The ANC SONA Experience 2011

By: Joyce Dalawampu

Let me take you backstage and have a behind-the-scenes look at how the ABS-CBS News Channel made SONA 2011 accessible to the Deaf community.

Before President Benigno S. Aquino III was set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address, ANC's Ms. Francis Toral through Mr. Mio Cruz coordinated with SDEAS CPD to invite sign language interpreters for the ANC SONA Special last July 25 which ran from 2pm up to 6pm.

Just like last year, our team was composed of 4 people, 2 interpreters, a Deaf consultant and a coordinator. Since this was our second time, we were more familiar with the set up and the steps to be followed once inside Studio 6, ABS-CBN Main Building, Sgt. Esguerra St. corner Mother Ignacia Ave.

From left: Maffy Gaya (Deaf consultant), Joyce Dalawampu (Coordinator),
Febe and Jun Sevilla (Interpreters)

Our call time was 1:30pm but we were there one hour early to prepare. ANC served lunch, after which we headed to the dressing room for prep and make-up.

Waiting for our turn

Sir Jun getting ready for the cameras

At 2pm, we were led to Studio 6 right inside
the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs headquarters.

While we were in Studio 6, the ANC SONA Special hosted by Tony Velasquez and Tina Monzon-Palma with panelists Former Makati Representative Teddyboy Locsin,
Attorney Adel Tamano, and Prof. Julio Teehankee Of The Dlsu Political Science Department was shot in a different Studio because it was larger in space

Video footage from both studios were broadcasted live
once the President started delivering his speech promptly at 4pm

Sir Jun was assigned to the President's speech
while Ms. Febe was assigned to the post SONA analysis

Maffy observed closely and worked with Sir Jun and Ms. Febe
to make sure that the signs were clear and understood



While the crew ensured the continuity of the video feeds
from one studio to another

The ANC team with the Studio 6 Crew

The ANC team with program hosts Tony Velasquez and Tina Monzon-Palma
outside Studio 7


A surprise photo opportunity with another ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Host,
the ever engaging Kuya Kim who was getting ready for his own program


Special thanks to the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI), Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID), Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD), Department of Special Education under the College of Education, University of the Philippines (UP SPED), and Filipino Deaf Women's Health and Crisis Center, Inc. (FDWHCC) for working once again with DLS-CSB SDEAS in another momentous event.




We are truly grateful to Ms. Francis Toral and Mr. Mio Cruz of ANC
for inviting us and look forward to future partnerships
in the service of the Filipino people.

Thank you.

SONA: What Goes on in the Preparation?

by: Giselle Montero

What goes on in the inset interpreting in SONA?

A lot of coordination...

The first SONA was organized barely 4 days including a Saturday and Sunday. It took a lot of goodwill, friends and networking to be able to get in touch with the TV stations. CEAD Director Techie De la Torre, SDEAS Dean Nicky Perez and I texted each other unceasingly to be able to get in. In the end, our efforts were marked with success. TV5, ANC and GMA were willing to have inset interpreters for their SONA coverages.

By Sunday evening (read 10 pm) we were forming the teams and doing logistics; the SONA was on a Monday. We got in touch with other interpreters and Deaf organizations- everybody was enthusiastic.

Note: Not in photo Sir Jojo Esposa of MCCID

With the help of a lot people we pulled it through. So we are really super appreciative of everyone's efforts. The deaf community is also very thankful.

This second SONA was also organized in a short time but with more days to put it together. Since PNASLI was working with TV5, we just had to get in touch with the 2 other stations. ANC got in touch with CSB and we got in touch with GMA. Again, teams were formed 4 days before and once again, we are so grateful once again, to a lot of people.

Each station had a team of 4: 2 interpreters, a Deaf consultant and a coordinator.

Two interpreters were needed since they needed rest time after every 20-30 minutes of interpreting.

The Deaf consultant gives face to face feedback to the interpreter if he/she is still understood.

