Service Awards 2011

Each start of the school year, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde fetes its teachers and faculty for the years of loyalty they have rendered the school.

10 Years in Service: Maria Veronica T. Perez (Third from left)

10 Years in Service: Joy L. Cristal (Seventh from left)

5 Years in Service:Leo Angelo Cabasag (Third from left)

5 Years in Service:Anabelle Salazar (Seventh from left.)

5 Years in Service:Febe Sevilla (Fourth from left)

Congratulations everyone!

Applications Open for First Cohort of Global Leaders in Disability Studies and Public Policy

Contact: Maya Aguilar +1.202.670.4143 www.aseanidpp.org
For Immediate Release:

Applications Open for First Cohort of Global Leaders in Disability Studies and Public Policy

Washington, DC, 18 May – Students from around the world can now apply to enter the inaugural class of Southeast Asia’s first virtual Master’s program on disability and public policy. The Master’s of International Affairs in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP), offered by the School of International Service at American University, is the centerpiece program of the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN Region. The IDPP is a collaborative effort of four founding academic institutions and two supporting partners, funded by The Nippon Foundation. The degree is taught in a blended cyberlearning environment, and focuses on the complex intersection of disability studies and public policy.

At the forefront of technological innovation, the IDPP promotes an inclusive, barrier-free, and rights-based environment in Southeast Asia by providing increased access to higher education for a traditionally underrepresented population: persons with disabilities. The program’s cyberinfrastructure cuts across geographic boundaries, allowing faculty to teach and students to be taught entirely online.

"Through a network of outstanding universities and accessible cyberlearning techniques, we will enable students to become leaders on international disability policy in the public, private, and NGO sectors," states Dr. Derrick L. Cogburn, Dean and Executive Director of the IDPP. Fifteen full fellowships per year will be awarded by The Nippon Foundation, with preference given to students from the ASEAN region who are blind, deaf, and/or mobility impaired, further increasing opportunities for high-potential persons with disabilities.

Led by the Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities (COTELCO), a joint research center at American University and Syracuse University (www.cotelco.net), the IDPP is a partnership of the School of International Service at American University; Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand; the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore; and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Supporting organizations are the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) in Bangkok and the International Council on Education for People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). Also collaborating with the IDPP are the ASEAN Studies Center, the Intercultural Management Institute, the Disability Student Support Services at American University, and the Burton Blatt Institute: Centers of Innovation on Disability at Syracuse University.

The Master’s program will begin with a two-week residency at Mahidol University from 18-29 July 2011, where an international faculty will introduce students to ASEAN affairs, cross-cultural communication, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Afterwards, students will disperse to their locations of residence for the duration of the program.

The Asia Pacific region has one of the world’s highest proportions of persons with disabilities. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) estimates as many as 400 million people with disabilities living in the region. These individuals continue to face significant barriers in accessing information, education, and employment. The IDPP is designed to address these issues.

Please visit www.aseanidpp.org to access more information and the online application.

Fellowship Opportunity For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy

Call for Applications:
Fellowship Opportunity For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy


For interested Deaf Applicants, please email theresa.christine.dela.torre@gmail.com


Web Sources:

What is IDPP (http://aseanidpp.org/node/27)
Requirements for admission (http://aseanidpp.org/admissions)
Application for Funding (http://aseanidpp.org/fellowships)
Deadline: June 10, 2011



Fellowship Opportunity
For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy



The Nippon Foundation will provide full fellowships including tuitions, books, required assistive technology and other support services, to a small group of individuals with disabilities to pursue graduate studies (Master’s level) in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIPD) at American University's School of International Service, beginning in August 2011 at the recently established Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN region.


This program will be offered entirely online, with the exception of a two-week residency held at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, July 18th-29th. The applications deadline for the scholarship and degree program is June 10, 2011. Please note that from the pool of qualified applicants for the Nippon Foundation Fellowship, preference will be given to applicants who are residents of an ASEAN country and have a documented disability.


What is the IDPP?

The Institute on Disability and Public Policy was a result of several dialogues and in accordance with the ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. The ASEAN Vision 2020 states that ASEAN will:

· enhance human resource development in all sectors of the economy through quality education, upgrading of skills and capabilities and training...[and]

· all people enjoy equitable access to opportunities for total human development and where the civil society is empowered and gives special attention to the disadvantaged, disabled and marginalized and where social justice and the rule of law reign..

