Showing posts with label deaf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deaf. Show all posts

SM Cares Holds Bowling for Differently Abled Peers

Thursday, October 16, 2014



A few days ago, we went to the bowling lanes of SM North Edsa Annex to witness something special. A couple of our differently abled friends and their partners have gone hand in hand with SM Cares in the goal to actually be real deal bowlers for a day and we witnessed that first hand. SM Cares wants you to know that they actually have their facilities available for your family no matter who you are, what you do and how you are in the society. SM takes pride in an environment fit for your family and they've been able to do this for years. We met a couple of their executives and one got me surprised. One of my bowling idols was there, do you remember World Champion CJ Suarez?


Cj Suarez is now the Division Manager for SM Bowling and Leisure Center. He's been with them a couple of months ago. I've seen him play for the country several times along with legends like Bong Coo and Paeng Nepumoceno. He used to handle sports programs for special children too in the past, mostly with ILLC in Mandaluyong. People might thing SM is just providing these facilities for ordinary people, but as you see they're actually playing games and enjoying it. The activities that we do, we give out and share with people with special needs. It's their advocacy. SM Cares approached them and asked for this Bowling Buddies event and they never hesitated to accommodate them. There are several other organizations and special olympics participants that use the lanes too. They do this on a regular basis. That's endearing to know.



They have activities with PWD's and they'll be doing this on a regular basis next year too. They have the venue, 8 bowling centers nationwide. CJ Suarez left bowling since 2007 and he's devoted much of his life playing for the country. When SM approached him he never hesitated, he explored and accepted this as an opportunity. He can now promote the sport at an advantageous angle. There has been a decline in the sport but he's hopeful their efforts will pay out especially next year. They're also hosting their biggest event in November with a prize as much as 2 Million pesos and a brand new car called SM Millionaires Cup. It's across all their centers and the top 32 from all their centers nationwide will battle it out in Manila as part of their celebration since SM Bowling is now 25 years old.

They're going to have an international tournament also next year that would be even bigger because they're inviting professional players from around Asia and the world to get a more rearing interest in the sport, more so in the talented pool in the Philippines. There are going to be some school programs as well next year plus coaching certifications for those who would want to pursue it. You should watch out for that big tournament soon. Bring your family because that's where you can bond big time.


SM is a mall for all. They want inclusion for everyone to enjoy their facilities. No one gets left out. For differently abled customers, you can play here. You should be aware that they have programs here that would be able to cater to you. They have other organizations also aligned with SM CARES' cause. The Angels Walk will also be happening soon in Mall of Asia so make sure you check out their social media channels to participate in that. SM Cares will also push for activities like these to be a regular thing so awareness can be done. The organizations usually tap them and they won't say no if they see there's potential to reach out to big communities. Don't think you won't enjoy activities like these because as I see it, they've succeeded to make these guys and gals happy. The name is apt for them, SM Cares.


COW

For more information about their foundation:
Official SM Cares
Official SM Cares
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.smsupermalls.com

SM Holds Movies for the Deaf and Blind

Sunday, August 17, 2014



It was a heartwarming sight to see our brothers and sisters who are differently abled, blind and deaf at the cinemas of SM The Block a few days ago. The plan is, to actually have these facilities (all SM Cinemas) to be retrofitted with the right equipment in order to cater to these wonderful kids and their families a place to watch movies even if they are in that condition. This is a very good move for SM, SM Prime Holdings, SM Cinemas and SM Cares. They are doing this hand in hand with AKAP Pinoy, Philippine Blind Union, NCDA, Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled and the MTRCB.


It was impossible to do this before but with the help of technology and proper dubbing, there are now digital movies that can be interpreted for the blind and put in closed captioning for the deaf. I thought it was not going to be possible because they wouldn't be able to see or understand it, it all became clear to me once they started the movie.

They invited them from special education classes all around the metro and got the movie HUGO on screen for them. Each scene was described meticulously for those who could not see, from going through pipes, smoke, the construction of the fonts and the credits, everything was described for them. The closed captioning was also there so the deaf can actually read the dialogue of the characters. They also described them during the times the characters were only looking at them so you know our blind friends would be able to understand the scenes as they go along.


They signed the memorandum of agreement in order to make more movies like these. Atty. Eugenio "Toto"  Villareal of the MTRCB, executives from SM Cares, SM Cinemas, SM Prime Holdings and other NGO's was there to witness it. They will work on making more movies like these, the Filipino films included and perhaps give more incentives to private corporations, producers who would make their films available to the differently abled brethren. That right there is history, if we could only do this to every film... it would be something that we'll be so happy to share with the blind and deaf individuals so they could be able to live more independently even when watching in the cinemas.

Thank you so much to SM Cares, you truly are working to make every Filipino's life better. Thank you for your heartfelt gesture in making this accessible to the blind and deaf, you deserve every applause you got from them. Including me. *Waves hands in sign language*

COW

For more information about their foundation:
Official SM Cares
Official SM Cares
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.smsupermalls.com