Special Olympics: Caring for People with Mental Disabilities

I made this video for my Visual Literacy class with Prof. Isabel Kenny (Asian Center for Journalism, Ateneo de Manila University, March 2010). It was part of a group project about mental health in Asia with my classmates, Bintang from Aceh, Indonesia, and Walter from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Check out their articles in our website: mentalhealthasia.blogspot.com.

Special Olympics from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

On March 11 and 12, 2010, a hundred athletes from all over the Philippines gathered at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City to participate in the National Athletic Games. But these are no ordinary athletes. They are members of the Special Olympics Philippines.

Omar is an 18 year old boy with Down syndrome from Davao City. He has been an athlete since he was 12 years old. This is his second time to participate in the National Athletic Games, where he competed in the shotput and running events. Aside from sports, he is also into the arts like painting and dancing.

Omar’s mother says he was teased and bullied as a child. Neighbors would keep their kids away from him. But in Special Olympics, Omar has found a place where he is loved and accepted by others.

In the Philippines, 3 to 7 per cent of the population are born with mental disabilities. Groups like Special Olympics Philippines believe that through sports, they can develop their talents and achieve their full potential.

Alex Babst, National Program Director of Special Olympics Philippines, says, "The Special Olympics is a worldwide organization. Right now we have 170 countries with 3 million registered athletes. Our mission is to uplift and work for the advocacy for the inclusion of intellectually disabled persons throughout the world. Special Olympics Philippines has about 10,500 members, all intellectually disabled. We’re really showcasing our athletes because we want to show our community that through sports they have the ability to succeed, to do their best, and to become winners."

Medals were given out during the event. Omar took home a bronze medal for running. His mother Joy says participating in sports improved his confidence and social skills.

In October, Omar will join the national games for rhythmic gymnastics. But for the meantime, he will celebrate his success with a victory dance.

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Live the Adventure

A project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark (Asian Center for Journalism, Ateneo de Manila University, October 2009)

Live the Adventure from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

Every year, AMCI Mountaineering Club conducts the Basic Mountaineering Course, a five-month long training program that aims to promote the sport of mountaineering and equip trainees with the necessary skills to survive in the mountains. The course is composed of a mix of physical activities, academic lectures, and training climbs, where trainees can apply the skills they have learned and appreciate the beauty of nature.

This video shows what this year’s Basic Mountaineering Course was like through the eyes of two trainees, Charles Ty and Lelet Volfango. As they have experienced, mountaineering is not just about having physical strength, but also about having the patience, mental fortitude, and willpower to go beyond one’s limitations.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of the Video
I made this video as a final project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark. The topic is close to my heart because I myself was a trainee back in 2005 and have been an avid mountaineer since I was inducted into the club.

I really wish I could have documented all the events of this year’s BMC since it started in June. However, due to time constraints, I was only able to join two major events: their third training climb in Mt. Pulag and their orienteering weekend in Corregidor Island.

On our second night in Mt. Pulag, a storm hit the mountain. Our tents were literally bending at the poles and a lot of the trainees and AMCI members could not sleep a wink because they were wet and shivering inside their tents. While trekking back to civilization the next day, needle-like rains pelted our faces and we were buffeted by winds so strong that we almost toppled over even with our heavy backpacks.

When I asked Lelet about her experience at the time, she said: “In the midst of the fierce weather, it was also beautiful in a way. It’s a different kind of beauty—it’s fierce, it’s in your face. It’s just you and nature and God. When we were in the grasslands and I was [on the edge of the] cliff hanging on for dear life… at the back of my head, I thought, I’m so scared but this is so cool! I hope I can get to the other side. I’m glad I’ve been given the chance to go there and see it and experience it.”

I wanted so much to include that quote in the video, but it’s long enough as it is. And I couldn’t very well whip out my camera during that crazy weather while I myself was hanging on for dear life. I really wish I could have documented those moments though. Now that would have made for a great story!

The photos at the beginning of the video were taken by Roland Aquino during our climb of Mt. Pulag in 2006. The photos show Mt. Pulag at it’s best. I showed these photos to the trainees and encouraged them to go back to Pulag during the summer so they can see the awesome views for themselves. Roland also took the photo of Mt. Apo when we climbed the mountain in 2007.

Videos for the interviews with Lelet and Charles were shot with a video cam I borrowed from the office. Photos and videos of the Pulag climb, orienteering weekend, and interview with Tonyboy were shot with my Canon Ixus 850IS. I also borrowed a few photos from Mardel and Maida, my teammates during the Pulag climb. A big thanks also goes out to Carlo, Tina, and Marissa—the other trainees whose interviews I was not able to include in the video—and my other teammates Renelle, Merari, Jay and Nelson.

