1st Year College Application to DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education & Applied Studies Extended Until Feb 11

——————————————————————————————————————————————-The Benilde Admissions Application Form and Other Related Forms are available through the website: http://www.benilde.edu.ph

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I was Part of the Story

Last Friday, I was privileged to be invited by Giselle Montero of DLS-CSB SDEAS to  “Be Part of the Story” – a night celebrating De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s partnership and of culture-building as they aimed to collaborate and expand their story with the invitees. The event started at 6:00 and supposed to have ended at 9:00 PM on June 30, 2017 at the Axon in Green Sun, Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. . But many came in late because of the traffic caused by the heavy rain downpour.

As such members of the Silent Steps performed without their lead choreographer Myra Medrana. They reached the venue right after the performance. I could not recognize anyone from the group I have always worked with because most of the members are new students of SDEAS. I got to meet several people from different disciplines and companies; also met old acquaintances, even a classmate in the Filipino Sign Language class 10 years ago. I got to be introduced and had a good chat with Film Director Mark Meilly about El Presidente. He teaches at CSB I was told.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde envisions building a just and humane society by fostering the spirit of inclusion and innovation. The College’s strategic direction is to initiate and sustain value-laden connections and partnerships with organizations that share in the advocacy of finding innovative and inclusive solutions to societal concerns and issues. They also acknowledge their role in society to address sustainable developmental goals through inclusive strategies, provision of experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, cross-sector partnerships, and the creation of social impact that can be scaled for greater reach.

The special event hopes to continue to seize the opportunities and embrace the challenges of transforming our society into a better and more responsive community of change agents.

 

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.

PWD’s Outnumbered NON-PWD’s in the Making of “THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC”

Deaf talents highlighted in “The Sublime Paralytic.” It features the Silent Steps, the ALL-Deaf Performing Group of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS] with their interpretation of Mabini’s El Verdadero Decalogo / The True Decalogue / Ang Tunay na 10 Utos in Filipino Sign Language, choreographed by Myra Medrana [Deaf], music scored by Thristan Mendoza [Person with Autism]

More than 50 people made possible the documentary on Apolinario Mabini [1864-1903], the crippled Philippine statesman who defied American sovereignty over the Philippines at the turn of the century. Entitled THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC, it is our tribute to Mabini who is considered the icon of Persons with Disability [PWD] in the Philippines.

Notably, PWDs outnumbered non-PWDs in the film’s production as nearly 30 PWDs joined either as participants or members of the production crew. The featured artists largely consisted of Deaf students of SDEAS [SILENT STEPS]; one of the interviewees is Blind [Architect Jaime Silva]; the Mabini reader had Guillain-Barre Syndrome [Abner Manlapaz]; and the music scorer is a person with autism [Thristan “Tumtum” Mendoza].

If there is one thing this film wants to prove is the fact that Pwedeng-Pwede ang mga PWDs. They can do what we can do. Sabi nga ng mga Bingi, “Deaf Can!”

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

CJ PATRIARCA in APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC

CJ Patriarca’s Special Appearance in The Sublime Paralytic

Former member of the SILENT STEPS, Catherine J. Patriarca joined in the making of THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC as one of the four Filipino Sign Language interpreters in “Apolinario Mabini: The Sublime Paralytic.”

I first met her while she was still studying at DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. I was then a student of Filipino Sign Language under the FSLLP Program. I interviewed her for my film SILENT ODYSSEY, a documentary that celebrates the talents of Deaf Filipinos. A theater performer and a dancer, she also appeared in one of the five segments of A Mi Patria, the collection of five poems of Rizal interpreted in Filipino Sign Language.

Watch CJ Patriarca in APOLINARIO MABINI: THE SUBLIME PARALYTIC!

Premiere Showing on August 27, 2015 at DLS-CSB ARG Theater, 5th floor, 4 pm. For ticket reservation and more information, click the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/SWf1Yks7tk

Meet the Silent Steps!!! FSL Signers in Mabini’s “The True Decalogue”

The True Decalogue [El Verdadero Decalogo / Ang Tunay na 10 Utos], written more than 100 years ago in 1898 by one of our great heroes, Apolinario Mabini was interpreted in Filipino Sign Language [FSL] by the Silent Steps, an all-Deaf student playgroup of DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS]. It is aimed at showing the talents of Deaf performers, promote FSL, expose the hearing audience to the beauty of FSL as a visual language, and to give the viewers — both Deaf and hearing — information and knowledge about one of the most popular writings of Mabini. The hero wrote it for our revolutionary leaders to serve as their guiding principles. He believed that a person’s “internal revolution” is important to the success of the country’s “external” revolution.

