Page 9 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

January to June 9
2017

Fashion Arts Autism Benefit (FAAB) Launched in New York

The Autism Hearts Foundation, Inc. with the support of the Philippine
Consulate General in New York, launched on 04 January 2017 the 2017 Fashion
Arts Autism Benefit (FAAB) which will take place at the Philippine Center in New
York on 07 April 2017 with Philippine Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial
as Guest of Honor.

Autism Hearts Foundation President and Founder Erlinda Borromeo,
Foundation Executive Director Thomas Natale, and California-based Fashion
Designer Anthony Legarda attended the launch with Consul General Theresa
Dizon-de Vega and representatives of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega (Center) with The Fashion Arts Autism Benefit will feature art works by autistic children
Ms. Erlinda Borromeo of Autism Hearts Foundation done on piña fabric which will be used for fashion pieces designed by Patis Tesoro
(Center left), designer Anthony Legarda (Center Right) and Anthony Legarda. Sample piña wraps and shawls were presented during the
with volunteers and family members (photo by NYPCG)
event launch.

The Fashion Benefit was part of Autism Hearts Foundation’s advocacy in raising awareness of autism, greater
integration of those with the condition in mainstream society, and providing opportunities for persons with autism to maximize
their full potential.

The Fashion Benefit will be preceded by an exhibit of the works of the autistic children at the United Nations
Headquarters and a special art workshop where the children will be mentored by Filipino and Filipino-American artists based in
New York.

In her Welcome Remarks, Consul General Dizon-de Vega stated that support for the project is part of the Philippine
Government’s efforts to raise awareness on advocacy programs initiated by members of the Filipino-American Community and
also as part of the Consulate General’s contributions to the
Philippine Government’s National Strategy on Managing Autism.

Also in attendance at the event launch were members of
the Filipino-American media, volunteers from the Filipino
Community in the US Northeast and California, Ms. Carol Tanjutco,
a New York Financial Advisor and Journalist as well as a volunteer
for the event and the 18-year old Julien Borromeo who is one of the
featured artists in the exhibit and benefit.

Autism Hearts Foundation is a 501c (3) registered
organization and is a partner of Autism Speaks. The Foundation
continues to collaborate with the Philippine Department of Social L-R Mrs. Borromeo briefs the guests on the various events; Consul General
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health Dizon-de Vega with California-based volunteers wearing piña shawls
(DOH) on various autism advocacy programs in the Philippines. featuring the art work of autistic children (Photo: NYPCG)
New York Artists Hold Interactive Workshop and
Benefit Exhibit with Young Filipino Artists with Autism

The Autism Hearts Foundation in cooperation with the
Philippine Consulate General in New York held a two-day interactive
arts workshop with young Filipino artists with autism from 5-6 April
2017 as part of World Autism Awareness Month.

The workshop held at the Kalayaan Annex of the Philippine
Center in New York brought together New York-based artists Art
Zamora, Reynaldo Cardenas, Carol Tanjutco, and Angelo Maristela
with the young guest artists of the Autism Hearts Foundation – Vico
L-R (1 row) Artists Angelo Maristela, Art Zamora, Nina Bantoto, Pina Cham, JA Tan, Samantha Kaspar, Nina Bantoto, Julyan Harrison,
st
Expert India Legaspi, Consul General Theresa De Vega, Artists Vico Cham, and Julien Borromeo for an afternoon of interactive art. Aside from
Reynaldo Cardenas (2 Row) Amb. Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Julyan Harrison, creating one interactive art piece on piña under the watchful eye of
nd
Julien Borromeo, JA Tan, Samantha Kaspar show an interactive work on piña expert India Legaspi, the New York artists got to learn more
piña created by the New York-based artists and the young artists with about the styles and techniques of the young artists with autism.
autism (photos by NYPCG) (Continue to page 10)