A simple mall date where they can catch the latest movie and discuss it in a restaurant after. That’s what it takes for Ralen Tupaz, 29, and Angela Batallones, 26, to enjoy their time together.

“It’s a great way also to get to know each other more,” Tupaz shared. For Batallones, it’s their exchange of stories she likes the most.

The two have been regularly bonding this way since meeting 3 years ago. They were paired up by Best Buddies Philippines, a non-profit organization that fosters friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). People with and without IDD are matched in friendship before getting to see each other once a week.

Best Buddies Philippines is accredited and recognized by its global headquarters in Miami, Florida in the United States, which started the global volunteer movement for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with IDD.

The organization also gathers its Buddies and Peer Buddies for quarterly events where they can try different activities such as bowling, having dance nights, and visiting attractions like Enchanted Kingdom.

“I also enjoy it when we attend Best Buddies events together,” said Batallones of her friendship with Tupaz.

Since the pandemic hit, however, these outings came to a halt. In a world where being physically distanced from people is necessary, building friendships may be more challenging than before.

But the quarantine restrictions didn’t stop Best Buddies Philippines from doing its mission of bringing friends together.

Creating #BBPSaturdaySeries

“After three months of quarantine, I realized that our Buddies had limited opportunities to see one another. Instead of living in fear of going outside or being exposed, I knew that we had to adjust to the circumstances,” said Michelle Ressa-Aventajado, Director of Best Buddies Philippines.

She recognized the importance of bringing everyone together in a fun and exciting way, but still be sustainable.

It was with that thought that “#BBPSaturdaySeries of Learning” was born. It’s a weekly virtual program where the organization partners with volunteers and brands to introduce activities such as cookie decorating and dancing that Buddies and their families can do at home. The virtual series, hosted on Zoom, has been going on since July 4, 2020, with a holiday break in December.

The organization is kicking off the weekly series with exciting activities this January, from creating vision boards and time capsules, to making pizza and learning basic Italian and sign language.

“Breaking the monotony and isolation of what is already a challenging time for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we offer a Saturday afternoon routine so that the Buddies and their Peer Buddies have an opportunity to socialize in a fun and meaningful way,” Aventajado added.

The Best Buddies Philippines Director reveals that Gia, her 21-year-old daughter, is the mastermind behind the program: “Our Buddies are just like you and me. The young ones relate so much better to the young ones, so whatever Gia will find fun and interesting, the Buddies will feel the same.”

Making Saturdays more fun

The virtual series proves to be a welcome routine to Buddies like Batallones who had an active pre-pandemic lifestyle. She’s a regular employee at Overdoughs, the dessert shop known for selling gourmet cookies and artisanal doughnuts served by persons with disabilities. Her work was suspended due to the pandemic.

Her mom, Me-Ann Batallones, said Angela has been staying home since the lockdown in March 2020: “She manages to keep herself busy and preoccupied with her advanced sign language online class, weekly online sessions with her former teacher and classmates, as well as the #BBPSaturdaySeries.

“Michelle Aventajado personally invited Angela to the #BBPSaturdaySeries. There was a lot to gain and nothing to lose if I let Angela join. The series allows her to learn while spending time with her friends and having fun.”

Apart from Angela’s regular video calling or chatting with her Peer Buddy, they now get to bond over #BBPSaturdaySeries activities too.

It’s the same thing for 34-year-old Ravi Sujanani. He participated in a lot of the organization’s events and used to go on daily walks outside, but quarantine has cut him off from his normal lifestyle.

“The #BBPSaturdaySeries has done a lot for Ravi’s emotional state,” said Roma Sujanani, his mother. She says Ravi keenly looks forward to it, constantly reminding her every Monday to register him for that weekend’s virtual meeting.

“I am so grateful for the organization’s selfless effort and love. The Zoom sessions are filled with laughter, eager shouts, singing, dancing, and chatting with each other,” she added.

