The beat of the drums and the cheers of over 1,000 people echoed through SM City Bacolod yesterday morning, March 29, as the 7th Happy Walk took it all the way for Down Syndrome awareness.
What started as a small gathering in 2002 has now become a standout nationwide tradition. This year, the Bacolod event was made special by the presence of close to 300 participants from the Down Syndrome community, accompanied by their families and organizations dedicated to PWD welfare.
Guest speaker Tony Pasia, a founding member and chairman emeritus of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI), joined Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Department of Social Services and Development Bacolod head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga in walking the mall route, campaigning for awareness and inclusion amongst mallgoers.
Pasia noted in a press release that the “Happy Walk” name perfectly captures the spirit of the community: resilient, joyful, and full of life.
The parade was a sensory delight, with bugle and lyre players setting the pace for a crowd decked out in festive gear.
The SM Cares team, led by SM Bacolod mall manager Julia Javellana, and representatives from SM Markets, joined the festivities, reinforcing the mall’s role as a space where everyone can immerse themselves in meaningful connection.
Under the theme of “#321andBeyond”, the event successfully maximized the platform to educate and inspire, proving that in Bacolod, the journey toward a more inclusive future is better than the best it has ever been. ||
