Psychology and the human condition has always fascinated me. I was a kid when I first heard about autism; until now, it’s its complexity remains a myriad an enigma to me. Last Thursday was a pretty eventful day. Apart from the DBE Phils preview (see previous post), it was the World Autism Day. I didn’t know that it was that day, and that Autism Society Philippines had an event at The Block.

As I had some time to spare, I stayed on and watched the performances. While watching, I noticed a familiar face on the stage backdrop. Reading the words, the backdrop stated “featuring TumTum Mendoza.” TumTum’s name was no stranger to me. Growing up, I’ve seen his name spread across local dailies. However, it was indeed a treat to see him perform (for free!).

The performers’ condition got me thinking about autistic savants. I’ve read about savants and autism for some time. The common denominator would perhaps be the lack of social skills - that is, the existence of a shell/bubble surrounding that person. Maybe the presence of such is much of a gift in this world where we are continually surrounded and barraged by noise received by all of our senses. A person’s ability to concentrate amid distractions is a skill too precious. Music, math, painting, etc all seem to require great concentration. Perhaps that’s the key as to why autistic savants are so good — because they are innately gifted.

The following is a demonstration of using those gifts, and championing humanity in the process.

Edit: Concentration might not be the right word. It’s more of the unique ability to focus (?) on one task and be very good at it without minding what’s happening around one’s self.

A very good friend of mine has the following as his IM display image: “‘Your stupid’? … My stupid what?”

It’s pretty clear that if the one communicating the statement were only to think, he/she would’ve added an apostrophe between U and R, and the letter E at the end of the first word. Back in high school, when weaving the web meant pouring into hundreds of lines of bare HTML that rendered very simple interfaces, I got the chance to design my alma mater’s (then-called) Computer Education Department’s site. Having a penchant for branding and marketing, I looked for something that could iconify the Department’s vis/mis.

I chanced upon IBM’s one-word slogan - Think. At that time, I didn’t know that “Think” went all the way back to Watson Sr. All I knew was that it was being used to campaign IBM’s resurrection as led by Lou Gerstner. This inspired me to propose “Think Again” to be the Department’s theme — almost a decade before National Geographic started using the phrase in and for its branding. My proposed branding even had a graphical element — an abstract illustration of Auguste Rodin’s Thinker, like the replica found at Stanford.

Fast forward to 2009, we see IBM going back to its roots, to its core, in its campaign to change the world. One of the videos I stumbled into that I really love is the following.

Think.

… if not, the reason.

Depicted above is the main altar cross of the Church of the Gesù at the Ateneo de Manila University, taken on the eve of 7 Dec 2008, before the Take and Receive concert. I forgot to bring my camera so I had to take the picture using my phone. I also had to record the audio using my phone as I did not bring my digital audio device. Ryan Cayabyab especially arranged the song above, entitled the Take and Receive Medley, for the show, celebrating Ateneo’s 149th year.

Personally, I loved the opening where Dulaang Sibol performed Manoling Francisco’s Hindi Kita Malilimutan then followed by Kay Hesus na Nakabayubay. I loved the casualness of their appearance yet showing excellence, and how they projected their group as a fun-loving bunch. They have quite a number of videos over at YouTube, including an impersonation by Tim Tayag.

I hope the Ateneo comes out with an album or a DVD of the concert. The Jesuit Music Ministry, through JesCom,  has some of the songs in albums, which can be obtained online or thorugh their stores.