Journey on Interpreting

By Mackie Calbay

According to the 2000 census of National Statistics Office (NS0) there are 123,000 Deaf Filipinos in different places of the country. Many of them live in rural areas and do not receive proper Interpreter service.

Another support service which we lack is closed caption or inset interpreter in television news program disables further the Filipino Deaf. They are usually unaware of the local and national issues occurring in different areas of the country.

Additionally, two House Bills were proposed to the House of Congress. The House Bill 4121 request the implementation of sign language inset interpreter in local television news and in any event of national significance. The other, the House Bill 4631, requests for implementation of court interpreters for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). These two House Bills were submitted by Bayan Muna Partylist Representative, Congressman Teodoro Casiño and pushed by the Deaf population in the House of Congress in August 2011.

Chapter 5: The Section 22 of Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities (Republic Act No. 7277) states that television stations shall be encouraged to provide a sign language inset or subtitles in at least one newscast program a day.

Staunch support should be undertaken to implement the proposed policies. This research hereby suggests three policies to push the implementation of Deaf needs for equal access in communication and information technology: (1.) The Philippine government, as signatory, should adhere to the policies mentioned in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (2.) A sufficient annual budget to support the implementation of Deaf needs should be made (3.) Equal access in telecommunications should be implemented in the country.

Before the live coverage of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona began, the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) contacted the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and partnered with the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies and Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters to get Interpreters for interpreting inset ANC LIVE 27 and Studio 23, Monday to Thursday, 2:00p.m. onwards, at ABS-CBN, Quezon City.

This is a team effort with four members per coverage including two interpreters, a Deaf consultant and a hearing coordinator. The hearing coordinator works with the program crew and the Deaf Consultant checks each interpreter's signing, translate from Legal words to Filipino Sign Language, fluid switching of interpreters within the inset every 20 minutes and monitoring on Interpreters' signing related the said issue of Chief Justice on Trial.

It's good opportunity and we are willing to serve for the Deaf community to be more aware of current issues. It really is helpful; a step towards a barrier-free society and access to information benefits not only the Deaf but also the Hearing sectors. Today is the best time for the Filipino Deaf to voice out the needs of the Filipino Deaf society.

Week 2 Summary on the CJ Corona Impeachment Trial in FSL

Welcome! Joel Barish of DeafNation

By Mackie Calbay

Usually, someone who have traveled around the world, use social networks and upload videos in Youtube to show different cultures and meeting new faces in beautiful places. All world travelers and information shared in media are posted with no sign language or subtitles. Deaf community and world loves to watch the stories even they can't understand the sound of every word without support services.

Until a Deaf person named Joel Barish, a Deaf American. He had a good idea to set up a current business as DeafNation. He works together with his beloved brother Jed. They created a video with sign language through hands and he travels and collects a lot of the documentation with unique stories of the Deaf -- those who live, faces with no barriers and work with amazing cultures in their own beautiful country.



Starting last January 19, 2012, He have traveled in different countries until the 60th country he visited here Manila, Philippines with his assistant and documentation, named Calvin Young. They toured at School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and following the Philippine Federation of the Deaf.

Metrowide Organization of the Deaf invited him to presentation, fellowship and get-together with Joel Barish of DeafNation. Its theme titled "Deaf People Around the World" on January 20, 2012, from 7:00 to 9:00pm, at DLS-CSB, Taft Campus, Manila. A hundred Deaf people from different of Deaf organizations, schools, provinces, and community, they happily watch the presentation and sharing stories with animated pictures and videos of his great experiences.

This special event is brought aboutby: Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Metrowide Organization of the Deaf, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, Philippine Deaf Rainbow, Phil-Sports Federation of the Deaf.

In the following days, they also met other successful Deaf Filipinos who proudly do amazing work, family business and interview with them. Moreover, they visited Bohol and met Deaf people over there and collecting the unique stories cultures and enjoying leisure time. They share the stories to the world for parting of the Deaf Filipino documents in Deaf Nation as World enjoy to watch our videos. Our great memory with the WOW Philippines and No barriers with Joel Barish.

Week 1 Summary on the CJ Corona Impeachment Trial in FSL

For The Kids 2012

Great Love from Ates and Kuyas for the Kids

A great event to be with the kids was held in La Salle Greenhills High School. It was the most exciting year to spend time with kids. The event lasted from 5am to 3:30pm. A lot of kids spent a lot of time with us which means that they have great love, great minds to interact with the ates and kuyas, and great souls for having a lot of happiness.

Inspiring reactions from the kids during the For The Kids 2012:

"It was my first time to encounter the hearing students and Deaf community from La Salle. The people and students were friendly to children and they encouraged them to join the FTK. I also went to volunteer for the children. I was partnered with a Deaf student from G. elementary school and it seemed that he was shy and alone because there were no other friends and students from his elementary school, but I believe that he is a good person. We gathered together with my schoolmates and their Deaf partners for us to meet other children. The Deaf community, both the ates and kuyas and the children, enjoyed and I feel glad that I am able to help by sharing to the children the creativity and talents that He has given me. Me and my child Deaf partner cooperated well and I learned to be patient and responsible, not only with myself, but also with the children especially in teaching them. I am thankful that God has blessed His sons and daughters with His love and care." -Maria, SDEAS student

"I have never encountered Deaf children from De La Salle Greenhills High School (DLSGHS) before, so it was only my first time to meet a Deaf young girl. I helped the deaf child in her first game here at DLSGHS for FTK. Her innocence was making me happy. I also felt happy because the community became her friend and was helping her to use a little sign language. I hope that God will bless her." -Ria, SDEAS student

edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes