Members of the PAF dance with special children. Photo by Joey Aguilar
ANGELES CITY – “I don’t see them as people with disabilities [PWDs]. They are special children with special talents and capabilities.”
Thus said Councilor Jericho Aguas in his speech during a photo exhibit in SM City Clark dubbed as “Wings of Haribon, Hearts of Airmen” on Tuesday (Oct. 18). The Philippine Air Force (PAF) co-sponsored the event as part of its 40th founding anniversary.
Aguas, who represented Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, said that he doesn’t want to call the children as people with disabilities.
“I don’t see these children as disabled. They should be called and be considered as VVIPs or Very Very Important Persons,” he said.
SM City Clark headed by Assistant Mall Manager Ana Datu and the PAF have partnered to treat special children and brought them to Air Force City in Clark recently.
Brig, General Romeo V. Poquiz, vice commander of the 1st Air Division of the PAF, said the kids were given the chance to have a feel of a “virtual ride” of PAF’s planes and choppers parked in their hangars in Clark.
Meanwhile, members of the PAF who attended the event in SM also entertained the crowd by dancing with the special children on stage.
Angeles City Social Welfare Development Officer Heidi Patio and Chrysaline Cunanan, CSWDO administrative officer V, also attended the event.
For his part, Pamintuan thanked SM City Clark saying “I extend my warm greetings to all the participants of this exhibition, and most specially to the host and sponsor of this activity – SM City Clark – for bringing forth the creativity and artistic inclinations of our young people who may have physical disabilities but are otherwise highly talented.”
“Pinagiibayo natin ang mga serbisyo sa mga kapatid nating may kapansanan. Sa katunayan, isinasama natin ang tinatawag na differently abled persons sa proseso mismo ng paggogobyerno,” said Pamintuan in his speech read by Aguas.