And the Team coordinator ensures that logistics needed by the Deaf and interpreter are communicated to the TV station- call time, vehicle, water, where to stand, make up, background, etc.

Example: We had to make sure the interpreters were comfortable while signing.

This was the first chair. Looks nice but swings a lot. We had to change.

Second option was a sturdy pedestal. Sturdy, yes but bad for the back.

So we finally settled with an applebox for Therese and the floor for Jojo. Yes they will just stand:) But they have to have the same height so there is no camera adjustment, thus, the applebox.

Here is a video on what goes on in the studio:

After the SONA, Rhoel of GMAnewsonline interviewed us for newbits. Also, we got to eat after the great work.

Before going home, we had to have our photos taken:

We did talk about possibilities of having interpreters in the news and cleared up a lot of questions about the Deaf community. We will be following up, of course, to form stronger partnerships.

Thank you to everyone.

New Challenges and the Journey in Getting a Master’s Degree Program

by: Macky Calbay

High energy was evident at the opening of the highly anticipated IDPP Annual Meeting and inaugural two-week residency for the Master’s of International Affairs in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP). Ten participants composed of 6 Filipinos (2 mobility, 2 visual, 2 Deaf persons), 2 Vietnamese (1 mobility and 1 visual), 1 Cambodian (visual), 1 Singaporean (Deaf person) were accepted in Masters in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP) in the American University.

The Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) aims to contribute to the overall vision of an ASEAN Region that is inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based, where people who are disabled are leaders in the determination of their own destinies.

The CIDP Program, offered by American University’s School of International Service and directed by AU Associate Professor Dr. Derrick L. Cogburn, is a completely virtual graduate program, but has a  two-week face-to-face residency that started last July 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.  The residency introduced the first cohort of CIDP graduate students to the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN Region, its university and outreach partners, and to key concepts that will be developed further in classes and seminars during the year-long CIDP program. Source: http://aseanidpp.org/

Raphy Domingo, Ms. Techie Dela Torre and I attended the Master’s Degree Program Orientation from July 18 to 29, 2011. We are staying at the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disabilities Training Center (APCD). We met a lot of great people. Raphy and I went to Mahidol University for training on using backboard in collaboration with virtual web conferencing. We learned about ASEAN Issues, Policy Exercises and Case Studies, Faculty Chat, Accessibilty Roundtable, Technology Overview, Human Rights of Persons with Disability Issues, Disabled People’s International Bangkok. We also toured Mahidol Campus. We are overwhelmed with the wealth of information but we are happy to be learning a new things and meet on this challenge as an opportunity.

Before we thought that everything would be completely accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) but when we started the Master Orientation, we realized that we will have   a difficult time with the technology access especially virtual Blackboard collaboration since they just test period with audio and closed caption. We suggested to IDPP to find another way to get a service support like interpreter on cam and note taker to understand the full of information and lectures before the class starts on  August 2011.

Last weekend we toured  the National Discovery Museum Institute and The Rose Garden. There are many beautiful places and delicious Thai food. We enjoyed getting to know our classmates and taking pictures.

When we come back to Manila, we have a lot of work on including new projects and policy improvements. We plan to share what we learned to other pople while we are working on our Masters. We will help and support the Deaf and Person with Disabilities ; work together and build a bridge to a better and bright future.

Nippon Foundation of Japan supported us for the accommodation, flight and meals while in Bangkok, Thailand and also tuition fees. 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macky Calbay is the new Deaf Advocacy Coordinator for the Center of Partnership and Development (CPD)  of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS).  
Together with Raphy Domingo, new Education Access for the Deaf coordinator  under CEAD,     they will be going through the Masters Program.
Techie de la Torre, Director of DLS-CSB's Center for Educational Access and Development (CEAD), and Nora Shannon of PEN International also attended the orientation in Bangkok. 
To know more about the program :  http://www.american.edu/americantoday/campus-news/20110719-COTELCO-Disability-Policy-Program.cfm
Expect more stories and photos when they come back.

