For Bringing Issues and Concerns of PWDs to Light through the Medium of Film

That’s what’s etched on the plaque of appreciation handed by De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies last August 30 when I attended their lunch treat supposedly meant for their partners during their 25 years of existence.

Me [second from right] in between Febe Sevilla who received the award for TV5 interpreting and Dean Veronica “Nicky” Templo of SDEAS who gave a touching closing remark.

Quite unexpected from an institution whose people I have worked with for 11 years now — from the time I studied Filipino Sign Language to learn and understand their concerns. I also met Yeye Dominguez, wife of my grandnephew, Mayor Angelo Dominguez of Castillejos, Zambales for supporting annual Deaf seminars led by SDEAS staff — both hearing and Deaf. It is usually being held during their school break, an activity we actually started some years back with Giselle Montero, and when Mackie Calbay was still around and connected with SDEAS.

[For more info about the event, click: http://deaf-e-news.blogspot.com/2017/09/fun-food-and-camaraderie-at-sdeas.html%5D

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Moments at Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

On the UNESCO world heritage list is Vigan City. Found in Ilocos Sur, it is quite known for its Spanish heritage village. It was near sundown when we reached Crisologo St., the most popular street in Vigan City, our final destination. The place was where the terno and fashion show program of Ms. Universe 2016 was held. Tourists at the shops and restaurants found in heritage houses animated the place. Mood was festive. We stayed there until the number of people thinned down.

Before that, we visited the house of former President Elpidio Quirino; the place where burnays or pot clays are made; ate empanada at the Plaza, and dropped by at the Vigan Cathedral. A few hours of stay leave lots of memories to remember. Afterall, going back in time is rare.

Pagabi na sa Calle Crisologo

This reminds me of the classic film, Bicycle Thieves

With My Friends, My Friends: Giselle Montero & Febe Sevilla

Vigan Heritage Mansion at Night – Liberation Street corner Crisologo

Save Rizal Memorial Sports Complex!!!

A plan to convert Rizal Memorial Sports Complex [RMSC] in Manila into a mall is underway. Protests from different heritage groups, concerned individuals and institutions started since last year. RMSC, built in 1934 is historically significant and culturally important. It was designed by Architect Juan M. Arellano.

Last Saturday’s [February 11] action was a follow-up on an earlier protest jointly made by Advocates for Heritage Preservation and Dakilang Pamana ng Lahi, Inc. [PAMANLAHI]. I joined the group for the first time. I was “recruited” by Febe Sevilla, my Filipino sign language interpreter-buddy who is teaching at DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. It has been captioned to benefit Deaf Filipinos.

The event happened in front of Rizal Memorial. The woman on the thumbnail is Ching de las Alas-Montinola, daughter of RMSC’s recognized builder, Antonio de las Alas. It was through his initiative that the structure became a reality during the time of President of Manuel Quezon.

Best SDEAS Deaf Cultural Show that I’ve Seen

“Of signs and wonders: Jesus made the lame walk and the blind see. At the 22nd Deaf Festival, in His Name and for His Glory he made the Deaf dance! And that is truly a miracle…” – Susan Abad, a relative I tagged along with to watch the show texted this to me, a day after witnessing for the first time the culmination of the 22nd Deaf Festival held at the ARG, CSB Theater in Taft Avenue, Manila.

From Facebook – photo from CJ Patriarca of the Silent Steps

Last Saturday, November 19, I managed to find time to attend the 22nd SDEAS Deaf Cultural Show. I met old friends — both Deaf and Hearing. Many of them were members of the Silent Steps, the All-Deaf playgroup with whom I have worked with in several of my Deaf films, and the current faculty staff of the DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]. I have seen Deaf theater presentation for the first time a decade ago in 2017 when I first enrolled as FSL student of SDEAS’ Filipino Sign Language Learning Program [FSLLP], a module intended for hearing persons.

Me [3rd from right] in between hearing interpreter Febe Sevilla [4th from R] and Susan Abad [in dark glasses]. The rest are Deaf Faculty Staff of SDEAS. Jenn Balan on the extreme right and Anna Arce [2nd from left]

This year is, I would consider the best Deaf Fest presentation amongst several other cultural shows that I’ve seen in the past. All the participating performers were highly charged, energetic and were visibly enjoying their performances. The only thing they should consider next time when presenting is the pace with which they change from one performance to the other. There should be no long breaks in between presentation. In film, it is called transition. There should be fast but smooth transition flow.

