Last March 21, 2026, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI), Camera Haus, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Car Museum hosted the Project 21: Through Their Eyes Photography Workshop.
The workshop provided a platform for children with Down Syndrome to interact with the wide collection of presidential vehicles through the lens of a camera.
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| DSAPI Chairman Mr. Elmer Lapeña |
I was fortunate enough to be one of the coach photographers who offered guidance and encouragement to the children with Down Syndrome in using the camera to express their uniqueness and creativity.
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” ― Phil Collins
Through this workshop, I was able to appreciate the biological process that makes the children with Down Syndrome special. And, I also now understood why the World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated every March 21 symbolizing the triplication of the 21st chromosome.
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| NHCP Car Museum |
The workshop also provided me a chance to visit the NHCP Car Museum for the very first time. And, it made it a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience.
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| The Lots Of Socks Campaign |
All workshop participants wore mismatched socks in support of the The Lots Of Socks Campaign that aims to raise awareness about Down Syndrome.
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| Thank you Camera Haus |
Camera Haus was generous enough to lend the children photographers with latest cameras from Fujifilm, Ricoh, Canon and Sony. Since I own a Sony point-and-shoot camera myself, I chose the Sony ZV-1 for my coachee. I was also not early enough to spot the availability of the Ricoh GR IV HDF which I've heard is the king of point and shoot camera.
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| Philippine Presidential Cars |
After a lunch to orient our coachees with their borrowed cameras, we were given an hour and half to explore the NHCP Car Museum.
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| My Coachee Hanz |
My Coachee Hanz was a quiet and shy type. He spoke few words but he was very eager to learn. He began clicking the moment I handed him the camera.
I gave him a few tips on framing and depth of field and also took the chance to practice with my
Fujifilm XT-5.
This is also the first time for me to try car photography so it was fun for me too!
I accompanied my coachee Hanz around the entire NHCP Car Museum two times.
Having to go on a second round was important for my coachee Hanz. It was by the second round that he felt comfortable with the camera and became confident with his shots of different angles and perspectives.
We also noticed that during lunch he was looking out the window so we took him out to take photos of the plants too.
My coachee Hanz had a lot of fun taking photos of the rare plants at the "From Soil to Soul” plant event held at the People’s Hall of the Quezon Memorial Circle. The plant shop owners were so kind to the children with Down Syndrome. The beautiful madam at Pocket Garden Ph even gifted Hanz with a potted Philodendron Birkins plant priced tagged at 450 php.
Out of all the photos Hanz has taken, he chose this entry to be part of the Happy Walk 2026 Photo Exhibit to be held at March 29, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. The photos will be showcase for sale to the public for the benefit of DSAPI.
Overall, it was profoundly new experience of serving others for me. Through this workshop, I had the opportunity of using my passion for photography as a means of encouraging my coachee to embrace his uniqueness and express his creavity.
Everyone is in some way similar and different from one another. Thus, although we have our own identity, we can also belong and work together in harmony. The children with Down Syndrome see and express things with a refreshing sense of purity and joy. I truly believe by giving them an avenue to express themselves through their passions like photography can help illuminate this world with new layers of wonder. I'm so happy for them that Camera Haus has supported them with the Project 21: Through Their Eyes Photography Workshop.
