In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary Dr. Jose P. Rizal on June 19, 2011, and as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Lasallian Presence in the Philippines and 20 Years of Lasallian Deaf Education, we have launched “Project Rizal” yesterday, June 21 at CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA) Cinema. 
The launching of Project Rizal featured “Mi Ultimo Adiós” (My Last Farewell / Huling Pahimakas) by Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It is the first-ever interpretation of his most famous poem in Filipino Sign Language (FSL), and the first in the series of five poems to be interpreted in FSL by different Deaf actors. 
The film starring Aldrin Gabriel was produced and directed by independent advocacy filmmaker Mirana Medina in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS). She was a former FSL student under the Filipino Sign Language Learning Program of SDEAS. Mirana is also the writer and director for Silent Odyssey, a documentary about Sign Language in the Philippines.
The purpose of the project is pririmarily to translate for the Deaf Filipino community, considered a cultural-linguistic minority group in the country, Dr. Jose Rizal’s enduring and most popular poems in Filipino Sign Language. It shall definitely help in the perpetuation of his great thoughts, moods and feelings among Deaf Filipino youth. It is also the project’s aim to serve the needs of the Deaf for access to communication.
The film, nearly 15 mins long is subtitled in English for the hearing audience. It is our belief that people’s exposure to sign language will help them in appreciating Deaf signs, and eventually, Deaf’s language and culture. Such awareness and familiarization hopefully will aid them in welcoming the Deaf as an integral part of our society.
The Programme started with a Prayer and then the National Anthem, both with performances by the Silent Steps under the Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation of SDEAS,
Welcome Remarks was delivered by Ms. Mela Lazatin, DLS-CSB Vice Chancellor for Lassallian Mission and Student Life.
Mirana Medina thanked all those who came to attend the launching of the project, then called and introduced the members of her production team: Aldrin Gabriel, Deaf actor; Myra Medrana, Deaf choreographer; Cathy Genovia, AD/PM; the two cameramen, Dennis Balan (Deaf) and Rem Vocalan; Jojo Sia, Production Asst.,
Dr. Marie Therese Bustos, FSL Consultant; Febe Sevilla, interpreter and the members of the Silent Steps. She thanked them all for making the film possible. Dr. Manolet Gonzales and Atty. Ramoncita Reyes, descendants of Saturnina Rizal, eldest sister of Dr. Jose Rizal were also acknowledged as well as the presence of Bible Institute of the Deaf President, Sister Elena Castillo.Before the film ULTIMO ADIOS was finally presented, portion of the coverage while FSL Consultant Raphy Domingo and Myra Medrana were undergoing a “Session with Vim Nadera” was shown so that the audience would know the process before the film was actually made. Prof. Nadera, a poet-writer, was the former director of UP Creative Wrting Center, now LIKHAAN: Institute of Creative Writing. He explained well and beautifully the meaning behind each line from the stanzas of Rizal’s poem after which Raphy finally came up with a poetic, not literal translation or interpretation of the stanza. Only then was the film “Mi Ultimo Adios” with closed caption was shown. The fully occupied cinema hall was quiet throughout the film showing. All were attentively watching the superb performance of Aldrin Gabriel.
After that, Dr. Manolet Gonzalez, 4th great grandson of Ms. Saturnina Rizal, was called in to deliver an inspirational message.
Aldrin Gabriel shared his experience while practicing the interpretation of the poem. He said he felt the spirit of Rizal in him. But he said he didn’t really feel afraid but encouraged to do his best instead.
Michael Lopez, a student from SDEAS-CSB then shared his reaction on the film, on how he get to understand the message of Ultimo Adiós better, and Rizal’s love for country. The host summarized and talked about the Dr. Jose Rizal’s values, works and how they can serve as subject of emulation by the Filipino Deaf Youth Community.
We would like to thank everyone for joining us: the administrators, faculty, staff and students of DLS-CSB, representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, our invited guests from Deaf and Hearing community, school, press, the filmmaker and producers of Project Rizal.
Most especially, we would like to thank the descendents of Ms. Saturnina Rizal, sister of Dr. Jose Rizal. We are privileged to have you with us.
In honor of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary and La Sallian Deaf Education, the new generation of Deaf Filipino youth must continue to remember Dr. Rizal’s life to serve as our model, and that we ought to work with honor, and like him, to live in a meaningful way.
Article by: Mark Joseph D. Calbay, Deaf Advocacy Program Coordinator,
Center for Partnership and Development, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
With reports by Mirana Medina, Independent Advocacy Filmmaker
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