To Fulfill a Dream: Graduate Study at Gallaudet University

By Ana Kristina Arce

It had always been my dream to study at Gallaudet University, an academic institution known for its prestige as an institution committed towards excellence in Deaf education and the first and only Deaf University in the world. My dream finally came true when I became the first Filipino to be awarded the World Deaf Leadership Scholarship to study at Gallaudet in 2012. I completed a master's degree in Deaf Studies: Cultural Studies and graduated in May 2014. I would like to share a brief story with you on how I lived and survived the academic challenges at Gallaudet as a graduate student.

Ana received the University diploma with Gallaudet University President Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz

My initial expectation about Gallaudet is that it is just like my school in college from our home country. I was surprised to find out that Gallaudet had all these video relay service booths, round tables in the cafeteria, and that the University is an ASL/English bilingual environment. The University's facilities from the cafeteria to the classroom were all the way of deaf beings. The University is a wide campus of accessibility for deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing and deaf students with disabilities. I did not expect that there would be a lot of written assignments and projects. I lived in the campus dormitory for four semesters and I saw that everyone including the staff, faculty, and students use sign language. I felt like I am one of those who belong to the majority because I did not experience any communication barrier. I also learned that hearing students are accepted in some programs such as Deaf Studies and Interpreting undergraduate programs as well as other graduate programs in the University but they have to learn sign language because professors in all courses taught students in American Sign Language (ASL). If I may exaggerate a bit, speaking people or those who use verbal communication in the campus are frowned upon by Deaf students.    

My fellow MA classmates

Two things I found difficult to adjust to were the new environment and American culture where I experienced a cultural shock. In the past four semesters, I reflected on why I choose to study there. I had to learn ASL, adjust to the new academic environment, educational system and American culture. Being a new student in a diverse, multicultural academic institution, I had to do self-reflection and learned to embrace and appreciate other diverse cultures. I also learned a lot of new perspectives on social justice and listened to people of color’s voices, which led me to teach “Dynamics of Oppression” course for my graduate internship under my South African professor Lindsay Dunn who had experienced in his Social Justice movement.

South Korean Seung Shin, Ana Arce's classmate and South African professor Lindsay Dunn

From Left to Right: Allara (Chad), Dae-Kun (South Korean), Ana,
-Kun's friend, Ikumi (Japanese) and Dana (Mali)

In graduate school, writing academic papers drove me crazy, plus a big project like the MA thesis. There were tons of scholarly articles, journals, and other publications from the course requirements I have to read to write papers and other written assignments. I fell in love with the Gallaudet library and archive and frequently visited them to do reading, writing assignments and projects.  Time flew fast, and I now completed the two-year graduate studies. Before the end of the program, I had mixed feelings-happy for I am now armed with an M.A. degree but sad because I left the campus, a place where I lived and learned and where signing is a way of life. I benefited a lot from the program, seminars/workshops, mentoring and trainings at the University. I also acquired a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Deaf ways-of-being. I went home with the aim to help improve the lives of the Filipino d/Deaf in my home country. The count down began after my graduation.

Graduate Class of 2014

In the University’s Graduate Hooding and Awards ceremony, I was totally surprised to receive two awards –  the George W. Veditz Award, which recognized the impact I have made and will continue to make in the field of Deaf Studies and the Graduate Writing Research Award for having completed an outstanding research study in my academic program. Both awards were presented by the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies and Graduate School. I told myself, “Incredible, I made it, dint  I?” with my big eyes when receiving the awards. I also joined the University’s Sesquicentennial Commencement Exercises and marched proudly carrying the Philippine flag.

Ana received two awards - George Veditz and Graduate Writing Research Award.

Ana Arce received a Master's hood from the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies.

I am deeply thankful to the Nippon Foundation of Japan and Gallaudet University for the WDL scholarship. It is an amazing opportunity for me to prove my worth studying at Gallaudet to further enhance my skills and help improve Filipino d/Deaf lives – in education, employment and preservation of deaf culture in our home country.

International Coordinator of WDL team Danilo Torres presented the certificate of achievement to Ana Arce from Nippon Foundation of Japan making me part of the Nippon Foundation Group Alumni Society.

