My name is Stephen Quiogue and Candent has been like a second home to me for over ten years now. Even though I’m no longer a student there, I’m still just as welcome in their walls like I’m family.

Before entering Candent, I had a few problems. Though I was enrolled in a mainstream school, made friends, and did decently in schoolwork. I had a lot to learn about life outside the walls of education. I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of three and went to therapies for reading and speech, which helped me in school. Yet, even with the friends I made, I still had trouble talking to people either from starting conversations to things outside my special interests/obsessions, learning how to do things independently, and understanding others and myself in general. I could tell you a lot of the situations I got myself in because of my lack of social awareness and social skills. After all, people often expect you to already know these things when you are in school. A statement I never much took to heart.

Then, during my first year in high school, I was referred to Candent for social skills classes by my development psychologist. Honestly, I was nervous to be in a new place. I stayed in the same school until high school for years so this would be my first time away from familiar faces. Today, I would not trade the experiences I made in Candent for anything. Through their social skills classes, I was able to improve my conversation skills and my understanding of social situations. Those Saturdays spent with coaches, both those here today and those who left and fellow students like me grew my appreciation and understanding of others. If it weren’t for them, I don’t think would’ve been able to have fun outside in school, hanging out in malls and social spaces, and most especially, going to college, being in a relationship, and living the adult life.

It wasn’t just those that Candent helped me out with. When algebra and financing started growing troublesome for me, the coaches were there to help me. When I needed a guiding hand in the direction of my creativity and life plans, Teacher Joji and Teacher Benjie were there to expand my love for the creative arts and show me what I can do with them in my life. Candent was also the place that taught me higher responsibilities that I have not unlearned today. Camp LIFE, life skills coaching, working part-time with them as my first job after college. All these experiences with Candent really shaped me for the better. It also brought me joy when I saw my fellow students and friends improve a whole lot in their lives.

It all confirmed to me that what Candent is doing, what their goals and achievements have brought to people like me, is beautifully fulfilling. I truly can’t really thank them enough.

I always had a hard time with my academics here in the Philippines. Being a child with emotional difficulties made matters a lot worse. Luckily, I was sent to Candent for middle school and high school which helped my life immensely.

In Candent, I was treated with so much love and care every day. Although academics were still hard for me and I faced emotional difficulties, all the teachers were there to help me through it. Being surrounded around students that faced other difficulties in life was deeply humbling to me as well. Besides having my own mental difficulties, I got to learn about others' as well.

Honestly, my graduating high school would have been a long shot without Candent. In my eyes, they are the best place ever for special education here in the Philippines. I will always be indebted to them. Thank you, Candent for making me graduate high school possible.

Candent is a helpful and friendly environment where compassion, competence, and commitment are shared with one another. The teachings are helpful, they give a lot of motivation and give different ways to overcome hard obstacles.