Autism talk for awareness and support, Sablan, Benguet

 Autism talk for awareness and support to ausome parents and community at the Multipurpose Hall of Banangan, Sablan, Benguet. Thank you mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr., Dra. Kimberley Gale M. Amboy, and Ma'am Catherine D. Ome and to all Barangay officials of Banangan, Sablan.

Dean Cuanso was able to talk to some parents with ausome kids and they agreed on having more awareness campaigns in the coming months.

 

Neon Night Run for Autism Awareness and Support

Awareness, Acceptance, Inclusion. A neon night run for autism awareness, a first in the Cordillera province.

Thank you very much Big Belly Runners! Last May 09, 2026, BBR headed by sir Charles, together with LTBIF and Bumesca events conducted a fun run entitled "1st Neon Night Run" in La Trinidad. It was a run for autism awareness. The big belly runners organization also had a T-shirt campaign and was able to collect P2500 from the t-shirts and 1 box of vitamins for our ausome kids coming from their sponsors. I received them.

Neon Run 2601

AWARENESS ACCEPTANCE INCLUSION

Our hearts are full after the Neon Night Run. It’s overwhelming in the best way to see so many people genuinely enjoying the event.

Families, friends, kids, adults, everyone came together to run, celebrate, and glow with us. It was also so fun seeing participants who really put effort into their neon outfits and fully embraced the vibe of the night.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible - our runners, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and the whole team behind the scenes. Every effort, sleepless night, and helping hand mattered. Truly, your labor is not in vain.

Special congratulations as well to our Ausome finishers.

You inspired all of us.

This was more than just a run. It was a night filled with joy, unity, music, lights, and unforgettable memories.

More photos and thank you posts will be shared in the coming days. For now, rest those legs and relive the glow.

Heavenly Blessings upon you

Event supported by:

Fitbar Philippines Fitbar

Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines

Bridges of Hope Baguio City - CAR

DSAP-BENGUET

Kamimura Botika

Neomed Pharmacy

D Lanyers Pharmacy

GPH veterinary

La Trinidad Business & Industry Federation

AudioCentrix audio visual rental

We are grateful to the LTMPS Chief of Police, Sir Dausen, and his family for spending the evening with us at the Neon Night Run. 

Thank you for running with the community and celebrating this meaningful night with us.

We would also like to thank LTMPS personnel for the assistance and support provided throughout the event. 

See you again in the next Ausome Run!

Autism awareness talk at Balatoc, Itogon

 This is more than an awareness talk, this is a call to love louder, understand deeper, and include intentionally.

Today, we celebrate the kind of love that builds families, strengthens friendships, and unites communities. The love that listens with patience, speaks with kindness, and stands without judgment.

Thank you to Sir Dean Cuanso of Ausome North for reminding us that autism is not something to be feared or fixed, but understood and embraced. Every child deserves dignity. Every family deserves support. Every person deserves to belong.

And in this journey toward inclusion, let us remember: everyone can help someone. A kind word, a listening ear, a simple act of understanding can change a life.

Together, we create a community where differences are not just accepted — they are celebrated. - SK Virac, Itogon

Ausome Art for our Ausome Kids

What an Ausome day! Parents, ausome kids, volunteers, artists and supporters had a fantastic day of learning! In celebration of the world autism awareness day, the La Trinidad Visual Arts Society in cooperation with the La Trinidad Business and Industry Federation, Bumesca Events and Ausome North conducted an activity called AUSOME ART.

Ausome North founder Dean Cuanso taught the children how to do basic coloring together the volunteers from different organizations. It was indeed a great and good day for the ausome community.

See you all next time! Mabuhay Ausome North!

The First Watwatworld Symphony of Culture was a success!

The First Watwatworld Symphony of Culture held last Saturday, March 28, 2026 was a success! We saw the birth of a new festivity dedicated to the bonding, camaraderie and networking of cultural performers within La Trinidad, Baguio City and neighboring municipalities. Performers, young and old, enjoyed the moment of oneness, dancing to the rhythm of everyone.

