Filipino celebrity couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles recently shared their personal journey of raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to co-parents at an event. Along with fellow entertainment personality Candy Pangilinan, they discussed their experiences, from their child’s diagnosis to finding spaces that catered to their family’s unique needs.
For parents of children with ASD, awareness, acceptance, and accommodation are critical steps towards achieving genuine inclusion in their community. The ‘AOK Pilipinas Live!’ discussion, held at SM Megamall as part of the 27th National Autism Consciousness Week, was organized by SM Cares in collaboration with the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), the City Government of Mandaluyong, and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
During the discussion, Miles praised the SM mall branches for being accommodating to her family’s needs. “The truth is, here in SM [Megamall], at any SM, they’re always ready—they just know how to help you even if you’re not a celebrity. And I felt that,” she said.
ASP Chair Emerita and panel host Dang Koe added that SM staff were proactive in assisting customers with disabilities. “The guard already knows, even before you enter the premises,” she said.
In addition, Miles shared that SM was not only a child-friendly mall but also mother-friendly. When shopping with her mom, who had a limp, the guards asked if they needed a wheelchair. “Things like that—the accommodation and the appreciation from others,” Miles said.
SM Cares is committed to creating an inclusive environment in all its malls and recognizes that promoting this advocacy must start from within. The organization invests significant resources and efforts in training its employees to support customers with disabilities. After all, public spaces should be accessible to all, and everyone deserves to feel welcome.
“SM Cares shares the advocacy to help our communities,” said Program Director for SM Cares’ PWD Advocacy Engr. Bien Mateo at the discussion. “And if there’s a major project that contributes to this endeavor, it is this sensitivity training for our employees.”
