Journey to Bataan

my affair with Club journey was short lived. Why? Well simply because it's meant to last for only 10 days.

We packed our bags for the 10 days trip to Bataan, and boy did we have a hard time. Apparently, it was wiser to pack light. With all the activities we had in a day, who would really have the energy to change or bathe when night comes? All we actually could do was to brush our teeth, hit the sack and zzzzZZZZzzz.

As soon as we arrived in Bataan, we were greeted by the townspeople with a small cheering number. Even if they were relatively older ladies cheering their selves off, they were actually cute and it was an awesome feeling to be welcomed appropriately.

And as soon as we were settled in our rooms, we decided to have our first group photo (below). There were actually 10 shots.. well 20 cause we did it twice.. of some people having a single pose in all the shots. It made the photos a lot more hilarious!

And yeah, I got sick in the middle of it all but I'm glad to have gone through it. I felt horrible physically, but this was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had since my passion for special education.

Karen, a fellow advocate from New Era University, was one of the closest friends I gained during the camp.

...and eventually, we were deemed 'Carl's Angels'

The letting go ceremony was the most tear jerking event in my entire life! I rarely cry ...in public. But, when I do, I bawl my eyes out. I barely had time to breathe cause I was crying so much during the send off. We became too attached as a group with the kids.

The last shot of the group was taken while we were waiting to board our bus. It was most hilarious because our photos got wackier and wackier ..and wackier. It was the last time we were to spend time with the kids. Sad as it seemed, we tried to have as much fun as we can.

Angels for another day

I joined in the celebration of World Autism Day, together with Guild of Thomasian Speducators, and Autism Society Philippines in the hopes of raising Autism awareness all over the world. April 2 was definitely a special day for ASP because aside from celebrating World Autism Day, they are having their 1st World Angels walk during mall hours. It was a nice thought that a lot more people will have knowledge on our advocacy.

GuTS are Angels

Awesome Angel Dream girls.

Ms. Grace is the new ASP President!!! <3 So happy learning that!!

Thank you SM for caring So Much!!

Act for Autism not later, not tomorrow. Act 4 Autism NOW!

It's a shame though because there were less people in attendance as compared to the National Autism Consciousness Angel's Walk. Perhaps information were disseminated a little later than hoped. However, it's understandable because it's the first time that there's an advocacy walk during the celebration of World Autism Awareness.

I'm definitely looking forward to more fun-filled activities with GuTS and ASP <3

RA 9442

I found this article on PWD rights and privileges recently while having breakfast (I still find myself weirded out with myself since I started browsing through newspapers instead of magazines while having breakfast) in Inquirer Newspaper with the article title: Persons with disability argue for 20-% discount. This particular topic was still hot for me because we practically just finished discussing the Magna Carta for Disabled Person RA 7277 as well as, RA 9442: an act amending RA7277 in one of my SPED coursed in UST.


Basically, the story behind the article revolved the inconsistencies of particular drug stores in the implementation of 20% discount despite being the Magna Carta of 1992 for Persons with Disabilities and RA 9442 mandate it. 


Chapter 8, Section 32 [c] of RA 7277 as amended by RA 9442 in relation to Section V (5) as implemented by Section VI (4) of AO 2009-0011 provides that persons with disability shall be entitled to at least twenty percent [20%] discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores for the exclusive use or enjoyment of persons with disability.

The abovementioned privileges are available only to persons with disability who are Filipino citizens upon submission of any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto:
(I) An identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or the barangay captain of the place where the persons with disability resides;


Since the PWD concerned presented her PWD card, I believe that she should have the right the claim her privileges. Perhaps I am still illiterate of the guidelines or MOA between large companies but I think lives would not be lost with that meager 20% discount for PWDs provided by the Drugstores. I don't think they realize the large sum of money needed by these PWDs for their rehabilitation and intervention. We, as abled-persons, are supposedly partly responsible in empowering PWDs by supporting their cause and needs. 

Encountering such imbecile REGULAR people somewhat proves that in a world full of abled-persons, the regular ones act like they're the disabled ones.

Look Ma, no hands!!

Since I read the story of this Filipina-American in a publication, I couldn't get enough of her stories. Jessica Cox is just amazing. She is one of whom I could say could lives up to "look ma! no hands!" lifestyle.

She was born with no hands, but could absolutely do almost about everything. She could put on her own contact lenses, do her own make up, write things down and lots more. She could drive, she's a taekwondo blackbelt and she's a pilot.

I'm truly amazed on how such People with Disabilities live to show the world how exceptional they are. They prove that they have ability and beyond. I could only wish that more People with Disabilities see their worth and their capabilities over their incapacities, strengths over weaknesses, ability not the disability.

It pushes each and everyone of us to see ability over incapacity.

BOOM

BOOM: Board of Officers Meeting.

March 28, 2011, GuTS Silong A.Y. 2011-2012 had our first official and traditional meeting at Shakey's Espanya Manila. It just might be the most productive hour and a half meeting I've ever been too. I'm so proud of us for being able to concentrate on our topics for discussion. I can't wait for more meetings!!

I'm too lucky to have such a supportive board. It's going to be an amazing year, I just know it.

Liona Guzman (President) Tenshi Cabungcal (Vice President) Jennica Gan (Secretary) Justine Lapuz (Asst. Secretary) Marga Mahinan (Treasurer) Charm Mariscotes (Auditor) James Adriano (PRO External) Coco Dimal (PRO Internal)

seeing ABILITY over incapacity

Academic Year 2010 - 2011 is almost over but I can definitely say it has been AWESOOOME. Working with GuTS Silong, and the entire Special Education Community was tiresome, but all the hardships were defnitely worth it.

I hope and pray that we were able to inspire more people to SEE ABILITY OVER INCAPACITY.

'I see ABILITY over incapacity baller' sold at Php80 each

Funds raised are allocated for projects of Guild of Thomasian Speducators (GuTS) to raise awareness and advocacy for Persons with Disabilities

for Baller orders, email speducators@yahoo.com

Speducator

I'm an aspiring Special Education Teacher from the University of Santo Tomas, and an officer of the Guild of Thomasian Speducators (GuTS), hoping to inspire society in becoming advocates of Persons with Disabilities and to see ability over incapacity, ability and beyond.