Deaf community hopes for greater use of interpreters

By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA NEWS July 24, 2012 8:15pm

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/266607/news/specialreports/deaf-community-hopes-for-greater-use-of-interpreters

 

Noticeable about the sign language interpreters of GMA News Online’s live streaming of the President’s State of the Nation Address was their impressive skill set – they can simultaneously talk, interpret and sign.

Although volunteer sign language (SL) interpreters Catherine Joy Villareal and Reiner Blas cannot make a career out of interpreting, they said that they feel a need to bridge the gap between the “hearing world and the deaf world.”

“If wala ang interpreter, wala ang bridge, they will not be able to know and get [the information] clearly,” said Villareal. “This is an advocacy and we love doing it."

Villareal, a physical education teacher, has been interpreting for about 14 years. She discovered her love for the language after being assigned to a sports program for persons with disability. Having a deaf nephew added to her drive to learn sign language.

Blas, a full-time pastor with the God is Good Christian Church, said that he wanted to learn sign language so that he could tell the deaf that God loves them.

“I could not communicate with them [at first]," he said. "It left a burden in my heart so I thought to myself if I get an opportunity, I will learn sign language."

Blas, who would also like to have a ministry for the deaf in his church, has been an interpreter for 16 years and says that interpreting well is a skill that has to be developed.

“It is not a joke to interpret. [Just] because you know sign language [it doesn't mean] you can be an interpreter," he said. "We serve as the bridge between the hearing world and the deaf world. Without it, they will be isolated."

He added that being an interpreter is not just a public service, but is also one way of serving the Lord.

Knowledge is power

Rey Alfred Lee, president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, said that having SL interpreters during national events, such as the President’s SONA, empowers persons with disability.

“We really need to have access to information. If just the spoken word [is available], how would the deaf know the things happening around us? If there is an inset or interpreter, then the deaf can have knowledge,” Lee said as interpreted by Blas and Villareal.

Progress

Asked about the President's promise that the monthly pensions of persons with disability will soon go up to at least P5,000, up from the current P500, Lee said: “This is good news for us deaf people…This is a good development.”

He added that representatives from the deaf community will have a short dialogue with ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio on Wednesday to discuss House Bill No. 6079. The bill aims to declare the Filipino sign language as the national sign language and the government's official language in all transactions involving the deaf. The bill likewise mandates the use of sign language in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces.

The measure is pending at the House of Representatives' social service committee.

“We do hope that by next year the President’s SONA will have an official sign language interpreter in the House of Representatives so all channels’ broadcasts will have an inset for the deaf,” said Joyce Dalawampu, team coordinator at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. — BM/DVM. GMA News

SDEAS Holds Honors' Convocation 2012

2012 Honors' Convocation

SONA 2012 for the Filipino Deaf

July 23, 2012, Manila -- Three teams composed of veteran sign language interpreters, Deaf consultants and and hearing coordinators where assigned to a network each namely ANC, GMA News Online, and TV5 to provide real time inset interpreting as President Benigno Aguino III delivered his State of the Nation Address before the House of Representatives yesterday.

John Baliza, Tess Buenaventura, Weng Rivera, Aldrin Gabriel, and Mackie Calbay composed Team ANC

Photos by Carol Dagani

The GMA News Online Team included Joi Villareal, Rainer Blas, Rey Lee, Carol Dagani, and Joyce Dalawampu.

TV5 was in the good hands of Liza Presnillo, Jojo Esposa, and Moises Libot.

In between 8,000 words, 120 pauses for applause and 90 minutes running time, the six sign language interpreters, two for each network, raised the bar of interpreting for the Deaf yet again as they successfully provided inset interpreting in real time.

"It's our privilege to render public service and make sure that important information reaches the Deaf community," says Mr. Rainer Blas, Board Member of the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI) for 2012-2015, "however, the professionalization of Sign Language Interpreters in the Philippines is also our advocacy."  Other PNASLI Board Members present yesterday were Mr. John Baliza and Ms. Liza Presnillo.

"We hope that more news programs will provide inset interpreting in the future," Mr. Rey Lee, President of the Philippine Federation of The Deaf, Inc. (PFD) was keen to emphasize. "We are currently setting up meetings with the Department of Education as well to discuss the use of Filipino Sign Language in the school curriculum."

PNASLI, established on May 21, 2011, is a unifying national organization of sign language interpreters with members - both Deaf and hearing - ensuring that there is full access to the d/Deaf throught the Philippines through quality interpreting. Most of the intepreters who collaborated with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Educaton and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS) for the 2012 SONA are proud members of PNASLI.

