Angel's Walk

Angels with Autism Walk is an annual walk that happened around SM Mall last month. There was a short program at the entertainment area.I saw the kids perform and everybody's happy to see them trying to give their best. Services are offered for the children with special needs such as Persons With Disability or PWD I.D registration, distribution of Vitamin A and deworming tablets plus pedia consultation.

Angel's Walk is brought to us by Austism Society of the Philippines participated by the following schools in Davao:

• RICAFI- Rainbow Intervention Center for Autism Foundation Incorporated
• DCSS- Davao City Special School Bangkal
• DSSFI- Davao Stepping Stone Foundation, Incorporated
• DAICFI- Davao Autism Intervention Center Foundation Incorporated
• AME- Academy of Multiple Intelligences Education of Davao Incorporated
• ILLC- Independent Living Learning Center
• Anchorage School

  See more photos

There's also a special participation by DSAPI (Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Incorporated). It was great to see the kids again after the long Christmas holiday break.

Kadayawan 2011 Opening Ceremony

The king of all festivals which is Kadayawan was officially opened yesterday at People's Park headed by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.There was a mass going when I arrived followed by a formal program. The contestants of Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2011 were seated on the stage along with some councilors and the people behind the annual festival.The said event was participated by different dance troupes in different schools in the city.The park was filled with spectators and colorful costumes wore by the performers.
 

I caught an eye on some foreigners who were having fun while taking some photos. Lucky for them that they are able to witness how Dabawenyos celebrate our thanksgiving!

Mayor Inday gives the signal that Kadayawan 2011 is open by beating a gong.The moment she stops speaking we saw butterflies being freed and the dancing fountain starts to splash some water!That marks that we are ready for the celebration.

I had fun watching my fellow Dabawenyos doing our native dance. They remind us of how rich our culture is and the ten tribes present in Davao. The cultural show of differently-abled children from DS Foundation was the last part I witnessed there.

Lingap Center in Tugbok

"Lingap" is a Tagalog word which means "compassionate care". On the last day of 2010, my fellow volunteers and I decided to visit a center that needs help the most.The first plan was to invite poor children with disability that we know in our vicinity.Our very good friend, ate Che works outside the country and initiated the idea of gift giving since it was holiday season. The planned activity changed for some reason. In the end, we realized that we did the right choice.



I always hear people talk about Lingap Center which is located in Tugbok District and the people who stay there. It used to be a temporary place for homeless children. The center accepted children who got lost and were abandoned by their own family. I felt so sad when I saw twenty six mentally retarded people who live in an old house sorrounded by iron bars. Is the family they used to belong got tired of taking care of them that's why Lingap Center is their new home?



If you have too much money or possession for yourself, I'm asking you to give some to those people. The place they are currently staying and the people working with them need our support. If you get to see them, you will realize how good our life is. They rarely have good meals the caretaker revealed.

Let's express our love to needy people too by visiting them and giving them what we can. It was my first time to visit Lingap Center and my heart sank...really sank.

Cosplay

Cosplay is the short form of "costume play" which is a kind of performance art. Cosplayers wear different costumes and accessories to copy their favorite anime cartoon character.It originated from Japan. The country is popularly known for producing a number of animated shows for kids and kids at heart.Cosplay is also done in the west doing their own style.

Last October, the children of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) Davao were invited at SM for the MCS X or Mindanao Cosplay Summit 2010. The kids had fun with the costplayers taking photos with them. They got free lunch as well.They played games and were given something to bring home!

Check out their photos : DSAPI Davao Joins MCS X

Faces of Down Syndrome

Right Down the Lens is a photo exhibit presented by Artgraphix with DSAPI or Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines-Davao Chapter.The photos of the children with down syndrome was taken last month and will be exhibited on December 26, 2010 to January 1, 2011 at SM Davao.

These are the children I serve and I am inviting my fellow Dabaweñyos to come and visit SM to witness the faces of down syndrome in our city.Take a look at some of their photos: Faces of Down Syndrome (You need to login on facebook first so that the video will be available for you to see.)

Teachers as Volunteers

I've just deleted some photos in my files and I ended up reminiscing the moments I had in Kamp Pag-asa or the Camp of Hope. I've come to think about the number of teachers who served and volunteered themselves for the said activity.The delegates are usually nurses,physical therapy students,social workers and Special Education or SpEd teachers.I've met a huge number of teachers in the camp.It was nice to meet them.Their presence is really important.They serve as our mother in the camp.

As the days went on, I saw how these teachers shoulder the activities.I felt their sincerity and dedication in helping the kids with different disabilities.With our programs, I was able to witness the talents and unique strategies employed by them which are definitely helpful to the needs of those children!

The leaders and asst. leaders of Kamp Pag-asa 2010

At night time, the kids enjoy story telling.I'm already old to hear those kiddie stories yet I was still entertained.Through this short time bonding with the kids and fellow volunteers  who are teachers,I was able to utter these words: "These people are really educators and facilitators".

Fun Day of DSAPI Kids

A child's ordinary day was turned into a merry one with the help of kind-hearted people. Two days ago I was with the children of  Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc, or DSAPI-Davao Chapter. We had a small party in Jollibee at SM Davao.

Generous people like Mr. and Mrs. Brodie gathered the kids in one place.Mr. Michael Brodie is a doctor and Mrs. Brodie is a nurse.These people and their company gave us a treat. It was in July when I first met the couple and had the same activity. They brought with them their granddaughter Jade who is also a DS kid.They want to share their blessings and make the DS children happy even in simple way. The kids were joyous to see Jollibee's mascot and dance with the music together.

