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.