𝗦𝗬𝗠𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘

The inaugural Symphony of Culture resonated with success at the Strawberry Festival Trade Fair grounds in Km. 5, La Trinidad. Conceptualized by Dean cuanso as one of the highlights of the festival’s commercial trade fair, the event gathered a vibrant community of around 230 performers, teachers, and coaches, with the support of approximately 60 parents and a large number of enthusiastic trade fair goers.

Mayor Roderick C. Awingan expressed his appreciation to the organizers, performers, and the community for making the activity a meaningful celebration of local talent, creativity, and cultural heritage. He emphasized the importance of supporting cultural initiatives that strengthen community identity while complementing the municipality’s economic and tourism efforts.

The event showcased the rich artistic spirit of La Trinidad, blending cultural expression with the vibrant atmosphere of the trade fair. Through music and performance, it highlighted the role of the arts in fostering unity and pride among residents.

Following the overwhelmingly positive response, organizers and participants are already looking ahead to an even bigger staging in the future. With the success of its first volume, there is growing enthusiasm to hold the next Symphony of Culture in a larger venue to accommodate more participants and spectators. Future editions also aim to widen participation by involving more schools and local organizations, further strengthening its potential to become a lasting highlight of the La Trinidad Strawberry Festival.

-Deborah Molitas

Symphony of Culture Program

Opening Prayer – Mr. Ariel Layugan

National Anthem – Audio Centrix

Welcome Remarks – Ms. Shemen Padua, Festival Secretariat

Inspirational Messages - Mr. Dean Michael Cuanso and Mayor Roderick Awingan

Symbolic opening of Symphony of Culture Festival with the beating of solibao by Mayor Roderick Awingan and Mr. Dean Cuanso followed by everyone – beating of solibao then followed by beating of gongs.

9:30am Start of presentations. Each group was given a maximum of 3mins to prepare, 5-10mins to perform and 5 minutes for the group photo session on stage.

a. Tawang Cultural Dance Troupe – Mountain province

b. Buyagan Elem. School - Kalinga

c. Ambiong National HS – Benguet

d. Tawang Cultural Dance Troupe – Mountain province

e. Puguis Elem. School - Benguet

f. Tungtongan Cultural Performing and Arts Ensemble – Mountain Province

g. Namuaw Cultural Group – Mountain Province

Symphony Dance – The host invited everyone to dance per province starting with

1. Kalinga – led by Tawang Cultural Dance troupe and Buyagan Elem School

2. Abra – led by Ambiong National high

3. Ifugao – led by Namuaw Cultural group

4. Mountain province – led by Tungtongan Cultural group

5. Benguet – Bendian – led by Puguis elem school AND Ambiong National Highschool

Closing Remarks: Sir Ariel Layugan

Hosted by: Mr. Argie De Guzman Tilap

Thank you very much to out event sponsors!

Rani Wraps - goodness in a wrap!

LT Wings - Sarap to the max!

L.A. Shawarma - Rapsa Beh!

Watwatworld Highland Weddings and Events

Rassasy Choices - the hottest chillis in town!

Donian Lutong Bahay

Lola Teresa

Conchilig Dental Clinic

Jacks Center - km6, La Trinidad

Mr. Ash

Mr. Jewel

Ms. Marylou

Ms Pam Carino

Mr. Nic Satur Jr.

Mr. Kurt Sebio

Thank you also to our partners:

La Trinidad Business and Industry Federation (LTBIF)

BUMESCA EVENTS

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

LA TRINIDAD MAYOR’S OFFICE

LA TRINIDAD SANGUNIANG BAYAN

LA TRINIDAD TOURISM OFFICE

WATWATWORLD CREATIVE MEDIA

Here are some videos of the first watwatworld Symphony of Culture Festival

Thank you everyone for making the 1st Symphony of Culture a success!

See you on December 2026!

A Successful 1st Benguet Autism Summit

 "DAPAT IDI PAY LANG DAYTUY" - they said.

