Known as the Philippine mecca of sports and entertainment, the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum showed that it was also a hub for good causes when it lit blue to raise awareness on autism.
On April 2, the Big Dome’s green gate was illuminated with blue lights as it joined the international community in observing World Autism Awareness Day. Other landmarks around the world like the Empire State Building in New York, the Niagara Falls in Canada, the Suez Canal in Egypt, the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, the Sagrada Familia in Spain and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai had also participated in the cause.
People living with autism, their families, local government units and non-government organizations witnessed the event.
The Light It Up Blue event, a worldwide initiative that coincides with the UN-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day, is a symbolic way of standing up with and understanding people living with autism. Last year, the Araneta Center showed its support with the “Big Dome Lights Blue” event, hosting performances by kids living with disabilities; a short talk by PACDLD (Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities Inc.) PACDLD founder Felicite Jean Gonzales, and the lighting of the Coliseum façade blue.
Newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray, Binibining Pilipinas International Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao and Binibining Pilipinas second runner-up Samantha Bernardo graced the event as they aim to use their platform as beauty queens to raise awareness on worthy causes like this.
The Araneta Center, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation and the Gateway Gallery also teamed up with PACDLD in feting autism advocates.
Teachers Ma. Carmencita Guanzon-Borbon, Pilar Relovo Habito, Josephine Villareal Nepomuceno and Fredeswina Tantengco-Javier; Special Olympics Philippines executive Ma. Cristina Zafra Canizares; developmental pediatricians Dr. Joel Lazaro and Dr. Alexis Socorro de Leon Reyes; social workers Angela Marina Luna Pangan and Ederlinda Lumaad Salud; and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia were recognized for their efforts to raise autism awareness and help people with autism.
PACDLD founder Octavio “Ogie” SA Gonzales was also given a posthumous tribute for his contributions to the cause.
For more information on the cause, follow @worldautismawarenessday on Facebook.