Mabini’s “El Verdadero Decalogo” Interpreted in Filipino Sign Language 117 years After it was Written

“Unique in itself, using and recognizing the natural sign language of Deaf Filipinos help in raising their morale and esteem because recognizing Filipino Sign Language is recognizing their identity as Deaf Filipinos.” This was posted four years ago in 2011 by Rizal descendant, Ms. Lisa Bayot. She was referring to the FSL version of ULTIMO ADIOS by Aldrin Gabriel that I produced in time for the Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary of her lolo, Dr. Jose Rizal. She earlier said: “Since our agency highlights the lives of our heroes, most especially Dr. Jose Rizal, it is quite notable that Filipinos like Miss Mirana Medina, an independent advocacy filmmaker produced the FSL version of Ultimo Adios 115 years after Rizal wrote it. For until now, nobody has given serious attention to FSL. No one saw that using the language of the Deaf to present Dr. Jose Rizal’s literary work could even be more touching than hearing the poem recited in the most passionate way.” http://myrizal150.com/2011/12/mi-ultimo-adios/

Presenting the SILENT STEPS!!! In the First-Ever Interpretation of Apolinario Mabini’s El Verdadero Decalogo / Ang Tunay na 10 Utos [1898]’; Choreography by Myra Medrana [Deaf]; Music by Thristan “Tumtum” Mendoza [Person with Autism]

In like manner and with the same purpose, but this time, in celebration of the Sesquicentennial Year of Apolinario Mabini, I envisioned to have in my docu, the FSL version of El VERDADERO DECALOGO. It is not a poem though. According to writer-historian, Dr. Paul Dumol, it is similar to Emilio Jacinto’s “Kartilya ng Katipunan.” But like Ultimo Adios in FSL, it already did touch some people because of its form. [Read DFA Director’s Reaction to El Verdadero]. Visual and gestural, the Silent Steps’ FSL interpretation of the Decalogo along with the caption and its reading in Filipino would most likely make the hearing audience in particular understand better the messages of Mabini, as well as appreciate the beauty of FSL.

Watch the SILENT STEPS in the first-ever Filipino Sign Language interpretation of the preamble of the Programa Constitucional de la Republica Filipina, 117 years after Mabini wrote it in 1898! The DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies All-Deaf Performing Group was ably choreographed by Myra Medrana [Deaf].

Hearing interpreters John Baliza, Febe Sevilla, Nati Natividad and Giselle Montero helped in the translation and interpretation process from their English and Filipino versions into Filipino Sign Language.

The SILENT STEPS was established to compete with the hearing people and to prove that DEAF CAN!

PREMIERE Showing on August 27, 2015 at DLS-CSB ARG Theater, 5th floor, 4 pm.

[The version narrated in Filipino – PULE: UTAK NG REBOLUSYON is now in post-production.]

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