The Center for Possibilities Love Inclusively Beneficiary Concert

Love Inclusively Beneficiary Concert for Special Children

I have always been an advocate of children with special needs. So each time I get an invitation to attend an event that had something to do with them or to somehow help them, I don't even have to think twice, I readily say yes. I recently attended a concert for children with special needs entitled Love Inclusively by The Center For Possibilities Inc. held at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Building in Makati City. The said concert had no less than the Manila Symphony Orchestra lead by Maestro Jeffrey Solares who performed alongside the talented children with special needs. It also had a special participation of one of the country's top songwriters and performers, Mr. Ogie Alcasid. It was the kind of concert that expresses love to some of the most vulnerable in society.

Ms. Dolores Cheng, Founder of The Center for Possibilities Inc.

We all recognize that it can be very difficult for families with children to find opportunities for them to perform. The Center for Possibilities, composed of dedicated group of professionals and teachers from Reach International School, inspired and let by its founder Ms. Dolores Cheng, organized this beneficiary concert and art exhibit to provide their beneficiaries with regular opportunities and early interventions. Ms. Cheng herself had a son who had been diagnosed with global developmental delay at age 3. She had been told by North American experts back then that her son didn't have an IQ. But today, her son Andreas, who's now 25, is the epitome of Endless Possibilities. He is the living proof that the foundation works so hard to promote: the living reality of transforming one from disabled to enabled. 

Vico Cham and Samantha Kaspar, two of the featured talented individuals with special needs

My aunt Cecilia Sanoy, Purple Plum Fairy, Ms. Dolores Cheng, Founder of The Center for Possibilities , ROAR executives Jennifer Rockwell and Max Arroyo

The main mission of the Center for Possibilities aims to raise awareness and to change how we as a nation perceive autism, as well as to raise funds towards providing life changing interventions for poor Filipinos who can benefit most from these methods. The Center for Possibilities has already built and is operating a special education (SPED) center in Sagada, Mountain province, and is in the process of establishing another facility in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Sites in Tacloban and Sorsogon are also in the works. 

Henry Munarriz performed a few songs

Juno Santos played the piano

Manila Symphony Orchestra played under the baton of Maestro Jeffrey Solares

As part of the foundation's efforts in fund raising is a staged benefit concert called Love Inclusively, back-to-back with an art exhibit called Art Exceptional. The talents of three children with special needs are the highlights of the said concert where it has showcased Juno Santos who played the piano, Henry Munarriz and Samantha Kaspar sang alongside the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Samantha Kaspar also launched her own personally crafted line of fragrances. 

Samantha Kaspar sings

My aunt Cecilia Sanoy with one of the featured artist, semi verbal Samantha Kaspar

Visual artist Vico Cham with his sold out paintings

Art Exceptional featured never before seen paintings from Juno Santos, Samantha Kaspar and Vico Cham, another exceptional individual with special needs who works full time at a regular job with the Unilab Foundation. Vico Cham is a prolific painter whose paintings have been sold out in his exhibits and are patronized both here and abroad. 

Samantha Kaspar's line of fragrances

While watching the said concert, it was fun to know how the children with special needs share their passion for music and the arts with others and enjoy the unique sense of achievement that only a live performance can bring. One of the night's performer, Juan Elessar Yan Santos, better known as Juno, who played the piano like a virtuoso, couldn't contain his joy as he heard thunderous applause from the audience. The Manila Symphony Orchestra who took part as accompanists played a selection of classical music, to popular musical plays like My Fair Lady down to Disney favorites to the delight of the audience.

Here's a glimpse of the concert's highlights:

The Manila Symphony Orchestra

Juno Santos

Never Enough from The Greatest Showman

Go The Distance

Samantha Kaspar sings Somewhere 

Henry Munarriz sings All of Me

Ogie Alcasid

Kailangan Kita

Mahal Kita Walang Iba

Hindi Ka Pababayaan

Love Inclusively aimed to offer emotional support and care for those who are mentally challenged. "Music and arts can speak to children to remind them of the sense of being cared about,"said Ms. Dolores Cheng, Center for Possibilities Founding Chairman who shared about her personal experience with her son. 

I agree that music can take negative energy away and boost children's motivation. My nephew Kyle who's a special child takes music as part of his therapy. Children everywhere can enjoy so many kinds of concerts, such as concert films. But vulnerable populations might not so easily have access to a public concert such as this. Special children are also prone to be "ïgnored or downplayed." It feels good to know that there are concerts produced such as Love Inclusively where children with special needs aren't just only included but they are "the stars" of the show itself. 

Both arts and music can help children with special needs through a variety of significant improvements including reduced stress, increased IQ levels and improved ability to concentrate, this is according to the studies made by the University of California, Irvine. 

The proceeds of “Love, Inclusively”, and “Art Exceptional” are being used to fund SPED assessments, evaluations, and SPED classes for the foundation's SPED center in Sagada and the soon to open center in Norzagaray, Bulacan. 

For more information on The Center for Possibilities Foundation, visit their Facebook Page. To make a donation, send an email to mpdiokno@manpromad.com or call (0918)888-1759/723-1242.