Deo,Pauline,Cresten,Aurain,Alvin and EJ at the back 

 After eating, we extremely played at the arcade. They bought too many tokens and tickets for the bump cars. I'm certain the kids had a great day. It was nice to see them play,get souvenirs and enjoy the rides.

Jezreel Deo and I

The couple promised to see the kids again in December. God bless them more.It was great to be acquainted with helpful people who paint smiles on the kids' faces.

Jade and I

The Brodies with Lance and his mom

Their future mission will be centered around collaborating support for earlier intervention programs such as occupational, speech and physical therapy.

Mrs Brodie,Jade,ate Babes,Cresten,her granny and I

DSAPI

DSAPI stands for Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. It's a joint project by the doctors and parents that is created in 1992.Its aim is to give sufficient information about the down children.One of the goals of the organization is to assist the parents understand their down children.Thus, giving their proper needs.Letting them know the nature of their kids will surely help them in taking care of them. Joining DSAPI will ease their burden for having a special child.It benefits themselves for they learn things through communicating with other parents. Sharing experiences will help them understand a down child better.

DSAPI has its calendar of activities. Down children get to see people with the same case regularly. Different programs like Early Intervention,Free Clinic, Happy Walk, and Special Olympics are participated and enjoyed by the kids annually.

The pioneers of DSAPI look forward to having a happy family life despite the presence of down children. They encourage the parents with down children to join the organization to  support them in rearing their kids.The downs and their families can live a normal life if people learn to accept them. Community acceptance is what they need from us.

They are DOWN, but not OUT in the society.

The Camp of Hope 2009 Images

I'd like to share some of the photos that we had taken during the summer camp called Kamp Pag-asa (The Camp of Hope) 2009.

Demons Attack During the Camp

On the last night at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Central Elementary School, my group mates and I had a terrifying experience. Supernatural and satan’s form of deception tried to fool us! It was during our campfire when one of our volunteers cried with so much fear. She had seen ghost many times  on that day after it got dark. At first she said  a white lady was roaming around the place and finally entered our room. I wasn’t shaken though. In fact I went in and out alone. We planned to have a short gathering in our room since it was our final night together. Our planned activity was changed when the other volunteer said  a disembodied soul was standing behind me. I hurriedly close my eyes without looking at my back. Our group leader encouraged us to hold our hands together and started praying  intimately.

As to myself, I’m not so worried. I know what I believe in and whom I stand for. Whom shall I fear if I know that Jesus is in me? An evil can be defeated  with strong and genuine prayers. God is powerful more than any creature on earth and He can definitely do everything to change things around us.

What I was thinking about was  the event may get worse if my fellows would start to feel afraid, threatened and shaken with what they had heard. It was a blessing that five of us are born again Christians. We share the same faith and we weren’t touched by wraith. The eyes of those people who had seen it were full of blazing fire in my sight. I can feel that they have a resisting spirit. They’re like hard stones which are hard to pound. Thank heavens that nobody was enchanted by any ghosts or possessed by demons.

I told mom and our church leader about these things and both of them had the same explanation.

This usually happens when evil witnesses false worship.They can easily bother us if we’re not firm with God.That’s why Christians should be very careful with it most specially when we are in haunted places.Usually, territorial bad spirits linger and live in it. They will try to frighten us and lead us to doubt God’s existence if He’ll truly save us when supernatural cross our way.
God shows miracles and He definitely fought for us.The intercession lasted for four hours.We didn’t stop praying asking God to cover us with His precious blood and that He’ll hide us under his mighty wings.
This thing that happened in Kamp Pag-asa (The Camp of Hope) 2009 gave me fresh revelations. My faith has been put into a test and by God’s glory He delivered us and comforted us that we’re truly His children.The verse below is very helpful in times like this.

Pslams 91-Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
 shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD,
 He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
 and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers,
 and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
 nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
 nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side,
 and ten thousand at thy right hand;
but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
 and see the reward of the wicked.

Camiguin or Summer Camp?

My batch mates in college are going to Camiguin on April 16. One of my classmates informed me last night and she's inviting me in!She told me who among us are joining the group. I've been planning to visit that place and this is my chance to go there! I want to see my classmates too.The last time I saw them was last Christmas! We gathered together and it was a nice experience.We chatted about our jobs and how much we make out of it!jajajajajaja. It's not surprising to know that 70% are not working as teachers! I know what they love to do and many of them don't feel like teaching. I'm now excited to visit Camiguin and be with them.However, it's hard to make a decision.On the same day will be the official Opening Day of Kamp Pag-sa (The Camp of Hope).This is a summer camp for physically-impaired children and I'm volunteering myself.It's a 10-day camp and I already attended the seminars and meetings in preparation of next month's camp. All of us are waiting for this day to come.I want to see the campers that I met last year.I want to know how well they are right now. I can't easily give up the camp to have fun on my own because I got a responsibility. I'm appointed as an assistant group leader and I want to volunteer myself. Next month will be Kamp Pag-asa's 10th year. My only chance now is if the date of going to Camiguin will be moved earlier.Perhaps I can go.I love the beach and every summer I always have the chance to go somewhere where I can take a break and relax.A place which is far and a different one from the place where I live and work. Giving public service has been a good feeling.Meeting new people specially the disabled kids with much hope are definitely enticing me to be contended in life.Those children was able to touch me the moment that I was giving up. There was a sudden change in me after I joined the camp last year. I want to see Camiguin and join the summer camp too (^_^)