Deaf consultants worked closely with the interpreters to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the signs as PNoy went through his 40-page address delivered in Filipino. Currently, the Deaf Community fully support House Bills 4121: Sign Language Interpreter inset TV News Program and 4631: Court Interpreter for PWDs and pressed for more attention and concern for Deaf needs in the next SONA of the President.

Special thanks to Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID), Filipino Deaf Women's Health and Crisis Center (FDWHCC), Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Inc. (PFD), and the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI) for working once again with DLS-CSB SDEAS to make the 2012 State of the Nation Address Accessible to the Filipino Deaf.

For inquiries, please contact DLS-CSB SDEAS Center for Partnership and Development at 526-7441 loc 239 or 0917-8698213. You may also email deaf.partnerships@benilde.edu.ph

DLS-CSB SDEAS messages of hope for 3rd SONA

President's SONA on July 23 made accessible to the Deaf

President Benigno Aquino III will deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23, 2012. Deaf communities across the nation look forward to witnessing the President’s message for the Filipino people with the help of ANC, GMA News Online, PTV4 and TV5.

To make the SONA accessible, DLS-CSB’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies is collaborating with various organizations to arrange teams composed of two veteran sign language interpreters, who will interpret in real time, supported by a Deaf consultant and a hearing coordinator.

The president will deliver his SONA at 4pm, and media coverage with inset sign language interpreting will be provided through the ANC News (cable and internet live streaming), GMA News Online (live streaming), TV5 (local channel), and PTV4 (local channel) simultaneously. 

SDEAS will set up a television at the PEN-MLC corridor in Taft Campus for students, faculty, and personnel who would like to tune in. 

For inquiries, please contact SDEAS Center for Partnership and Development (CPD) at 526-7441 loc 239.

It's this ability that matters

Don't let disabilities get in the way of talent.


BY RUTH COLLANTES REYES
[Health Today Philippines, July 2012, pp. 74-75]

FRANSISCO GOYA AND LUDWIG van Beethoven were deaf, Frida Kahlo had mobility impairment, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder are blind, James Earl Jones had a speech impairment, and Tom Cruise is dyslexic. But their disabilities didn't stop them from contributing creatively through painting, musical composition or performance arts.


Opening doors or windows

Art can make the deaf hear, the blind see and the physically disabled dance. For Jose Rizal's 150th birthday, director Mirana Medina created a film translating Rizal's greatest poems using Filipino sign language. Featuring deaf actors Aldrin Gabriel, Mark Steven Gaspar, Romalito Mallari and Jorelle Faytaren, Mi Ultimo Adios in Filipino Sign Language elevated Rizal's work to a whole new level.

The choreographer for Mi Ultimo, Myra Medrana, is deaf herself. Medrana is also part of Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas (DTP), a dance group whose mission is to provide the deaf with a sense of responsibility, professionalism and self-confidence. Medrana is also the adviser and choreographer for the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's dance club, Silent Steps. DTP and Silent Steps get into the rhythm by feeling the vibrations of the music through the floor when they perform. Happy to be doing a job she is clearly passionate about, Medrana feels that she's passing on her love for dancing and instilling confidence in her pupils, who balance their studies with dance practices.


Purification Elks Villaruz dreamt of a career in the field of medicine, but when she was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing pains in her leg, which had to be amputated, Villaruz's dreams were crushed. She admitted that it took a while for her to regain her composure and to feel positive about herself. When she did, she discovered that even if she was bound to a wheelchair, she had a knack for ballroom dancing. The arts gave Villaruz the chance to express herself and also make her feel positive about her life. These days, Villaruz is willing to pass on her love for ballroom dancing to fellow amputees.


The creative soul

The arts make disabled people see past their disabilities and realize that they can do things they never thought they were capable of. It also gives them a sense of purpose and a path to dream. It creates wonders for their self-esteem. When they know they can do it, they push themselves to the limit, not because they have to, but because they want to show everyone what they can do.


Aside from acquiring self- confidence, they also do their families proud when they see them perform or create artworks. With peer support, alongside the encouragement of their family, the disabled will feel that they are able to do something with their lives. The arts can also be their source of livelihood and sustenance.

