[National Youth Commission] Invitation to the 2011 China-ASEAN Youth Camp

1. Date: November 3 to 10, 2011

2. Venue: Beijing, Tianjin and Nanning

3. Background
In order to celebrate the China-ASEAN Friendly Exchange Year at the 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue relations, and to further implement Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s proposal at the 11th China-ASEAN Leaders Meeting concerning China will continue to invite ASEAN youth to visit China to participate in exchange and dialogue programs including China-ASEAN Youth Camp, Summer Camp, Young Entrepreneurs Forum, etc., the All-China Youth Federation would like to invite 100 ASEAN youth to visit China and participate in exchange programs in November, 2011.

4. Organizer
All-China Youth Federation

5. Theme
Friendship and Win-win Cooperation
-- celebrating the 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue relations

6. Participants
1) Ten youth delegates from each ASEAN member country are invited. Each delegation shall include 1 senior official on youth affairs as delegation head, 1 executive assistant and 8 young journalists.
2) Two observers from ASEAN Secretariat are also invited to participate.
3) Except the delegation head, participants should be between 18 to 35 years old, healthy both physically and psychologically, able to communicate in English and participate in the whole program.

7. Expenses
The organizer will be responsible for buying the round-trip international air tickets for participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Other delegates are required to arrange and pay for their own international flights. The organizer will provide all delegations with local hospitality, including food, accommodations and local transportation during the event. For accommodation, the delegation head will be accommodated in a single room, while other delegates will share twin room by two persons.

8. Registration
The national youth focal point in each ASEAN member country is expected to select the participants and submit the registration forms by November 3, 2011.

9. Parallel Activity
An Essay Contest will be organized among the participants.
1) Topic: China-ASEAN (or an ASEAN member country) relation in my eyes;
2) Language: English;
3) Time duration:Up to November 3, 2011;
4) Award: at most 10 essays will be selected and awarded as Excellent Essays, which will be published on the China Youth Daily, China Youth On-line or China Youth Connection, and other newspapers and websites. The writers will be invited to visit China again in 2012.
5) Requirements: Each delegation shall submit at least 5 essays before November 3, 2011.

10. Program Outline
November 3 / Thursday Arrival in Nanning and Registration
Welcome party, opening ceremony, seminars and field visits
November 5 / Saturday Go to Tianjin by airplane in the evening
Exchange program and field visits
November 7/ Monday Go to Beijing by high-speed railway in the evening
Meetings, exchange program, field visits and farewell party
November 10/ Thursday Return trip

11. Contact
Ms. ZHENG Fang and Ms. ZHAI Qi
Tel:+8610 85212511/85212150 Fax:+8610 85212059/67018131
Email: acyftwo@yahoo.com.cn.

Deaf education, the Southeast Asian situation

By ANGELO G. GARCIA

October 18, 2011, 4:23am

MANILA, Philippines — The never-ending debate on whether English or Filipino should be the medium of classroom instruction has now extended to what language should be used in natural sign language for the Deaf.

Natural sign language has been the most common method of communication that majority of the Deaf have been accustomed to learn and use. In the Philippines, the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) is the dominant sign language. Although there are ethnic-based or localized versions of the sign language, FSL is still generally preferred among deaf Filipinos.

This same issue was in the core of discussion at the recent ASEAN Deaf Education Forum that was organized by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), and supported by the Nippon Foundation Japan. This was held at the CSB Hotel located at the Angelo King International Center in Malate, Manila.

In the Philippines, access to deaf education is still insufficient. Only a handful of public schools with a Special Education Center offer education services for the deaf. (source: http://goo.gl/mYEFZ)

In the forum, representatives from the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan shared the situation of deaf education in their respective countries. They also cited how the use of their natural sign language as the medium of instruction is deemed the best way to go in deaf education.

“FSL is a language. It is the same issue as the use of Filipino, the vernacular language in regular education. In some parts of the country, lalo na ‘yung may mga ethnic communities, the advocacy is to use their language, their culture, the stories of their history integrated in the curriculum.

It is their life, it is their community, so when you know the language and what is being talked about, you’re open to learning,” said Theresa Christine De La Torre of the CSB Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) Secondary Education Initiatives.

