These Kids

Yey, I'm a certified volunteer. (Like there is such a thing as a certified one). Today, I get to live my high school dream of being a journalist, or specifically, a photojournalist. Due to the amount of pictures I took, I am putting up this article in two parts. I've already mentioned about this event in a previous post: Persons with Disabilities Day organized by the Archdiocese of Manila. Read on.

If I'm not mistaken, taho is made from soya, which makes it quite healthy. But of course, there have been documentaries stating that it isn't. The girl is autistic and she seems to be quite contented with taho for now.

The day has just started but I was already pretty tired. Good thing I see these kind of smiles form the participants. The caregiver team are responsible for directly taking care of the children. I thought I wasn't ready for that. They've got the green scarfs and we've got, of all colors, pink. I decided not to wear mine and eventually, my scarf got misplaced. Disposed of.

San Carlos Seminary. The venue is in Guadalupe Viejo which is a few meters walk from the Guadalupe MRT station. It's as Catholic as it gets. Most of them are nice, a few are friendly, none of them are legalistic and judgmental (as compared to, well, Adventists). At least, none of the people I came across with in the event.

This lady relly wants to be in the spotlight. I was poniting the camera towards her during my breaktime. Then she smiled just like that. I would've conducted an interview but I decided to stick with taking shots. And feel as if I'm not part of the event but an agent of observation.

So, where do you want to go today? Actually, I was just looking for the best restroom around the seminary. Based on intelligence reports, it's located in the Lay Foundation Center. Left is where we go.

Here's one of the participants during the registration for the medical examination. I can't quite figure out the look on his face.

Specifically, I was assigned to the medical mission area. The boy on the wheelchair is being, I don't know, consoled(?) by his mother. The whole day, I was yearning to talk to these people -- deaf, blind, and those with cerebral palsies. I don't know why I was quite preoccupied with my thoughts.

This is Rose. I joined them for lunch and I had a fun time. She's autistic so I had to distract her from whatever she's preoccupied with whenever I want to talk to her. And whoa, she runs a lot. I'll miss her.

Made by one of the disabled children. I thought it was brilliant. These kids could actually be great in their art of choice, if given the correct training. Although they do not really want to be treated in any way different than those without physical disabilities. Most of them want to be seen by everyone to be just kids and not "special" kids.

Wow, lugaw. I mean, goto. Does it have a difference? These are for the participants only and not for the volunteers. Okay, I guess I'll just drop by at Chowking (or Jollibee?) to get my share.

My next post would be more of these.