Naprey the Strong-wheeled Back to Schooler

The Good Story Competition  in Singapore is a celebration of creative and compelling video storytelling of everyday people in Asia doing good to improve the lives of others.

It also provides these inspiring people the opportunity to have their stories told by passionate and talented filmmakers, and shared through Our Better World’s distribution channels and partners to encourage others to help them in their cause.

One of Davao city's digital video storyteller, Glorypearl Dy of Switotwins Digital Storytelling Philippines submitted an entry to the competition that features Behind the Rolling Chair and his advocacy project, the Back to School Gift Giving Project. The video made it to the top 20 & goes to the final judging & there will be audience voting from April 21 to May 4. To vote follow the easy steps below.

A Mind-Blowing Experience

It was August 17-18, 2008 when I joined the Youth Leadership Training for Person's With Disability held at Hope Mountain, Ulas Davao city. It was a 2 days seminar funded by the Liliane Fonds Philippines in cooperation of the Maharlika Charity Foundation. Attended by 15 differently-abled persons and it aimed to boast the self-esteem and the leadership of each PWD in their own communities. The 15 PWDs comes from the different regions in the country.

It was actually my first seminar together with my fellow PWDs.  Way back high school days, I am not really at ease and comfortable to be with this group of people (as if i'm not one of them).  Yes, that's true. I didn't even want to be of friends of them 'coz I feel pity for myself and I feel so insignificant. Seeing their situations also really makes me feel sorry and it really breaks my heart. And I realized that it was just part of the pride inside in me that it was just part of the denial phase of any person struggling. In short, di ko pa tanggap ang sitwasyon na merun ako (at that time). I believed it's really in us (PWDs). I mean, we really encounter this stage of ours and its tough.

Behind the Rolling Chair Founder for Do More Awards

Naprey Almario is best known as the dancing, “strong-wheeled” housemate who joined Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) two years ago. Since then, he has become a staunch advocate for persons with Disabilities (PWDs), clamoring in their behalf for better accessibility all over the country.

Cobra Pinoy Hero Awards 2013

"Heroism is not about perfection nor is it the absence of fear. It is rising above life’s challenges in order to be relevant to your community."

It's not about finding heroes because heroes are already all around - and indeed, within - us. Ordinary Filipinos - parents, teachers, policemen, farmers, fisher folks, OFWs and many more, perform quiet acts of heroism everyday. 

Practicing simple acts that can effect positive changes are all heroism. Mayaman ka man o mahirap, my pisikal na kapansanan o wala, kayang kaya mong maging bayani sa sarili mong bansa.

This year's Cobra Pinoy Hero Awards 2013 happened last Aug 28. 2013 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati city. Behind the Rolling Chair was fortunate enough to be part of this memorable event. I [Naprey Almario] was invited to speak and share my own experiences as advocate.

Here are the people who possesses unique characters of heroism - the winners for this year's Cobra Pinoy Hero Awards 2013.

Children's Day

Following a successful Back to School Gift Giving Project last May 2013, we are pumped as we have another advocacy project for the orphans, the “Children's Day”.

Fun Day highlights three different orphanages in the city namely Balay Pasilungan (located at Bankerohan, Davao City), Padre Pio’s Home for Children, and Providence Home of St. Joseph (both located at Tugbok, Davao City). These three orphanages provide the orphans their basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, health care and quality education that prepares them to have productive and self-sufficient lives.

Together with Behind the Rolling Chair Volunteers are other partners who willingly accept the invitation to take part in this noble act. This is an event that showcase and enhance the talents of our orphans, let them have fun, and as well as for them to socialize with other children. We prepare different activities for the kids and invited performers/artists to inspire and let kids realize their own talents.

GUIMARAS EXPERIENCE ON WHEELS

I have been so addicted with water activities like swimming, scuba diving, snorkling, etc. that is why when i went to Iloilo for the second time, i did not missed to experience Guimaras, a known to be place of white sand beaches and blue water islands. From Iloilo, we need to ride a boat first for about an hour then a jeepney for 30 minutes in order to be in Guimaras.

For a wheelchair person like me, its not really easy especially when you ride a full packed jeepney going there unless you are in a private vehicle.