Through discussions it was acknowledged that people with disabilities have not had access to postsecondary education...a major vehicle for the attainment of social and economic mobility. This is particularly true in the field of public policy studies. As a result, people with disabilities have not been able to acquire the academic credentials to participate as full partners in the construction of policies that significantly influence their lives. Consequently, the discussions led to a partnership that would develop a proposed Institute to address such concerns. Such an Institute would be established in full partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and within the context of The Nippon Foundation—ASEAN Strategic Partnership Agreement, for the purpose of improving the circumstances of persons with disabilities in ASEAN countries.



Preference for the Fellowship will be given to applicants meeting the criteria below:



The IDPP fellowship committee is currently recruiting a small number of candidates who are 1) blind or visually impaired, 2) deaf or hearing impaired, and 3) mobility impaired, to serve as a human resource cadre to the IDPP and conduct research on disability and public policy in the ASEAN region.



A talented and motivated individual from one of the ten ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) with demonstrated leadership experience and commitment to working with organizations of/for disabled persons or other marginalized individuals in their own country.

A commitment to achieving positive change for disabled persons through the development of proactive public policies within the ASEAN region.
Information and communication technology (ICT) skills to communicate through distant education and schooling.

Commitment to cooperate with the IDPP to grow an alumni network after completing a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP).
A person with the academic requirements and experiential background to meet the entrance requirement of a Master’s degree program in CIDP. More information about the requirements for this program can be found on the Admissions page.


Application Requirements for Admissions to the MA in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP) Program:



To be considered for admission, all applicants must:

Possess a bachelors degree from an accredited institution prior to August 29, 2011.


Submit a completed online application.


Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) online:
Your CV should list all your significant academic, personal, and professional achievements. Please give all relevant details regarding your work experience including the name of the organization, your duties, and the duration of your appointment.

Submit two (2) letters of recommendation using the online form:
One of the two letters must be from an academic source, preferably a faculty member with knowledge of your academic background. Letters from family or friends are not acceptable recommendations. The letters will be submitted electronically via the IDPP website.

Submit a Statement of Purpose online:
An essay stating your academic and career goals and statement of how the CIDP program specifically fits into your academic and/or career plans. Please provide information about how your life experiences have prepared your for a Master's in Comparative and International Disability and Policy, and why you will be a good candidate for the program. Limit the essay to 1000-1500 words.

Submit an Addendum Essay Online:
Please use this supplementary essay to discuss any personal or professional challenge that you have encountered. Limit essay to 500 words or less. If relevant, please also describe your preferred or required communication tools, technologies and/or techniques. Applicants to the Nippon Foundation Fellowship must explain their interest in the program and relevant experience in the addendum.

Submit official transcripts:
Submit official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Transcripts must list all courses taken, grades received, degree(s) conferred, and degree conferral date(s). Transcripts should be sealed and accompanied with translation if not in English. Grade translations into the US grading system are not necessary. Original transcripts and translation (if applicable) should be mailed directly from issuing institution to the IDPP office c/o American University, School of International Service, IDPP-COTELCO Office, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20016-8071, USA

Submit proof of satisfactory English proficiency, including but not limited to: For accommodation information for these examinations, please visit the following:



ELTS: International English Language Testing System; Preferred minimum score of 7.0

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language; Preferred minimum score of 100 (IBT); 250 (CBT) or 600 (PBT)

PTE: Pearson Test of English (Academic); Preferred minimum score of 68.

TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/disabilities

IELTS: http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/what_is_ielts/special_needs.aspx

PTE: http://www.pearsonpte.com/Testme/Documents/PTEA_Test_Taker_Handbook_EN.pdf


Should you be unable to secure appropriate test accommodations to meet the application deadline, please immediately contact Jia Jiang, Assistant Director of Graduate International Admissions, at jiang@american.edu.

First Sign Language Interpreter Assembly in the Philippines

"Accessibility for Deaf people is not about the physical obstacles but the barriers lie in lack of access to information and communication. Sign language interpretation guarantees the right of Deaf people to live in equality with the rest of society. Access to communication and information is essential for Deaf people as stated in the United Nations - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), of which the Philippines is a signatory. To enable the deaf to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, state parties shall take appropriate measures to provide professional sign language interpreters. " 

May 21, hearing or deaf interpreters and sign language enthusiasts gathered together to  first ever National General Assembly of Sign Language Interpreters in the Philippines  held at CAP Development Center, Makati City. The gathering aims to establish a national association of Sign Language Interpreters for the Deaf in the Philippines.The theme of the event is: "Towards Professionalization of Sign Language Interpreting." 

