Through the Eyes of my Deaf Teacher

Foreground: my Deaf teacher Rey Alfred Lee. Behind him are members of the Silent Steps, Faculty staff of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, as well as GMEFI and UPSEC officers. Also in the photo is PULE film scorer Tumtum Mendoza [in white t-shirt with eyeglasses], a Person with Autism, standing between GMEFI President and me. 

Last August 25, PULE: UTAK ng REBOLUSYON, a documentary on our hero, APOLINARIO MABINI was shown for the benefit of the scholars of Gawad Metronian Educational Foundation, Inc. [GMEFI]. The film participants include Deaf students and members of the Deaf playgroup, SILENT STEPS. They interpreted in Filipino Sign Language for the first time after 1898, one of the popular writings of the docu’s subject entitled El Verdadero Decalogo/The True Decalogue.  It was voiced by a man paralyzed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome who read Mabini’s writings. The film was scored by a twice-exceptional Person with Autism, his first time to do  so.

The screening was held at the UP Film Center in Diliman, Quezon City. Members of the Deaf community from DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies where I studied Filipino Sign Language came to attend the screening. One of them was my Deaf teachers, Rey Alfred Lee, former President of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf. Below are some of the photos he took.

John Baliza Interprets for UPSEC Prez Lowe Crisostomo

Historian Dr. Bernardita Churchill, guest speaker with Febe Sevilla, interpreter

The Audience — Hearing and Deaf

How the Deaf clap

GMEFI Prez Evelyne Dominguez awards the certificate of appreciation to Myra Medrana [Deaf choreographer]

Rey and Me

Rey, Cath and JM [Deaf]

Members of the Filipino Deaf community

With the DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies students and faculty

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Photos from UPSEC: Screening of PULE, August 25

Photos courtesy of UP Special Education Council on the showing of PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon, UP Film Center, UP Diliman, Q.C., a benefit film screening of a historical documentary about one of our great heroes, Apolinario Mabini sponsored by Gawad Metronian Educational Foundation, Inc. and UPSEC, August 25, 2017 in connection with the Celebration of the National Heroes Day, History Month and National Language Month

Here are some of the reactions to the film:

“Dahil sa “Pule,” mas nauunawaan ko na ang “big picture” ng pakikipaglaban ng ating mga bayani para sa kalayaan at kasarinlan. Napagtagni-tagni nito ang dati’y magkakahiwalay at kinakabisado lamang na kaalaman ukol sa ating kasaysayan.” — Neil Penullar, De La Salle University

“… an innovative and engaging way to present Mabini’s biography and the country’s history.” — Cecille Sicam, Autism Society Philippines Board of Trustees

“It was an eye-opening experience for me. There is no such thing as “dis-ability.’ I realized how big your advocacy is and how it truly makes a difference in the lives of the Deaf and the PWDs.” –— [emailed to me]

The SILENT STEPS started the program with a Prayer and interpretation of the Philippine National Anthem in Filipino Sign Language

[R to L]: Guest Speaker Myra Medrana [Deaf], GMEFI President Evelyne Dominguez, Historian Dr. Bernardita Churchill and Mirana Medina, PULE filmmaker

[Extreme Right]: Ex-DSWD Secretary Judy graced the occasion; Mirana on the extreme left

GMEFI President Evelyne Dominguez

At the Lobby of the UP Film Center before the Showing

Students from Bulacan

How to Clap – Deaf signs

GMEFI, MMC and UPSEC members

GMEFI and MMC Staff

Bahay ng Pagmamahal Visitors

Commemorating the End of World War II in the Pacific with Japan’s Formal Surrender

Dr. Bernardita Churchill, President of the Philippine National Historical Society Invites You to their Conference in Iloilo, Panay Island in the Western Visayas Region.

PNHS Conference to Commemorate the End of World War II in the Pacific with Japan’s Formal Surrender

The Philippine National Historical Society (PNHS) invites you to the 36th National Conference on National and Local History on October 22-24, 2015, at the Casa Real de Iloilo (Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol), Iloilo City. The conference is co-sponsored with the Office of the Governor, Province of Iloilo, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts – Committee on Historical Research (NCCA-CHR), and the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC).

PNHS is the oldest professional organization of professional historians and practitioners of history in the Philippines, established on February 2, 1941, with the mission to “encourage and undertake the study of Philippine history.” PNHS conferences and publications have presented researches on mainstream national history and local/regional histories that enrich the understanding of the cultural diversity of Philippine society. Paper presentations also include studies in related social science disciplines and the humanities.

In PNHS conferences, papers on local history (regional/provincial) and national history are presented, covering studies of provinces/islands and cultural communities that have not been studied yet, looking at periods from prehistory throughout the colonial period (especially during the 17th and 18th century) which have not been paid much attention to. Local history in the context of national history has always been the guiding theme in PNHS Conferences since we started this series on local/national history since 1978.

