PH Consulate General in Dan Francisco ‘shines blue’ for World Autism Awareness Day

(Clockwise from left) Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco personnel hold signs with information on autism. (Photo collage courtesy of www.photovisi.com); Consul Reginald Bernabe, Consul Reichel Quiñones, Judge Betty Buccat, Consul Leah Rodriguez and Mr. Thomas Natale; Officers of Consulage GEneral and representatives of Autism Hearts Foundation join with Ms. Jo Anne Kyle and Ms. Alma Hwelgas of the ABS-CBN Foundation during the formal opening of the World Autism Awareness Day Art Exhibit.

Visitors to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on April 2 were greeted by an unusual sight: all Consulate personnel were attired in blue. At various times during the day, personnel would hold up a sign displaying a fact about autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sharing the information with the Consulate’s transacting public.

The Consulate General’s day-long activity, intended to raise awareness about autism and persons with ASD, was one of two activities it undertook to commemorate April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, which was adopted by the UN in 2007.

In partnership with the Autism Hearts Foundation and Bantay Bata 163, the Consulate General also launched an exhibit of paintings done by children with ASD. Consul Reggie Bernabe, representing the Consulate General, joined Judge Betty Buccay of the Autism Hearts Foundation and Ms. Jo Anne Kyle of ABS-CBN Foundation at the ribbon-cutting for the exhibit.

“As always, we support the work being done by Autism Hearts Foundation, and thank ABS-CBN Foundation for their active participation in this project,” Consul Bernabe declared. “The Consulate welcomes, as well, this opportunity to help build awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and what resources are available to our community to diagnose and treat those with the disorder.”

“Persons with ASD can be valued and valuable members of our community if we understand how they can contribute,” Judge Buccat added. “Early diagnosis is important, as is the appropriate treatment and training.”

For more information on autism spectrum disorder, its diagnosis and resources for treatment and training, the public is encouraged to contact Autism Hearts Foundation, which holds office at Suite 502 in the Philippine Center, 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco. The Foundation may also be contacted via phone at (415) 392-0882, or by email at info@autismhearts.com.

To keep abreast of happenings at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, bookmark its webpage at http://www.philippinessanfrancisco, like its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/PCGSF, or follow it on Twitter @PhilConGenSF.

Press release and photos courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 08 April 2014.