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I am a special educator who has recently relocated to Manila. One of my goals for this year is learn more about early childhood education and special education in the Philippines. I have been visiting schools and therapy centers (among others) and providing info here about them. I do not aim to endorse these different centers/schools, but my intention is to provide information in case some people are interested in learning more about them.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Some inspiring evening: Reception launch for A Special Place - the Philippines first residential community for adults with autism

I was invited by my mom's friends to go to the launch of A Special Place at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati.  A Special Place aims to build the first residential community in the Philippines for adults with autism in Batangas.


Some of the investors/ contributors towards building A Special Place.




Karen Davila came to talk about her experience as a parent with a child on the spectrum.  Even if I am not a parent, I was moved by her words and concerns that she voiced for her child (who is actually an adolescent now, I think). 



Cathy Cham, mother to two very talented young men.


Tweetie de Leon showed her support too.




Lirio Covey, who started this project and is the president of AAAP, talks about her own journey from living in New York and finding that her heart is really here in the Philippines.  She also talked about her own son who lives in a residential community.  Dr. Covey introduced A Special Place to the group.




Patricia Licuanan and Vicky Garchitorena came, although I wasn't able to take a picture of them.  Gloria Diaz was there as well.


A bird's eye view of the community.


List of activities, both recreational and income-producing.


Carlos Cham talks about his design for A Special Place.  He made this design as a 'dream' home for his brother Vico and as part of his thesis (which he defended recently).  He never thought that it could become a reality :).




Macky played the music for the reception as well as the "Lupang Hinirang" at the beginning of the event.


Vico created some art work on the computer during the break.


He also had some artwork on display for the silent art auction.



Here is a link to a video of Vico Cham in action :).









The place where the event was held was the old airport /tower.  Maybe I will try to translate this one of these days.  It shall take a lot of effort.  Maybe an english translation is available...anyone? 



Some inspiring evening :).  Galing ng pinoy!

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