A coffee table book on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines was launched on the International Day of PWDs last month. The photo-driven hardbound titled Inspire/Empower: Images and Stories of Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines is a project of Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) that contains several unpublished pictures and features chronicling the plight and triumph of PWDs, their families, and concerned groups.
“Through carefully selected photographs and heartwarming features, we created a picture of realism and positivity fit for today’s era of openness and much-needed change,” said FPPF President Pablo “Lito” Beltran in the book’s introduction.
The said book gathers numerous professionally taken photographs along with texts about significant subjects dealing with PWDs, whether involved agencies or particular persons. Included are features about NCDA (National Council on Disability Affairs), Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Apolinario Mabini Awards, SM Cares, among others. Some of the interesting persons tackled were the late photography icon John Chua who initiated efforts to reach out to children with disabilities, photography hobbyist Luis Harder who now heads the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, highly achieving architect-blind Jimmy Silva, and Vico Cham, a poster boy for PWDs in the workplace.
Many of the photographs were taken by project coordinator Cris Cleofas and art director Joy Ganaden culled from their extensive volunteer-work for PWDs. The book’s editorial team also included editor-head writer Yugel Losorata (pioneer photographer profiler for Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect fold) and layout artist-graphic designer Buccino de Ocampo.
The Inspire/Empower book launch was held last December 3 at the Intramuros Museum (Arzobispo corner Anda St., Intramuros, City of Manila).
Copies of the book are now being sold at the FPPF office (Room 302A, FEMII Building, A. Soriano Avenue. Intramuros, Manila). For inquiries, call 0956-2692610 or 0995-0132515 or email myfppf@yahoo.com.
Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!
