To raise awareness in line with the celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, Best Buddies Benilde (BBB), “an organization that advocates one-to-one friendships with kids with disabilities,” spearheaded “End the ‘R’ word pledge” and a seminar at Taft Campus, last Friday, March 22.

The seminar, led by Luis M. Harder, President of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), began with Harder sharing his own encounters with people displaying negative attitude towards persons with down syndrome, and how he responded to these circumstances. With insensitive memes concerning people with down syndrome becoming a trend in today’s generation, Harder emphasized how offensive and hurtful these are to people with down syndrome and how it affects their families.



Photos by Enrique Bejar

“I would like to encourage you to stand together in fighting to stop all of these nonsense [offensive memes],” Harder said.

Harder introduced his eight-year old daughter with down syndrome, Adeline Lois. He shared how she became his inspiration in life, and how it led him to become the president of DSAPI.

“She is the reason why I am here. I never thought that with my daughter, we will be doing what we are doing and meet young people like you,” he said.

Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome. According to Harder, 1 out of every 800 Filipinos or nearly around 2,000 to 2,500 babies are born with down syndrome every year.

Standing up for inclusion

Harder also discussed the uniqueness and needs of people with down syndrome, emphasizing that they display different mental abilities, behaviors, physical development, personalities, capabilities, and talents.

“They need to feel accepted within the society, and experience enjoyment in the community,” he said.

Renz Alquiroz, 23, a person with down syndrome, works for Harder’s company, Wings Technology Enterprise, Inc. (WTEI). Harder stated that immersion is important for people with down syndrome in order for them to develop social relations and comprehension, similar to how it aided Alquiroz.

“Persons like Renz create a positive impact to the public. There is a lot out there in our society who understands, and has compassion to a person with down syndrome.” He also stated how being inclusive generates positivity and that keeping a child enclosed only makes it worse.

Harder aims to eliminate the use of derogatory terms such as ‘mongoloid’ and ‘retard’ used to describe those with down syndrome, by educating others on the impact of these labels on the families of people with down syndrome.

“It is quite impossible, but I hope it is possible, […] please be with us, stand with us to protect our children.” Harder ended.



Photos by Enrique Bejar

End the ‘R’ word pledge

The “End the ‘R’ word campaign” addresses the minority slur “retard(ed)” and raises consciousness to society of its hurtful and dehumanizing effects by creating an online petition.

Maureen Luminario, BBB Secretary and Project Head, announced that 322 people have already signed the petition in the Benildean community since Tuesday, March 19.

DSAPI Hotline: 895-9642

Facebook page: Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc.