Chiang Kai Shek College marked two special occasions on Feb. 7 – the awarding of the winners of an inter-school art competition #drawepilepsy and homecoming of Baldwin Kho, one of its former students.
Kho, a CKSC alumnus, was afflicted with epilepsy during high school. He is now an accomplished visual artist and World Peace Prayer Society’s International Humanitarian of Peace awardee.
He is also an Asia and Oceania outstanding person with epilepsy recognized in 2012 by the International Bureau of Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy.
#drawepilepsy is part of Kho’s active research on “Art and Epilepsy” that studies the psychosocial impact of a person afflicted with epilepsy. It demonstrates how art can be a useful intervention in the treatment of seizure disorders.
The art competition also aims to raise awareness about epilepsy in mainstream society.
Epilepsy, a common serious chronic brain disorder, affects some 50 million people of all ages worldwide. An estimated 1 percent of total population are affected by epilepsy in the Philippines.
Lack of awareness and understanding about epilepsy leads to misconceptions, social stigma and hinders access to effective treatment.
Epilepsy can have serious medical consequences and is both an economic and social burden. It is treatable and majority of persons with epilepsy can lead normal lives, be productive citizens, and contribute to a better Philippines.
Under the auspices of Philippine League Against Epilepsy, former president Gloria Arroyo’s Presidential Decree No. 230 declared every first week of September as “National Epilepsy Awareness Week.”
The International Epilepsy Day is observed every second Monday of February in over 120 countries.
CKSC, one of the biggest Tsinoy schools in the country, actively participated in this awareness campaign by sending its creative students from the kindergarten, elementary and high school levels to join the art competition.
This year, based on the merit of their artworks about epilepsy, CKSC students Trisha Danielle Sia and Jovanna Tan won first and second place, respectively, while Kylie Dominique Tan got honorable mention for the 9 to 12 years old category; Terence Yasay got honorable mention for the 13 to 15 years old category; Dean Clarence Sy is honorable mention for the 5 to 8 years old category.
Jiana Doves and Sabrina Xu were also recognized for their participation in this annual competition.
At the awarding are CKSC president Dory Poa, high school supervisor Cynthia Yap, Eugene Martin and Antonio Uy, director and supervisor of the Elementary English Department, respectively, and Judelio Yap, convener.
Organizers of the art competition Center for Developmental Art Manila Inc. and Philippine Partnership on Children with Disability were represented by Kho and Lloyd Perillo.