As Ravi is relatively new to Best Buddies Philippines, he has yet to be paired with a Peer Buddy. His mom is hoping for someone who is as interactive and social as him.

Keeping Buddies connected

When asked who can join as a Peer Buddy, Aventajado said, “Anyone. You can be 13 to 99 years old.”

Kimy Cañalita, 28, is one of the organization’s Peer Buddies. A teacher by profession, she says she chose to join because she wants to make a positive impact on someone’s life, as well as advocate for people with special needs.

“People should volunteer to be a Peer Buddy because it’s so fun! It gives you an experience that will help you grow as a person and at the same time be an advocate,” she said.

Cañalita is the Peer Buddy of Best Buddies Ambassador Jessica Malca. The two have grown fond of each other since being paired 6 years ago. “I like how very nice she treats me and I consider her like a second sister,” shared Malca, 27.

To become a Peer Buddy, one must fill out an application form from Best Buddies Philippines. After that, the applicant is required to attend the organization’s social events to help program managers determine a friendship match.

“It’s a commitment,” said Aventajado. “We want to be sure that everyone is on the same page.”

In the organization’s school chapters, everyone is required to go through a Leadership Training Day; while in corporate chapters, applicants are required to attend a Diversity and Inclusion Seminar.

Prior to the pandemic, Cañalita and Malca have always set dates to hang out, play arcade, dine out or go on a karaoke night. “Since almost all of those are closed right now, and we want to be safe from the virus, we just see each other via FaceTime and through #BBPSaturdaySeries activities. We also message each other to give our life updates,” Cañalita explained.

During this quarantine period, she stressed the importance of nurturing her relationship with Malca more: “Support your Buddy, check in with her from time to time, and call her to share random stories.”

For Malca, the #BBPSaturdaySeries is a great way for Buddies to interact in a world where people are asked to stay in isolation. “I like seeing people online and doing activities online and keeping the Best Buddies Philippines community alive during the pandemic,” she said.

A friendship program for all

While Buddies and Peer Buddies can only be matched in friendship when they are 13 years old and older, younger kids can still thrive in Best Buddies Philippines’s programs like #BBPSaturdaySeries.

“The #BBPSaturdaySeries provides Noah with another outlet to have fun and hang out virtually with this community of friendship and love. It also allowed David, Noah’s kuya, to join the activities too,” said Dan Santos, who has been involved in the organization since 2014.

Santos is a board member and dad to 8-year-old Noah, who is one of the Buddies. For now, Noah’s big brother David is his main buddy, but Noah also gets to interact with his other friends from Best Buddies Philippines.

Santos hopes for the online series to maintain its momentum until it’s safe to gather again. “I also think that Best Buddies Philippines has a very bright future ahead. The message of friendship resonates with anyone,” Santos added.

Another board member, Pia Guanio, said she is thrilled to take part in the virtual program: “I saw it as an opportunity to bond with my 8-year-old Scarlet and a chance for people not to feel isolated at home and instead help them feel that they are part of a community, safely doing fun, healthy and educational activities together.”

She recalls the #BBPSaturdaySeries activity where Scarlet, who is “such an Avengers nut,” learned drawing lessons from Marvel and DC comic book illustrator Harvey Tolibao. “I enjoy them myself and having a shared experience with Scarlet only strengthens our relationship,” Guanio said.

Despite being new to Best Buddies Philippines, the TV host is known to use her platform to advocate inclusion, which is the organization’s core value. “There is still a lot of progress to be made towards understanding and respecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and I want to be part of it in any way I can,” she shared.

“I believe that there should always be respect for everyone, especially those whose voices aren’t heard, respected or understood. God made everyone special in their own way and are created in His own image and likeness and they should be treated and considered as such.” – Rappler.com

Want to become a Peer Buddy at Best Buddies Philippines? You can email them at philippines@bestbuddies.org or contact them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also learn more about Best Buddies Philippines and its efforts to foster an inclusive community at www.bestbuddiesphilippines.com.