Photography With A Difference - Touching Lives Through Photography

Photography With A Difference - Touching Lives Through Photography

Text and Photos By Joel Garcia

From May 8 to May 20, 2010 (Extended), at the Main Atrium, The Block at SM North Edsa, It features children with visual impairment visiting Manila Kiddie Zoo on March 20, 2010.

This event was conceptualized by Mr. John Chua of Adphoto, and organized by Ms. Bernie Paras Gan. Together with 22 volunteer photographers including me. But I, have a special task to document all groups, they invited the children and their families for a zoo visit.

They guided the children through the aviary. Hand in hand, they sauntered the swaying bridge, jumping up and down to amplify the motion. The children, throwing caution to the wind, zoomed the Zip Line, heads bent backward, reckless and carefree. They climbed the rock wall, gingerly at first, then with increased confidence & speed! How elated they were when they reached the top! They saw the animals up close. They explored with their fingers, their ears, and nostrils, to learn, in their unique, special way, what was a wild boar, a crocodile, and a giant python!

Imagine what a joy it was to ride the ostrich, the rock-like turtles, and the miniature horse. And of course, who could forget the experience of feeding bananas to Mali, the elephant, who startled the children by splashing water all over!

While the children were engrossed in their encounter with the animals, the photographers got fired up, with pure joy; they shot away, capturing moments of joy and bewilderment of the Zoo visitors. It was such a sight! Volunteers shooting away with their hearts!

They felt fulfilled when they saw the families’ smiles – upon seeing the pictures, courtesy of Canon, Philippines.

The sponsors of this event are SM Supermalls, Canon Philippines and Manila Kiddie Zoo. Photography With a Difference –featuring Visually Impaired Children touring Manila Zoo is the first of a series of photo exhibits to be held at the local SM Supermalls - showcasing the photos from similar events with all sectors of PWDs (persons with disabilities).

Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC) and Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) are proud to be partners in this meaningful event.

In this exhibit, we hope to create awareness for the special needs of people with disabilities. Witness this day where human compassion overcomes physical challenges and individual differences. Spread this story of togetherness so that it will be duplicated. Together we can make this world a better place, for the sighted and the visually impaired alike.