I also wish to thank Dr. Rosalinda Ricasa, my WDL mentor and Dr. H-Dirksen Bauman, thesis adviser and graduate academic advisor for the awesome mentorship. 

World Deaf Leadership (WDL) mentor, Dr. Rosalinda Ricasa (first Filipino sign linguist) who mentored me in my WDL project for the Philippines to improve lives of Filipino d/Deaf people.

My parents, Ana Arce and Dr. H-Dirksen Bauman, chair of the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies

My special thanks to my friends Seung Sook Shin, Thuy Tien Nguyen, Lindsay Dunn, deaf Friends, Arlyn Penaranda, Peter Ji, Le Toudjida Allara, professors of Department of ASL and Deaf Studies, fellow WDL scholars, WDL team of Gallaudet University, my parents’ friends Gani Penaranda, Leny Santos, Victoria Vaughan and Jeffery Bowden for their wonderful encouragement and support. 

My fellow MA classmates, MA Cohort 2012-2014

Ana Arce with Dr. Gemma Gabor (former SDEAS teacher)

My deepest gratitude to my loving parents, Ramon and Vilma Arce for their wonderful support and inspiring me to strive for excellence in everything I do.

From Left to Right: Tita Leny (my mom's best friend), Ana, Ramon, and Vilma (my parents).

Ana Arce carried the Philippine flag that represented the "Proud Filipino"
and wore the special graduation stole with the national flag and Nippon Foundation logo. 

The Deaf Awareness and Human Rights: A Journey

Several years ago, thousands of people were hungry to know about what its like to be deaf. The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's program started to advocate a Deaf awareness and human rights seminar based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is related to the SDEAS's mission: to nurture among Deaf and hearing people the understanding and appreciation of the unique history and culture of the Deaf community.

Even in the other parts of the world, Deaf leader-advocates and educators share the same important information of Deaf Awareness and Human Rights. SDEAS's journey began working with universities and medical schools, organizations, governments, companies and businesses in the Metro Manila. 

From outside Metro Manila, we were happy to invite the speaker of Deaf awareness and UNCRPD seminar in Rizal through Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Inc. This program and orientation was shared to parents of children with disabilities.

Recently, we've invited to the said activity the parents of deaf children and government employees, staff, and sectors through Mirana Medina, Independent Advocacy Film and campaign for Filipino Sign Language films, her nephew Hon. Jose Angelo Dominguez, Municipal Mayor, Castellijos, Zambales, and his wife, who organized this program last January 22, 2014, a whole day for helping the members of Zambales government to understand the meaning of Deaf.

  

Leah Osido, a Deaf Facilitator, shared some inspiration regarding Deaf awareness to 102 various participants using sign language which was voice interpreted by Giselle Montero. We explained to them how it is perceived as a positive advantage the way deaf people interact and bridge communication with the hearing world. 

We also taught how to communicate using the Deaf and Filipino Sign Language words to the parents of deaf children and government sectors and staff. Even if they had a hard time in practicing the hand spelling, they enjoyed learning in the FSL activity.

 

The event was not only about awareness because Mackie Calbay, a Deaf Facilitator, also gave a seminar on human rights advocate which is called the UNCRPD. It helped them understand why Deaf's needs are important and how the environment sector and local government can support the accessibility of the Deaf and PWDs to the society to make their lives better. 

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur Ward

While Leah taught the basic alphabet, sign language, name and identity, she also enjoyed a Filipino game with deaf children and the expression of deaf children's life stories. "Teach to learn, Learn to teach." ~ Anonymous

After the seminar, the open forum received many questions from participants, especially from parents of deaf children, about how deaf children can reach the success of the Deaf and what can parents do to support their deaf children and to give them better education. 

 

It is not only the Deaf leaders who inspired the deaf children, but the deaf children also inspired the Deaf leaders to follow that dream. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch

 

Happy picture with Hon. Jose Angelo M. Dominguez, Castillejos, Zambales, parents of deaf children, teacher and the community.

