Sunday, April 25, 2010

Rome Mallari Shines in the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies


Congratulations to Romalito Mallari for winning Best New Movie Actor in the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2010 besting Enchong Dee (Paano Ko Sasabihin), Zyrus Desamparado (Engkwentro) and Joey Paras (Last Supper No. 3) for his lead role as Kiko in Mike Sandejas’ Dinig Sana Kita produced by Cinemalaya Foundation and Echo & Mirage Media

The Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for Movies dubbed as the Philippine counterpart of the Golden Globes was held last April 24 at the Ateneo de Manila University, Henry Lee Irwin Theater. Voters consist of movie publicists and movie and entertainment writers.

Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said), a love story between a Deaf Dancer (Romalito Mallari) and a Rock Musician (Zoe Sandejas) who cross paths at a Youth Camp that mixes Deaf and Hearing kids, also won Best Sound for Ronald De Asis and Mark Locsin, Best Music Score for Francis Brew Reyes, and Best Movie Theme Song for ‘Sana Ako’y Marining.’

The first Filipino Deaf Actor cast in a lead actor role, Rome, is currently a student at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. To prepare for Dinig Sana Kita, Rome joined lead actress Zoe in noted Filipina Filmmaker Laurice Guillen’s acting workshop.

In the Director’s Statement posted in the movie’s expanding website, Dinig Sana Kita “opened doors for the Deaf artists as it was well received by audiences both hearing and Deaf. Several filmmakers are now contemplating using Deaf actors…and several Deaf writers are now planning to direct their own films.” As a struggling independent filmmaker, Director Mike Sandejas felt a kinship with the Deaf and thus started his advocacy for the Deaf artists.

Rome is also nominated for the same film for the Seventh Golden Screen Awards for Breakthrough Performance by an Actor along with Zyrus (Engkwentro), Daniel Medrana (Engkwentro) and Chase Vega (Agaton and Mindy). The Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press Society (EnPress), Inc. is on May 5 at Teatrino in Greenhills.


Sources: www.philstar.com / www.en.wikipedia.org / www.echoandmirage.com

Friday, April 23, 2010

UP CASP Celebrates Women’s Month 2010

By: Julienne Angela B. del Rosario

In celebration of Women’s Month, the UP Collegiate Association of Speech Pathologists conducted a forum with the theme “Babae, Tagumpay Sa Kabila ng Kapansanan,” last March 16 at the Little Theater of the University of the Philippines Manila.

The forum featured three speakers: Ma. Anaditha Angcay, Mutya Montoya, and Lalaine Guanzon. All of them spoke of how they conquered the odds of having disabilities and eventually became successful individuals.

Ms. Lalaine Guanzon discussed how she was once a normal volleyball varsity player in their high school when things took a turn in her life, making her crippled and handicapped for the rest of her life. In conclusion, she spoke about her remarkable achievements and how, alongside her organization, she is currently helping her fellow persons with disabilities in Makati.

The second speaker, Ms. Mutya Montoya talked about her dreams and aspirations and her determination to fulfill them despite her disability. Although many people did not approve of her having various activities as she was visually impaired, she continued with her education and tried to live a life as close to normal as she can.

The third speaker, Ms. Anaditha Angcay of College of Saint Benilde- School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (CSB-SDEAS), gave an in-depth story of how she lived with her disability. She showed that being a woman, disabled and young does not necessarily make you powerless. Her life story is proof that women can indeed succeed despite disability.

Ms. Angcay was also able to impart some knowledge on the sign language counterpart of some common phrases and also discussed what terminologies actually apply to them. She gave the audience some insight on how persons with disabilities feel when they are given labels that do not actually pertain to them.

The audience, which was mainly composed of both male and female students from the College of Allied Medical Professions, was very receptive to the speakers’ words since the experiences shared by the speakers were highly inspirational and their words were very insightful.

All in all, the forum was a highly informative, at the same time, inspiring way of celebrating the greatness of women with disabilities, in time for Women’s Month. The three speakers were all very good examples to the students, as they were proof that women can step up– no matter the circumstance, regardless of the odds.