The Silent Steps with Myra Medrana, their choreographer on the extreme left [with eyeglasses]. Photo from her fb post. I recognize Mary Rose Gozon and Marvin [extreme right]

Myra Medrana’s choreography was great! The integration of film and theater which is something that I’ve done in several of my films for the Deaf was quite impressive, and really wonderful. A memorable performance that really touches the heart, and must have made some Deaf in the audience cried was the one that tackles Deaf issues on discrimination.

Even the video presentations highly leveled up in quality and form. Congratulations to SDEAS for the continuous support that they are providing their students!

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/22ndeaffestival2016/

Finally! The Pizza Treat…

Simple treat, and simple joy of being together with the Silent Steps, and the other participants of Pule production…unfortunately without Giselle Montero whom we missed a lot also during the launching of Pule , our docu on Apolinario Mabini. Organized by Joyce Dalawampu, and Leah Osido, the members of the Silent Steps group was finally gathered by Myra Medrana, Deaf choreographer. Thank you so much for your cooperation and participation!

Members of the Silent Steps who interpreted Apolinario Mabini’s  “El Verdadero Decalogo / The True Decalogue” [1898]; With Myra Medrana [Deaf Chreographer], Joyce Dalawampu, Leah Osido, Eugene Sordilla, hearing interpreters Bayani Generoso, Febe Sevilla, Susan Abad and me.

In Celebration of the 2016 National Arts Month-PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon

Now busy preparing for the premiere screening next week of my latest educational documentary that is meant primarily to give Deaf access to information about one of our greatest heroes, Apolinario Mabini. He is currently considered an icon of Persons with Disability in the Philippines. Paralyzed at the age of 31 in 1896, the year Jose Rizal was shot to death, he worked while studying until he finished the Bachelor of Laws from UST. Mabini was the Chief Adviser of the First President of the Philippine Republic and the First Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The Americans tagged him as the “Insurgent’s Brains.”

Most importantly, the film is our vehicle to promote the use and recognition of Filipino Sign Language [FSL]. Signing Exact English continues to be used in the educational curriculum of the Deaf.

Talakasaysayan: Aguinaldo sa Pasko

Yesterday, I attended the 1-5 p.m. activity of Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. Went there with Febe Sevilla and her daughter Alex aka “Ms Finland.” Angelo Aguinaldo, shrine’s former curator, and facilitator of the said event invited me. They called it “Talakasaysayan: Aguinaldo sa Pasko.”

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I actually thought the whole afternoon would only focus on Masonry, a subject I wanted to know more about. My father was a Mason I was told but he never discussed details about it. In my docu on Mabini, I used the El Verdadero version of the Masons for Deaf interpretation because of the simplicity of words they used.

I was happy and surprised to meet Dr. Manny Calairo, former student of my brother, and also Ms. Belen Nocon. They were in fact, members of the panel. The other panelists were Sergio Serpico Nepomuceno, Felix Ramos, Honey Palugod, Geronimo Esguerra, Wilfredo Lalimarmo, and Edwin Aborque. Students and teachers from several schools in Kawit and Imus, local DepEd officials, LGU staff of Kawit, Cavite attended.

Mr. Sumaquel Hosalla

Anyhow, I found interesting the topic on the military strategies used during the Filipino-American War as related by Mr. Sumaquel Hosalla, one of the panel members. A Consultant in the film Heneral Luna, he was right when he said that the line of firings used during his time should have been shown in the film. Not only were they cinematic and interesting the way I imagine them to be. It really would have shown how organized our military men were at the time. I have used photos showing the discipline our revolutionaries exhibited. Nevertheless, having been myself involved in film productions, I could offhand think that budget and time constraints must prevented them to pursue on having a scene like that. Noticeably segments in the fight scenes supposedly between the Americans and the Filipinos are quite limited. I was asked about Heneral Luna…but what can you say about a film that focuses on a historical figure but started with a disclaimer saying that it is a fiction film based on facts. I cannot question the artistic license of the director. It is his right. He can exag the scenes, make weak or strong a character based on treatment, his knowledge, sensibility and own sensitivity. I honestly liked the film as a film, especially Tarog’s music and the flashback into Luna’s childhood; but as a historical film, it cannot be judged as such. The disclaimer says it: it is a fiction film. The problem is: majority of the youth believed everything that they saw. [Related to this is my blog on El Presidente: https://advocacine.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/el-presidente_fiction-film-based-on-a-historical-figure/%5D

