When Hands Speak Louder Than Words

When Hands Speak Louder Than Words

By: Melinda Tormes-Quiñones

Walking straight and erect, her lips forming a soft smile, she confidently approached the podium to deliver her graduation speech. Silence cloaked the crowd of almost a thousand guests and fellow graduates.

“How will she do the speech?” Romeo Catap, her good friend, overheard the comment from the back corner of the convention hall.

Ana Kristina Macasaet Arce, the first Deaf student to graduate magna cum laude from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), smiled and let her hands do the talking. Delving into the biblical potter and the clay story in Jeremiah 18, Ana used a metaphor on the importance of hands to the Deaf as they interact with others.

“In pottery, the potter places a mold of clay on a table and turns it around carefully,” Anna gestured. “Using his hands, the potter will repeat the process several times until he gets the perfect shape. Likewise, the Deaf students’ primary source of communication is their hands. The Deaf talk and express themselves through hands. Just like the potter, we also hope to get the best, if not perfect, performance for ourselves using our hands. With our hands, we can go places, change lives and make a difference."

Ana, who was born Deaf, brought the house down. “As she ended her speech, I saw some parents teary-eyed and the members of the audience waved their hands to do a Deaf clap,” shared Romeo, who was documenting Ana’s speech with a video camera.

For Ana, graduating from college is just a beginning of her active participation in Deaf advocacy. She is committed to stepping up to the fore and bridging the gap between the Deaf and the hearing community. “She’s a person with a passion for excellence,” says Ana’s mom, Vilma, who believes that her daughter can fulfill whatever she takes upon herself.

By means of a Filipino sign language and help of Romeo, an interpreter-friend, Ana shared to H&H her aspirations to raise the level of appreciation and understanding of people about the Deaf and their community that struggles to belong.

Read the rest of the story in Health and Home's Official Website.

Melinda Tormes-Quiñones, Information Officer III (PMD) of Philippine Information Agency, holds office at PIA BLDG. in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

39th Philippine International Open

DLS-CSB SDEAS Deaf Sports Program Trainor and Formator Lovella Catalan dominated the first round of the Women's Open Masters finals of the 39th Philippines International Open.



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Australia Supports Promotion of Human Rights in the Philippines

Australia and the Philippines signed yesterday a Declaration of Cooperation to support activities that will enhance the capacity of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the declaration further strengthened the partnership on promotion and protection of human rights between the two countries.

Ambassador Smith and CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima signed the Declaration during an Asia Pacific Policy Forum (APPF) on human rights organised by the Australian Embassy at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel, Ortigas. The Declaration was witnessed by the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, The Hon Catherine Branson QC, visiting the Philippines for the APPF.

“The Australian Government is pleased to assist partner governments such as the Philippines to respect, protect and fulfil their international human rights obligations,” Ambassador Smith said.

“Australians strongly believe in the concept of a ‘fair go’ for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Both the governments of Australia and the Philippines recognise respect for human rights is vital to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.”

Australia will provide an initial Php5.2 million grant to enhance the investigative capabilities of the CHR through technical assistance provided by the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team or Equipo Peruano de Antropologia Forense (EPAF).

Australia’s assistance will enable EPAF and the CHR to work together to improve the CHR’s investigative capacity and the speed and effectiveness by which it responds to allegations of human rights violations.

The APPF is the 14th in a series of policy forums hosted by the Australian Embassy to facilitate policy dialogue on issues of importance to Australia and the Philippines and the region. The forum on human rights featured keynote addresses from Commissioner Branson, Attorney de Lima and retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Reynato Puno. EPAF Executive Director, Dr Jose Pablo Baraybar, CHR Commissioner, Cecilia Quisumbing, Department of Justice Undersecretary, Linda Hornilla, Congressman Lorenzo Tanada and Executive Director, Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Melinda Quintos de Jesus presented during panel discussion sessions.

Deaf Life Skills and Development Facilitator, Mary Jane Puson, and Communications and Production Program Coordinator, Joyce Dalawampu, attended the 14^th Asia Pacific Policy Forum (APPF) on human rights in behalf of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies.

www.philippines.embassy.gov.au