Story & Photos by Pilar Fernandez
Carlos Felipe, Nicole Co, and Helena Prudenciado, are artists who have autism. Through their crafts, they express themselves and uplift others.
Carlos, 18, is a self-taught clay artist and learned painter. His artworks depict real or mythical creatures with lively colors and intricate details. Lisha Felipe, his mother, recalled that their family discovered his talent for molding clay at six years old. After a few years, Carlos became engrossed with painting and drawing.
Read more: Small, Bold Strokes: Portraits of Artists with Special Needs
By: Ayyi Gardiola
2020 will go down in history as a year of disruption, uncertainty, and grief brought about by the COVID-19 global health emergency. It was a year of plans being halted, priorities re-evaluated, lifestyles and socio-economic systems modified to adapt to a “new normal.” It was also the year when everyone turned towards the arts (online shows and exhibits) and community (online mental health, wellness, and other interest groups) to seek refuge, support, and nurture our shared humanity in the midst of physical isolation.
Special Achievers, a community of dedicated occupational therapists, speech pathologists, volunteers, and families championing the rights of children and youth with disabilities for self-expression is one of these support groups.
In the midst of a pandemic, their community thrived and reaped the rewards of almost a decade of diligent efforts. 2020 was the year their young creative hopefuls made a debut as bonafide artists, through two in-person exhibits in February (Autism Spectrum Art Manila exhibit with JCI Manila; LEAP Exhibit and Dance Festival at Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati); and an online exhibit in August, wherein artists Angelo, Carlos, Diego, Justin, Helena, Kleo, Miggy, Miguel, Nicole and Ravi collectively raised P150,000 for Special Achievers’ art scholars (and individually earning between P4,000 to P70,000). This enabled their scholars’ training in music, visual arts and dance to continue via virtual classes in 2020.
“Drawing makes me feel happy and special,” says 18-year-old Nina Bantoto, who is fond of painting Disney characters. She started drawing and painting at age 3. Early on, her parents also discovered she has autism.
Nina’s works bear an unmistakable vibrancy of youth, balanced by her unique style and skillful technique, whether she gives life to Queen Elsa of “Frozen” or a mesmerizing scene of flying lanterns from “Tangled.”
Nina’s works are some of the paintings on feature in the hall of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in San Antonio Village, which plays host to the first exhibit of 11 children with disabilities this month.
The exhibit is organized by Prosel Pharmaceuticals in partnership with the Differently Special Achievers Movement (DSAM), an NGO that helps differently abled children develop and express themselves mainly through the visual arts.
Read more: Art exhibit shines light on artistic talent of kids with autism
A new line of Filipino-made bags is making waves in the United States, Japan, Malaysia and Iraq not just because of its brand and quality but also its “backstory.”
Called Echo Bags, the simple white cloth bags that have reached as far as California showcase the artwork of two extraordinary children with very special talents.
Miggy Ignacio, 9, and Miguel Pedroso, 11, who were both diagnosed with autism at the age of two, are the first artists to be featured in the project of the Differently Special Achievers Movement.
Founded earlier this year, the nongovernment organization (NGO) provides training and recreational programs for differently abled persons, focusing on “expression” and “mentorship” to help them realize their full potential.
"If you think you've done everything you could, then do something more," my colleague shared over lunch.
That's the advice her hopeless romantic friend told her. And it's exactly what I need to hear.
You see, I have this inspiration to send Pope Francis the calendar which features the works of 10 child artists with disability. It's the perfect gift to the people's pope who loves children and who lives and breathes his teaching of mercy and compassion.
I tried to look for contacts who would have access to him during his 5 day visit to the Philippines. There were a few but all of them were convinced that it is impossible to go near him; more so, present him a gift. So, on the day of his arrival, when my friends coaxed me to wait for his motorcade I eagerly obliged; not knowing that the waiting time will take forever (6 hours to be exact). I enjoyed the experience of being one with the whole nation in prayer and excitement but I didn't get to hand him his gift in the 10 seconds that he passed by my line of vision.