Gess Michael Abrenica Jr.

Lorhen Sumili

Ryan C. Revilleza and Bryan Santos with reader Abner Manlapaz

Marvin Pagtalunan

Alissa Salinas and Dinah Fe Jason

Brion King Lasutaz

Mark Joseph Albert

Nicole Mae Magpayo

Charlotte Punzalan

Mary Rose Gozon

Their performance was filmed as one of the highlights in the 50-minute biographical docu on Mabini entitled The Sublime Paralytic / Pule: Utak ng Rebolusyon. Myra Medrana [Deaf] choreographed the movements. Only half of the total time performed by the group is featured in the docu. Abner Manlapaz [PWD] read the Pilipino verson of the Decalogue.

The segment was shot by Dennis Balan [Deaf], Rem Vocalan, Yuka Eucasion and Mirana Medina. The film is produced by Miryad Visyon and SDEAS with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts [NCCA]; Direction and Editing by Mirana.

Deaf Nisei Ronald Hirano in Manila to Tell the Story of his Mother Delight Rice

The Life Story of Mother Delight Rice and Her Children

Delia Delight Rice was the first teacher of the deaf in the Philippines and her story is told by one of her adopted children, who is an author, a photographer, and a deaf community leader. He is scheduled tomorrow February 4 to talk about his book on Delight Rice and to hold a Photography Workshop with Deaf students on February 5. [Please read the details below]

2014 Post-SONA forum with Political Analyst Ramon Casiple

The Center for Social Action (CSA), in collaboration with the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) held a live viewing of the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III last Monday July 28, 2014. Venues: Taft Greenway Square or LRC Lobby, SDA Cafeteria, or AKIC Cafeteria.

The coverage started at 2:30pm and the speech at 4pm. Through the partnership of SDEAS with major television networks, SONA 2014 was aired on local channels with Filipino Sign Language interpreter insets.

A post-SONA forum will also be conducted today July 30, 2014 from 12:30pm to 2:30 pm at the Case Room (M302), Taft Campus. Political analyst Mr. Ramon Casiple will be the resource speaker.

For inquiries, please contact CSA at local 1514 or 1515 or visit them at the 3F Miguel Febres Cordero Building, Taft campus and look for Anna Bandagosa.

 

Deaf Summer Camp 2014_Castillejos in Zambales

A Deaf Summer Camp will be held for the first time at the Municipality of Castillejos in Zambales in collaboration with DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS] starting Thursday, April 24. The five-day Deaf camp is a follow-up activity of the whole day Orientation on Deaf seminar held last January 22, 2014 in Castillejos.

Mackie Calbay teaches some FSL signs

Giselle Montero, SDEAS Center for Partnership and Development Director led the group. Mackie Calbay, Youth Section President of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf and Leah Osido, also from the same office conducted the seminar using Filipino Sign Language [FSL].

Giselle Montero interprets for Mackie

Leah Osido’s turn to orient the participants on Deafness

Sharing my FSL learning experience to the community of Castillejos

Giselle served as their interpreter while Leah and I documented the event. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with focus on Deaf rights were discussed. The participants during the morning session consisted of hearing individuals who were mostly the staff of the different departments in the municipality, PWDs of Castillejos, and family members of Deaf persons. They all enjoyed learning some basic Deaf signs. In the afternoon, only the Deaf and their families together with the members of the PWD group were asked to attend as further discussion on Deaf rights were taken up. Questions and answers followed.

Members of Castillejos Police Force and the other staff of the municipality learn FSL

The Deaf seminar last January was held on the third floor of Castillejos Municipal Building in Zambales [Photo above]

The Organizers from SDEAS and the Municipality of Castillejos including some Deaf children and their family. Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez is seated in front. Giselle Montero and Eleanor Dominguez  [standing 1st and 6th from left respectively]

This summer, a 14-member delegation — largely consisting of Deaf students with their hearing coordinators, Bea Francisco and Agnes Canayon of SDEAS’ Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation— will facilitate the program which is still being finalized by SDEAS and the PWD group of Castillejos. Eleanor Dominguez, featured resource person and the one who initiated the production of KIDS THREE 21, a docu on Down Syndrome serves as coordinator between SDEAS and the LGU of Castillejos. She is the wife of the Mayor.

Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez [a cousin of Alyana – subject of my autism docu] will welcome the participants with his message. Expected audience consist not only of Deaf children and their families but also of barangay health workers, barangay kagawad on health, teachers — both day care and sped teachers, and all interested parties from the community.

Deaf children enjoy shadow play

 

Moments with the World Federation of the Deaf President

MOMENTS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF COLIN ALLEN AND DLS-CSB BROTHER PRESIDENT AND CHANCELLOR DENNIS MAGBANUA, FSC. — my first time to meet both…

You should see Brother Dennis signing in FSL!!! AMAZING!

From the time I entered the world of the Deaf in 2006 by studying Filipino Sign Language [FSL] at DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies [SDEAS] right after finishing my docu film on autism, there has been no turning back. Studying sign language was part of my immersion and research for the feature-length documentary “Silent Odyssey” [2008], a film that focuses on Deaf Filipino life and culture. “Silent O” featured Deaf Filipino achievers and then president of the World Federation of the Deaf [WFD] Markku Jokinen who clearly explained the value and importance of sign language to the Deaf. [Click above to see the trailer]

Since then, my interaction with the Deaf continued. In fact, some of them worked with me as production crew members, consultants and participants in the films that I made to help advocate for the use of FSL. I also joined Deaf seminars and has not stopped to get involved in their activities. A couple of months back, I helped initiate, rather, mediate in the holding of a Deaf seminar in Castillejos, Zambales. SDEAS in cooperation with the PWD group and the local government of Castillejos successfully held the seminar which focused on the Rights of Persons with Disability especially the Deaf. It was well attended. A Deaf camp to be held this summer is also being arranged as a follow-up activity.

Last Friday, April 11, I went back to SDEAS again, as panel member of the group that critiqued the graduating Deaf student’s thesis presented in video format. In place of the usual word “thesis” however, the word “capstone” is now being used we were informed. The difference? What I know is that a thesis project is usually done individually and takes longer time or term to do. Those who presented their capstone project largely worked as a team. A couple of students however worked solely on their projects. But no matter how one calls it — a thesis or capstone, students are suppose to present their mastery in whatever they have studied and learned from the school. A few proved to be promising because of their diligence and talent.

Anyhow, friend Giselle Montero, SDEAS Partnership and Development Director invites me to join SDEAS activities from time to time, — the latest being the “silent reception” given to the World Federation of the Deaf President Colin Allen when he came to Manila as speaker in the Deaf Leadership summit held last month. When I arrived at the venue, I wasn’t aware that no one was suppose to speak during the reception. But gestures did tell me that hearing individuals should zip their mouth. Little knowledge of FSL and VGC helped. It was in fact, just like my first day in FSL class at SDEAS, maybe better. During our first day in the sign language class, we were not allowed to speak the whole day, or for 8 hours!!! Panis talaga ang laway!

World Federation of the Deaf President COLIN ALLEN takes photo of the Welcome Banner prepared for him by SDEAS

I was so happy for my Deaf friends as I witnessed how inspired they were being with the WFD President, who in turn was so impressed by our empowered Deaf leaders, and the preparations made by SDEAS for him and his group. For a few hours, I shared the joy they felt being with an esteemed and very important guest.

SDEAS PLAYGROUP “SILENT STEPS” PERFORMED FOR THE SPECIAL GUESTS

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DEAF LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FINALE NUMBER

On the second day of the summit, I managed to catch the last part of the program; everybody “sang,” danced and cheered; WFD President Allen himself led the group.  Very memorable and uplifting moments indeed for ALL the participants — whether Deaf or hearing.

The event held last month on March 21-22 “featured a lecture on inclusive education and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities delivered by World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) president Colin Allen on the first day. The second day was the Summit proper, with presentations on Deaf achievers, and the state of education, leadership, and employment for Deaf people, as well as the situation of Deaf women, children, and LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders)… Allen says that this can be accomplished by fulfilling the five concepts needed in inclusive education. These five concepts are: Accessibility, Universal Design, Non-discriminatory, Meeting Students’ Needs, and Reasonable Accommodation” [For the complete report of Ronald Lim on the event, please click to read his article:  “HEAR THEM OUT”.