Rommel Agravante, a recent Fine Arts graduate majoring in painting at University of the Philippines-Diliman and the father of three hearing children, is also deaf. Starting out as a self-taught artist, he began drawing when he was just 5 years old and decided that it would be his lifelong passion. Agravante is renowned for drawing life-like artworks and is the founder and president of the Filipino Deaf Visual Art Group. The group is comprised of members who share a love for the visual arts: painting, printmaking, photography, drawing and so on—gaining the means to communicate their feelings to the world and create a way to support their families.

Glimpse into another life


Art is everywhere, not just in museums but also in everyday life. That shirt design you were admiring? The tattoo on someone's back? The mural on the expressway? That's art. At best, art has always been an expression of oneself. Even though most people can only imagine what life must be like for the disabled, you can


catch a glimpse through the song interpretations and artwork of the deaf, feel the beat of the music with the graceful dancing of the physically-impaired, and see the lyrics float in front of you as the blind sing their melodies. Life is full of miracles and should be lived fully, like they are doing.

Forms of art such as music, painting and drawing, and in today's modern age, photography and graphic design, are seen as windows to the soul. It is for everyone to see, touch, hear and experience. Art is for everyone, even the disabled.

Are you ready to take the plunge in to the wonderful world

of arts?

 

These people can help you:

Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas c/o Myra Medrana

(0917) 486 3754 (text only) DTP will be holding auditions for deaf students.

Purification Elks Villaruz

(0933) 409 6876

Filipino Deaf Visual Art Group cio Rommel Agravante

(0927) 834 1310 (text only)



Pamilya ko Bahandi ko: May paglaom taliwala sa kangitngit, kahilom

My first published article story about a Deaf-blind boy written in cebuano at Sunstar Bisdak Magazine. Grab a copy now!

Written by: John Paul Ecarma Maunes
Photography by: Jesslee Cuizon

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2012 Announcement

"I Can" Photo Competition

Celebrate the countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Join the “I Can” Photo Competition and get a chance to win Samsung gadgets

Mechanics and photo opportunities are on the British Embassy website: http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en/visiting-uk/london-2012-olympics/i-can-photo-contest-mechanics

For further enquiries, please email ICan.2012Paralympics@gmail.com Put “ENQUIRY” on the subject line. 17-23 July is the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week. 

K-12 to use sign language as mother tongue for deaf

By Mikhail Franz E. Flores, VERA Files
 
Now that the K to 12 system of education is being enforced in the country and native languages have begun to be used as medium of instruction from kindergarten to Grade 3, deaf children will also get the chance to use their mother tongue: sign language.

The Deaf Education Council (DEC) began consultation with deaf educators in developing a sign language curriculum for non-hearing pupils at a forum at the University of the Philippines College of Education Auditorium last month.

Click here to read more. 

Filipino Interpreters Gathered to Level Up!

by: Nicky Templo-Perez & Naty Natividad

On May 19, 2012 about 70 people trooped over to the Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila, Philippines to attend the 2nd National Interpreters’ Conference hosted by the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI).

The theme of the conference was “Level Up: Taking Professionalization of Sign Language Interpreters in the Philippines to the Next Level” and featured speakers that discussed various topics on how sign language interpreters in the Philippines could better hone their craft. During the conference elections were also held for the new Board of Trustees of the association, its regional representatives, and members of its Deaf Advisory Council. Elected as PNASLI Board for 2012-2015 were Jun Jun Sevilla, Alfredo Celada,Jr., Dr. Marie Therese Bustos, Natividad Natividad, Flordeliza Presnillo, Reiner Blas, John Xandre Baliza and Yvette Bernardo. The Regional Cluster Coordinators are Demelyn Chato, Jennel Cheng and Ember Palma for Luzon Cluster, Hillton John Edrial for Visayas Cluster and Rossana Villanueva for the Mindanao Cluster. The Deaf Advisory Council is composed of Mr. Raphael Domingo, Mackie Calbay, Myra Medrana, George Lintag, and Rowella Tanjusay-Par.

Starting off that day’s conference were Ms. Etsuko Umemoto from Japan and Ms. Monica Punjabi Verma from India. Both are Asia Representatives of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI). They welcomed the newly formed PNASLI with their messages of encouragement. This was followed by the Keynote Speech delivered by Mr. Lauro Purcil, Lead Convenor of the Philippine Coalition on the United Nations Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities who is himself blind. “Ka Lauro”, as he is fondly called, made several important points which included the scarcity of interpreters in the Philippines, and how important it was to “develop a standard of interpreting that will result to the equalization of opportunities, non discrimination, accessibility, inclusion and enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms of the Deaf.” But he also pointed out the importance to equally fight for the rights of the interpreters and how this special group of individuals must also be ensured to enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others.