CEAD is a resource and development center of DLS-CSB. It is envisioned to take a leadership role in developing new grounds and initiatives that can benefit the Deaf through advocacy, research, training and development. CEAD conducted a study in 2008, 2009 and 2010 wherein they interviewed tertiary and secondary deaf students from private and public schools all over the country.

“It is necessary to present this perspective to shed light on issues that need to be addressed so that public and private organizations can work together on how to improve the situation and ensure the rights of the Deaf to accesses quality education,” De La Torre explained.

THE PROBLEMS

The study shows that deaf students were found to lack leadership skills and knowledge on sign language. The study also reveals that their attention skills are weak, their literacy and thinking skills are also weak, and that there are behavioral problems among deaf people.

These problems may be attributed to schools that have poor facilities and faculties that lack proper competencies in handling deaf students. The lack of interpreters, FSL skills, and understanding of the deaf culture are also to blame.

Most of the public schools in the country, especially those without Special Education (SpEd) centers, are not equipped with right tools and competencies in teaching deaf students. On the other hand, private schools device other methods in teaching deaf students. Some would rather use the American Sign Language as opposed to FSL.

The respondents even pointed out that teachers tend to look down at them and that they are not being given school works that are challenging enough for them. Some even said that the interpreters in their schools do not care for them at all.

However, the respondents are hoping that everything will change especially now that a dialogue has been opened between the Department of Education and deaf educators, to hopefully change the landscape of deaf education in the Philippines.

“We hope that FSL will be the official medium of instruction in deaf education. Our teachers are creative in their teaching strategies but we need a curriculum that develops students’ thinking, confidence and their intelligence. There are extensive opportunities in learning,” De La Torre shares.

THE VIETNAM SITUATION

In Dong Nai Province, Southern Vietnam, the Dong Nai Deaf Edcuation Project of Dong Nai University is recognized as a project that is changing deaf education in the said Southeast Asian county.

Dr. James Clyde Woodward, an expert in linguistics and anthropological analyses of sign languages in deaf cultures, started the Dong Nai Deaf Education Project. He is also the co-director of the Center for Sign Lingustics at the Chinese University in Hong Kong.

Before the project started in 2000, there was no education available for senior high school and college-level students. The Dong Nai Project provides deaf people an opportunity to take high school and university education.

Since it started the project, it has graduated its first junior high school class and the first and only senior high school class composed of deaf students.

Today, the Dong Nai Project has significantly improved the standing of deaf students in Vietnam. All Grade 9 students passed the national examination, a feat not even regular schools and regular students have achieved. Ninety four percent of their Grade 12 class passed the national examination as well.

The project uses Ho Chi Minh City Sign Language (HCMCSL), the dominant sign language in Southern Vietnam. Vietnam has three sign languages, the HCMCSL, Hanoi Sign Language, and Hai Phong Sign Language. They are all recognized sign languages.

“We use the local sign language for education purposes. We use the same books for the hearing students. We also have deaf teachers who teach the students,” he shares. “Deaf-centered means that the deaf people are the one who make decision regarding the project.

Even though the teachers are hearing, the students make the decision in this project. The people who know more about education are deaf people themselves.”

Most deaf children in Vietnam are taught how to speak orally at an early age because parents believe that if they learn how to sign first, they won’t speak anymore. Although Dr. Woodward debunks this practice.

“Ideally, natural sign language is best in deaf education, because natural sign language make use of visual space in a way that is very clear to deaf people. I would like to see more opportunities for deaf people according to their needs, wants and desires.

The program that we have will work for anybody because you don’t have to hear in order to be able to use it. If you hear, you can still sign it, if you don’t hear you can sign it. It’s beneficial for both but some people may not want this program.

I would like to see a variety of deaf programs in Vietnam. I would like to see more opportunity for bilingual education. I would like to see this program to be started in the elementary level like in Japan,” he says.

EDUCATION IS COMPULSOR IN JAPAN

In Japan, the education of deaf students is compulsory up to age 15. After that, the deaf students have to be on their own if they want to continue their education.

Nevertheless, awareness is still being raised to make Japanese sign language as the medium of instruction in their schools.

“In Japan, we never experience JSL (Japanese Sign Language) as the language of instruction. Most of our teachers are hearing teachers. In teaching class what is important is teaching in JSL,” shares Norie Oka of the Meisei Gakuen School for the Deaf, Japan.

