Free Filipino Sign Language Lessons Online to be offered by DLS-CSB SDEAS

Basic Filipino Sign Language (FSL) lessons will be available online through the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS).

The learning sessions will be taught on Facebook Live via the SDEAS Facebook page, with the first session on May 30 at 4 p.m., to by facilitated by Ms. Bernadette Infanta, the SDEAS announced on Facebook day before yesterday, May 23.

“The FSL lessons are for free, but participants are encouraged to donate to the #SignForSigns Fundraising Campaign,” it stated. “A minimum contribution of P350 will give you access to an FSL Learning Kit, which you can use to continue learning sign language at home.” #SignForSigns is a fundraiser to help Deaf students in dorms who need living allowances, Deaf faculty on a no-work, no-pay scheme and indigent Deaf scholars who have to go back to their provinces after the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.

The funds will also support the FSL Access Team for COVID-19, composed of interpreters who handle news reports of broadcast networks.

P350 provides a one-day food pack, P550 a three-day food pack and P1,000 can give transportation allowance to stranded student dormers. The donation form can be completed here.

FSL is the national sign language of the Filipino Deaf and the official sign language of the government, according to Republic Act 11106 or the FSL Act signed in November 2018. JB

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1280191/dls-csb-to-offer-free-filipino-sign-language-lessons-online#ixzz6NRd4ZX9g

(By: Niña V. Guno / INQUIRER.net / 04:50 PM May 24, 2020)

 

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Filipino Sign Language Declared National Sign Language of Deaf Filipinos

Our Deaf friend’s fight for the recognition of FSL has finally won! The long wait is over. The law declaring FSL as Deaf Filipinos’ national sign language has been signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. In looking back, I see myself since 2007 working to make films that give access to Deaf Filipinos having learnt the lack, if not, absence of captions and FSL interpretations in the materials they use. Incorporating and using FSL as my means to provide them the information that are of interest not just to hearing people but to them as well has become my personal advocacy ever since. Promoting FSL in my films and showing the talents of Deaf individuals has always been characteristics of my films. I also work with and for them. In fact, just last Friday, November 9, I handled a video production workshop for them at DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]. (Photo below)

Workshop with Deaf Students of SDEAS where I studied Filipino SIgn Language in 2006-2007 held at PEN Lab

Deaf students looking at the structural study / timeline of “Silent Odyssey,” my docu-feature on Deaf Filipinos and the origin of FSL made in 2008

Looking forward, many great tasks ahead are in store for the Deaf sector who now has to work harder to monitor and make sure that the mandate to use FSL in all transactions involving Deaf is implemented. The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Below is a report by Virgil Lopez of GMA News released just a few hours ago.

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the measure declaring Filipino Sign Language (FSL) the national sign language of the Filipino Deaf and mandating the use of the same in all government transactions involving them.

Duterte approved Republic Act 11106 on October 30, a copy of which was released to the media on Monday.

The law mandates the use of the FSL in schools, hearings and transactions in courts and other tribunals, government workplaces and broadcast media.

Tasked to use and coordinate with each other on the use of FSL as the medium of instruction in deaf education are the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and all other national and local government agencies involved in the education of the deaf.

The University of the Philippines (UP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics, and linguistics researchers, CHEd and DepEd, and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as their teachers and staff.

It also directs the KWF and SUCs led by UP to undertake continuing research for the development, propagation and preservation of FSL and its cultural history. Concerned government agencies, DepEd, CHEd and UP shall also take appropriate steps to make FSL as an elective subject in the curriculum, particularly of SUCs.

The law mandates KWF, in consultation with the deaf community and other stakeholders, to establish a national system of standards, accreditation and procedures for FSL interpretation.

“This shall include policies on the practice of interpreting as a profession such as compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, procedures for grievances and others,” it said.

The University of the Philippines (UP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics, and linguistics researchers, CHEd and DepEd, and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as their teachers and staff.

It also directs the KWF and SUCs led by UP to undertake continuing research for the development, propagation and preservation of FSL and its cultural history. Concerned government agencies, DepEd, CHEd and UP shall also take appropriate steps to make FSL as an elective subject in the curriculum, particularly of SUCs.

The law mandates KWF, in consultation with the deaf community and other stakeholders, to establish a national system of standards, accreditation and procedures for FSL interpretation.

