Angels Walk marks Autism Awareness Month

MANILA, Philippines - The Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) is vying for a world record for the most number of people wearing wings.

The ASP yesterday staged the Angels Walk, a yearly get-together aimed at raising awareness for autism and seeking the inclusion of the disabled in society, at the Mall of Asia Area in Pasay City.

Over 12,000 people with autism and their families attended the gathering, with more than half of them wearing wings led by SM Prime Holdings Inc. president Hans Sy.

Those who attended were later treated to a show featuring children with autism.

ASP president Mona Veluz said the event, which marks the observance of Autism Awareness Month, could easily beat the world record for the most number of people with wings, which currently stands at 1,200.

“We are vying for a world record and I think we already beat the current record of 1,200 because of the overwhelming attendance. Our contingent from Cavite beat that number and we have 25 chapters in attendance today,” she said.

Veluz said their various chapters in Luzon and the Visayas worked on their wing costumes for several months.

She added Angels Walk has come a long way since it started in 2007 along Roxas Boulevard in Manila with only a few attendees.

“Last year, during ASP’s 25th anniversary, we filled MOA Arena to the rafters. This year, we have around 12,000 in attendance and we hope to set the world record for the largest group of winged angels,” she said.

Since 2009, the Angels Walk has been conducted in partnership with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls.

Dang Koe, chair emeritus of ASP, said they are extremely thankful to SM for supporting their cause.

“We could not thank SM and SM Cares enough because through the years, they never get tired of being our partner and have even helped us hold Angels Walk in other cities,” Koe said.

She also noted that SM malls are the most autism-friendly establishments.

Bien Mateo, SM vice president for operations and head of the SM Disability Program, said they are honored to share the same advocacy with ASP and to host other family-centered affairs.

“We continue with our commitment to make sure we are a mall for all family members, with or without disability,” Mateo said.

The ASP also unveiled it’s a-OK Philippines campaign – a multi-sectoral movement aimed at building an autism-inclusive society.

Veluz said the movement aims to inspire more autism-friendly establishments, compassionate workplaces, job transition specialists and coaches, freelancers on the spectrum and livelihood opportunities for persons with autism.