Of the more than 70,000 SPED teachers in Japan, there are a total of 318 deaf teachers. In Mesei Gakuen School for the Deaf, 14 out of 26 faculty are deaf teachers.

“We still need to develop the materials we use in Japan. We need to have awareness of JSL in deaf education. We also need awareness in self-reliance, study of deaf identity, communication, and competence in Japan,” Oka shares.

“We want our children to learn and think by themselves, as well as develop as a human being with strong identity. In this aspect, the deaf and the hearing equals,” she adds.

Deaf Included in the PAL Retrenchment

 Five Deaf persons who are members of PALEA (Union of PAL) are those included in the retrenchment by Philippine Airlines.  Was able to meet 3 of them. 

     Juan Escalante has been working in the Pastry section for 33 years; Noel Po and Narcisco Alino have been working in the hot kitchen for 30 years.Almost all have been with PAL since finishing their vocational course. Noel was surprised when he received a text saying that he should not anymore go to work since there has been retrenchment. No one from PAL explained the move to them and they just knew of the decision from their colleagues.

 PAL has implemented a massive retrenchment to make way for outsourcing. Juan knows that he is a regular employee of PAL and was caught off guard. All are married with children. They have been loyal and hardworking members of the company and have known PAL as family. They are hopeful for a positive outcome of the strike

MECHANICS for National Youth Commission Logo Design Contest

MECHANICS for NYC Logo Design Contest

1. This is open to all interested Filipino citizens aged 15 to 35 years old.

2. Logo design contestants may submit up to three original (3) studies per entry.

3. There will be no set criteria for judging. Instead, the logo should embody or portray NYC’s branding: The Voice and Advocate of the Youth. The decision of the judges is final.

4. Each study should contain a rationale or brief explanation/description to provide context to the suggested logo (i.e. explanation on colors or symbols used, etc.).

5. Entries may be picture-based or text-based, or a combination. The entries may be done by free-hand rendered in Markers, Ink, Pastel, Watercolor, Oil or Acrylic or by computer. There are no restrictions in the colors used.

6. Each study should be in two formats: one (1) full-color, and one (1) black and white / gray scale.

7. The logo should not carry the name of the artist.

8. All entries received will be posted on the NYC website and the NYC Facebook accounts for public voting.

9. Deadline for submission of entries is on October 31, 2011. All entries, together with the application form, should be emailed to info@nyc.gov.ph or mailed to:

National Youth Commission
4/F Bookman Building
373 Quezon Avenue
Quezon City

10. Announcement of winners is on the 2nd week of December to coincide with the celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan.

11. The winning design will get a cash prize, plus mentions in press releases/social media releases regarding the NYC logo re-design.

Grand Winner : Php 25,000.00
Special Citation (3 entries): 5,000.00 each
Most Popular on Facebook: 5,000.00
Most Popular on Twitter: 5,000.00

12. The design of the logo must be certified original and/or officially submitted by the participant either through an submitted application form or a duly signed scanned electronic copy of the application form. Any complaints that may arise due to similarities, likeness or comparison of the design, the participant will be responsible to prove its authenticity. NYC, under no circumstances, shall be held liable.

13. NYC reserves the right to disqualify any entry whether on the basis of perceived violation of intellectual property rights pursuant to Republic Act No. 8293 or for any other reason.

14. If any party manifests in writing that their intellectual property rights have been violated by the design, NYC reserves the right to withhold the cash prize and/or use of the winning logo until such case have been cleared.

15. All studies and designs submitted for entry shall be considered as property of NYC and as such, NYC further reserves the right whether or not to use the winning or non-winning logos.

16. For more inquiries, you may contact: 02-448-7440, 02 – 448-7330, 416-3415, 413-5503, 416-3570

Internal Process of Selection:

1. All entries will be posted on the NYC website and NYC Facebook page for public voting. A voting period of 15 days will be allotted to select the top 10 entries. The selection is based on the combined website and Facebook votes.

2. The top 10 entries is subject to opinion poll. Entries will be displayed prominently at the NYC premises, and will be ranked according to its accuracy in portraying NYC’s brand as the Voice and Advocate of the Youth.

