One by one, they reached out to Maali the elephant’s trunk—an unforgettable experience they will surely treasure
AS I PREPARED my gear early Sunday morning, my little daughter woke up and asked, “Daddy, where are you going?”

I told her I was going to take pictures at Manila Ocean Park and Manila Zoo with autistic children.

Then she asked, “What’s autistic?” I just smiled, kissed her and asked her to go back to sleep.

My daughter is turning 6 and is one of the most inquisitive and talkative people I know.

Autism, as I understand it, is a disorder that impairs the neural development affecting information processing in the brain. People with autism normally have difficulty communicating or interacting socially. They also react differently to certain situations or stimuli that you and I would take for granted, like noise and darkness.

Autism is categorized in levels or spectrums based on the symptoms manifested, and it normally starts at a very young age.

My education on autism actually began last year when I joined a similar workshop with autistic kids from Cavite. I was surprised to see a lot more kids out there who have this disability.

So when top advertising photographer John Chua and SM vice president Bien Mateo came up with “Photography with a Difference,” I answered the call.

Something special

As photographer, I aim to document, interpret and show what I see through my lens. Very often we get to be part of something special.

Last Sunday was such a day. A group of volunteer photographers called Sunday Shooters conducted the “Photography with a Difference” workshop for 26 children and their families from the Marikina Chapter of the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP).

“Photography with a Difference” or PWD is a sponsored initiative of SM Supermalls with Canon Philippines and photographer Chua. The idea is to challenge photography clubs, like the Sunday Shooters, to select a beneficiary organization like ASP Marikina and conduct a workshop for them.

The workshop is actually more of what photographers call a Photowalk. A volunteer photographer is assigned a child for the day. Each photographer will document his experience, to be included in an exhibit at an SM mall to help increase awareness for people with disabilities such as autism and Down’s Syndrome.

Manila Ocean Park

The day began early at Manila Ocean Park. The park and the Manila Zoo were co-sponsors of the workshop and graciously waived the entrance fee for the participants—all 131 of us.

As the kids gathered at the entrance, I noticed some were obviously scared, holding tightly to their parents, but many were also excited. The photographers, too, were excited and a bit apprehensive. Apart from a short briefing, this was the first time they would be encountering autism.

Setting up for a group hug (a photographer’s term for group shot), I sensed that the group no longer seemed ill at ease with each other. Some kids were already running around, dragging their parents through the exhibit. Others were taking pictures, while others were glued to the aquarium glass in amazement. The photographers just clicked away.

The parents remained attentive. I realized how tiring it must be for parents to be alert all the time, yet I didn’t sense any look of complaint or resentment in their eyes. I could feel only their joy and light-heartedness as their children moved through the exhibit.

The morning ended with an arts-and-crafts session for the kids and representatives of Manila Ocean Park and SM, including Mateo. As the kids boarded the bus and bade farewell to our hosts, one could see they were still hungry for more activity.

Manila Zoo

Around noon, the group reached Manila Zoo where a pleasant surprise greeted the photographers as ASP treated us to some home cooking. The food did not last long. I stepped out for a while to check out Maali the elephant, but was still fortunate enough to have tasted the adobo before that, too, disappeared.

It was a good respite from the morning activities and a good chance for everyone to recharge.

The first afternoon activity was a visit to Kinder Zoo, a small petting zoo at Manila Zoo. Some played with the parrots and turtles, while others, who were a little braver, opted for the snake and crocodile. There was even an ostrich, which to the surprise of many, carried not only the kids but also some photographers.

The parents were naturally a little apprehensive, especially with the snake around, but seeing their child interact with these animals, laughing and smiling, gave them the courage to see the activity through.

The kids actually got the chance to handfeed Maali the elephant. One by one, with Chua handing each kid a banana, they reached out to Maali’s trunk for an unforgettable experience they will surely treasure.

To cap the day, a short boat race was held, which actually has become a tradition for all workshops at Manila Zoo. There were five teams—two from ASP Marikina, two composed of photographers, and the last composed of people from Canon and SM.

Right from the start, there was chaos as teams battled each other. This time, it was the turn of the children to watch and cheer on their parents and photographer “brothers/sisters.”

It was a perfect end to a day filled with emotions.

Parents and family

As we gathered one last time to say our goodbyes, the participants exchanged gifts—a gesture of thanks for having shared each other’s world. We were all smiles, especially the parents, despite the muggy weather and our fatigue.

It was then I realized the important role parents and family play in the lives of these special kids—how much time and effort it takes to care for children with autism.

Given the wide spectrum of symptoms autism has, there is no formula or singular approach a parent can take. Each family needs to develop its own special way to help connect to the child. It’s all about taking that extra step to make the world as normal as possible for their child.

Back at home, at the dinner table, I showed my daughter the pictures I took that day. She looked at them and said, “Daddy, lots of colors.” I smiled and thought to myself, yes, I did spend the day looking at a lot of colors—the spectrum of child autism.

Call Photography with a Difference at 0917-8549130.