How and Where Did I Spent My Holy Week 2013

For 23 years, i have been spending my Holy Week in my own province Sta. Maria Davao del Sur with family. But this year (2013), i had the chance to visit again Iloilo for the 2nd time and spend the rest of my Holy Week. I chose Iloilo because the 1st time i went there, i was really amazed and got mesmerized with their super old yet grandiose churches. It was last 2012 when i had the chance to visit 6 churches in Iloilo including the world heritage church, Miag-ao church constructed in the year 1797 that stands as a living legacy of the culture and way of life of the people of Miagao centuries ago.

Another world heritage church in Iloilo is Santa Barbara church which where i spent my Easter Sunday for this year. There, i saw numbers of religious images of patron saints in a beautifully decorated carriages. Huge number of devotees where outside the church witnessing those said religious images. As a roman catholic, it was such a great experienced that gives me another reason to thank God for my existence. 

Part of my holy week short vacation in Iloilo was my Guimaras experience which was so tiring yet it was great experience. Together with some friends, we had the island hopping experience then went to Trapistine Monastery to buy some sort of souvenirs. I was so much blessed coz ive met one priest inside the Monastery and he was like telling me that when he saw me he smiled coz he felt that im a happy person inspite of my condition. He prayed for me and gave me holy water. 

The whole experience wont be so memorable if not because of people who accommodated me during my stay in Iloilo. Thank you to my good friends in Iloilo for always welcoming and patiently touring me around the city and even to the nearby places. 

 

3RD BACK TO SCHOOL GIFT GIVING PROJECT

Davao City – Following two successful gift giving events in the past two years, Naprey Almario is pumped as he ready for the project’s third installment, in time before the opening of the next school year.

After his stint in Pinoy Big Brother’s House, more people rallied to support Naprey in causes that he do. Time and again, he proved that no physical barriers are impossible enough to overcome. Instead, he’s been able to champion PWDs and empower many people to contribute in community building.

In May of 2011, Naprey and his friends drove to Kumasi, Santa Maria, Davao Del Sur and distributed school supplies to sixty (60) poor school kids. It drew a lot of attention that made the second visit even more successful, benefiting more than two hundred kids from supports coming here and abroad. They we’re able to give not only crayons, pencils and notebooks but also bags, shoes and lunch boxes. Beneficiaries are the Padre Pios Home for Children, victims of flash flood in Pongpong, Sta Maria Davao del Sur, and the students with disabilities in SPED Bangkal Davao city.

“I don’t see limitations, only abilities to create an impact to the lives of these underprivileged kids. You see, I can’t walk but I have hands I can extend to the needy”, he told us. He added that with different social media tools, he’s been very successful in raising awareness and reaching out to project partners.

Naprey is truly an inspiration not only to the PWD community but to everyone as well. He is a testament that it only takes a will to accomplish a seemingly impossible task.

To support, you may contact Naprey on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/napzalmario

www.facebook.com/napreyalmario

Twitter and Instagram - @napreyalmario

or sms to 09177131988 for your pledges and donations.

Here are some of the school supplies that we need for the said 2nd Back 2 School Gift Giving Project.

-Pencils                                    -Ballpoint pens

-Colored Pencils                         -Coupon bond / Colored -Papers

-Crayons                                   -Scissors

-Notebooks                               -Elementary Papers

-Sharpeners                              -Glue or Paste

-Rulers                                     -School Bags

-Pencil Cases                             -others

 1st Back to School Gift Giving Project

2nd Back to School Gift Giving Project

Article by: Josh Mahinay

Almario's Bedroom at PSID Class 2012 Exhibit

Booth #11 - Abot Kamay

This bedroom was design to be a handicap-friendly bedroom inspired by Naprey Almario (yours truly), and the needs of someone with a disability. He is a teacher, a friend to all, a brother, an active charity worker, an ex -PBB Housemate and a voice for people with disabilities, but most of all a person that represents hope.

Functional and aesthetically pleasing, it is a space that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the individual. It is a sanctuary where he can relax, unwind but still be productive, a place where he can be himself.

PSID Advanced Class 2012 Exhibit

       The Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) marks its 45th year with “Gabay: Dibuhong Umaakay,” the graduation exhibit of the PSID Advanced Class of 2012, on September 29-October 31, at the former Super Sale Club. In cooperation with SM City North Edsa Interior Zone and the National Council for Disability Affairs, “Gabay” showcases 20 different spaces designed in creatively planned solutions. 

          PSID has been known to produce groundbreaking exhibits that become the benchmark of interior design exhibits in the academe. This year’s exhibit delves into a topic rarely discussed in interior design: livable yet stylish spaces for the blind, the deaf, the mute, the crippled, and the elderly.