The ausome north summit held at Ben Palispis hall last February 28, 2026 was attended by 200 + parents, caregivers, volunteers and provincial government staff. It was the largest gathering in Benguet and the first autism summit in the Cordillera Region.

I am happy to see that parents, caregivers and the community are becoming aware about autism and they acknowledge the need to reach out to the government and private organizations. Since 2021, when I started to advocate for autism awareness in the Cordillera, I didn’t really know what will happen in the long road ahead. I was vocal, conducted small private talks, public and school seminars, created and posted many autism related videos, had gift giving programs and more. To those of you who follow my life journey, you know the rest. In our community, I became the face of autism awareness campaign and support. At first it was painful and awkward because I hear (until now) words like “a-autistic anak na dayta gamin” or “mr autistic”. I do not care anymore what other people say. I came to peace with hurtful or awkward words. What matters now is we do these things for the benefit of our ausome children.

After the successful “December to remember, gift giving program” last December 14, 2026 held at BSU open gym, I knew it was time to organize. Since 2021 -2025, I have been talking to ausome parents about creating an organization but so many had reasons and alibi. No time, busy-busy, no one to look after their child etc. I understand completely their answers but I did not let my frustration stop me from moving forward because I knew back then that time will come, circumstances will change and everyone would like to belong. So after 5 long years and speaking to hundreds of parents, I knew it was time.

This is how it happened. Dr. Meli Dulay, Head of Benguet Provincial Health Office referred me as a resource person to Dr. Rowena Raymundo, head of the newly launched (Oct 2025) Provincial Mental Health Unit for the celebration of the 2026 National Autism Consciousness Month that is celebrated every January. We had a meeting and I shared the current situation of autism and understanding in Benguet and the Cordilleras. I suggested some activities and through the efforts of PHO MHU, we had a free clinical consultation for children with autism at the new PHO building and followed by a seminar – learning program held at Benguet Capitol last January 28, 2026. During this event, Governor Dr. Melchor Diclas expressed his support to institutionalize the yearly National Autism Consciousness activity. I was able to talk to BM Lady Molintas Likigan, Head of the Sangunian Panlalawigan Committee on Health and she expressed her support. After Vice Governor Marie Fongwan Kepes delivered her message, I approached her and shared my plan to conduct a Benguet wide Autism Summit on February 28, 2026. It will be the biggest event for parents, caregivers, relatives and private and government for the autism sector. Without any reservation, VG Marie said “yes, we will support the activity, specially it is for autistic kids”. Weeks after the seminar, BM Lady Likigan filed a proposed ordinance for autism support in the Province of Benguet. The proposed ordinance will soon be discussed within the year.

The 1st Benguet Autism Summit was set to February 28, 2026. Initially, the program I made was whole day. But after talking to some parents, the program was fitted to half day. This is because of the short attention span of our ausome kids and many of the parents will come from far places. I made the public callout both online and offline – to all parents, caregivers, relatives, representatives of children with autism and children with disabilities, come join us at the summit. I thought only around 100 individuals will respond. – I was wrong. In fact, I was overwhelmed! There were 187 registered participants online until the February 20 cut off date! There were also participants who do not now how to use the online google form so they messaged me directly through text and messenger. I also received messages that they really want to attend but they are located at remote areas and far municipalities. It is very hard for them to bring their children and no one will look after them if incase they will decide to attend the summit. A lot of complications for many parents. Hopefully, sometime in the future, we will be the ones to come to their municipalities. Parents from other provinces also reached out and they looking at our efforts to organize Ausome North. Hopefully soon, we can also help other provinces.

