2010 Summer Leadership Institute

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies has sent a delegation composed of four (4) Deaf student ambassadors, Raymond Manding, Jonathan San Juan, Ana Salvador and Gemmalyn Morta, a Deaf Faculty Chaperone, Mr. Leonides Sulse and two (2) FSL Interpreters, Mr. John Xandre Baliza and Ms Febe Sevilla to the 2010 Summer Leadership Institute. This event is hosted by the Postsecondary Education Network International (PEN-Int’l.) which is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. The Summer Leadership Institute's activities is currently ongoing scheduled from August 21-27, 2010 at the Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England.

with reports from Bea Francisco, Coordinator, SDEAS Leadership and Involvement Program

Centennial Kick-Off

By: Maria Jesusa Charisma Nofies

The entire De La Salle community is preparing for the celebration of 100 years of Lasallian Presence in the Phillippines on June 16, 2011. Last June 16, 2010, the DLS-CSB marked the "Centennial Kick-Off" starting with a community mass at 9am in the morning held in the SDA Campus Lobby.

Many attended the said celebration including : Bro, Victor Franco FSC, some De La Salle Brothers, SDEAS Dean Maria Veronica Templo-Perez, Theresa Christine B. De La Torre (Director, Center for Education Access and Development), John Xandre Baliza (Chairperson, Center for Academics), SDEAS staff, interpreters and other administrators, SDEAS faculty members, Deaf and hearing alumni, DLPC and BAPDST students and the hearing faculty, students and visitors from other places.

The DLS-CSB community began the Centennial countdown with an unveiling and messages from De La Salle Bro. E. Fernandez FSC, Ms. Carmilita J. Lazatin, Vice chancellor for Lasallian Mission and Student Life. Ms. Marivic Mercado, De la Salle Phillipines and Mr. Robert L. Tang, DLS-CSB Vice chancellor for Academics. The messages were interpreted by SDEAS administrators and faculty members such as Dean Nicky Templo-Perez, Mr. Leo Cabasag, and Ms. Agnes Canayon.

By 6pm, DLS-CSB had a Frosh Solidarity Night held in Plaza Villarosa, Taft Campus. There were student performances and Band Performers.

This is just the start, we must be ready for the biggest celebration of 100 years of Lasallian Presence in the Phillippines next year.

From an interview with Ms. Agnes Canayon (Coordinator, Lasallian Ministry for the Deaf). Mr. Charvie Arreola ( School Assistant), Ms. Florisa P. Fabula (Coordinator, Deaf Life Esteem and Formation) and BAPDST students.

2010 SDEAS Service Awardees

By: Leo Sulse

The DLS-CSB Annual Service Award was held last June 9, 2010 (Wed) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the DLS-CSB Augusto-Rosario Theater. Prior to the activity a Community Mass was held.

In this year SDEAS awardees are as follows: Ms. Techie Beniltez De La Torre (20 Years), Ms. Tess Buenaventura (10 Years), Mr. Michael Vea, Mr. Ariscel Lobo, Ms. Cathy Alonso, Mr. Ryan Jay Bernardo, Ms. Rubylee De Castro, and Mr. Guy Noel Ganados (5 Years).

Ms. Mylene Cruz, Mr. Eugene Sordilla, Ms. Krizelle Joy De La Cruz, and Ms. Christian Marintez awarded as permanent staff. On the other hand, Mr. Everlino Alvarez, Mr. Ryan Jay Bernardo, Ms. Teresa Buenaventura, Mr. Leo Cabasag, Ms. Agnes Canayon, Mr. Amador Casino, Mr. Renato Cruz, Ms. Florisa Fabula, Mr. Guy Noel Ganados, Ms. Noemi Lacambacal. Ms. Mary Jane Puson, Ms. Teresa Quintanilla. Ms. Liezel Reyes, Ms. Mary Joy Reyes, Mr. Oscar Sherlo Reyes,Ms. Febe Sevilla,Mr. Leo Sulse, and Mr. Ferdie Vizmanos were awarded for their perfect attendance for the SY 09-10.

The service award is an annual activity of DLS-CSB that recognizes employees (Administrator, Faculty, and Staff) for being exemplary Benildeans.