Article by: Mackie Calbay

Deaf Advocacy Coordinator
DLS-CSB SDEAS
Edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes

Pleasurable Entertainment in the 18th Deaf Festival Cultural Show

The well-known School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) department has made a wonderful celebration of the famous annual week-long Deaf Festival inside the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Taft Campus, Manila  with its exceptional theme “18th Deaf Festival: Creativity Beyond Limits”  last November 19-24, 2012. It was a successful event that created more fun and enjoyment.

Ma. Isabel Cabbab, a new Benildean Press Corps (BPC) Deaf writer, was the 18th Deaf Festival chairperson, and Mr. Michael Vea, the current president of Philippines Sports Federation of the Deaf (PSFD) and an SDEAS English faculty, was the festival adviser. The festival's head committees were Roejen Fernandez (Vice-chairperson), Lan Kimura (Secretary), Armhel Joice Ganotice (Marketing), Ira Ortiz (Bazaar), Angelo Maniago (Finance), Mark Daniel Laygo (Promotion), Melvin Orevillo (Exhibit), Paul Bryan Gaveria (Entertainment Program), Grace Pico (Activity), Gladys Bisnar (Logistics), Yobbo Garcia (Documentation), and Mark Gil Punzal (Registration).

The opening program started with a Holy Mass arranged by SDEAS which was held in Augusto Rosario Gonzalez Theater 5th floor, Mutien Marie Hall inside DLS-CSB Taft Campus at 9:30 am-10:30am last November 19, and was attended by numerous BAPDST and DLPC students, SDEAS faculties and administrators, and other visitors and participants. The Holy Eucharist was a peaceful, satisfying and beautiful one because of the wonderful performance by the Deaf performers for the opening and blessing of the Deaf Festival. The exhibit, which was filled of different photos of the past Deaf Festival events, was opened shortly after the mass. The traditional ribbon cutting was made by Ms. Agnes Canayon, Director of Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation (C-DEAF) and Mr. Leonides D. Sulse, Chairperson of Center for Academics (C-Acads). The Deaf Benildean community and SDEAS faculties applauded and were filled of joy.

The week-long event was filled with many different activities such as seminars including “How House Bill Becomes a Law” (HB 6079) prepared by Mr. Mackie Calbay, “Making Your Money Grow” prepared by Center for Partnership and Development, and “Healthy Living Session” which promoted information and awareness on food health and nutritional care, workshops including “Let’s Learn Filipino Sign Language,” “Photography,” and “Cooking with Chef Enriquez," the Deaf Got Talent, Deaf Master Chef, Sports fest on Volleyball and Basketball, Deaf Quiz Bee, Taekwondo Lesson, and selected Deaf fun games including puzzle race, Deaf Whiz Quiz game, and many more.

One of the highlights and best Deaf Festival activities was the closing program entitled “Deaf Festival Cultural Show”  which started at 6:00pm until 9:00pm. The cultural presentation started with the singing of the “Lupang Hinirang” accompanied by a Filipino folk dance by the Silent Steps while the audience stood as a respect to the Philippine national anthem. The opening remarks and inspirational message was given by the C-Acads Chairperson Mr. Leo Sulse. In his speech, he thanked the audience for coming to watch the cultural show. He also praised and congratulated the Deaf Festival head committees for making this big event in triumph through their hard work as a team. “Being hardworking and creative is a pleasing and good characteristic as a team. The theme 'Creativity Beyond Limits' denotes the unlimited skills and creativity of the Deaf, particularly those who are involved in accomplishing and making this cultural show successful. Every Deaf has a hidden talent and we should know the deepest meaning of the theme. I’m hoping that it is not only during the Deaf Festival event that we are always creative but you should use it in many ways at any time to achieve your dreams and goals."

There were many great and beautiful dance presentations that the Silent Steps had performed such as hip hop and Filipino native dance. They did it admirably while they wore different dance costumes. One of these was the Father and Son’s very inspiring performance. Rastaman Landero and his hearing father made the crowd feel overwhelmed with their song number as the father sang and played the guitar while Rastaman interpreted it through singing and using Filipino sign language. The two hosts Ms. Jessel Arriola and Roejen Fernandez asked Rastaman on how he performed concurrently with his father’s tone using FSL despite of being Deaf. He answered, “My father always supports me in achieving what I want to be. He knows I am Deaf and I cannot hear his voice and guitar, but I can feel it and he helped me to work it out until I succeeded in doing it.”