The ground work was handled by Ms. Rosean Marcos. She went to give letters to offices and resource speakers. She also prepared the Canva slides for presentation. We printed tarpulines, booklets for distribution and had meetings with interested individuals. Thankfully Sir Gideon of Torogi Kapi made us a beneficiary of their Raffle for a cause Christmas Program. They were able to collect P17,000 and it was used in many activities, snacks, logistics and booklet production since December. Please take note that we have no funding, meaning we do this out of our own pockets and during a certain period of time that we can devote doing this. I also have to earn a living, I need to work too. I’m not getting paid doing all of this. It’s useless looking like a hero to the community but your family is starving. So please understand. There are a few good hearted people who gave money for logistics and doesn’t want to be published and I am thankful. I am working for free and sometimes I even sacrifice some personal money for the cause. My rule is simple. I will do this as long as it does not touch the small family money allotted for my kids. Because if that happens, I will drop all of this things that I am doing. It wouldn’t be fair for my own ausome kids.

So after all the preparations, the day came. Me and my first born son prepared all the things needed, camera, tripods, tarps, booklets, reg forms, ausome tshirts. We went to the Capitol, arrived at 11am and we were happy to see that the venue was already prepared and there were around 15 working people coming from the Sangunian Panlalawigan offices. They came ready and prepared nga “ag-awir” hahaha! We had lunch at the venue and by 12:30N, Parents and their kids started to come. Many asked me during the registration if they can bring their kids because no one will look after them, I said “bring them, this is the event where everyone will understand each others child”. At first, I said, I will be happy if out of those who confirmed, around 80 – 90 will come. I was wrong. The attendance will show more than 200 participants! This is also a big eye opener. There are hundreds of autism cases in La Trinidad alone, how much more if we will add the different municipalities and provinces of Cordillera? Baguio city also have hundreds. I know we still do not have relevant data but I clearly see that there are thousands of people under autism spectrum, gdd, adhd etc (mental) in our mountainous region.

Our host Gem Bugtong, an ausome mom, did a good job. She claimed it was here first time to be a host in a large crowd. But I see something in her. I know she will be a good ausome leader someday, thus, I requested her to be our host and she aced it!

Our provincial leaders were not able to come due to prior commitments but their message was delivered by Ms. Rachelle Atayoc form the Office of the Vice Governor. The message was clear, they will support children with autism and disabilities to the best that they can.

Coming from the MSWO of La Trinidad, we had Ms. Blesy Felipe and Sir Rodney Pedronio, both registered Social Workers and Ms. Adilyne Balang from the Disability Affairs Office of La Trinidad. Mam Adilyne discussed the benefits of having a PWD ID and the requirements needed to get one. A Q&A followed after and we all agreed that in the next seminars, we will also invite Philhealth and SSS for more information.

Ms. Jenny Gacia of Sunflower Child and Youth Wellness Center, Saint Louis University stole the quite afternoon and changed it to a happy and fun lecture. She started with a dance exercise and proceeded to share useful and updated information about autism. Many of the first time parents who attended the summit said the information shared was new to them! Next time we will have a longer seminar with Ms. Garcia.

It’s also good to share that while the summit was going on, the children were having a good time. They had a safe space to run, play, roll around and be who they are and no one is judging them or us parents! To me, that was a very good thing to see.

Then it was my turn. I shared current updates about the increasing number of autism cases worldwide and proceeded with the appointment of interim officers which will prepare the election of proper officers by December 2026 or January 2027. As of now, we are Ausome North Society and I intend to present this organization as a civil society group at the Sangunian Panlalawigan for accreditation. A separate feature post will be made for the interim officers. We need to have a formal meeting first.

I would like to thank the wonderful Benguet Sangunian Panlalawigan Staff who helped us facilitate the 1st Benguet Autism Summit. The flow of the program was smooth from morning to late afternoon and we parents and caregivers of cwds could not have done it without you all. Thank you too for your patience in watching over our ausome kids during the summit. Thank you also to our Ausome North Volunteers! You have given your time and effort for the success of our summit.

To everyone who supported me from the very beginning, thank you very much! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I felt alone before, now I have and Ausome North Family… WE HAVE AN AUSOME NORTH SOCIETY!

It’s a small success but it is a good step forward.

If you want to help, donate toys, colors, visual aids etc., message me.