I really enjoyed working on this video as well as all the projects for my Multimedia Journalism class. Hopefully, I can further upgrade my skills and equipment to come up with even better, high quality videos in the future—videos of people who have amazing stories to tell.

November Update: Both Charles and Lelet have successfully completed their induction climb at Mt. Apo and are now AMCI members. :)

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Task Force Ondoy Going Strong in Ateneo

A personal project inspired by my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark

Published: Ateneo.edu, October 2009

Task Force Ondoy from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

September 28, 2009, Quezon City — Task Force Ondoy is in full swing at the Ateneo College Covered Courts. Volunteers are busy receiving donations, repacking goods, and preparing for deployment to areas struck by the typhoon.

According to volunteer Eric Santillan, mobilization for Task Force Ondoy started last night. It was spearheaded by the Ateneo Sanggunian, the university’s student council, with the help of some Jesuit social organizations.

Santillan is heartened by the sheer number of goods and people who came to help. “Last night it wasn’t this big. Donations were coming in and organically it just grew and grew. Now we have around 800 to 900 volunteers from everywhere. I saw a grade 5 kid volunteering and a 70-year-old grandmother sign up. People of all ages came. We are helping out several areas, like the Gawad Kalinga areas of Ateneo. I heard they are also sending goods out to Barangka, Marikina. Just this afternoon, they sent to Cainta, which is probably the hardest hit area right now.”

Volunteers first sign up at the registration booth. A short orientation follows so the volunteers know what to do. Various donations are also welcome. Santillan says, “Water is really needed right now. Slippers would be a good thing to donate. There’s also a need for mattresses, blankets, canned goods, and plastic bags for the individual packing.”

Ateneo Alumnus and singer Miguel Escueta has been going around giving help where it’s needed. He invites others who are capable to help out too. “Me and my family were fortunate enough not to be hit badly by the storm. For the people who are still okay, I think it’s your calling to help out as much as you can. A lot of people are in need of help, they’re stranded, they haven’t been able to come home, and they don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s useless if you stay home. Try to do whatever you can. There are a lot of relief centers—in Alabang, in Paranaque, near Quezon City. Just ask around and for sure you’ll be of great use around the Metro. Be informed and do what you can.”

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Typhoon Fails to Dampen Spirits of Candy Fairgoers

A project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark

Published: Candymag.com, September 2009

Candy Fair 2009 from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

September 26, 2009, Manila — Despite the heavy rains and floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy, loyal readers of Candy magazine braved the storm to get to the Candy Fair at the Mega Tent Events Venue in Pasig. Candy is the Philippines’ number one magazine for teens and the fair is an annual event for their readers.

Candy’s Team Publisher Christine Ko explains more about the magazine and the Candy Fair. “We help Candy girls about every aspect of their lives like school, relationships with their friends, families, and boys. We tackle all their interests: books, pop culture, music, movies, the latest celebrities, and other stuff like fashion and beauty. The Candy Fair is an annual event which is basically a gathering of all the Candy Cuties, the Candy girls, and the TeenTalkers.” TeenTalkers are members of TeenTalk, the message board of Candymag.com.

At the fair, guests could go around the different booths to play games, shop for items like accessories and bags, watch a fashion show by clothing line Terranova, and interact with the Candy Cuties—a pool of the cutest guys the magazine features every year. The Candy girls could even “get married” to a Candy Cutie of their choice at the Goldilocks Marriage Booth.

Actors and former Candy cover boys Dino Imperial and AJ Perez also graced the event despite the storm. They came up with an impromptu dance tutorial which the girls enjoyed.

Despite the low turnout, Candy girl Ana Gonzales, who has been reading the magazine since she was in grade school, attests that the event was not a failure. “It’s super fun to interact with the Candy editors, celebrities, and all the Candy girls. It’s all rainy outside but here it’s super fun. Everyone’s having a great time with all the freebies and the program.”

Though the event was cut short due to the weather, the Candy girls went home with lots of goody bags, autographs of their favorite celebrities, photos with the Candy Cuties, and even more fond memories with their “best-est friend.”

Listen to the Candy Fair 2009 Podcast:

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View the slideshow for more photos from the Candy Fair:
Click on the image to read the caption.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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My Favorite Place: Kapurpurawan White Rock

Last summer, my friends and I went on a road trip to Ilocos. Of all the places we visited, the Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation in the town of Burgos left the biggest impression on me. Watch the video to see why.

My Favorite Place from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

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