Page 10 - 2017 KA'AKBAY January-June

10 January to June
2017

Fashion Event Headlines World Autism Awareness Month at Philippine Center New York

In observance of World Autism Awareness Month, the
Philippine Consulate General partnered with Autism Hearts
Foundation (AHF) for a Fashion Arts Autism Benefit (FAAB) Fashion
for Hope Show on 07 April 2017 at the Philippine Center in New York’s
Kalayaan Hall.

The Filipino-American community, members of the fashion
industry, and international media came out to support Fashion for
Hope.

Fashion for Hope featured elegant piña fabric (pineapple

fiber) creations by renowned fashion designer Anthony Cruz Legarda,

featuring art work by young persons with autism. The Legards

creations were modelled by Filipino-American community members

Piña creations by Anthony Cruz Legarda featuring paintings by the and professional New York-based models in an hour-long program.
young artists with autism (photos by NYPCG)
The Fashion for Hope marks the first-year anniversary of a

collaboration between the Consulate General and Autism Hearts Foundation to promote an innovative art therapy program and

fashion project for persons with autism. (Continue to page 11)

(Continued from page 9… Interactive workshop and Benefit)

The first day of the workshop culminated in an
arts benefit for the continuation of art therapy programs
for young people with autism. The art benefit featured
works by the young artists with autism invited by
Autism Hearts Foundation and participating artists who
generously donated proceeds from any sale of their
works for the Arts Training program.

The participating New York artists include Erlinda Borromeo Founding President of Autism Hearts
Foundation conveys her appreciation for the
Greta Lood, Art Zamora, Jojo Austria, Angelo overwhelming support for the pioneering project.

Maristela, Marco Art, Dulcie Dee, Helen Dimaya, Jes Mr. Andy Shih of Autism Speaks delivers a message
from the global organization
Evangelista, Otto Neri, Ronald Cortez, Rey Cardenas,
Vico Cham finishing a painting on Jeff Hutchinson, Carol Tanjutco, Loren San Diego, and Mrs. Rachel Harrison, mother of young artist with autism
pina cloth Julyan Harrison talks to media about the challenges and
May Madarang. joys of being a parent of a child with special needs.

In her welcome remarks both at the Workshop and Exhibit openings,
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized that the art autism therapy

advocated by Autism Hearts Foundation and supported by the Philippine
Consulate General is yet another means to raise awareness of the unique
qualities and potential of persons with autism. She noted that the Consulate is
honored to be part of this project to raise greater awareness of autism during
World Autism Awareness Month.

Mrs. Erlinda Borromeo, founder of Autism
Hearts Foundation was also on hand to offer her
appreciation to all the participating artists, art
teachers, parents, mentors, and sponsors for
making the event possible.

The exhibit likewise featured a Keynote
Message by New York Gallery owner and art expert
Paul Calendrillo.

The second day of the workshop featured

an introduction to mosaic making by New York-

based Cuban artist Jorge Valdez who taught the

young artists basic mosaic techniques, color Participants and observers at the
Autism Arts Workshop
combinations, and shapes.