“This shall include policies on the practice of interpreting as a profession such as compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, procedures for grievances and others,” it said.

The University of the Philippines (UP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics, and linguistics researchers, CHEd and DepEd, and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as their teachers and staff.

It also directs the KWF and SUCs led by UP to undertake continuing research for the development, propagation and preservation of FSL and its cultural history. Concerned government agencies, DepEd, CHEd and UP shall also take appropriate steps to make FSL as an elective subject in the curriculum, particularly of SUCs.

The law mandates KWF, in consultation with the deaf community and other stakeholders, to establish a national system of standards, accreditation and procedures for FSL interpretation.

“This shall include policies on the practice of interpreting as a profession such as compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, procedures for grievances and others,” it said.

The University of the Philippines (UP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics, and linguistics researchers, CHEd and DepEd, and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as their teachers and staff.

The University of the Philippines (UP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics, and linguistics researchers, CHEd and DepEd, and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as their teachers and staff.

It also directs the KWF and SUCs led by UP to undertake continuing research for the development, propagation and preservation of FSL and its cultural history. Concerned government agencies, DepEd, CHEd and UP shall also take appropriate steps to make FSL as an elective subject in the curriculum, particularly of SUCs.

The law mandates KWF, in consultation with the deaf community and other stakeholders, to establish a national system of standards, accreditation and procedures for FSL interpretation.

“This shall include policies on the practice of interpreting as a profession such as compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, procedures for grievances and others,” it said.

Within one year from the law’s effective date, the law states the broadcast media must already have FSL interpreter insets, compliant with accessibility standards for television, in news and public affairs programs.

It also orders government hospitals and health facilities to take steps to ensure access to the Filipino deaf to health services, including FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon request of deaf patients, or individuals who have family members who are deaf.

“As part of their corporate social responsibility, private health facilities are encouraged to provide access to health services to all deaf patients and their family members,” the law stated.

The law becomes effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or one newspaper of general circulation. — BM, GMA News

Historians, Researchers, Educators, Cultural Workers Previewed PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon

On the second week of February, my educational documentary on our hero, Apolinario Mabini, PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon / Brains of the Revolution, primarily made for the Deaf sector was previewed in two different venues —  at the main office of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in Manila; the other at Maximo Viola Hall in the city of Malolos, Bulacan. Both cities are featured in the above docu, as they played very important roles in the history of the Philippines at the turn of the century. It covers the period from the time the American naval squadron entered the Philippines to engage in a War with the Spaniards in the Battle of Manila Bay [May 1, 1898], up to their finally taking over the sovereignty of our country [1899] in a manner detested and strongly objected by Mabini, subject of this documentary and Chief Adviser of the First Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo. The Filipino Revolutionaries were actually already winning the War with Spain when the U.S. entered the Philippine soil. The two powers connived to hold a Mock Battle on August, 1898, followed by the signing of a treaty in Paris stating the handing over of the Philippines to the U.S. Our diplomat was not allowed to join, although by that time, the Filipino revolutionaries already declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. With a Constitution readied by a national assembly and approved by President Aguinaldo, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated on January 23, 1899. Mabini’s defiance over the American sovereignty of the Philippines led to his being sent to Guam by the Americans as an exile.

Through the years, it became clear that the Americans posed in as friends at first, and then later turned into a foe having realized the strategic importance of the Philippines in the Far East. American soldier, William Grayson fired the first shot that started the Filipino-American War on February 4, 1899.

It was on a Monday, February 7, that the O.I.C. Director of NHCP, Dr. Rene Escalante and the NHCP researchers viewed the film. I requested them to watch it before showing it to the general hearing public in August in commemoration of the National Heroes Day. I wanted feedback from “experts,” or those in the actual field.  I wanted to align, if ever there was misalignment with the facts that they are providing the people so that there would be no confusion in the minds of the viewing students. Fortunately, we had no data clashes. The researchers only particularly reacted to some of the photos that I got from the Mabini Shrine in Tanauan, Batangas like the picture of Mabini Standing, and the reproduction of artist Angel Cacnio’s painting entitled “The Capture of Mabini.” I was informed that the previous photo does not belong to NHCP but to a certain Mr. Kevin Cruz. Nonetheless, I emailed him as soon as I got his address from an NHCP personnel to inform him about my use of the picture, and sent him clips where and how the photo was used – not more than 30 seconds in totality. I have yet to write Mr. Cacnio. Moreover, one other researcher suggested if I could change the photo of Mabini shot allegedly in Guam. The issue he said is that it was not Mabini who was in the picture. However, I am keeping it since there is an existing photo with accompanying caption which says: The Guam Museum written above it [see below]. The better copy of the photo, or the one I used in the docu was reproduced from the NHCP Museum in Tanauan. As the issue has not yet been resolved whether it was really Mabini or not, I would still keep the picture. In fact, it was because of that reaction that I researched again for the copy of the photo that I got from filipinoamericanwar.com

