Dalisay – “Pure”

Tala – “Star”

Talang Dalisay – “A Pure, Shining Star”

Greetings!

Who are we?

Talang Dalisay is a non-profit organization founded in Manila, Philippines centering on mental health for our fellow Filipinos.  We are a young community of storytellers and change-makers, opening conversations on the current mental health stigmas in the country as well as aiding in the integration of persons with disabilities (PWDs) as members of our global community. 

Ang Talang Dalisay ay isang di pinagkakakitaang samahan na tinatag sa Maynila dito sa Pilipinas na naglalayong palaganapin ang kalusugang pangkaisipan para sa kapwa Pilipino. Kami ay pamayanan ng kabataan na mga mananalaysay at mga makakapagbago sa lipunan. Bukas kami sa mga paguusap tungkol sa kalusugang pangkaisipan at mga estigma nito sa ating bansa. Nilalayon ng Talang Dalisay ang pagtulong sa pagsasama-sama ng mga taong may kapansanan bilang miyembro ng ating pandaigdigang komunidad.

Mission

Our mission upholds the values of empathy, compassion, and empowerment. We aim to focus on action oriented projects that center on moving towards a society that validates the mental health and neurodivergence of Filipinos. We acknowledge that mental health is a systemic issue — it is an ever-changing and controversial topic especially as a BIPOC community. Thus, through our art and stories, we hope to create a higher consciousness and understanding of how to create inclusive spaces for all amidst these intersectionalities.

Tinataguyod namin ang mga kahalagahan ng pagmamalasakit, pagkahabag, at kakayahan o lakas. Layunin namin ang ipokus o pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga proyektong nakatuon sa aksyon na tumutulong sa paghubog ng isang lipunang nagpapatibay sa kalusugang pangkaisipan at ng mga “neurodivergent” na mga Pilipino. Kinikilala namin na ang kalusugang pangkaisipan ay isang sistematikong isyu- isang kontrobersyal at pabago-bagong paksa lalong lalo na sa BIPOC na komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng sining at kuwento, umaasa kaming makalikha ng mas mataas na kamalayan at paguunawa kung paano makakalikha ng ingklusibong espasyo para sa lahat.

Vision

Our vision as an organization is to become a stepping stone for Filipinos to create spaces of inclusivity. Collectively, we hope to amplify the individual’s potential to shine purely; living in authenticity, truth, and purpose. Through our projects in elevating the mental health discourse, we hope to be one of many facets that encourage others to create more avenues for positive change, always embracing the ability in any disability.

Adhikain ng aming organisasyong makatulong sa mga Pilipino upang makalikha ng espasyo para sa lahat na walang diskriminasyon sa edad, kasarian, seksuwalidad, lahi,relihiyon, kultura o estado ng lipunan. Nilalayon naming palakasin ang potensyal ng isang indibidwal upang magningning, namumuhay sa katotohanan, tunay at may layunin. Sa pamamagitan ng aming mga proyekto,sanay mahikayat namin ang iba pa upang lumikha ng mas madami pang daan upang makalikha ng mga positibong pagbabago, palaging niyayakap ang kakayahan ng mga may kapansanan.

From Macy Lee

Founder and Executive Director

The Beginning

I started Talang Dalisay with one sole purpose: creating awareness for one of the most important people in my life who is my brother. My brother, my only sibling, has autism. He is a smart, kind, funny, and adventurous person. As great as he is, I still had hard times with him just like any other pair of siblings would. I had a really tough time understanding him and his eccentricities. After a few years, I finally understood where he was coming from. These actions were his coping mechanisms. People with autism can’t control themselves in what they do. At the same time, they never intend to do anything bad. The only thing they want from other people is to be understood. On the contrary, not many people really gave that respect that they wanted, and most especially deserve. This definitely applies to my brother.

Looking Back

If I can recall any specific experience with my him throughout my life that really made an impact on me, it would definitely be the countless instances wherein he had public tantrums. The only thing that would retain in my mind from those moments were people’s expressions of extreme judgement and disrespect. It frustrated me, to say the least, that people couldn’t understand him. I along with my parents encountered people that would ask, “what is autism anyway?”.

Doing Something

This sparked up an idea, a drive inside of me, to create awareness for people like my brother. I proposed this idea to some family and friends, and then decided to make a project that would cater to a much wider scale that helped more people, not only those with autism. This was mental health, and that is how my advocacy came to be. Hence, Talang Dalisay was born. From small day to day experiences with my brother to this organization being born, I am eternally thankful that Talang Dalisay became a reality.

We are accredited and recognized by

National Youth Commission

http://yorpnyc.org.ph/yorphub/profile/get_profile/YO-655-061319

The Mental Health Innovation Network (MHN) Global Community of Innovators

https://www.mhinnovation.net/organisations/talang-dalisay

Oracle Netsuite’s Software for Non-Profit Organizations

https://www.netsuite.com/portal/home.shtml