After Ka Lauro’s keynote speech, came a slew of presenters who gave different perspectives on issues concerning sign language interpreters and how the profession could be brought to greater heights in the Philippines. Davin Searls of Discovering Deaf Worlds discussed his experiences interacting with Deaf Leaders and their Hearing Allies from all over the world. Dr. Rosalinda M. Ricasa, Ph.D. of Gallaudet University, herself a Filipina, and one of the pioneers of Deaf Education in the Philippines, talked about the strategies and linguistic features of interpreting. Dr. Liza Martinez, Ph.D. of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center discussed the difficulties of voice interpretation. Mr. John Xandre Baliza of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies talked about interpreting-related injuries and how interpreters can sign effectively without inflicting harm on themselves and avoiding serious injury. Lastly Mr. Soya Mori of the Development Studies Center of the Institute of Developing Economies tackled the importance of Deaf relay interpreters being included in the sign language interpreting profession. Other invited speakers were Mr. Jordi Ferre of the CILSEM Asociación de Intérpretes de Lengua de Signos Española de Madrid and Mr. Jandi Arboleda from Clerc Center, Gallaudet University.

It was indeed a full day for those who attended and everyone left looking forward to this year’s work of professionalizing sign language interpreting in the Philippines and to the next National Interpreters’ Conference next year.

“Silent Steps” – a Deaf dance group headed by Deaf choreographer Ms.Myra Medrana opened the conference with the Philippine National Anthem and an interpretative prayer.

Participants of the 2nd PNASLI National Interpreters Conference – Level-Up! There were also participants from other parts of the Philippines and the U.S. who joined via online netstreaming

 Mr. John Xandre gave a demonstration together with Interpreter Ms.Febe Sevilla on strategies how to avoid interpreting-related injuries.

 Presentation of Mr. Soya Mori on the importance of Deaf Relay Interpreters in the profession of Sign Language Interpreting

Mr. Lauro Purcil, Jr.- Lead Convenor of the Philippine Coalition on CRPD- was the keynote speaker of the conference.

The new PNASLI Board for 2012-2015. From Left: Jun Jun Sevilla, Alfredo Celada,Jr., Marie Therese Bustos, Natividad Natividad, Flordeliza Presnillo, Reiner Blas, John Xandre Baliza

The newly-elected PNASLI Board together with the Regional Cluster Coordinators and Deaf Advisory Council.

 Ms. Etsuko Umemoto- Asia Representative of WASLI giving her message as interpreted by

Ms. Febe Sevilla.

Ms. Monica Punjabi Verma- Asia Representative of WASLI, shared her experience and work with Deaf in India and with interpreters of ISLIA (Indian Sign Language Interpreters Association). Her presentation was interpreted by Mr. Jun Jun Sevilla.

 Presentation of the Discovering Deaf Worlds by Mr.Davin Searls, interpreted

by Ms.Febe Sevilla.

Mr. Jojo Esposa interpreted for the presentation of Dr.Rosalinda M.Ricasa on the Strategies and Linguistic Feature of Interpreting.

 Polling precinct for the election of the new PNASLI Board, Regional Cluster Coordinators and Deaf Advisory Council

 Deaf Bazaar

Photobooth

 

Participants’ registration counter

Teaching Photography to the Deaf

Patricia Evangelista is a first year SDEAS student who is an 'alumna' of the "Foto Baryo" project. She was featured in "Ako Ang Simula," a public service show broadcast on ABS-CBN last June 27, 2012. The crew, including Jessalee Depusoy, Michael Gareera and Jerome Dela Cruz, interviewed Patricia and her sister about her passion for photography which she was able express through Foto Baryo in her previous school.  

“Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa in San Pablo, Laguna” is a school for special children. They provide education and skills training for the blind, deaf and those with autism.

In 2006, the school was discovered by a group called “Foto Baryo.” They are a group of photographers who teach photography to children for free.

Fernando Afable, the organization’s founder, was a photographer based in the United States. But his job doesn’t end with taking photographs. He wanted to share his talent and see more children grow up as good photographers.

Afable and his group believe that each photograph is unique because every person who takes them has a different perception of the world.

That was why they started teaching deaf students, thinking that they also have compelling stories to tell.
Despite their lack of funds, Foto Baryo was dedicated to developing the skills of the deaf. The group can only provide five cameras to its twenty students.

In spite of this challenge, the students were enthusiastic. They may not be able to express their thoughts through words but they were able to convey it through photographs.