There was also a dance number from a different deaf school that performed a Filipino folk dance (tune of the farm) and the quasi-bird or birdie was dancing. The second was remarkable and eye-catching as they played excellently and expressively. Moreover, the winners of the games and Deaf contests were announced and have been given prizes.

The appearance of the three very amusing and artistic hosts Nathaniel Macariola, Kenneth “Ken” Yadan and Jimmy Cacut tickled the Deaf and hearing viewers and made them burst into laughter with their jokes even up until the last part of the program. It was really one of the most enjoyable entertainments. The three were well suited to each other and they were naturally humorous. They were even being compared to the comedians and hosts of Eat Bulaga Tito Vic and Joey when it comes to making the audience laugh and giggle. However, Nathaniel Macariola, the most humorous, made a remarkable performance on telling  two funny stories, the “Cut Tongue Becomes Deaf Aswang” and “Cop Leo Shoots Zombie." The final program was done by Mr. Mackie Calbay who encouraged the crowd to help him campaign and pursue the House Bill 6079. He explained that if the bill will be passed into law, the Deaf community will receive good benefits from the government and will get equal opportunities. At the end of the show, the video displayed the works and activities of the week-long Deaf Festival and the existence of its adviser, chairperson, vice-chairperson, and head committees.  The hosts were Lan Kimura, Richard Ibazebo, Roejen Fernandez, Nathaniel Macariola, Kenneth Yadan, Jimmy Cacut, Justine Camille Javier,  Ms. Jessel Arriola, and Ms. Diana Pria Banas.

The Deaf Festival is a genuine part of the Deaf culture and will always be a part of the lives of the Deaf community. It symbolizes the unity and harmony among the Deaf Filipinos in all over the Philippines and among the hearing community as well as their hearing parents, friends, and loved ones who strongly support  the Deaf community. I believe that the Deaf Festival is not only for the Deaf people to participate, but also open for the hearing Benildeans and outsiders who want to take a glimpse of the Deaf culture and community. Every person has the right to interact to one another and not to live in marginalization. Deaf Festival is truly an amazing legendary that has remained through the years. The Deaf people love it knowing that it shows their creativity, skills, and cleverness in their own ways. It does prove their self identities as Deaf in capital “D”.  Long Live Deaf Festival! Till we meet again next year.

by: Ma. Jesusa Charisma Nofies

Edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes

BDA Celebrated Its Five Years of Aspirations in Deaf Leaderships

In line with its five years of serving the Deaf Benildean students and deaf community inside and outside the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde school, the Benildean Deaf Association (BDA) celebrated a four-day anniversary with the theme “BDA 5th Anniversary: Our Aspirations as Deaf Benildeans” last November 7-10, 2012 under the supervision of  Ma. Jesusa Charisma Nofies.

The opening ceremony started with a Holy Mass at the CSB Chapel of the Resurrection, followed by the ribbon cutting headed by the BDA President, Abigail Ablaza, and the BDA Adviser, Ms. Diana Pria Banas, then the showcase of the BDA exhibit, and finally the start of the opening program.

BDA hosted a number of seminars which include "Filipino Sign Language House Bill 6079 Forum" led by Mr. Mark Joseph Calbay, "Deaf Linguistics: Natural Sign Language Forum," which were both held at the CSB Cafeteria Function A & B, and "Deaf K-12-Forum UNCRPD seminar" with guest speaker Yvette Apurado held at the Amphi Theater 12 Floor SDA Campus. They also had other activities such as the BDA Quiz Bee and the Basic Adobe Flash Part 1 & 2 workshop prepared for the BAPDST students of Multimedia Arts. The Deaf Film Festival, which aimed to give entertainment and Deaf awareness to the Benildean community, included the movies “The Hammer” and “See what I’m Saying” with ORDEV A & B accredited.

