Talent Knows No Adversity – Reverb: Echoing Awareness through the Arts

Wazzup Pilipinas!
The Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity, together with the UP Special Education Council, Ateneo Special Education Society, and the Leonard Cheshire Disability Foundation Inc., hosted “Reverb: Echoing Awareness through the Arts,” a concert for the differently abled, by the differently abled. 

With more than 300 people in attendance, the Pilar Hidalgo Lim Auditorium of the GSP National Headquarters in Manila witnessed these abled performers celebrate their extraordinary talents and overcome limitations on May 9, 2015.

Reverb is the culminating event in a series of projects entitled “ObraX: Extraordinary Art by Extraordinary People” all aimed at empowering the differently abled.

Most Exalted Brother Pacifico Armando M. Cruz MΣΦ 2015 formally opened the program. Local rock icon Mayonnaise held the evening’s opening act strongly with stellar performances from hit songs “Ipagpatawad Mo” and “Jopay”.

The event featured presentations from differently abled groups with Down’s syndrome, autism, hearing impairments, as well as amputees. Before each performance, an audiovisual presentation was shown, revealing inspiring stories from the performers. The videos told of struggles, as well as triumphs culled from their steadfast determination, a desire to succeed, and absolute support from various support systems.

Heartwarming musical and dance presentations were seen from Servants of Charity, Danica Escasinas from the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), St. Francis School- VSA Arts Philippines, Chaelda del Carmen, Thara Santiago and Franco Cagayat (ASP), and MusikAbility. In what was one of the event’s highlights, Ms. Vell Baria, an artist with autism, brought everyone to the edge of their seats with her graceful offering of “Mutya ng Pasig”, “Let It Go”, and “Queen of the Night” in an operatic voice with a modern twist.

For the closing remarks, Earnest Caiser Q. Dela Cruz, overall project head of “ObraX: Extraordinary Art by Extraordinary People”, parted with a central message – that given enough love, support, and acceptance, not only from their loved ones but also from various communities, these abled individuals can become extraordinary.  

Reverb, in behalf of all the presenters, is counting on more people to bring awareness on the many endeavors the differently abled communities are enduring, in the ultimate hope of making a difference for them.