How the Deaf listened to P-Noy’s SONA

August 1, 2010, 11:53am

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/270044/how-deaf-listened-pnoy-s-sona

Last July 26, 2010, as the whole country prepared to witness history unfold as President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III delivered his first State of the Nation Address, educators and veteran interpreters from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), MCCID Institute of Technology, Philippine Deaf Resource Center, and the Philippine School for the Deaf together with Deaf leaders of the Philippine Federation for the Deaf (PFD) were making history as well by working together to make the first inset-interpreting of the SONA possible.

For the Deaf community, this is a dream come true, and this realization not only came through one but three communication channels. There is no boundary for inclusion or access. There is no monopoly of skill and intent to do good. There is no exclusivity of information.

For those with cable access, the ANC Channel aired interpreters John Baliza and Febe Sevilla with Raquel Estiller-Corpuz as Deaf representative and Joyce Dalawampu as team leader.

Meanwhile GMA-7 staff and crew provided inset FSL interpreting through live streaming in gmanews.tv with Jojo Esposo and Nicky Templo-Perez as interpreters, Myra Medrana as Deaf representative and Giselle Montero as team leader. This was much appreciated by the Deaf Filipino community abroad.

The Deaf students who were excused from their classes tuned in to TV5 with Junjun Sevilla and Therese Bustos as interpreters, Jay Sunico as Deaf representative and Techie dela Torre as team leader.

Ask Anything: SDEAS Dean Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez

Ask Anything
SDEAS Dean Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez
July 2010

The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde empowers Deaf students to become productive members of society by imparting them with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in any field they choose. Dean Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez shares how the School does that, her inspirations in improving the learning environment of Deaf students, the programs she wants to accomplish during her term, and her thoughts about the future.

1. What do you think is the most urgent need that the Deaf have? How is this being addressed by SDEAS?
   The most urgent need of the Deaf is access to information. When we are informed, we are able to form opinions, make decisions, and act accordingly.
   
   Most Deaf persons miss out on information because of the form that this takes. If information is given through speaking, it is frequently lost, unless of course there is an interpreter present to serve as a bridge in order for the Deaf person to receive the spoken information.
   
   Written information can also be confusing particularly if it uses words not used everyday. Though not their fault, reading comprehension is a learning skill most Deaf persons are challenged with because their primary education has not given them the necessary reading skills. Most materials available for reading are something they will not understand.
   
   Right now, SDEAS addresses this need through the interpreting services provided for most of the events and activities of the College. We are also working on some learning sessions that will help our Deaf personnel and students improve their reading comprehension and their written English. But admittedly, this is going to be very difficult for us in SDEAS.
   
   
2. What are your top three goals for SDEAS that you’d like to see accomplished before the end of your term?
   I only have two years left as Dean as SDEAS so I’d like to be realistic. My top three goals are: to offer a second degree program focused on Education for the Deaf; to establish an interpreting program that is recognized by the Deaf Community and which will produce effective interpreters, and for SDEAS to make headway in research on Deaf Education, Filipino Sign Language, and Deaf Studies.
   
   
3. Do you think that there is a need for SDEAS to have a Dean who is Deaf? What is needed to have that happen? In that light, how could the College, especially its administrators prepare themselves in relating to a Deaf Dean?
   Yes, definitely! I think having a Deaf Dean brings SDEAS full circle. I am excited at the prospect of having a Deaf leader setting direction and envisioning the future for SDEAS who will surely be driven by passion brought about by personal experience.
   
   In order for that to happen, it is important that the current young Deaf faculty receive mentoring for them to develop as leaders in the academe. Of course the College will also have to be ready to provide access for every event. For example, offices and departments should always remember to request for interpreters, because there will be ad Deaf administrator present. For the administrators, the best way to prepare themselves for this eventuality is to learn how to sign.
   
   
4. What are the greatest challenges that you have as the Dean of SDEAS?
   One of the greatest challenges I face as the dean of SDEAS is creating an environment where both the Deaf and hearing members of the School feel valued, where an environment where communion in mission is a living value.
   