This is the photo I am referring to. Notice on the top right side of the photo which states: The Guam Museum, and the words on the caption “….Mabini, along with 35 other Filipino patriots, WERE HERE [all caps mine – and that refers to Guam where Mabini was exiled] from 1901 to 1903.

One thing that struck me was their reaction to the insets of Filipino Sign Language [FSL] interpreters. Although the NHCP viewers were briefed before showing that the film was designed for the Deaf, and therefore would have FSL interpretations, they still wanted the traditional inset — small, in a box and kept in one corner. [I manipulated the image sizes and movement of the interpreter within the frame].

Though I found their reaction to it as quite surprising, I just rationalized as I was going home that perhaps for historians and researchers who are more interested and concentrated on the documents, data and message, the presence of sign language interpreters provided much distraction to their senses. And considering the language elements, and there are three: Filipino narration, English captions and FSL interpretation, that comes alongside the aural music and sound effects, and the visual elements simultaneously being presented, the need for mind processing is a bit more than the usual film with no textual and visual gestural elements involved. Discerning what language to give importance to also comes to the fore.

For hearing people unfamiliar with sign language, it is understandable that for them it meant nothing, and therefore, would pose only as solid distractions. In the end, they suggested if I could make another version with the traditional inset for FSL interpretation.  Of course, that would be by now impossible as the chroma background and the FSL interpreters are in composite form. Besides, it would defeat my own purpose and advocacy: that is, to give the Deaf Filipino sector access to information, and the other important objective of promoting the use and recognition of FSL in the Philippines which up to now has not been given attention to by the government. Most importantly, that was the very reason why DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies partnered with me in the realization of the film — its primary target beneficiaries are Deaf people. In fact, before showing it for the first time to their students, a preview was also conducted, at that time, in the presence of Dean Nicky Templo, the FSL interpreters, some faculty staff — Deaf and hearing, and the Deaf participants themselves with the sole purpose of agreeing of disagreeing regarding the image sizes and presentation of FSL in the film.

The importance of FSL in giving Deaf access to information can be gleaned from the reaction to the film of Myra Medrana, Deaf choreographer of the Silent Steps. She said:

“I’m truly happy and grateful to Mirana for doing this film on Mabini in Filipino Sign Language. This is a wonderful project for the Filipino people, especially for us Deaf as we come to learn more about our history and our heroes. Looking back, I remember when I was little, my father would give me paper money to buy stuff and I see these faces of they say heroes whom I knew nothing about. Although they were taught in school, I only remember very little facts about them because they were not clearly explained in sign language. Much of the information back then were not that much accessible to the Deaf unlike today.

To be honest, history to me is blur. And it’s unclear not just to me… but to most Deaf especially the poor and the marginalized because of the very limited access to education and information. I only slowly began to understand it clearly when I got to work with Mirana, initially in the “A Mi Patria” project  [Rizal’s Poems in FSL], and now in Project Mabini. During the production, we went to Batangas and learned a lot about Mabini — that despite his disability he was able to contribute immensely in our country’s fight for freedom and independence. Somehow, this film has inspired us so much to be like Mabini.

Now, the Filipino Deaf community is fighting for FSL, our natural language to be recognized as official sign language in the country. This film is a great advocacy towards that goal and I appreciate Mirana’s effort in including Deaf artists and talents to show to people the beauty and richness of our OWN language..the Filipino Sign Language. I hope more films like this will be done for the benefit of the Deaf community so that they too will learn about our history.”

O.I.C. Director of NHCP and DLSU History Professor, Dr. Rene Escalante [seated] with the NHCP researchers and other staff; MM in blue

Anyway, that stress be given according to Dr. Escalante regarding the importance of the Separation of Church and State issue, I greatly considered and appreciated. But as to the non-linear timeline of events, I am still keeping the sequence that I currently have. Lest I forget, the woman seated beside me said she liked the treatment, the creative interpretation.