Foto Baryo was impressed with their students. Some discovered their innate talent in taking vivid images. 

Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/current-affairs-programs/06/28/12/foto-baryo-teaching-photography-deaf

Truly Benildean, Truly World Class

“Graduation is not the end. It’s only the beginning of another journey towards a higher level of learning. For those of you who still have doubts about your potentials, let me and my Deaf batchmates be the living testament of what we can all become despite our limitations,” Ana Kristina Macasaet Arce expressed towards the end of her graduation speech last October 17, 2009.


True to her word, two years and a half later, the CIC-Creative Services Artist and Silver Award Holder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People, received a congratulatory letter from Gallaudet University’s Office of the President confirming her slot as a World Deaf Leadership (WDL) scholar for 2012. Ana’s scholarship is welcome news after her acceptance to the Deaf Studies graduate program of Gallaudet University.

Prior to her application, Ana was one of the Teacher Education Institute (TEI) Course participants of the Pre-College Education Network (PCEN) along with selected SDEAS faculty and staff. The participants of this program will also serve as team of consultants that will create the Deaf Model High School curriculum and serve as first teachers.

Ms. Arce is being awarded this scholarship because the WDL Scholarship Selection Committee was especially impressed with her project to develop and establish an English literacy and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) center in the Philippines along with her stellar academic credentials, admirable work ethic, and dedication to her cause in improving the lives not only of Deaf Filipinos but across the globe as well. Gallaudet University, located in Washington, DC, is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing students.

The Benildean-Lasallian community is proud of her and the accomplishments she achieved through her own merit and hard work reflected in the solid recommendations of her colleagues, former professors and the College management.

The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) joins Gallaudet University and the Nippon Foundation of Japan in congratulating Ms. Arce for being one of the two individuals, in the whole of Asia, selected to receive the World Deaf Leadership Scholarship and her inevitable academic success.

She is truly an inspiration to the next generation of Deaf leader-advocates who dream of making a difference by “doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well” day in and day out.

We are proud of you Ana!

Animo Benilde!

Silent Steps in Saksi

Saksi, the late night newscast to GMA Channel 7, featured a story about Deaf dancers for its Special Segment last July 2.


Sophia Balod, Melchor Quintos, and Anthony Herrera videoed Silent Steps’ during rehearsals in the ARG theater and interviewed their Trainor and Choreographer Myra Medrana along with three SDEAS students who shared their passion for dancing.

It is the hope of Silent Steps that they can encourage more Deaf youth to express themselves through the performing arts.

Click to watch full video:

Ulirang Ama

Last June 15, 2012, the TV5 team of Roda Magnaye, Adonis Rogero, and Nelson Leydia visited the Mr. Hilario Rabang, Jr. in DLS-CSB to interview him and his colleagues for a Father's Day special segment which aired that same night on Pilipinas News TV. His family was also interviewed and the video clip includes his daughter expressing how much she loves and admires her father. More than a tribute to Hilario's hard work and dedication in being the head of his family, it is also a testament on the success of Deaf parents in leading inspirational lives.
Click here for full video.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3867378235844

Benildeans Watch Senate Decision on CJ Impeachment

Since January 16, 2011, the Center of Partnership and Development (CPD) under the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is setting up two TVs, a big one and a small one, outside the CPD office every Mondays to Thursdays at two in the afternoon inside the Taft Campus.  Many Benildean administrative officers, faculty, staff, and students are passing by the PEN-MLC hall to watch the ANC TV with interpreting insets for five months.

Until now, not only Benildeans but also several people outside the CSB and the Deaf Filipino community nationwide sit around the PEN-MLC hall area to watch Studio 23 with Sign Language Interpreter insets, Mr. John Xandre Balisa and Ms. Catherine Joy "Joi" Villareal.

Last May 29, 2012, everyone gathered around to watch the end of the Corona impeachment with the verdict of guilty, and the speeches of the senate judges telling their decisions of whether acquit or convict to the Chief Justice, giving the final result of 20 senate judges who convicted and 3 senate judges who acquitted the Chief Justice. Finally, Renato Corona is proven guilty of the statements and violations against the law and is no longer the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Benildeans are finally happy that this has already passed and they would like to thank the Sign Language Interpreters who are always willing to work and serve at ANC TV and also the ABS-CBN for the opportunity of opening the interpreting inset in ANC TV and during the Chief Justice trial in Studio 23.

by Mackie Calbay

edited by Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes