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
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