DLS-CSB's Silent Steps rendered the doxology. 

Ms Raquel Corpuz introduced the keynote speaker. 

Keynote speaker is Liza Martinez, Ph.D., Director of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center 

with interpreter Ms. Febe Sevilla.

Dean Nicky Perez was host  with Ms. Jerly Ann Villanueva as her interpreter. 

 Mr. Domingo  discussed  "Deaf Human Rights and Sign Language Interpreters". 

 Mr. Alfredo Celada, Jr., C.E.O. of the Philippine Association of Interpreters for Deaf Empowerment, discussed    "Establishing a National Association of Sign Language Interpreters."   Jun Jun Sevilla interpreting.

Dr. Liza Martinez moderating the discussion on Creating a Vision. 

An open forum followed afterwards. 

Voting for representatives followed after.

People behind the scenes. Thank you for making the event a success! 

The video to follow....
in the meantime sign in, sign up: For HB 4121 and 4631. http://housebills4deaf.webs.com/

HOUSE BILL No. 4631

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4631

______________________________________________________________________________

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASIÑO, NERI JAVIER COLMENARES, LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V. PALATINO, ANTONIO L. TINIO and EMMI A. DE JESUS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For most people, the importance of communication is usually taken for granted. But for individuals constrained by hearing or faced with audiological impairment, the insufficiency of communication systems and the lack of support can cause great injustice and disparity.

For instance, data from the Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC) show that one out of three deaf women is a victim of rape while 65 to 70% of deaf children are molested. Of the 82 cases they monitored, 67% of deaf complainants lodged rape complaints while 32% of deaf respondents were accused of theft.

With the high incidence of criminal cases involving deaf persons, there is an unquestionable need for interpreters during investigative and judicial proceedings. Unfortunately, the current system does not have a clear procedure for such. Oftentimes, the deaf individual is left to find and pay a suitable interpreter. Without a proper system, finding an interpreter may also delay proceedings.

The proposed bill addresses all of these problems. It is the responsibility of the State to provide for interpreters during any government proceeding, be it for police investigations, court or public hearings. Hired interpreters are also entitled to sufficient payment and rest.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval thereof is highly recommended.

Approved,

TEDDY A. CASIÑO NERI JAVIER COLMENARES

Bayan Muna Party-list Bayan Muna Party-list

LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN RAFAEL V. MARIANO

Gabriela Women’s Party Anakpawis Party-list

RAYMOND V. PALATINO ANTONIO L. TINIO
Kabataan Party-list ACT Teachers Party-list

EMMI A. DE JESUS

Gabriela Women’s Party

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4631

______________________________________________________________________________

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASIÑO, NERI JAVIER COLMENARES, LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V. PALATINO, ANTONIO L. TINIO and EMMI A. DE JESUS

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR INTERPRETERS in all judicial,

quasi-judicial, investigative proceedings AND PUBLIC HEARINGS

involving DEAF individuals

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Court Interpreters for Persons with Disabilities Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall give full support to the integration of persons with disabilities into mainstream society and “exert all efforts to remove all social, cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial” to them, pursuant of Republic Act No. 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.” It is also a declared policy of the State that all persons shall be given equal opportunity, due process and speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

SECTION 3. Definition. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. Person with disabilities – a person who has a restriction or limitation in personal mobility, communications, development and others resulting from the interaction between person with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders his/her full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others;

b. Disability – an activity limitation or restriction as a result of the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others;

c. Impairment - any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function;

d. deaf- means a person who has an audiological impairment that makes him / her unable to hear, or experience difficulty in hearing. Deaf in uppercase D specifically refers to a person who uses the visual language of the community as his /her primary means of communication in daily life, and supports its goals and values as a linguistic and cultural minority. This Act primarily refers to individuals who acquired hearing loss in the early years of life, and not Senior Citizens;

f. Hard of hearing - means a person who can understand words only if spoken very loud or close to the ear and has severe difficulties if there are other sources of noise. People who are hard of hearing include those who can be helped with a hearing aid;

g. Linguistically isolated deaf - a deaf individual who has extremely poor overall communication skills. This individual usually has had minimal or no schooling and uses only home signs or gestures (i.e., uses signs different from the signs commonly used in the community); and, has extremely limited vocabulary and fingerspelling skills;

h. Deaf interpreter or Deaf relay interpreter - an interpreter who is deaf and relays information between a linguistically isolated deaf client and a hearing interpreter;

i. Consecutive interpreting - process of interpreting wherein the interpreter transmits information into the target language after the speaker / signer pauses upon completing one or more ideas from the source language;

j. Simultaneous interpreting - process of interpreting into the target language at the same time the source language is being delivered;

k. Manual communication – various forms of visual-spatial communication utilizing the hands, face and body. For the Philippines, this includes: the natural sign language, Filipino Sign Language; Manually Coded English systems, and nonstandard gestures.