The UP Collegiate Association of Speech Pathologists (CASP) is an academic organization of undergraduate BS Speech Pathology students at the College of Allied Medical Professions in the University of the Philippines Manila. It has, for its primary goal, the active and meaningful involvement of BS Speech Pathology students towards causes aimed to help individuals who have difficulties or handicaps in communicating.

This school year, the organization was able to conduct many activities that helped raised people’s awareness on persons with disabilities. During the Speech Pathology Week, there was a film showing of “Silent Odyssey,” and there was a symposium held to discuss laryngectomy and the perils of smoking. This coming year, the organization plans to further help and empower groups of persons with disabilities, as well as make more people aware of the profession.


*Julienne del Rosario is the current Vice President of the UP Collegiate Association of Speech Pathologists

Monday, April 19, 2010

Accessibility of Lasallian Education


"I am actually very happy that you interviewed me for FaMili. I'd like to share what is going on here, with other Lasallian Institutions. Hopefully in the future they will also be interested in setting up [School of Deaf Education & Applied Studies] since [Accessibility of Lasallian Education] is one of the six strategic intents. I hope they are able to provide education for the Deaf. And learn from how DLS-CSB has been successful in providing accommodations and learning experiences for Deaf persons. Maybe in the future, you'll never know, the international Lasallian Family will do the same.

I am happy just dreaming about the future that there will be more opportunities and accessibility to education for Deaf persons. And I believe that it is La Salle that can help because their goal is to help poor people. [It is the same for Deaf people] we cannot hear and access is very difficult for us. Here is DLS-CSB who welcomed us, who opened a lot of doors for us and helped us develop into a whole person. Actually that is what I learned from my Lasallian education. And that has what made me stand up and be a strong leader for the Deaf community, to help other Deaf."

-- Ana Macasaet Arce in Philippine Lasallian FaMili's cover story entitled "Signs of Faith"
Volume 11 * Issue 03 * Jan-Feb 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Celebration of the Different Faces of the Daughters of Eve

By: Maria Jesusa Charisma Nofies


Last March 15-26, the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) celebrated “Women’s Month,” with the theme “Ang Pagdiriwang ng Iba’t-Ibang Mukha ng mga Anak ni Eba” (Celebration of the Different Faces of the Daughters of Eve) to pay tribute and give respect to women in different aspects and status in their lives.

Ms. Maria Veronica Templo-Perez or Ms. Nicky, our SDEAS Dean encouraged all Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies (BAPDST) students to attend the different kinds of workshops and seminars prepared for us in line with the celebration so we can learn, be aware, and have more knowledge about the issues women face today. Various workshop topics include “Empowered Women,” “Cervical Cancer Awareness,” “Deaf Human Rights,” “New Baby, New Mommy,” and “Personal Health Awareness.”

We, the first year BAPDST students from different sections, were also given a project to do by our teachers in our Aesthetics subject (DAESTHE) to draw about “Deaf Womanhood.” After we finished our projects, our teachers along with the help of other multimedia staff members planned and displayed all of these drawings in the boards and placed them near PEN-MLC as an exhibit. Everyone in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde was invited to come and view it.

At the Closing Program of SDEAS’ Woman’s Month Celebration last March 26 which was hosted by Ms. Mary Jane Puson and Mrs. Jennifer Balan, Deaf Life Skills Development Program Facilitators, the winners of the Dear Womanhood exhibit were announced. Winners include Angelica Michelle Abayan and Rodolfo Jimenez.

This Women’s Month celebration’s purpose was to empower women and let people know, particularly the Deaf Benildean students, faculty, and alumni, the value of women in our lives. We must protect women’s welfare, especially the Deaf woman. Many Deaf and Hearing people have women in their lives too. They are our mothers, sisters, friends, grandmothers, aunts, and teachers.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

UP Collegiate Association of Speech Pathologists for Women’s Month.



This speech was delivered by Ms. Anaditha M. Angcay last March 16, 2010, Little Theater, University of the Philippines–Manila in a forum organized by the UP Collegiate Association of Speech Pathologists for Women’s Month.

Good afternoon to everyone!

It's a privilege for me to meet you all today. I am Ma. Anaditha M. Angcay, 4th year Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies specializing in Business Entrepreneurship from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies.

This is my first time to share in front of a big audience since my valedictory speech in high school. I want to say thank you for inviting me here.

I just want to share with you my experience how I survived as a Deaf woman.

Let me start by telling you that my mother was a GRO. I am her fifth child but her only child to my Japanese father. That makes me half Japanese and half Filipino. I was born pure Deaf in Manila, Philippines.

As a child, I was very quiet because nobody in my family knew how to communicate in sign language. My father provided well for us and although we had a house, car and other material things, I still kept to myself because I had no one to communicate with at home.

When I was 5 or 6 years old, my parents sent me to study at an oral school --- the Philippine Institute for the Deaf (PID). However, oral communication was not working for me because it didn't help in making me understand myself as a Deaf person. I felt stupid and very unhappy studying in an oral school.

I was made to copy what my teacher was saying, the way a parrot would copy what a person is saying, without me really understanding what I'm saying. For hours, I would be made to keep on repeating words I do not understand until my teacher is happy with how I say it. Time is spent on making me talk until my hearing teacher is satisfied with how good I sound but not on empowering me to learn a language that would enable me to understand myself better.

My throat was so painful whenever I had to practice oral communication. Since the words I pronounce are not clear, some of my hearing friends would laugh at me because I sound silly.

Do you want to be laughed at? Neither do I!

Although Deaf people can talk if they want to, perhaps it would be good to ask if oral communication achieves the goal of communication itself.

I believe the GOAL of COMMUNICATION is for people to understand each other.

In the case of oral communication, only the hearing person is able to understand the Deaf person. The Deaf person on the other hand is left guessing at what the others are saying 50% of the time because Deaf people cannot hear what is said. Therefore, Oral communication benefits the hearing person more than the Deaf person.

My parents decided to transfer me to the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) where sign language is used for communication. I felt very happy because using sign language for communication worked for me. That is why I use natural Filipino Sign Language or FSL because this is the official language of the Filipino Deaf Community. I did well in academics and activities. I have different talents like swimming, playing golf, encoding, handicraft, and basic computer skills. I joined many activities which I enjoyed so much!

My happy days did not last long because when I was 14 years old, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and he had to leave me to go back to Japan for medical treatment. He was already 90 years old and could not support my studies anymore. I became a poor girl.

I had to support myself by being a scholar from grade 5 until high school. Although my tuition fee was free, I had no means to support my food and transportation expenses. I walked from home to school and had no money for food. I lost a lot of weight and developed ulcers because I'd go to school without food for the day.

I did not want my classmates to know I was hungry because I don't want them to pity me knowing that I used to have enough baon when my father was still supporting me. I envied their baon and though I was crying inside as my stomach was churning in hunger, I had to be strong because I was alone then.

At this point in time, my brother, sister, and I had to fend for ourselves and for my lola who had bone cancer because my mother abandoned us. I took on encoding jobs from my teachers and would clean houses or fix files just to have extra money for allowance. When my sister, brother, and I had to leave the house for work or school, nobody was left to look after my lola who continued to suffer from the pains of bone cancer. My lola died, at home, alone.

It's been 10 years since I last saw my father and 3 years since I last saw my mother. Nobody is taking care of me and my siblings now except ourselves. We have to take on the responsibility of looking after each other.

Despite the odds, I managed to graduate valedictorian from high school at the Philippine School for the Deaf. I did not dream of going to college because I had no parents to support my college education. Lucky enough, I was able to get a scholarship from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde where I am a consistent Dean's Lister and President of the Benildean Deaf Association. At first I was very troubled because I did not have funds to support my daily living expenses but the Rotary Club of Pasay gave me a monthly stipend for my expenses.

