COMING SOON! The First-Ever Deaf Interpretation of “The True Decalogue” [1898] in the First Film Music Scored by a Filipino Person with Autism
August 13, 2015
Thristan Mendoza at Work
A Filipino Person with Autism [PWA] music scored a film. A first in Philippine film history? Thristan Mendoza, twice exceptional PWA did his first-ever music scoring on APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC, a digital documentary on the life of Mabini, the First Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Chief Adviser of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the First Philippine Republic. Despite the limitations of the music software he used, and perhaps the frustrations he might have felt when the instruments he wanted and needed were not provided by the software, Thristan, fondly called Tumtum created refreshing compositions that enhanced the mood and enlivened the historical photographs used, aided by the sound effects expertise of sound designer Bert De Santos. Tumtum graduated from the UP College of Music, major in percussion.
On the other hand, one of Mabini’s most famous writings, “El Verdadero Decalogo / The True Decalogue” [1898] was interpreted for the first time in Filipino Sign Language [FSL] by the SILENT STEPS, an All-Deaf Performing group of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS].
The SILENT STEPS choreographed by Myra Medrana [Deaf]
The film is not only our vehicle to show FSL’s beauty. It will help preserve Deaf language and culture. FSL is the rightful language of Deaf Filipinos in our country. It is important to preserve it. George W. Veditz of the National Association of the Deaf in the U.S. who initiated the preservation of the American Sign Language between 1910-1920 was the one who called deaf people “People of the eye, first, last and all the time.” As early, he realized that the medium of film was the perfect vehicle for preserving sign language. With pendling legislations on the passage of FSL Bill, FSL should actively be promoted to prove that it is being used and preferred by Deaf Filipinos. Respect and its recognition by the government is a must.
Largely interpreted in FSL, APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC is narrated and captioned in English. Interviews in Filipino language are also interpreted and subtitled in English.
A special preview for DFA personnel and some PWD leaders will be held tomorrow at the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of their post-celebration of the National Disability Prevention Week.
Premiere Showing on August 27, 2015 at DLS-CSB ARG Theater, 4 pm.
For inquiries, contact: DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]
Email: deaf.partnerships@benilde.edu.ph / Tel: 230-5100 local 1661 / Cel: 09178698231
For ticket reservations, click: http://goo.gl/forms/SWf1Yks7tk
To have a peek at some of the scenes in the docu to see the Silent Steps and to listen to Tum’s music sample composition, watch the film excerpts below:
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