SECTION 4. Hiring of interpreters. – All courts, quasi-judicial bodies, agencies and government institutions conducting investigations and public hearings shall hire interpreters for proceedings involving individuals ascertained to be deaf through accepted clinical standards and procedures. However, a deaf individual may waive the right to an interpreter. The concerned body that hired the services of the interpreter shall provide the budget for the prompt payment of interpreters which shall be on a per appearance basis, including travel, board/lodging as well as other expenses before the case is filed in court.

SECTION 5. Qualifications of interpreters. – Until an official and national testing mechanism and certification procedure is developed for interpreters and recognized by the government, a qualified interpreter shall be selected on the basis of the following:

a. Endorsement under oath by registered deaf organizations / federation that the interpreter has interpreting experience of at least four (4) years (for hearing interpreters), or one (1) year (for deaf interpreters);

b. Empirical demonstration of his/her language competencies and interpreting ability.

Supplementary documentation on language competency and interpretation ability of hearing interpreters includes interpreter training, work-related interpreting experience, sign language instruction and relationship to Deaf family members.

Selection of the appropriate qualified interpreter(s) should be based on language competency which matches that of the deaf client.

A person related within the third degree of affinity or consanguinity to any of the parties, witnesses, and other participants of the case cannot be appointed as the interpreter.

Deaf counselors who have previously worked with the deaf or the hard of hearing party, witness, or participant cannot be appointed as interpreter for the case.

SECTION 6. Guidelines. – To protect the rights of the deaf individual and the interpreter/s, the following guidelines shall be observed:

a. Appointed interpreters provide a service equally to the deaf clients and the hearing members of the court. Thus they shall interpret the entire proceeding and not only the testimony of the deaf party. For cases of sexual abuse, the interpreter/s should be the same gender as the offended party. Accommodations should be procedurally and age-appropriate, and also gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory;

b. For linguistically isolated deaf, the court shall appoint a hearing interpreter and a Deaf relay interpreter;

c. To address interpreting fatigue, the interpreter must be given adequate rest after 30 minutes of continuous interpreting, according to medically accepted standards for the prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury;

d. All interpreters are bound by the common duty to observe confidentiality and neutrality before, during, and after the proceedings;

e. In cases where there is more than one deaf party, witness or participant, and these deaf individuals have been ascertained to have different communication and interpreting needs, then separate interpreters with the required skills shall be appointed;

f. Consecutive interpreting shall be used when the deaf is linguistically isolated, or in other situations when this would be more effective than simultaneous interpreting;

g. Interpreting should also be provided during the administration of justice by police and prison staff.

SECTION 7. Orientation of Interpreters. – Qualified interpreters shall be trained in ethical responsibilities, terms and legal concepts under a program to be established by the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice, in partnership with groups such as the Philippine Federation of the Deaf.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court and other concerned government bodies and shall work together, in coordination with non-government organizations and schools concerned with the deaf and Deaf interpreting, and promulgate and issue the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Constitutionality. – Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, letters of instructions, resolutions, orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

MOU Signing Between NBI and SDEAS

Memorandum of Understanding

Related to On-the-job training, Volunteering and Employment of Deaf Benildeans in the NBI

between the

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies

(DLS-CSB SDEAS)

Date: May 10, 2011 10:30 am

Venue: Angelo King International Center,

CSB Hotel, cor Estrada and Arellano Sts, Manila

 

NBI Director Atty Magtanggol Gatdula and Bro. Vic Franco, FSC 

are the main signatories of the MOU.

 Dean Nicky Templo-Perez with Directtor Gatdula.

The move started sometime in October 2010 when Mr. Danny Crisologo, who currently heads the Cybersecurity Office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and acting on the guidance of NBI Director Atty. Magtanggol B. Gatdula, invited DLS-CSB together with 2 other institutions to help implement the computerization efforts of the Bureau

SDEAS through its Center of Partnership and Development (CPD) Employment Program called for volunteers for encoders. The NBI has a new office and equipment for their Case Information Monitoring System (CIMS). The new CIMS with ten work stations is supported by President Aquino. This will be the main encoding room.

