🗺️Leviste Highway, Brgy. Inosluban, Lipa City 📞 +63 908 892 5459 📧 [email protected]
Every Child Has a Story of Hope & Progress
At CDIC, we celebrate the incredible journeys of children and families who have transformed their lives through our support. These success stories reflect our commitment to fostering independence and empowerment in every child.
Every Child Has a Story of Hope & Progress
At CDIC, we celebrate the incredible journeys of children and families who have transformed their lives through our support. These success stories reflect our commitment to fostering independence and empowerment in every child.
The Boy with the Tin Can
The inspiration behind CDIC
“I often marvel at how God uses little people like Tony, the boy with the tin can , to do something substantial for others .”
Anthony Walter aka “Tony”, my second brother, was born in 1956 with Down Syndrome. Tony was the inspiration behind the creation of Children’s Developmental and Intervention Center of Lipa. With a truly edifying story, he is a beautifully imperfect package sent by God who made our life whole.
My mother Lillian Magsino, worked as a pediatric nurse in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Jersey City, New Jersey. Being very fond of babies, she felt distraught when she learned that a baby girl was abandoned in the NICU after her mother found out that she has Down Syndrome. My mother would do daily visits to feed and caress the infant as if she was her own. After a few months, my mother got pregnant and later bore her second son who also had Down Syndrome!
Like many children with this condition, Tony was born with a congenital heart problem. His pediatrician delivered the sad news that he would only live up to seven years.
My parents spent initial time with trepidation but lovingly embraced Tony with all heart.
With a positive attitude, my parents clearly realized that God sent Tony to them and it must be for something good. My parents instinctively knew it was time for them to come home to the Philippines after learning of their second son’s frail condition. My parents, Bobby (my eldest brother) who was then three, and little Tony flew back to the Philippines and found a “home” in Lipa.
My father, a cardiologist, started a humble practice in Lipa catering to the medical needs of towns folk of then rural Lipa, with my mother devoutly assisting him. The Magsino household grew to a large family of eight children. Tony, the apple of the eye of our brood, brought around so much joy, affection and cheerfulness in our home. Always clad in white shirt and cotton shorts, Tony found happiness in playing with his odd-shaped tin can almost the entire day.
While Tony was growing up, the family’s hospital business also thrived. Some relatives say, that when Tony made noise with his tin can, patients started to pour into the hospital.
Early Intervention was unheard of during the time Tony was growing up. My parents who were trailblazers, unknowingly started early intervention through sheer dedicated parenting.
Tony, who lived up to age 33, taught us many important things despite his special challenges. Tony was the instrument for the founding of CDIC-Lipa.
As an agent of change for the past 15 years, CDIC-Lipa’s existence in the community has helped thousands of children and their families to have better opportunities in life. Through CDIC’s services via proper intervention to the child and their families, young children were moulded to be integral part of the community. The family as basic unit of society together with other families, empowered thru CDIC-Lipa, will translate to the bigger community and eventually create an inclusive growth, creating a just and more humane society. This is our vision.
I often marvel at how God uses little people like Tony, the boy with the tin can, to do something substantial for others. Now, I know why Tony smiles when he sees sparks on his tin can. Truly, it is the little things that matter, after all.
- Mary Ann Panganiban, MA OTR/L, OTRP
Program Director, CDIC
Parent Testimonials
Here’s what parents are saying about their experiences.
What Matters Most
"After a year of insomnia, meltdowns, sensory issues and a general discontent with the world at large, I have come out from the darkness into the light. My daughter, non-verbal and with severe autism, is happy. On most days, she is genuinely, utterly filled with joy".
Arlene Reyes
Parent
Ang Paglalakbay ni Josh
"Hindi daw sila handang tanggapin si Josh kasi wala pa silang experience sa SPED (Special Education) at wala pa silang naging estudyante na may special needs (They said they were not ready to accept Josh because they had no experience in SPED (Special Education) and had no students with special needs). Sa pakikipag-tulungan ng CDIC, tinanggap ng TNS si Josh (With the cooperation of CDIC, TNS accepted Josh)".
Daddy ni Josh Ferrer
Parent
Compassion
"Most of John Wayne’s success in life can be credited to the unending support of the staff of CDIC, especially his very compassionate and tireless teacher Ms. Girlie G. Vispo".
Tito Bernard
Parent
From Struggles to Success: God sends angels to help us get through the journey
Reilene Carait, Parent | 5 min read
I am a proud mother of a child with Autism.
Zander is my only child. Finding out he had Autism at 2 ½ years old was very painful for my husband and me -- no words can ever describe exactly how we felt that day of his diagnosis. We had a mix of emotions as well as questions. For a while, we were looking for someone to blame and we were frightened of the journey we had to face ahead.
After all the questioning, we gathered the strength to speak to his therapist (Miss Jhelai). It sounded good when she said, “We can make him better as long as you help me with the process. There should be teamwork and remember it should always start at home. Have a strong heart Mommy, intervention will help. Pray and the rest will follow.”
From then on, we began to see it as a challenge. We prayed to God and asked for forgiveness for doubting the situation and then assured Him that his precious gift to us will be loved even better and will be taken care of. From that time, we accepted everything that had to be done for our child.
Therapy and classes helped a lot and surely lightened up the journey. Yes, it is hard work but we had to make a choice between making things even more difficult by giving up or simply enjoying the process together with our child.
I remember when Sir Mark, my son’s first interventionist said: “Mommy whatever our goal for Zander is, let’s claim it, in God’s grace.” These words made me even more inspired to face Zander’s journey with him.
