Written by Kuya Harvard
The Heart at Play Foundation (THP) is a pioneering nonprofit organization that provides FREE Dance Movement Therapy for marginalized Persons With Special Needs (PWSNs). Operational since 2011, The Heart at Play has set up 6 locations, gaining over 600 seasonal volunteers, allowing us to have helped over 2,300 PWSNs in Manila and 200 adult PWSNs in New York City and New Jersey, USA.
Last June 18, 2017 at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Henry Lee Irwin Theater, I joined together with some members of our team for third annual benefit event and the first major fashion show of its kind entitled “THE RUNWAY SPECIALE: A Story of Beauty.”
The show championed inclusivity and solidarity by featuring a multi-cultural cast with a variety of segments.
Conquering the runway alongside myself was youth Model Ambassadors (like Miss Teen Earth, Miss World Finalists, Singers, DJ Hosts and Lifestyle Bloggers), Mr. & Ms. University Couples from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, University of Santo Tomas and High School students from ICA GH, Xavier School, Poveda La Salle Greenhills and the like. Dance and Song performances was done as well by other schools.
The auditorium was packed with around 1,300 participants and attendeescomposed of children, teenagers, young professionals and adults to grace the event. Proceeds of the show went to fund production costs, operational expenses for the sustenance and local and international propagation of FREE weekly sessions.