Deaf Access, once more, a priority in the SONA coverages

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS) together with the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID), University of the Philippines Department of Special Education under the College of Education (UP SPED), Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD), Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI), and Filipino Deaf Women's Health & Crisis Center, Inc. (FDWHCC) worked hand in hand to ensure that Deaf access was of priority when the President addressed the Filipino people and the 15th Congress as it embarked on its Second Regular Session yesterday.

Participating TV stations were ANC (over Skycable 27), TV5 and GMA (Via Gma Newsonline).


ANC SONA 2011 Coverage




Hosted by: Tony Velasquez and Tina Monzon-Palma

SONA 2011 Analysis with Panel Members:
Former Makati Representative Teddyboy Locsin
Attorney Adel Tamano and Prof. Julio Teehankee Of The Dlsu Political Science Department

Interpreters: Jun-Jun and Febe Sevilla

Deaf Consultant: Maffy Gaya

Team Coordinator: Joyce Dalawampu

GMA SONA 2011 Coverage

Interpreters: Jojo Esposa Jr. and Therese Bustos

Deaf Consultants: Weng Rivera and Moises Libot

Team Coordinator: Giselle Montero

GMA SONA team with Mr Howie Severino and Rhoel Bautista

DLS-CSB convened the Deaf classes to watch the SONA together at the PEN Learning Center with support interpreter Dean Nicky Templo-Perez.

Once again, we thank everyone for supporting the effort to make information accessible to the Deaf. Our deep gratitude.

Please send us your comments, photos watching the SONA and feedback about the interpreting of the SONA. Email: Deaf.partnerships@benilde.com or post your comments directly.

SDEAS is Bangkok Bound for Arts for All

Three delegates from the School of Deaf Education And Applied Studies (SDEAS)  flew to Bangkok, Thailand to attend The Art for All 2011:Celebrating Diversity last July 13. The event was an invitation from the Ministry of Culture of Thailand send thru the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The activities fort this art camp include art forum, presentation of the best practice by young disabled artists, workshop of art activities with the Thai disabled children/youth.

The delegates were Elena Lozada (Student), Myra Medrana (Choreographer) and Teresa Quintanilla (Faculty chaperon and interpreter).

Keep reading as we wait for their stories and pictures. 

LCDPF launches “one-stop-shop” for PWD employment

Posted on June 27, 2011 by dexter.tiro

Lourdes Reyes, LCDPF President and Imtiaz Mohammed, LCD Senior Programme Head for Africa led the ribbon cutting during the LRC launching. Witnessing were Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas (hidden) LCDPF directors Atty Racela, Lee and Restubog; also present as witnesses were retire navy Capt Oscar Taleon of AKAP Pinoy, PTTC Director Adelaida Inton, Lena Choudray Salter, LCD New Programme Manager for Asia and Janelle Sunico of Accenture.

Last June 16, 2011 was the formal inauguration of the Economic Empowerment Programme’s Livelihoods Resource Center (LRC). The LRC is a “one-stop shop” facility where people with disabilities (PWDs) could avail of various services which will help them in their search for sustainable livelihood or meaningful employment. These include career guidance and livelihood skills training, foundation skills training and business development training.

In her welcome address, LCDPF President Mrs. Lourdes L. Reyes stressed that LRC is open not only for PWD job-seekers but also for employers, the media, and the general public who want to know more about the rights of PWDs. She said that the LRC exists “to help PWDs empower themselves.”

This is what distinguishes LCDPF from other organizations serving PWDs. Most other organizations view PWDs largely as “subjects of social welfare and dole-outs”, whereas LCDPF views PWDs as persons with talents and abilities just like everybody else.

The highlight of the event was the keynote speech given by Councilor Alfred Vargas of the 2^nd District of Quezon City. In his speech, Vargas said that he wants Quezon City to be recognized not only “the most PWD-friendly city in the Philippines”, but also as “one of the most PWD-friendly cities in the world.” Vargas is the principal author of a proposed local ordinance establishing the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (QC-PDAO) which is now on for its third reading.

