A BOOK WRITTEN WITH VISION AND PURPOSE FOR A CAUSE
By Domingo P. Herras
Manila, Philippines
February 20, 2020
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - In celebration of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines, last December 2019, the second Coffee Table Book Cover entitled “ÏNSPIRE/EMPOWER”, was written with vision and purpose for a cause through the conglomerated efforts and voluntary contributions from the media circles who had surreptitiously and painstakingly documented the unperturbed emotions, solitudeness, struggles, sacrifices, successes including outstanding contributions to our Society of our beloved fellow brothers who are handicapped - borned with physical difficulties that are unable to perform their normal lives.
It is through the pioneering efforts of the Federation of Philippine Photographer’s Foundation, Inc. (FPPF), the second book had been put into reality and was successfully produced and printed with the involvement and all-out support of responsible agencies such as - the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Apolinario Mabini Awards and SM Cares.
Mrs. Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga, former NCDA Executive Director who is a former disability rights advocate – In an excerpts from her foreword in the INSPIRE/EMPOWER book: “Looking at the disability as human rights issue, it is the responsibility of the government, the business sector and the civil society organizations to promote, protect and fulfill the rights of all PWDs. In recognizing the barriers to equal opportunities and meaningful participation in an inclusive Society for all, human rights – based advocacy promoted in this book show how the community should address and eliminate barriers that hinder persons with disabilities to participate on equal basis with others.” She said in the book’s foreword.
She commended the Federation of Philippine Photographer’s Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) for spearheading the successful production of the book. “My deepest gratitude to all Photographers who contributed their masterpieces, especially to the Father of Advocacy through Photography, Mr. Pablo “Lito” Beltran who is the brain of this project and the wind beneath my wings of our committed contributors. This book is a tribute to persons with disabilities”, she reiterated in her parting words in her foreword.
Cognizant of those concerned unselfish individuals who had shared part of their lives, precious time, and professional expertises - aimed at realizing the ultimate vision of this laudable project deserves recognitions and worthy of emulations, thus making honorable tribute to the late photographic icon Sir John Chua who devoted his time to reach-out for the young children with disabilities. The lens images of hobbyist photographer Luis Harder, now Head of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, greatly enhanced and help the project. Likewise, giving due recognition to Blind Architect Jimmy Silva for his high achievement and great contributions in the production of this book, and in the field of his professional career - Architecture. Same appreciation goes to Vico Cham, who became PWD poster model giving an infinite impact to the production of the PWD book and posters.
FPPF Book Project Coordinator Cris Cleofas through his immense untiring efforts using his extraordinary and unique expertise in photography, chronicled more of the challenging and successful lives photographing of our PWDs in the various institutions in the country, likewise, working together with Art Director Joe Ganaden who were culled from their extensive volunteer- work for the PWds.
The Editorial Team played a very vital role with great accomplishment in the production, editing and lay-outing of the PWD book spearheaded by Editor-head writer Yugel Losorata – ( a pioneer photographer profiler for the Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect fold) and lay-out artist Buccino de Ocampo.
“Through the selected photographs and heart warming features, we created a picture of realism and positivity fit for today’s era of openness and much-needed changed”, said FPPF President Pablo “Ka Lito” N. Beltran in the book’s introduction.
The book “ÏNSPIRE/EMPOWER” was successfully launched last Dec. 3, 2019, at the Intramuros Museum (Arzobispo corner Anda St., Intramuros, City of Manila. The organizer’s high spirits and strong determination to successfully launched the book on that same day were not perturbed by the bad weather conditions which devasted some parts of the Central and Northern parts of Luzon.
Copies of the book are now available at the FPPF Office, Rm. 302A, FEMII Building A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila. For inquiries, please call 0956-26692610 or 0995-01325 or landline 85247576, or emal us at or .
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All Photo Credits – Courtesy of FPPF President Pablo “Lito” N. Beltran
Sources: Personal Interview
Data inputs from INSPIRE/EMPOWER Book
Photos: Researched and selected inputs from www.photoworldmanila.com
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