheelchair, crutches and other equipment for PWDs)

The main ASP Angels Walk for Autism was first launched in 2000 and was first held at the SM MOA in 2009 before finding a home at the MOA Arena in 2015. The advocacy event continues to resonate with the autism community and its allies, even finding supporters in the Filipino diaspora in North America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

In the Philippines, the Autism Society Philippines has grown to an astonishing 13,000 members across 103 chapters. The ASP Angels Walk for Autism is a powerful platform for the celebration of Filipinos on the autism spectrum and the call for acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation — impactful action beyond awareness.

This year, the ASP honors those who have played an important role in disability-inclusive economic empowerment with the battle cry “Kakaiba, Kasali, Katrabaho!” The Hans T. Sy Leadership Award 2024 goes to Michelle Dee, Miss Philippines Universe 2023 an ASP Goodwill Ambassador and a progressive voice for disability inclusion.

DSWD 7 joins Autism-OK advocacy, support more ‘Angels’ for people in spectrum

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 continues to support the ASP-Angels’ Walk for Autism as an advocacy for Autism-OK campaign where acceptance, appreciation, and accommodation of people on the autism spectrum are strengthened.

The DSWD-7 delegation was composed of the staff and clients of the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II, a non-residential facility for vocational rehabilitation of Persons with Disability (PWDs).

The annual Walk is a solid commitment of ASP to the growing advocacy and a call to action for raising public awareness, private involvement and inclusion of the autism agenda in government social development initiatives.

This kind of autism-inclusive advocacy needs a multi-sectoral approach; thus, care for and responsiveness to the maturing population of Filipinos on the spectrum must be felt not only in their homes but in all places of society.

“While so much work still needs to be done, we hope to see a society with genuine concern for the sector’s welfare. DSWD-7 remains committed to push for an agenda of inclusion for persons with autism (PWAs),” DSWD7 regional director, Shalaine Marie Lucero said.

Lucero bared that in the regular quarterly meetings of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA), ASP always expresses its concerns on how the body can collectively respond to the needs of PWAs and RCDA also constantly advocates for the anti-bullying law that protects PWAs against discrimination, equal employment opportunity through vocational rehabilitation in our center.

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons on the autism spectrum to become the best of their potential -- self-reliant, independent, productive, and socially-accepted members of an Autism-OK Philippines.

ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support neurodiverse persons and their families, visit http://www.autismsocietyphilippines.org/ to learn more.  ASP partners with SM Cares, that promotes sustainability and development in the community, including programs for Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on the Environment. To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares. (Photos: MBCNewman)