We will attach numbered stickers (1 to 10, with 1 as the highest vote) in a designated page for each logo. Stakeholders will be invited to place their stickers on the logo wall. The logo contest committee will tabulate the ranking after the poll to determine the top 5 entries.

3. The Commission will determine the winner out of the top 5 entries chosen.

Criteria would be personal preference and the design’s accuracy in portraying NYC’s brand as the Voice and Advocate of the Youth.

An Inspiring Birthday Celebration

by Mackie Calbay

Celebrating birthdays means getting greetings, birthday parties, cakes with candles and feeling happy on that special day.

Jamilla “Jamie” Aquino, a schoolmate at DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies had a different kind of birthday celebration. Jamilla graduated 2004 then worked a Deaf Leader of Educational Outreach e-Learning Center. Now, she is working as a Corporate Communication Assistant and is Vice-President of Visual Shot Club.

Jamie wanted to make her birthday relevant. She wanted to celebrate her 30th birthday with Deaf kids. May and Maria Lourdes Cabutihan referred her to Rosario Ocampo Elementary School in Taytay, Rizal just near where she lives. And on October 1, a day before her actual birthday, together with classmates from high school batch 15 of 2000 and DLS-CSB SDEAS, Jamie celebrated her birthday. Aside from celebrating with food and lootbags, they gave away school supplies, and other materials needed. They had games with prizes, a program and even taught Origami to the excited kids. Her best friend surprised her with a cake and they all greeted her a “Happy Birthday”. Additional surprise was a special number from Deaf pupils. Special Education (SPED) teacher, Ms. Tessie T. Parcia gifted her lovely clock. Smiles were bountiful and the joy was spreading.

As the celebration neared to a close, Jamie expressed her heart full of happiness because her birthday was not only to herself but also sharing blessings and love from Our heavenly Father to Deaf children. She wants Deaf children to be aware and look at her and classmates as role models so when they grow up, they have people to emulate. She truly appreciated the donation and support of her classmates to the Deaf children.

Jamie’s message: “For the Deaf alumni of DLS-CSB SDEAS, its time for us to give and return blessings we have received. Show Deaf kids what we can contribute and learn from each other’s experiences. And continue to share with your true heart to Deaf kids.”

What an inspiration! What source of pride for the Benildean Deaf alumni! The birthday celebration was one of a kind and hopefully not the last of this special kind of celebration.

Breaking the Wall of Silence

by Gichelle Cruz

The Soft launching and turnover ceremony of "Breaking the Wall of Silence", a Communication Toolkit for VAW among the Deaf, was held last October 15, 2011 at UP-CSWCD. The toolkit is the project of UP Department of Women and Development Studies WD 271- Gender and Participatory Media Students with the support of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center and the Filipino Deaf Women Health and Crisis Center (FDWHCC) as a shared commitment in building a responsive social movement that includes Deaf women.

The FDWHCC Launch

Weng's message: "[We are] grateful to the people who support our FDWHCC."

Philippine Commission on Women's message for FWHCC

Special Guest - Ms. Bernadette (left) from AUSAID and DSWD

Message from Women Studies Center

Message from Women Crisis Center

Dr. Liza's message to UP, FDWHCC and WD271

Group photo

The FDWHCC participants

Despite limited time, resources and communication barrier, the challenge of coming up with a toolkit served as a driving force for the WD 271 students to take on the challenge in coming up the communication toolkit. Relentless efforts, sincerity and strong determination of women Deaf leaders, Weng Rivera and Maffy Gaya from the FDWHCC is constant source of inspiration.

PRC vows reforms in aid of Deaf LET takers

Office of Representative Antonio L. Tinio

ACT Teachers Party-List
House of Representatives


PRESS RELEASE

October 18, 2011

PRC vows reforms in aid of Deaf LET takers
References: ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio L. Tinio; Julie Anne D. Tapit, Media Officer

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has committed to implementing reforms that will make the licensing examination for teachers more accessible to the Deaf.

In a dialogue with various organizations of the Deaf last Tuesday, PRC Chairperson Teresita R. Manzala vowed that such reforms would be in place when the Licensure Examination for Teachers is administered in March 2012.