Councilor Alfred Vargas of 2nd District of Quezon City giving his Keynote Speech and delivering the message of the City mayor

In a prepared statement read by Councilor Vargas, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista also thanked LCDPF for seeking to establish a partnership with the local government unit. He also recognized that PWDs “have their own abilities and should not be limited by their physical handicaps. “At the end of the day”, the mayor said, “PWDs are taxpayers, employees, and citizens- like everybody else.”

Ms. Lena Choudary-Salter, the new Senior Programme Manager for Asia of Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) re-affirmed LCD’s commitment to a “rights-based approach” towards disability. She acknowledgedAccenture as a “model partner in the private sector” for having supported the establishment of the center.

Lena Choudary Salter in her message of solidarity reaffirms LCD’s commitment to a rights based approach towards disability.

For his part, Mr. Nestor Mejia, Training Manager of Makati Shangri-La, gave a testimonial on how his company had successfully hired PWDs for various job positions and have proven themselves as efficient employees. Mejia said they want to provide more job opportunities for PWDs as a result.

Nestor Mejia, Training Manager of Makati Shangri-La reported that all Shangri-La hotels in the Philippines are accepting PWDs as a result of a successful partnership with LCDPF.

Richard D. Arceño, LCDPF National Coordinator, explained briefly the purpose of the Economic Empowerment (EE) Programme, which is not only giving job referrals to prospective employees, but providing career guidance and livelihood skills training, and foundation skills training to PWD job seekers to better equip them in their job-hunting.

He also noted that 90% of PWDs do not have SSS (Social Security System) ID’s, and are thus deprived of social protection, in spite of their being more vulnerable to disease and accidents than non-disabled people.

A visually-impaired call center recruitment specialist, Ms. Crissy Bisda, shared her inspiring story, including the challenges that she faced and how she overcame those challenges in life.

Crissy Bisda, a blind call center recruitment specialist giving a testimony of the PWD talent.

She recognized that PWDs experience discrimination first before they get hired. Only very few are given the opportunity to land into corporate jobs. Presently, Bisda is a Talent Acquisition Specialist in TeleTech, a call center in Novaliches, Quezon City.

“As a living proof for PWDs, I would like to encourage everyone, especially employers, to be more open to PWDs regardless of case, especially in hiring them” , Bisda added. She ended her testimonial by saying, “In the mind of PWDs, we are winners. We don’t quit in our struggles.”

Former LCD Programme Head for Asia and the Americas, Imtiaz Mohammed, who was also present at the launching said that based on statistics, only 2%of children with disabilities (CWDs) go to school, and thus have no opportunity to enter the “the global market” and find employment in the future. He stated that “Given the right, proper training, PWDs could get better access to employment.”

Imtiaz Mohammed stressed that the success of the LRC is when it is able to reach the targets and open opportunities for people with disabilities.

He congratulated the staff of LCDPF for the formal inauguration of LRC and said that it was “an exciting time for the organization.”

Representatives from Accenture Janelle Sunico (in blue), Lead for ASEAN Corporate Citizenship and Emerson Enriquez of Philippine Delivery Center Corporate Citizenship chat with Lena Salter and Smiley Wang of LCD during the launch of the LRC. At far left is Councilor Alfred Vargas of Quezon City.

The launch drew together partners and friends of the Economic Empowerment Programme from both the private and public sectors. Also present to witness the inauguration of the center were representatives from the Accenture led by Janelle Sunico, ASEAN Corporate Citizenship Lead and Emerson Enriquez. The Accenture which is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company is the funder of the Access to Livelihoods Project that aims to provide job placement to 2,500 PWDs in Metro Manila in the next three (3) years.

This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink. Edit

--
DEXTER C TIRO

Job Placement Officer

Economic Empowerment Programme

Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc.

www.lcdphilippinesfoundation.org