A world of colors

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/weekend/2015/06/27/world-colors-415616
• Saturday, June 27, 2015

By Stella A. Estremera

SPECIAL children who have shown a flair for the arts have taken over the halls of Museo Dabawenyo as they stage an exhibit of arts and crafts starting June 23.

The Deanna Sipaco Foundation for the Differently-Abled Inc. gathered the works of 18 special artists, which are now on display in the exhibit entitled “A Spectacular World of Colors”.

They are: Noben Montederamos, Roxanne Dado, Barbie Hong, Moses Ibanez, Ken Viduya, Noreen Espina, Michael Redulosa, EJ Gecale, Alvin Redulosa, Deo Malimban, Ric Robin Cagnaan, Raphael Gumban, Joko Jose Angelo Patal, Cresten Costan, Ronace Coprada, Jonell Cartagena, Jennylyn Tadle, and Nino. While getting regular mentorship from an art instructor, the special artists also had some guidance from renowned Davao City artist Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” P. Millan.

The DS Foundation is a non-profit, humanitarian organization established on January 29, 2001. It aims to assist Persons with Disabilities or PWDs to develop their potentials in the field of visual art, music, sports and dance. It is named after Deanna Sipaco, a DS artist, who has passed on a few years back while in her 30s.

The exhibit not just showcases the creations of these special individuals, it also delivers their good wishes to promote the development of people with special needs through arts.

There to welcome the guests and facilitate the program was Dayenne Sipaco, sister of Deanna, and the new generation pushing for the foundation’s programs as stalwart support to the work of their parents -- foundation president Atty. Alberto B. Sipaco Jr., and Diana C. Sipaco, the foundation’s executive director.

Understanding DS

Down syndrome, detectable even as a newborn, occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 of the 23 pairs of chromosomes a human nucleus normally has.

The extra copy, thus alters the development of the person and causes the characteristics that are identifiable as Down Syndrome.

A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Although, as humans are, each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may have these characteristics in different degrees, sometimes, not at all.

In the US, at least one in every 691 babies are born with Down. Meaning, it’s not that unsual and yet requires special understanding and care of not just the family but the community at large as many persons with Down are very sociable.

While it is commonly believed that Down Syndrome is caused by women giving birth at a late age, this theory is not really supported by science. While there is an increase frequency as a woman ages, the higher birth rates of younger women as compared to elder women bring about more children with DS being born to women under 35 years of age.

Until now, there is no scientific research that provides strong links to environment factors nor parents activities before or during pregnancy while the copy of the 21st chromosome can come from either father or mother.

Showcase

Cutting the ribbon to officially signify the two-week exhibit run were Lawyer Gil Dalumpines, representative of the Office of the City Mayor, and Department of Social Welfare and Development 11 Regional Director Priscilla Razon.

Formally welcoming the guess was Daisy Sipaco-Castro, the foundation secretary.

Lawyer Dalumpines and Director Razon both gave an overview of their offices’ programs for the differently-abled while Kublai discussed how art is a very important factor in the success of a person, especially one who sees the world through a different spectrum.

The foundation extends its gratitude to their supporters Priscilla Rico of the City Social Services and Development Office, Febe Lybai Matthews, Arman Amancio, and Teogenes Comiling, art instructor Dominic Torno, Julie Manila, Weng Obo, Aisa Sevilla, Nene de Leon, Mr. and Mrs. Boy Montederamas, and Alex Alagon..

The Museo Dabawenyo under Orly Escarilla will be hosting the exhibit until July 8.

We can say whatever we want, and we are free to practice any religion we want. But, once what we say destroys that dignity of another, we overstep our right. Once we start harming others for religion, we are now abusing our right.