Last week, The Center for Possibilities Foundation (CFP) invited a few friends for a special screening of “Yakap”, a film that provides a glimpse into a day in the lives of three people: Evangeline “Gelli” Aventajado, a 4-year-old with Down Syndrome; Aaron Joshua “AJ” De Quiroz, an 8-year-old with epilepsy, Autism, and Global Developmental Delay; and Kevin Avelino, a 45-year-old with Global Developmental Delay. “The stories are told from the points of view of their parents. Nothing was scripted, everything that you will see is natural and unplanned,” describes Dolores Cheng, the founder of the group CFP.
I was invited by my friend Michelle Aventajado (a fellow blogger), who is the mother of one of the three special children, Gelli, featured in the film.
“More than a film, we are presenting profiles of true courage. Courage of the children whose disabilities are the only reality they have ever known, and who live their lives the only way they know how, in spite of curious stares, pointing fingers, and hidden smiles. And the courage of parents and family members who may have grown up thinking normal was everything but ended up learning that different can be the new normal”.
Here is a short, heart-tugging clip of the film :
[youtube id=”IpY2Ho0jOYU”]As someone who knows Michelle personally (one of the parents in this film), I have nothing but respect and admiration for her and her husband Nino. It is truly heart-warming to see their strength and courage shine through for the sake of their beloved child Gelli, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was born. For indeed, it is truly admirable of mothers (and fathers) of special children to be this committed in helping their little ones get the right amount of support and assistance they need not just to survive, but to thrive in our society as well.
Right now, CFP hopes to bring the film to different places and generate more awareness for the need to respect the potential and promise of persons with special needs. If you would like to help, please contact them and they would be very happy to do special screenings for you and your group. They are more than willing to tie up with interested schools and other community organizations.
A special screening of this wonderfully made film by Danny Añonuevo is also happening on September 7, at 7pm at the RCBC Theater.
“Yakap” in our native language means embrace. May we all give our children that tight and loving embrace they all yearn for. Let us learn to accept all children and treat them with the utmost respect, dignity and compassion that every human being deserves.
After all, each child is a gift, a blessing from above.
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The Center for Possibilities Foundation (CFP)
www.centerforpossibilities.asia
Tel +(632) 723-1242 or +(63 918) 888-1759.
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Down Syndrome also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all, or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.
Global Developmental Delay is an umbrella term used when children are significantly delayed in their cognitive and physical development. There is usually a more specific condition which causes this delay, such as Fragile X syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.