Advocating for my two boys is not easy. Much more if it’s for the entire Philippine Autism Community.
My job as a member of Autism Society Philippines’ Board of Trustess have a lot to deal with when it comes to bringing Autism into mainstream society. Filipinos are still pretty much old school when it comes to dealing with people with diff-abilities. Equal opportunity is still unheard of in this arena of society. That’s why I’m really so proud of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for choosing us as one of its 12 advocacies for its Give In to Giving Christmas giving campaign.
Autism doesn’t have enough advocates here in the Philippines. I still get people who turn their backs on me once I say the word “autism.” I don’t get hurt when that happens. I just know that a lot of people are not ready to know more about it. It’s hard enough to explain the whole gamut of autism what more to extract people’s sympathies. I personally know a lot of families that still simply refuse to talk about it and look at it as a tragic death sentence.
With CBTL's Paulo del Rosario and the 11 other advocacies
In the States, we are one of the biggest fundraising causes but here in the Philippines, it’s a different story. For that, I really thank Coffee Bean for giving us this big boost and for giving us a platform to educate and reach others out there. I’m pretty sure that the ASP’s Board of Trustees are going to have their meetings at Coffee Bean this Christmas.
And so to all my dear friends, I encourage you all to do give in and drop by at CBTL and fill your stamp cards with each beverage you buy and after filling all 12, do choose ASP as your chosen advocacy.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is located at TriNoMa, SM The Block, Gateway, Ortigas Park, Paseo Center, Bonificacio High Street, Mall of Asia, Convergys Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell, Robinson’s Ermita, Greenhills Promenade, Robinson’s Galleria, Eastwood, Tomas Moratio and 2 more branches in Cebu. Visit their homepage at http://coffeebean.com.ph
