Every year the International Deaf Day (IDD) is celebrated in our country, a committee organized by the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) and Deaf organizations (Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, Philippine Sports Federation of the Deaf, Deaf Adventure Club and Deaf Rainbow Philippines). The theme of the said celebration last September 24, 2011 is “You are Right, We have RIGHTS”. The Deaf community who joined the festivities included about 440 people from different provinces, Deaf schools, and organization representatives. IDD was also celebrated in Visayas and Mindanao. We showed our pride and support to our very own Filipino Deaf Community together by gathering at the Mabini’s Hall, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m. There were workshops, games, bazaar, exhibit, free medicine service, gift bags for kids and a show performed by Silent Steps, Dance Ambassadors of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
The main goal of IDD was to draw the attention of politicians, authorities and the general public to the achievements of Deaf people and the concerns of the Deaf community with the Introduction of Rey Lee Alfred, PFD President and IDD Coordinator, and the following Guest Speakers: Hon. Gunigundo, Valenzuela 2nd district, who proposed the House Bill 162 and a true supporter of the Filipino Sign Language and shared knowledge about the Mother Tongue – Multi-Lingual Education, Mr. Ka Lauro Purcil, a blind man who is very active in supporting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) including the Deaf. He is working as chair Phil Coalition CRPD and he shared an inspirational message.
Mr. George Taylor, Manager of the Telecommunication Services Network for the Deaf, works on Video Relay Service which is a Video Phone service for Deaf Filipinos to access as Communication Bridge with the Hearing. Mr. Raphael Domingo, volunteers as Deaf Organization Adviser and Core-team Member of Philippine Coalition of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He shared about human rights and excerpts from CRPD and finally, Hon. Antonio Tinio, Representative, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist. These messages and information were shared through interpreters Dr. Therese Bustos, Ms. Hergil Roni Abat, Kathy Taylor and Mr. Jay Lardizbal.
In addition, ABS-CBN covered the event and interviewed Hon. Gunigundo, Mr. Ka Lauro Purcil and Dr. Liza Martinez.
The World Federation of the Deaf celebrated the International Week of the Deaf from September 19-25, 2011.
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