I also worked as a student assistant for one year and 3 months at the Center for Partnership and Development under SDEAS when I was in my 2nd and 3rd year in DLS-CSB. It was difficult to study, work and be involved in extra-curricular activities but I still chose to serve in the Benildean Deaf Association and Lasallian Ministry Program for the Deaf. During summers, I volunteer for the Summer of Service Program which gives training and workshops for Deaf students in the provinces as far as Ozamis in Mindanao.

In DLS-CSB, I learned about my identity as a Deaf person. Deaf with a big “D” means I am proud of my language and culture as a person. I am not ashamed of who I am and the language we use -- the Filipino Sign Language or FSL.

Let me take this chance to make this appeal to please call us Deaf and, as I've said earlier, Deaf with a capital “D”. Please do not call us hearing impaired, mute, deaf-mute, or pipi.

Look at me, am I deaf-mute or pipi? How come, I can laugh or make noise when I talk or laugh? I am not mute or pipi! You may call me Bingi because it is the Tagalog word for “Deaf”.

Am I hearing impaired? I was naturally born Deaf. How can I be sick or impaired? I am still able to communicate with my friends using FSL and I can write to communicate with hearing friends.

Am I deaf-dumb? How come I survived the struggles in my life if I am dumb? How can I graduate valedictorian if I am dumb?

Do you know that most of the Deaf people are very poor that they cannot study in schools for the Deaf? Do you feel pity for the Deaf person who does not have much option in life because he or she is poor?

Do you know that some Deaf people are blessed to have rich families such that they have all the ways and means to become productive persons? Do you think only rich Deaf persons have the opportunity to become better?

I believe that this is not true for all.

Look at my life, how I changed from a rich girl to a poor girl, but I survived. I became a better person because of what I experienced. My siblings and I survived on our own because we embraced our situation with humility and simplicity.

Do you want to know what happened to my daddy? Remember I told you I last saw him 10 years ago? The bitter truth is, I only learned in November 2009 that he already passed away in 2007.

I experienced depression upon learning this especially since my father never really said goodbye to me when he went back to Japan. I never had the chance to say goodbye and thank him for supporting my needs when I was a child and to tell him that I love him.

As for my mom, I do not know when I will ever see her again but in spite of leaving me and my siblings to fend for ourselves, I still love her for bringing me into this world and for loving and taking care of me when I was a child.

Being Deaf, having been abandoned by my parents and growing up as a Deaf woman, I could have easily committed suicide. However, I chose to learn the lessons from the bad things I had to go through in life. All my experiences taught me how to adjust my behavior. If I never experienced those things, I will not learn how to be self-confident.

Do you think that I stopped participating in organizations or in my community after going through all these things?

No. Now I am still actively serving and helping different organizations as President of the Benildean Deaf Association under DLS-CSB, as member of Philippine Federation of the Deaf-Youth Section and as the Secretary of Support and Empower Abused Deaf Children, Inc.

I am Deaf but I am very proud of my identity. I accept this as God’s gift. I am thankful to God that He gives me faith to become a strong Deaf woman who can do everything.

I always try to do my best for the future because I know God has the best plan for me.

In closing, I want to share with you something I learned from my Daddy and my Ninang Elena.

My dad said to me “Don’t wait for opportunity.” My Ninang Elena said to me “You become successful in life by always trying. You learn by making a lot of mistakes. If you never try, you will surely fail.”

I still keep these words of wisdom to help me through whatever struggles I have in my life.

I would also like to be able to support my family and hopefully support our Deaf community by providing accessibility and information for the Deaf.

I am grateful to God and I always pray. I pray for my dreams. My greatest dream is to become a good teacher of Deaf children. I dream to be able to help build the Deaf community in the Philippines. I want to work and serve at the same time by learning how to balance my time for myself and for others.

I wish you all can support our Deaf community and I also wish the Deaf and Hearing world would be one in promoting equality and dignity for all people.