     There are 24 spaces will be divided into four main areas: “Tanaw” (for the visually impaired), “Dinig” (for the hearing impaired), Galaw (for the elderly), and “Tindig” (for the orthopedically-challenged). The goal is to create environments for the persons with disability that will help in their healing process as well as assist the physically impaired and geriatric in their homes and assure their safety while providing comfort and style.

All About SM Lanang Premier

ABOUT THE MALL:

·        46^th mall of the SM Supermalls

·        4^th SM mall in Mindanao, the first Premier mall

·        4 level mall With total land area of 100,000 SQM

·        Ample parking is provided: 1,535 parking slots with outdoor parking area

·        Basement parking equipped with Park Finder

SM Lanang Premier Grand Opening

♫ ♬ I'm so excited and I just can't hide it

And I know I know I know I know I know You like it!!! ♫ ♬

Davao Wheelchair Ballroom: The SayaWheels

Folks, i would like to share this video of mine dancing again. I did the same when i was still inside the PBB house but with this version, we added another type of ballroom- Samba. So check this out if i pass. lol.

By the way, my partner in here was my student when i was still teaching in college. Her name is Sheila. She's not a pro but she can dance.

Vlog101: Kadayawan 2012: Indak-Indak Compilation

Kadayawan Experience: Pamulak [Floral Float Parade]

Davao Life Is Here: The Bloggers Tour 2012

Fortunate to be part of this year's bloggers tour. This is in connection on the campaign for an accessible tourism in the city. Met new people and saw new places that you can surely recommend to your friends and family. Jack's Ridge was the first destination. The place was so perfect for weddings and other outdoor activities. In terms of accessibility, they still need to improve and develop facilities to be more convenient esp. to wheelchair person. Second destination was the gap farm. It was my third time to be in that place and take note, the last time i went there was during elementary days. The place was not that accessible also to wheelchair person. Last stop, D' Leonor Inland Resort. In here, we spent almost half day because of the list of adventures that you can try. The place was very accessible in fact majority of their entrances are in ramps. Best example of universal design also can be seen here.  Over-all, the whole experience for this year's bloggers tour was fun and worth remembering. Till the next tour bloggers!!!

A Guide to Universal Design

Its More Fun In the Philippines: My 1st Iloilo Trip

Five steps to providing accessibility information for tourist facilities

1. Complete accessibility factsheet PWDs require information on a number of factors to assess whether a tourist facility is accessible to them. This guidance shows facilities how to provide this basic information in a standard accessibility factsheet.

2. Submit completed accessibility factsheet to tourist information offices. Tourist information offices provide a central point for tourists to find out about the range of facilities available at a destination. Providing tourist offices with information on the accessibility of facilities, along with prices, opening hours, location, etc., will improve the service provided to all tourists.

3. Provide photographs of key features. Although self-assessment is a low cost option for facilities to provide information on access, it may not be the most reliable option. Providing photographs or plans of key features, such as the entrance, WCs, bedrooms and routes, allows disabled people to understand better the information provided in the accessibility factsheet.

4.Obtain independent verification of accessibility information. 

Independent verification will ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information provided by the facility. In some countries formal schemes operate, but in all countries there are likely to be disability and/or access organizations that are able to check the validity of the information. The accessibility factsheet allows facilities to provide details of independent verification.

5. Participate in a national accessibility scheme Some countries have developed national schemes which provide an independent assessment of accessibility and enable facilities to use a recognized label to indicate the level of accessibility achieved (see inside the back cover for contact details). This will provide increased marketing benefits for facilities which have reached a high standard of access, and provide further reassurance to PWD tourists when making decisions. How- ever, tourists require comparable information to make decisions, so facilities participating in national schemes should still consider providing a completed accessibility factsheet. The factsheet allows facilities to provide details of participation in other schemes.

Davao Life Is Here: Abreeza Ayala Mall as to Accessibility

 My VLOG/s will feature places in the country and their accessibility for wheelchair person and to all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). This is to give awareness to the public that it's already part of the Law which is called The Batas Pambansa Bldg 344. The said accessibility law is a way to enhance the mobility of PWDs by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices for accessibility. This will promote the realization of the rights of PWDs to participate fully in the social life and the development of the country.

We Exist. We Participate. We Contribute.