She was giggling on her way to the stage, excited to perform in front of a jam-packed event center. She was all smiles while waiting for her father to give her the cue to hit the keyboards. That is five-year-old Diana Paulyne Montoyo, who is diagnosed on the spectrum. Those who saw the little girl and her onstage performance, complementing her father’s vocals and percussion, were beyond words for how wonderful this little girl was. She played the keyboards with ease. She was beaming the whole time, and hitting the keyboards was just like playing to her. She was carefree, enjoying every second of her moment, savoring the audience’s sincere and generous applause and appreciation. She owned the stage and won the hearts of many. No wonder, she won champion in the Parent-Child Category of the Talent Competition held at Ayala Malls Capitol Central.
That moment hit me. As an advocate, the scene revealed that the community present during the “Angels Walk for Autism” activity has reached a level beyond awareness. Every individual who was part of a sector in society, whether they were physically present during the program, or had extended assistance to the endeavor, completely understood the value of providing much-needed support for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other children with special needs. This support empowers them to showcase their gifts and become productive members of the community.
It was a crowd of a thousand. I’d say the biggest gathering for the said activity in Bacolod City. There were more or less 350 children with ASD from Bacolod City and different parts of Negros Occidental who joined the event. Diana Paulyne of Easy Speech Therapy was just one of them. Sean Andrei Bitanga of Happy Beginners School of Learning was another talent that captured the attention of many with his rendition of Katy Perry’s “Roar”. He sang along with teachers Lovelyn Berbano and Jade Serran. He was like this little concert king who never showed a hint of nervousness. He was in his element, which is why he ended up as champion in the Student-Teacher Category.
Awareness alone won’t make a community go out of its way to embrace the uniqueness of these angels and generously and sincerely support them so that they can achieve their full potential. Awareness is shallow; it is merely knowing. An individual can be aware of the plight of families with children on the spectrum but is not a guarantee that he or she will do something to help these kids feel appreciated, welcomed, and valued.
For decades, awareness of children with special needs has been widespread. However, stigma persists in some parts of the world, depriving these children of their right to be integrated into mainstream schools due to a lack of training and facilities to support them. This stigma also hinders the potential of these individuals (most of them are high-functioning), who could grow to be celebrated figures, as they fear discrimination.
Dang Uy Koe, Chair Emerita of Autism Society Philippines (ASP), emphasized that if advocates and government officials are truly committed to providing individuals with special needs a safe space and equal opportunities to reach their fullest potential, those behind this advocacy should aim for something beyond merely creating awareness.
“Sabi nga ho namin, if it’s not the family itself, sino pa? So, wala po dapat ikahiya para sa ating mga anak na nasa Autism Spectrum. Sila po ay kakaiba pero kasali. Kaya nga po ang ating theme this year is ‘Kakaiba, Kasali, Katrabaho’, because now we are beyond awareness. We are talking about acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation. Alam po natin na darating ang araw, kailangan din po nilang magkaroon ng livelihood. So yung iba, pwedeng ma-employ while the others can make a living out of their talents,” explained Koe.
Anne Marie Makilan, president of Happy Beginners School of Learning and co-organizer of ASP-Bacolod, underscored the importance of community acceptance for individuals with special needs, drawing from her experience as a mother of a boy with special needs.
“Unlike before, when families had to keep it among themselves that they had a member who was special, now it is very different. We are all proud to have these angels. I am also glad that a lot of people now accept children with special needs, and many establishments are giving them opportunities to work, be independent, and become successful individuals,” said Makilan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Anthony Talatala, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, pointed out that there are many ways to empower these kids. “Family is very important. Once the family recognizes the abilities and perhaps the difficulties of the child, that’s the first step to empowering them. Knowing what they have, what they cannot do, and what help they need. Second, whatever the endeavors of these children are, you have to support them all the way,” Talatala stressed.
I was reunited with fellow advocate Atty. Juliana Carbon, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry who never misses making everyone in the venue dance.
“I believe that all children are born equal. Some may appear different but remember, all of them are created by God in His image and likeness. But sometimes you can see some as different,” said Carbon.
In providing a platform for children with special needs to display their talents, we are paving the way for a more inclusive society. With the right support, these remarkable individuals can inspire us to embrace diversity and celebrate each person’s unique gifts. Let’s keep creating opportunities for them to shine, as their light reflects our shared humanity.*
