On this final Sunday of the year, I turn the spotlight on an extraordinary Filipino who embodies resilience and inspiration: Christian 'Ian' Apolinario. At 40 years old, Ian has become a widely known advocate for persons with disabilities (PWDs). His remarkable journey highlights the power of determination and talent, earning him a spot among the six 'Extraordinary Filipinos with Disabilities' recognized by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Dec. 10, 2024, in Quezon City.
Ian, who lives with polio, is a multitalented individual admired for his advocacy for PWD rights and well-being, and his diverse accomplishments. He is a professional soft skills training facilitator, an energetic community organizer, an internationally award-winning short film actor, a vlogger, a para dancesport athlete and a popular choreographer. His stunning para dancesport performances, showcased on live television and YouTube with other PWD dancers, have captured the public's admiration and earned awards locally and internationally.While his talents are wide-ranging, it was Ian's impactful work in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation that earned him the NCDA's prestigious recognition as an extraordinary Filipino employee with disability in the private sector. In Bohol province, Ian has led initiatives engaging over 100 individuals with various disabilities, fostering collaboration to build more resilient communities. Humanity & Inclusion (HI) — a global development agency focused on marginalized populations — served as a key partner in this initiative, where Ian works as a technical officer. HI's project received support from the United States Agency for International Development through the Gerry Roxas Foundation.Ian's life challenges and resilienceIan was born in Talim Island, the largest lake island in Laguna de Bay, with a population of 40,012 across 24 barangay (villages
DISABILITY ADVOCACY PHILIPPINES RESILIENCE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
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