Deafness Orientation was conducted in NBI Head Office last February 11 for those who will be working directly with the Deaf and fourteen (14) executives of the Bureau.

The main task of the Deaf volunteers and interns is to encode data from the hard copy form to the computer system so as to make filing secured and easier to manage.  

Last February 21 this year, 15 SDEAS graduates and 3 students started rendering their time as volunteers and interns respectively. Each batch of Deaf encoders will be with the Bureau for 45 days to do data processing. Majority coming from the first batch of volunteers had finished the 45-day service just last April 26, 2011. At this time the Center for Partnership and Development (CPD) of SDEAS is preparing for the entry of the 2nd batch of volunteers by the third week of May. 

By May 2011, the Embassy of the United States of America will be funding the scanning project of the Bureau. Forty (40) additional work forces will be needed and bulk of it is identified to be coming from SDEAS.

SDEAS also sees this as a major milestone. The partnership with the Bureau is the first formal partnership with the government. With this development, SDEAS is optimistic that other government institutions will start absorbing the Deaf as part of the regular staff. The NBI through its dynamic Director, Atty. Gatdula is pushing for replicability of the NBI efforts in other government agencies.

Press Coverage:

TV 5: AKSYON

ABS-CBN: TV PATROL

Articles:

The Manila Times
By Jonafe Z. Bernel
http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/nbi-to-employ-deaf-staff/

The Philippine Star
By Sandy Araneta
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=65&articleId=684752

Manila Standard Today
by Macon Ramos-Araneta
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2011/may/11/metro2.isx&d=2011/may/11

Abante
By Juliet de Loza
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may1211/news07.htm


N.B. We thank everyone who made this event possible and appreciate the support of the Press. Kindly take note of Deaf-friendly terms that are acceptable for print, online or newscast in future events involving the Deaf community.

Please see link: http://deaf-studies.blogspot.com/2011/05/whats-in-name.html

AFP scores big win with PWDs | Home Best of the Philippines The Good News

AFP scores big win with PWDs | Home Best of the Philippines The Good News
By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) Updated May 01, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Carpio (left) and Pelayo in front of the billboard they designed.
| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Military officers are used to taking risks on the battlefield, but when they hired deaf-mutes John Ray Carpio, 27, and Audie Pelayo, 24, it was a risk they were not quite used to.

But the 7th Civil Relations Group, the employer of Carpio and Pelayo, are now reaping the rewards, as the military now have skillfully-made posters and tarpaulins while helping its two differently-abled employees design their future.

Pelayo was hired last August while Carpio started working for the military the following month. Both are graduates of Applied Deaf Studies from the College of St. Benilde in Manila.

Lt. Col. Samuel Sagun, chief of the 7th Civil Relations Group, admitted that they were initially cautious about hiring the two PWDs (persons with disabilities).

But Sagun said the risk was worth it as the two are diligent and are performing beyond expectations.

“Their output may not be perfect but they exceeded our expectations. They are very focused,” he said.

Sagun said innovations in mass media have benefited people with disabilities.

“The era of new media has leveled the playing field for PWDs. They can read because everything is projected on the Internet,” he said.

Carpio and Pelayo are paid P6,000 monthly and are given extra allowances for special projects. The two are not yet permanent employees and are getting a salary lower than those with regular positions.

But Sagun said the two enjoy a flexible time schedule and work about four hours daily.

“We are asking the General Headquarters to make them regular employees,” he said.

Carpio and Pelayo took part in key projects including the preparation of materials for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 75th anniversary last December.

Carpio, who handles multi-media communications and graphic designs, said he is thankful that the AFP gave him the opportunity to use his skills.

Carpio lost his hearing after his mother suffered from German measles during the first month of her pregnancy. His drive to work for the military is not surprising, as he is very proud of his grandfather who is a war veteran.

“(The soldiers are) very good to me…I look good (to the) people (here),” Carpio told The STAR in a handwritten note.

The two meet deadlines, fix the computers in their office, joke around with co-workers through sign language, and join athletic activities.

“We are empowering them by believing in their capabilities. We give them a chance to prove their worth and to work with other people. Their contributions to our office, to the armed forces and society, are important,” Sagun said.