The dialogue was facilitated by ACT Teachers Party-List Representative Antonio Tinio. The participants included leaders of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf led by its President, Rey Lee; Philippine Deaf Resource Center Executive Director Dr. Liza Martinez; Dean Nikki Perez of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde; and Raphael Domingo of the Philippine Coalition-UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

PRC Chairperson Manzala was joined by Board for Professional Teachers Chairperson Dr. Faith M. Bachiller, and Director Amelia T. Empaynado of the Licensure Office.

The deaf activists and advocates raised concerns regarding the accessibility of the LET for deaf education graduates. According to them, Deaf education graduates find it difficult to pass the LET due to lack of sensitivity to the particular needs of Deaf takers. They pointed out the acute shortage of deaf teachers in the public school system’s Special Education centers, which can be filled if measures for the “reasonable accommodation” of deaf LET takers are taken by the PRC.

The PRC vowed to implement “transitional measures” for the upcoming LET in March 2012, such as allowing accredited interpreters to explain examination instructions in sign language and making changes to the physical arrangements to accommodate deaf exam takers. The Board of Professional Teachers will also work in close consultation with the Deaf community to craft better policies, including the drafting of a new PRC resolution regarding accessibility for the Deaf.

“We commend the PRC for their openness to the concerns of the Deaf. We thank PRC Chairperson Manzala for her personal commitment that reforms will be implemented by March 2012,” said Rep. Tinio. #

Twisting Our Hands Up in the Air for the 7th SDEAS Cup 2011

by Ryan Jay Bernardo

Sunday of October 2, 9 and 16, 2011. The exciting event, 7th School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies SDEAS Cup was held at at 7:00am-6:00pm, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde GYM, Taft, Manila.

There were eight Deaf volleyball and basketball teams. Many Deaf viewers from different schools, clubs and organization joined and supported the said activity. The Men Volleyball awardees are: 2nd runner up- SDEAS, 1st runner up -CAP College School for the Deaf alumni and the champion - Ironic Ladies. Meanwhile in The Men basketball category, the awardees are: 2nd runner up- DGUG, 1st runner up - Wildcatz and the champion - Deafies Club. Lastly, The Women Volleyball awardees are: 2nd runner up - Wildcatz, 1st runner up- CAP College School for the Deaf alumni, the champion - SDEAS.

Enjoy viewing the action below:

Patrick Padao for the Opening Prayer

RJ explained the rules of the game.

Instructions for the Hearing Voleyball Referee before the first game.

Raphy serves for his team IRONIC LADIES on court.

CAP Student Team.

DAC vs WILDCATS volleyball women the start game.

Wildcats Team (MCCID students) Women's Volleyball.

DAC Team Women'z Volleyball.

CAP Students vs CAP Alumni. They show sportsmanship before volleyball game.

CAP Student Team with Coach Rowellah Tansujay in a huddle.

MCCID alumni and students are combined in the Wildcats team (violet). Manila Team (brown) for outside Deaf community.

SDEAS Student Team.

Jimmy Cacut (sdeas team) jumped before his shot on the net.

Joseph Punzalan for a free throw.

CAP student jumped for a straight shot on net.

Remick lay up and jumped for the net.

Clark Santillan (DC team) straight run into net.

Kim Mercado point to his team player on area court. He is a former sdeas alumni batch 2001.

CAP Alumni jumped with lay up into net.

Que (deafies club) and Ngo (cap alumni) are good friends. DC won against CAP alumni.

Deaf Alumni and Students are volunteers.

Men's Basketball 2011 Champions "DEAFIES CLUB TEAM"

1st place men's basketball: "WILDCATZ TEAM"

2nd place men's basketball: "DUGS TEAM"

Men's Volleyball 2011 Champions "IRONIC LADIES TEAM"

Women's Volleyball 2011 Champions "SDEAS-CSB TEAM"

1st place women's volleyball "WILDCATS TEAM"

Most Valuable Player (Women's) Volleyball is Kristela Sta. Juana (SDEAS_CSB)

Most Valuable Player (Men's) Volleyball by: Michael Angelo Tupaz (IRONIC LADIES TEAM)

Most Valuable Player (Men's) Basketball by: Anthony Clark Santillan (DEAFIES CLUB)

The said activity was organized by Ms. Lovella Catalan, Trainor, Deaf Sports Programs, Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation of DLS-CSB SDEAS. Hopefully the teams will have an 8th SDEAS cup to look forward to next year -- March 2012.