Whatever phase my child is in right now, I make sure I am with him. Learning with Zander is fun and since I am a hands-on mother, every little thing he does or any improvement in his skills makes me very happy and proud of him. I always keep in mind that if children in regular schools enjoy their lives, why can’t we? Like all children, minsan lang maging bata ang mga anak natin kaya sabayan na natin sila (they are only children once and we should share those moments with them). Our journey might take longer and be a little harder but we will all get to the same end. Deep in my heart, I believe ours will be brightest and sweetest of all!
I know that God has given Zander this special gift because our family has so much love to give and that love is the best medicine we can give to our child. To those who are in the same situation as ours, don’t live differently, live happy, enjoy life.
God doesn’t give us what we cannot handle, God is good all the time and all the time, God is good. He sends angels to help us get through the journey. In Zander’s case, we have angels like Titas Ella, Arlene, Maggie and Lola Weng along with the angelic powers of all the therapists and interventionists. Thank you for not just doing your job, but for loving our child.
Finally, to my son, I would like to say: “Zander, anak, wala pa man tayo sa finish line, I want you to know that Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. Mahal na mahal ka namin, God is with us always. You’re the best gift ever -- you are our big angel. Thank You, anak.”
Our Autism Journey- Learning,
Living, Loving
Maggie Lafuente
5 min read
Autism
The very word seemed to squeeze the air out of my lungs, break my heart and shatter my spirit. I was mad. I was numb. I was mourning. The pain it delivered is hard to put into words.
I did not know where to begin but if I stopped, I thought, who will take this journey with my son? If I gave up, who will take courage in the task? While my husband works abroad, my parenting has to continue. Thus, I decided on taking this journey with my son, Tatum, who was diagnosed with autism in _____(year), one step at a time.
At the age of three, although he was able to read, recognized shapes and numbers, his behavior grew increasingly bizarre. His social and language skills were different compared to other children his age. He started staring at the light and began to be sensitive to sound and touch. He avoided eye contact and constantly repeated almost everything he heard.
Feeding him and dressing him up were a struggle and his obsession with cars increased every day. His tantrums literally blew the roof off our heads. I took kicks, punches, and pinches over his frustration but these bruised my heart and broke all my hope into pieces, more than anything else.
Autism consumed my days and caused nightmares at night. I was drowning in questions and worries. My life was a blur. I worry about what happens to my son when we are not around to care for him anymore? Exhaustion so overwhelmed me but time and support helped so much.
After seven months of intervention at CDIC and extensive reinforcement at home, Tatum started to use some sentences, his echolalia greatly diminished and his behavior is a lot mellower. His patience is improving every day and his obsession with cars has decreased.
This journey is not easy but I learned to accept my child for who he is. Autism does not matter anymore. Through time and patience I realized what truly matters and what doesn't. We love our son more than life itself and we will continue to laugh, hope and dream until we reach and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I learned to focus on my child's abilities and not on his diagnosis. He became my all-time best teacher, in fact. He reminds me how precious and significant each of us is and what makes life worth living. I must say that I truly become a better person each day for going through this challenge.
Among the parents who are in the same boat as I am, I found friends, mentors and inspiration for real love, hope, acceptance and nurture to unfold in the hearts and minds of these children like my son. Travelling a different path may not be the way we expected to go but with this journey, we discover new things that we never thought existed and shattered dreams and broken pieces that can be replaced with new ones.
Above anything, my faith has kept me going and I know He will make things beautiful in His time.
--Maggie Lafuente
Professional Endorsements
Hear from the experts in child development.
"What I am now, is definitely because of CDIC’s influence along with people I worked with and the entire management."
"I cannot discount the big impact that CDIC has made in my life. People come and go but the experiences and the memories of how this center has evolved is undeniable, unforgettable and marvelous. What I am now, my skills, my personality and my character is definitely because of CDIC’s influence along with people I worked with and the entire management. Love Live CDIC!"
Marita C. Perez, OTRP
Former CDIC staff
"CDIC has nourished and guided me all the way to where I am right now."
"I had fear that I may not be able to provide appropriate therapy to meet the demands of the patients...
But with excellent training from our superiors, through proper exposure to different kinds of Pediatric cases and through the support of fellow workers, I slowly built my confidence and experience. I also learned to communicate and interact with people (parents, caregivers, co-workers). Being a very private person, I always tended to shy away from oth-ers but the staff has always been friendly and accommodating to me. We have built rapport and treated each other like family.
I could say that CDIC has done me a great deal when it comes to work experience. It has nourished and guided me all the way to where I am right now."
Vinson Palasigue PTRP, RPT
Florida Hospital Heart-land Medical Center in Florida, USA-ed.
"The CDIC of Lipa was initiated at the right time, with the right intentions, by the right people and with right and perfect collaborations among different professionals in the field of pediatrics."
"Everything is well managed and well planned, spearheaded by Ms. Mary Ann Magsino-Panganiban and Dr. Joel Lazaro.
All the necessary equipment, modalities and up-to-date training and equipment are provided to the staff. The centre is a one-stop pediatric centre that has been providing services for infants and children with different disabilities. For the first four years, I was witness to how the centre was able to guide each child to reach the maximum potential in life. Up to the present, whenever I receive news on how well the former students are doing now, I am very proud that once in my life I was part of."
Mona Lisa Guce, OTRP
Head of Early Inter-vention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) Department of Spastic Children’s Asso-ciation of Singapore
Join the Mission
At CDIC, we believe in the power of community and collaboration. Together, we can create a supportive environment for children with developmental challenges.
About Us
Founded in 2001, the Children's Developmental and Intervention Center (CDIC) of Lipa is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children with developmental disabilities and their families. Located in Lipa, Batangas, CDIC provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis, evaluation, and management of developmental disabilities.
Leviste Highway, Brgy. Inosluban, Lipa City, Philippines, 4217 ( Front of University of Batangas, Lipa Campus )
[ mobile & viber ] +63 908 892 5459
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