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An Autism Advocate in Adel Tamano

18 Jan

Adel Tamano, a Filipino lawyer and politician, wears many hats. He is the spokesperson of the United Opposition and is currently the President of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.  He is also an autism dad.

In his weekly column in Philippines Star, Mr. Tamano often shares his musings on being a father to Santi (who is a PWA) and expounds on many questions that parents of children on the spectrum ask. Select AAAP Board Members recently paid him a visit to explain the organization and our mission.  His responded with this article, “A future for our kids with autism ” in his regular column”Mano a Mano” which appeared on 15 January 2012.  While he does not mention our organization by name, he speaks of how he has  “high hopes for it and perhaps if there are enough families with children with special needs who also aspire to have a special center or home that specifically caters to the needs of adults with autism …”

(L-R) John Xavier, Alex Gaston (AAAP Director), Lirio Covey (AAAP President), Jerry Quibilan (Ateneo for Better Philippines) and Adel Tamano.

Vico Cham on the Manila Bulletin

16 Jan

AAAP’s resident artist, Victor Francesco “Vico” Cham, is no stranger to media attention. He has held a one-man show for his artwork, bested “normal” kids in art competitions and garnered TV and print coverage for his unique talent.

Proudly autistic
By Angelo G. Garcia
13 December 2010

MANILA, Philippines — In 1999, then eight-year-old Victor Francesco “Vico” Cham was playing in the office of his parents who are both architects.  The office was filled with art materials that Vico could play with. He grabbed a blueprint, some poster paints and a brush, sat on the floor and started to paint his favorite cartoon show on the back of the blueprint.

“I was in the shower and I did not know that he was in the office. When I asked what he was painting, he replied ‘Blues Clues, mommy.’ So if you observe the painting, there’s a house, there’s the garden. Immediately, after he finished his painting, I had it framed. That’s the time I realized that my son could be an artist,” recalls mommy Cathy Cham.  It would have been a mother’s ordinary discovery. Only, Vico has autism and the fact that he could produce beautiful artworks brought immeasurable joy, and hope, to his mom.

Now at 19 years old, Vico is the pride of his parents, and the Autism Society Philippines (ASP). He is now known for his artworks, which were even featured in a television show. Earlier this year, he had even held his first one-man exhibit at SM Marikina, featuring more than 50 of his digital and hand-drawn artworks.

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The Cham’s on “The Heart of the Matter”

12 Jan

Victor, Cathy and their two boys took center-stage in this video produced by the Family and Life Update, a pro-life site dedicated to the many issues families are facing today.

Victor and Cathy share their experience of autism. How they discovered that their second son, Vico, was different from other kids; how they struggled and accepted his condition; and, how they work together – as a family – to inspire other families also dealing with autism.  We also get to speak with Vico himself, and his older brother Carlo about their relationship as brothers, and how their family moves forward in spite of everything. Join us as we get to the heart of the matter.

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