PHL Embassy in Abu Dhabi, PHL Ladies Circle Conduct Autism Awareness Lecture Series
Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno, Chair of the Philippine Ladies Circle Abu Dhabi (seated, center), Resource Speaker Kismette Jasmin Cepe-Riguerra, Embassy officers and staff, and PLC members gather for the Autism Awareness Lecture Series held in observance of the 11th World Autism Awareness Day at the Philippine Embassy, Abu Dhabi on April 07. (Photo credit: Neil Bie)
12 April 2018 ABU DHABI – The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Philippine Ladies Circle (PLC) Abu Dhabi conducted an Autism Awareness Lecture Series at the Embassy function hall on April 07 in observance of the 11th World Autism Awareness Day with the theme “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism”.
Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno, Spouse of the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE and Chair of PLC Abu Dhabi, in her Welcome Remarks, expressed her gratitude to the resource speakers who shared their knowledge on autism awareness to the audience.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Sta. Rosa-Casas, Specialist, Pediatrics/Pediatric Cardiology at the Al Ahalia Hospital in Abu Dhabi, explained why this year’s theme focuses on women and girls with autism, pointing out that more males have been diagnosed with autism compared to females. She highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and preparation for transition of autistic children to adulthood. She also outlined several ways of empowering people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the most important of which is acceptance.
Ms. Kismette Jasmin Cepe-Riguerra, Special Education teacher in the UAE and an advocate of the Autism Society Philippines, talked about the issues that women and girls face with autism, and how the people around them can provide support. She shared touching stories of people affected with autism and how they were empowered with the support of their families. She ended her talk by saying that raising children with autism entails not just a parent’s support and acceptance but more importantly the support and acceptance of the community.
Facilitated by Ms. Riguerra, Embassy personnel and PLC members then recited the Isang Bansa, Isang Pangako – a promise to stop the derogatory use of the word “autistic” as a joke or a form of insult. END
Recital of the “1Bansa, 1Pangako” pledge. (Photo credit: Neil Bie)
Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Resource Speaker Ms. Kismette Jasmin Cepe-Riguerra. They are joined in the photo by Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Anna Marie Mae R. Guerra, and Mrs. Ivory Catama-Pangwi, Spouse of Third Secretary and Vice Consul Von Ryan G. Pangwi.
For more information, visit www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/PHinUAE.