This year, 2015, we are commemorating the end of World War II in the Pacific with Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945.

For inquiries, contact PNHS President and National Convener Bernardita R. Churchill, Ph.D.
Tel: (02) 921-4575 / Telefax: (02) 926-1347 / Mobile: 0919-4905371 / E-mail: nitachurchill@hotmail.com

Or, Demy Sonza, Province of Iloilo Local Co-Convener
Tel: (033) 337-7963 / Fax: (033) 337-7963 / Mobile: 0928-506-4142
E-mail:demy_sonza@yahoo.com
Demy P. Sonza

Farewell to a Corregidorian

My eldest brother, Virgilio R. Medina, Sr., retired Manila policeman died day before yesterday on the same day my youngest brother, Senen was operated on because of very low blood pressure caused by blood clots and water around his heart. He has been confined since May 8 at the ICU of the Heart Center in Quezon City. We transferred him from a Laguna hospital because of lack of facilities. Another family member has undergone a heart bypass operation on the same day.

My eldest brother was one of my three siblings featured in TIGA-ISLA, my first historical documentary on prewar Corregidor. He was one of my primary sources of information along with my eldest sister, Dr. Ligaya M. Miranda, second president of Metro Manila College in Novaliches, Q.C., and Dr. Isagani R. Medina, professor emeritus of the UP Department of History. The latter was a colleague of Prof. Teodoro Agoncillo, Dr. Bernardita Churchill and Dr. Samuel Tan. All three of them were born in Corregidor.

By now, I do not know how many Corregidorians are still around.

Rizal Day Preparations 2011 at NHCP and Ultimo Adios in FSL

For the first time in my life, I have joined a meeting, and at the end of it, became part of a group tasked to prepare for the Dec 30 Rizal Day preparations. Happening on the 150th year of Rizal is quite memorable! Being at gathering like that must have been brother Gani’s ordinary group setting. I went there not knowing what the agenda was except that it was going to be about Rizal Day. I didn’t expect the meeting to be that big. When I was advised by Atty. Ramoncita Reyes, a Rizal descendant to attend the meeting, I thought of a group consisting of not more than 15 people. It turned out to be a meeting consisting of different government agencies. I do not belong to any group.

I was surprised but very happy to meet Dr. Bernardita Churchill, a close friend and colleague of my brother Gani; she is the Philippine National Historical Society and Manila Studies Association President. She was as surprised as I was when we met because it was the most unlikely place for me to be–the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. She told me that she had been looking for me because she had a book launched.

I presented Ultimo Adios in Filipino Sign Language [FSL] although the place was not ideal for screening films — the room was well lighted; and the sound was bad. The room is meant for meetings and conferences. Anyhow, Ultimo was shown. I then proposed that it be shown on December 30 for people to watch the film. I want as many people to watch it to be exposed to the beauty of Filipino Sign Language, and as I told them for the Department of Education to see that there is FSL that needs recognition. The committee headed by Exec. Director Badoy agreed. Maybe because Atty. Reyes was all out to support its showing. Afterall, it was her idea for me to attend it, something I really had no idea about until I entered the room. I was asked from what agency I belonged, and I replied: “None.” Then I was asked if I am a Rakista. Again, I was surprised but amused. “Mukha ho ba akong rakista?” Anyway, I signed the attendance sheet, and was given the meeting agenda.  When Arch. Veronica Dado [the person referred to me by Atty. Minney] told me on the phone that I shall be accommodated, I thought it would literally be just accommodating me – sort of a sit-in- because I am an outsider. So when I read the agenda, I was quite astonished to see my name under “OTHER MATTERS”.

But it had a fruitful outcome. They accepted my proposal to show the film, and to sell Ultimo at the Rizal Shrine — to  help me raise the additional funds to finish the rest of the film [versions in English, Spanish and Filipino that will serve the interests of the Blind and regular students of Rizal Course], and for the showing that I intend to hold next year at the UP Film Center. They even want to request big cinema houses to show the film on December 30. Good idea! Until we later talked and thought about the fact that control of copies is not possible. Piracy is quite easy. I couldn’t guard their showings, and be there all the time with the film. I was advised by Atty. Minney to have the film copyrighted by the way.

For unexpected blessings such as this one where never in my life I imagined myself to be, I thank no one but God. As I have always believed since my “conversion,” I am led to the right people and places, and leading me to be doing work that He knows I can contribute something to, no matter how small that contribution may be.

After that meeting, I went to CSB SDEAS to show my docu on Deaf Filipinos, Silent O to new Deaf students. Then went to the Dance Room where Myra and the Silent Steps were practicing. They were going to have live performances of two poems from the omnibus film, now entitled A mi Patria.