SM to screen sensory-friendly movie for special children

MANILA, Philippines - The SM Committee on Disability Affairs, in partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines, will be showing its first-ever sensory movie in the country tomorrow, 10 a.m., at Cinema 3, SM North Edsa-The Block. 

The featured movie is entitled “Up,” the latest Disney animated blockbuster movie. 

Invited to view the movie are students from selected SPED schools. This initial movie screening is sponsored by Asus Philippines.

Engineer Bien Mateo, chairman of the Committee on Disability Affairs, said, “This screening will differ from other screenings as special arrangements will be made to provide a more comfortable setting for children with autism and special needs.” 

“The movie theater will have their lights brought up and sound turned down. There will be no previews or advertisements. The audience will be allowed to do anything they want to do — get up and dance, walk, shout or sing. Silence, which is strictly observed in ordinary screenings, will not be imposed on this special audience,” Mateo said.

This is part of SM’s campaign in making all SM malls friendly to people with disabilities (PWDs), which is not limited only to mobility.

SM equally gives importance to customers with special needs such as those with autism, Down Syndrome or even those who have epilepsy.

Mateo also stressed that they also encourage family bonding wherein families of children with autism can go out and watch movies together in a friendly environment.

Mateo added that his committee shall continue to explore all other activities that can be implemented in the malls for the enjoyment of PWDs, and making sure that they are comfortable when they are in the SM environment.

“We want to live with our statement that truly... an SM Supermall is a mall for all,” Mateo said.

The SM Committee on Disability Affairs is part of “SM Cares,” a bigger corporate social responsibility program of SM Prime Holdings Inc.