   SDEAS is made up of a community of two groups of people with a different first language (signed and spoken) and with different cultures (Deaf and Hearing) and so at times we experience miscommunication and misunderstandings. Most of the time, one group feels less valued than the other, but every member of the SDEAS community is important – whether Deaf or Hearing. The challenge is how to translate this in our everyday interactions.
   
   
5. Where and how do you get inspirations as the school’s Dean, on becoming one of the future builders for the Deaf community, if you can hear?
   I get my inspirations from my interactions with the Deaf. I listen to their stories. From there, I take note of what needs to be done. Admittedly I cannot draw from my own experience in planning out Deaf Education, access services, and other such needs of the Deaf community because I can hear. But I can “listen” to what Deaf persons express. I can pay attention to their ideas and suggestions. I can also listen to other people who have worked with the Deaf Community longer than I have. I also read about Deaf issues from books, journal articles the internet. Hopefully, through these interactions, I get the bigger picture and make good decisions in bringing SDEAS forward, and become a contributor to the building of a strong Filipino Deaf Community.

Read the rest of her answers here.

2nd Asia Pacific Youth Water Forum (APYWF)

The International Award Association (IAA) Asia Pacific Office through the kindness of Ms. Sue Walker, Regional Director (Asia Pacific), extended their thanks and appreciation to the youth delegates, hosts, supporters and participating countries on the success of the 2^nd Asia Pacific Youth Water Forum (APYWF) held in Singapore last June 25-30, 2010.

The APYWF is one of the many activities prepared by the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Council as part of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). Now on its second year, the forum was participated by at least 100 youth leaders from Singapore and other overseas participants from the Asia Pacific Region including Farhana Meghami Zulhash (Bangladesh), Faat Chan (Hong Kong), Freya Katre and Ankit Durga (India), Nacitta Swissanto (Indonesia), Sonber Sohail (Pakistan), Biyangi Harshika Silva (Sri Lanka) and Leo Angelo Cabasag (Philippines). It provided an opportunity for these young leaders to get together in order to be more aware about the water issues and concerns faced by their respective countries. The participants shared their best ideas, perspectives, and practices on how to resolve this global concern and to try to bring about positive change.

Each delegate spoke about topics concerning potable water supply and water conservation. Everyone just found it perplexing because compared to Singapore, neighboring countries are actually rich with water resource but having serious problems with regards to clean water.

The event held in the Courtyard Room, Marina Barrage was graced and kicked off by the NYAA Gold Award Holder and Chairperson, Organizing Committee of the APYWF, Ms. Joyce Koh and by the Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee. This was followed shortly by a keynote speech by Mr. Liak Teng Lit, Chief Executive Officer, Alexandra Hospital and Chairman, Water Network who spoke about his personal experiences and about being indifferent to the environment particularly to water during his childhood days. At present, Mr. Liak Teng Lit is a strong advocate of conserving Singapore’s water resource, he urged everyone, especially the youth, to get involved in saving the environment, be wise in using man-made materials that can pollute the water system, and be proactive before it is too late. Presentations were also given by Mr Yap Kheng Guan Director 3P Network Department PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency and Mr Colin Lennox, Co-founder of OZ Green in Australia.

The weeks’ activities included field visits and attending the Opening Ceremony of the Singapore International Water Week & World Cities Summit 2010. SIWW is the global platform for water solutions. The event being held this week welcomes 12,000 visitors to its five flagship events and more than 90 co-located events. The World Cities Summit brings together 1,000 ministers, governors, mayors and leaders for several key events.

With reports from Ms. Sue Walker and Mr. Leo Cabasag.

Bridge Issue 2 Available for Download

We welcome you to School Year (SY) 2010-2011 with the latest copy of BRIDGE, the Official Publication of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, which you may now download from the front page of the DLS-CSB Website (www.dls-csb.edu.ph/).

This second issue covers the School's endeavors and activities from SY 2008-2009 & SY 2009-2010. You may send your comments, reactions, and suggestions to sdeas.opd@gmail.com and we will try to incorporate them in future issues of Bridge.

Thank you for your continued support in the mission of truly empowering the Deaf Filipino youth.