Ronald Hirano on Mother Delight Rice

Last February, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies was honored to have Mr. Ronald Hirano as guest and resource speaker. 

Mr. Ronald Hirano, a Deaf Nisei (American-Japanese), was "adopted by Miss Delight Rice, who founded the Philippine School for the Deaf in 1907, when his entire famil was interned to relocation camps with 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II. Educated in California School for the Deaf-Berkeley, Gallaudet University and San Francisco State University. He is an architectural drafter, engineer, artist, and photographer. In 2009, he received the Gallaudet University Alumni Association Pauline "Polly" Peikoff Service to Others Award. The award is presented to a hearing or deaf individual from within the deaf community who has contributed, beyond normal expectations, his or her time, in service to others.

In an event entitled "Mother Delight Rice and her Children," Mr. Hirano generously shared his experiences and excerpts from his published book, "The Life Story of Mother Delight Rice and Her Children: The First Teacher of the Deaf in the Philippines."

 

SDEAS Deaf Advocacy Coordinator Raymond Manding explains the accessibility set-up before the start of the event. Since Mr. Hirano uses American Sign Language (ASL), Mr. Raphy Domingo will then interpret to Filipino Sign Language (FSL) for the Deaf members of the audience. There will be voice interpreters as well for the hearing members of the audience. 

The opening prayer and the national anthem is led
by the Silent Steps members of the SDEAS Deaf Performing Arts Program.

SDEAS Deaf Advocacy Coordinator Raymond Manding explaining the interpreter set-up for the event. 

Opening remarks by Mr. Leonides Sulse,

SDEAS Chairperson, Center for Academics (C-A)

Introduction of the speaker by Ms. Ana Kristina Arce, SDEAS Faculty and Gallaudet Alumna.

John Baliza and Bayani Generoso are the voice interpreters for the event to ensure full accessibility. 

Mr. Ronald Hirano thanks the Filipino Deaf community for the invitation and shares his life background.

With Mr. Raphy Domingo as FSL interpreter 

projected unto the screen side by side with Mr. Hirano signing in ASL

Since Raphy Domingo is bilingual he understands ASL and is able to interpret in FSL.

John Baliza and Bayani Generoso take turns in voice interpreting.

He says, Delight Rice was an extraordinary teacher and principal who was responsible for many unprecedented achievements in Deaf education. US government sent her to establish a deaf education system in the first School for the Deaf in the Philippines.

The guest of honor proudly donates copies of his book to
Ms. Ana Arce, Mr. Leonides Sulse, Ms. Agnes Canayon, and Ms. Giselle Montero

Deaf faculty and students alike participate in the open forum.

This event is proudly headed by the Benildean Deaf Association (BDA).
Student BDA President Nicole Magpayo presents the Certificate of Appreciation
to Mr. Hirano while BDA Adviser Ms. Febe Sevilla (far left) looks on.

Closing remarks from Dean Nicky Templo Perez of SDEAS