My thanks to Dr. Escalante and his staff for sharing their time to watch, react and give their comments re the docu. A particular sector’s reaction does differ. Shown two days later to another group consisting of educators, heritage advocates, a local historian, tourism and cultural workers, including a staff from NHCP-Malolos in Bulacan reacted also positively but with better appreciation of the FSL use. [This I shall take up in my next blogpost].

 

Rendezvous with Deaf Students

February 3, Friday, Noon Time. CSB Bldg., Rm. M510. “Silent Odyssey” [2008], a documentary on Deaf Culture, History, and Filipino Sign Language [FSL] origin was finally  shown to Fourth Year students of Ms. Ana Arce upon her request. An arrangement since last year was made to have it shown during this semester. Ana is now a faculty member of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]. I used to see her when she was still a student of SDEAS. That was a decade ago. I was making Silent O while at the same time studying FSL intended for hearing people under SDEAS’ FSL Learning Program. In fact, she was captured in one of the forums that I shot during that time for Silent O.

Ms. Ana Arce with her students

Anyway, some of her students who viewed the film are members of the Silent Steps, the school’s playgroup. I have worked with them in my documentaries on Mabini. After the screening, I have asked them: “What’s the most important thing that you have learned from the film?” “FSL!”, they retorted in unison. [Oh yes! I managed to communicate with them without an interpreter. Sounds unbelievable but my little knowledge of FSL signs helped a lot. I am not daily exposed to sign language so without practice, my receptive skill is honestly poor. Nevertheless, I survived the day].

I was happy of course because one of the main objectives of the film — to make Deaf appreciate their language, and know its origin has been met. Hoping too that with that understanding they would fight and advocate for its use and recognition. Moreover, I have seen again the timelessness and value of the content. It is as important as when I first showed it to the public nine years ago. I am sure the interest and significance won’t diminish for as long as FSL is not recognized here, and Deaf continues to experience discrimination. For sure, the interview with the World Federation of the Deaf President Markku Jokinen by Raphy Domingo greatly helped in making the students understand better the importance of sign language in their life, culture and identity as Deaf individuals.

Watching the interview with World Federation of the Deaf Markku Jokinen

As for me, the fight to advocate for the use of Filipino Sign Language and highlighting PWD’s abilities through my films has not yet ended. Currently, I am preparing for the showing of PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon. It is participated in by the Silent Steps, and music scored by a Person with Autism [PWA]. It is intended for hearing people so that they would get exposed to FSL, and hopefully get to appreciate and have an interest to learn it; in addition, to be able to listen to the first music scoring work of a PWA. Primarily meant for Deaf audience to give them full access to information about our hero, Apolinario Mabini, it was largely interpreted in FSL and fully captioned in English. DLS-CSB SDEAS and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts collaborated in its making. The latter must have been convinced by my rationale that Deaf’s culture and language should be respected as much as the Indigenous Peoples’ culture and language. After all, like the IPs, Deaf should be considered as a cultural-linguistic minority group.

May you all succeed!!!

Enroll Now! Learn Filipino Sign Language!

Eight years ago, I studied Filipino Sign Language for one year under the Filipino Sign Language Learning Program of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]. My motivation then was because I wanted to make documentaries about Deaf Filipinos. I then believed that the first step towards making films about them is to first learn their language. Thus, I immersed myself in Deaf world by learning Filipino Sign Language. I must admit though that I am not that adept at signing it up to now, BUT at least, I can “survive” when I am with them. I can communicate with them using simple signs and gestures. Nevertheless, my journey with them has not stopped. Up to now, I am working with them to make films that showcase their talents and, as always, promoting FSL everytime I make one.

For me there is no turning back. I quite enjoyed learning FSL. Try it!!! Enjoy it! Learning another language is always one’s asset. And this one is unique.. Whatever your reason is to learn it, you will not regret it.

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.

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.]

In Promotion of Filipino Sign Language: “APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC”

SILENT ODYSSEY [2008], the first feature-length documentary on Deaf Filipinos was produced seven years ago. It had segments on the Filipino Sign Language [FSL] origin, importance to the Deaf of sign language, and the need for recognition of their linguistic human rights. Surprisingly, those in the Department of Education did not even know that FSL existed. Blind to its existence then??? and Now?

Bayani Generoso Interprets in The Sublime Paralytic

Thus, FSL in APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC [and soon! in PULE: UTAK ng REBOLUSYON] was intentionally used again– to prove that it exists and keeps on flourishing through the years. Largely interpreted in FSL, it is primarily aimed at providing Deaf individuals access to information on Mabini, the First Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the First Prime Minister of the Philippines. No doubt, the visual medium is one of the best ways to help promote FSL, its recognition as the preferred language of Deaf Filipinos, and in the preservation of Deaf language and culture. Too bad that up to now, the government is not officially recognizing FSL as the national sign language of Deaf Pinoys.

John Baliza Interprets in PULE: Utak ng Rebolusyon, the Filipino-narrated version of The Sublime Paralytic

As former student of FSL moreover, under the Filipino Sign Language Program of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS], it is one of my aims to provide the hearing students of FSLLP a film that will help them get familiar with FSL signs. Exposure to signs will aid them in improving their receptive skill because it was, and still is admittedly, my problem up to now!

FSL Interpreters for THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC are Bayani Generoso, Febe Sevilla, Gess Michael Abrenica, Jr. and CJ Patriarca. FSL Interpreters for the Filipino-narrated version, PULE: UTAK NG REBOLUSYON, now in post-production are John Baliza, Febe Sevilla, Gess Michael Abrenica, Jr. and Maria Elena Lozada.

The FSL fight for government recognition is on! Support FSL!

Watch APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC! Premiere Showing on August 27, 2015 at DLS-CSB ARG Theater, 5th floor, 4 pm. For inquiries and ticket reservations, click: http://goo.gl/forms/SWf1Yks7tk

Meet with Actor-Politician Yul Servo

Photo with Yul, the politician, in Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila

I first met Yul Servo sometime in 2001 [that’s according to him] in Brussels, Belgium. He went there with Director Lav Diaz as actor of Batang West Side Story. And I was there with Minnie Crouse as editor of her film, The Case of Wilkie Duran. At that time, he was not yet a Manila councilor. We formed part of the Philippine delegation in the Belgium International  Independent Film Festival. He was a quiet, simple guy, who was contented at simply smiling. I do not remember meeting him after that.

Prize Winning Actor Yul Servo in Batang West Side by Lav Diaz

Last week, after meeting Tumtum Mendoza, my docu’s music scorer, I went home via Quiapo. Bright, yellow tents bearing the name of Yul Servo stood like mushrooms at Plaza Miranda quadrangle. It seemed a political campaign program was about to happen. Selfie and group shot activities animated the area. I asked a man fixing a tarp where Yul Servo was. He pointed at a group having photo-op with Yul. Afterwards, I approached him. He didn’t recognize me, as expected. But when I mentioned Belgium to him, it seemed lightning flashed in his mind as he then easily recalled me. He simply said: “2001!” It was kind’a unbelievable that he remembered the year. I didn’t!

What was special in that Belgian Festival was seeing for the first time so many Deaf in a film festival. There was what they call Deaf Night, time when Deaf films from different countries were exhibited. I had the opportunity of meeting Deaf attendees then, and wondered if one day a Deaf film festival would happen in Manila. I communicated with some using finger spelling. At that time though, I have not yet studied Filipino Sign Language [FSL] formally. That was in 2001, if Yul was correct in remembering it. I studied FSL for a year, five years later, from 2006-2007. It never occurred to me in Belgium that one day, I will get involved myself in making Deaf films. Currently, I am doing my 4th advocacy film for and with Deaf people to help promote the use, recognition and preservation of FSL in the country, and to show their talents and potentials as performers.

Incidentally on July 17, “The Sublime Paralytic,” my latest project with Deaf friends will have a special preview at the Mabini Shrine in Tanauan, Batangas. The docu is about Apolinario Mabini, the crippled first Prime Minister, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the First Philippine Republic, and the man who could have been the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court if the Philippine Laws then were not discriminatory to Persons with Disability! I wonder if Yul Servo and our local politicians know what Mabini did for our local government, and how he loathed undisciplined leaders. Who Mabini was, and what he did should be known by everyone, especially our corrupt politicians.

Pass House Bill 450! Recognize Filipino Sign Language Now!