One of the highlights of the BDA anniversary celebration was the BDA reunion party held in the Amphi Theater 12th Floor in SDA Campus as the start of the closing program. The event was attended by more than 50 participants including the BDA alumni, BDA Officers and members from first batch to present, SDEAS faculties, and some BAPDST students. Some names on the list of attendees were Mr. Raphy Domingo, former BDA Vice-President of First and second batch, the former presidents Ma. Anaditha Angcay (2nd batch), Rodolfo Iligan Jr. (3rd batch), and Justine Camille Javier (4th batch), SDEAS Faculties Ms. Diana Pria Banas, Mr. Ferdinand Vizmanos, Ms. Rowella Tanjusay, Mr. Alvin Llanares, Ms. Mary Joy Reyes, and Ms. Maricris Galang, and the BDA alumni & current officers and members Anna Salvador, Marl Kelvin Marcial, John Alexis Abad, Beverly Sapno, Roejen Fernandez, Gladys Bisnar, Abigail Ablaza, Morly Canta, Michael Lopez, Nicolaus Alferez, Zaneta Franada, Nathaniel Macariola, Chiellsea Manimbo, Angelica Abayan, Rastaman Landero, Mark Gil Punzal, Melvin Sibay, Maria Elena Lozada, Jon Reuel Santos, and more.

Ana Kristina Arce, the first BDA president, is currently studying World Leadership Training in Gallaudet University in the United States of America. Even though she was not around, she sent an inspirational message video for the said event. She encouraged, commended, and saluted the BDA efforts for continuing to serve and work hard for the common good of every Deaf Benildean and Deaf community.  

by: Ma. Jesusa Charisma Nofies

Edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes

2nd Deaf Youth Adventure Camp 2012

Since the Philippines belongs to the third-world economy, not every place in the country enjoys the awareness of the latest human rights advocacies and the barrier-free accessibility for the Deaf youth community. Although many provinces lag behind the latest access to communication, information technologies, and human rights advocacies, these provinces were reported as staunch supporters and users of the natural sign language of the Philippines — commonly known as the Filipino Sign Language (FSL).

In May 2007, the Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section (PFDYS) was established during the 1st General Assembly which consisted of young Deaf representatives with ages 18-35 from different regions of the country. It is the wing section of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, the national federation of eighteen Deaf member organizations from different regions of the country and affiliated with the World Federation of the Deaf, a global body recognized by the United Nations.

The Cebu Association of the Deaf (CAD), in partnership with PFDYS, organized the 2^nd Deaf Youth Adventure Camp with its theme “Deaf Youth Leadership and Teambuilding Camp” that  was joined by Deaf Campers from all over the country. The said camp was hosted by the Deaf Association of Iloilo and held at Villa Igang Resort, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras last May 10-13, 2012.

PFDYS gave different activities in the program including: Holy Mass, Introduction of PFDYS and CAD Committee, Red Cross & Safety Tips, Four Colors (Red, Yellow, Blue and Green) and making of flags for our teams, Teambuilding, Bonfire, Cultural Night, Mr. & Ms. Deaf Youth Camper, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Distribution of Certificates and Awarding Ceremony, and Island Tours.

The PFDYS gave two seminars and invited me as a resource speaker for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).  I work as a Deaf Advocacy Coordinator in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies; we are partners with PFDYS. It aims to encourage Deaf youth to learn more about UNCRPD and to gain access to the Deaf needs. My lectures have the excerpts of the UNCRPD articles by Raphy Domingo. Moreover, I explained the meaning of the Natural Sign Language as the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) including culture and identity and what does it mean for Deaf persons.

Another seminar was about "Leadership" that was shared by Rowella Tanjusay-Par. She explained to the Deaf participants on "How to become a Leader" and a deeper understanding of what a leader is. We learned a lot and we can share this to our new Deaf youth community.

 

One of our main goals is to encourage more Deaf youth to become future leaders and advocates through our youth camp activities. This is the first step for them to be able to understand what we expect from them. Therefore, we can work together for the betterment of the lives of the next generation.

written by: Mackie Calbay

edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes

photography by: Christine Zapanta Amomonpon