The rest of the topic  were already quite familiar to me especially the background events leading to the Filipino-American War because of my project on Mabini; also because of the books I helped my brother published. Characters and events intertwined.

The discussions were lively …going all the way to Cavite was worth it, especially since there was no traffic at the time we traveled to the place.

Inside Edna’s Food House with Aling Edna, Alex and Febe Sevilla

Alex and MM in front of food house where we had our lunch

Before going to the Shrine at 1pm, we were led to eat at Edna’s Store located a few blocks away from the Shrine. We enjoyed walking down the road to and from the eatery but felt somehow depressed seeing largely neglected, and old houses lining up the main road. One day soon, they will be gone. At Edna’s, it was also worth our time waiting for the food to be prepared because they were quite tasty.

Magic Hour in Kawit – The Aguinaldo Shrine

We left the Shrine before 6 pm… All sold out, I missed the bibingka from Aling Lucy’s shop however! I should have bought instead from these boys and tasted what they were cooking. My first time to see them along the road! Probably because of demand for bibingka, with Simbang-Gabi nearing!

 

Great Coincidence!!!

That’s what I can say… when both awarding ceremonies — for the same reason, and the same cause, that is, for my film works focusing on Persons with Disability were held on the same day [yesterday, September 29] at the same time [1.30 pm in Manila; 11 am in India] but in two different places [Manila and New Delhi]. I was accompanied by my niece Even Dominguez.

The Apolinario Mabini 2015 Media Advocate Award of the Year was in recognition of the films that I made on Deafness, principally the promotion of the use of Filipino Sign Language in respect of Deaf Linguistic Human Rights; also my docu on Autism. On the other hand, the award given by We Care Film Festival in India was for the docu on Down Syndrome. The former was held at Malacañang Palace in Manila and the trophy was handed by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III; the latter was held at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication in Dwarka, New Delhi and the award was handed by Festival Director Satish Kapoor to my best friend forever in India, Dipti Bhalla Verma.

My group from DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies: Hearing Interpreters Febe Sevilla and Jun Sevilla, Raphy Domingo [Deaf leader], Myra Medrana [Deaf choreographer] and Leo Sulse [Deaf Faculty].

With the Board of Trustees of Autism Society Philippines including ASP current President Mona Veluz, former ASP President Jan Peña and Chair Emeritus Dang Koe.

Note: I earlier thought that the award given here was for the docu that I made on Apolinario Mabini, “The Sublime Paralytic.” I was wrong!!!

THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC Screens Today, August 27!!!

The Sublime Paralytic is the English narrated version of my documentary on Apolinario Mabini. Narration by Cris Lorenzana; FSL interpretation by Bayani Generoso. It is will followed by the Filipino-narrated version, PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon, now in post-production. John Baliza interpreted the story in Filipino Sign Language while Dr. Apolonio Chua narrated the story. All interviews were interpreted in FSL by Febe Sevilla. Translation of the story from English to Filipino by Dr. Ruby Alcantara.

Screening Tomorrow! APOLINARIO MABINI: The Sublime Paralytic

Poster designed by Leah Osido [Deaf]

THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC is narrated and captioned or subtitled in English, with Filipino Sign Language interpretations and/or insets to suit all types of audience, including the Deaf and even Blind persons. Narrators are Cris Lorenzana, Winner Ka Pinoy! host at DZXL 558 RMN Manila, and Bayani Generoso [for the Malolos Segment]. Interpreters in Filipino Sign Language are Bayani Generoso, Febe Sevilla, Gess Michael Abrenica Jr. and CJ Patriarca. Reader of Mabini’s El Decalogo is Abner Manlapaz. This is to give Deaf access to information and to promote the widespread use of Filipino Sign Language as language of Deaf Filipinos.