Much of our attitude towards autism has gone through significant changes. With more information about this condition, society has made progress in treating those who have it with more compassion and understanding. But much is yet to be done to make every part of our society more welcoming to people with autism.
That’s why Araneta City is proud to join the 15th World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2022. With the goal of spreading awareness about autism, fostering greater understanding for people who have it, and ensuring that Araneta City is a safe and welcoming place for people with autism, the City of Firsts is launching several activities that are meant to highlight this worthy cause.
To mark the City of Firsts’ solidarity with the world on autism awareness, the Smart Araneta Coliseum will join other famous landmarks around the globe in proudly displaying blue lights. Blue signifies the campaign on autism awareness, and as such, Araneta City will have the Big Dome Lights Blue exhibition — the only lighting event in the Philippines to join the global activity — on April 2 from 6 PM to 8 PM.
Araneta City will also have the Faces, Fish, & Flowers Art Exhibit from April 2 to 9 at the Gateway Mall Activity Area to showcase the art of Vico Cham, an artist who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The exhibit aims to highlight the talent of people with autism, and is being held in partnership with the National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF).
To help more Filipinos become more aware of this condition and the challenges faced by individuals who live with it, the Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities (PACDLD) will hold Autism Talks at the Gateway Gallery on April 2 at 1PM. The discussion will be led by Rhoda Amurao Abaluna, a parent advocate, and Mayumi Gonzales-Umali, a SPED Inclusive Education Specialist. The short talk will also be streamed live on Araneta City’s Facebook page. The event will be followed by the Autism Advocate Awards 2022, which will also take place on the same date from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Gateway Gallery.
“These events were all designed to help us raise awareness about autism and start important conversations surrounding this topic. We believe that by educating more people about autism and individuals who have autism, we can help open doors for the more than one million Filipinos who have this condition and make our society more loving and welcoming to all,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City, said.