24th ROTARACT INTERACT SPORTFEST

The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies students conquered other participating Rotaract and Interact Clubs as they were awarded 2^nd Place in the Cheer Dance Competition during the 24^th Rotaract /Interact Sportsfest organized by the Rotary Club of University District – Manila in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last February 28.

The said event was organized as an advocacy for teenagers to love sports and uplift health consciousness in the spirit of friendly competition.

Rotary Club President Mr. Romeo Batino affirmed during his opening message for the youth athletes that camaraderie partnered by healthy living should be highly valued. The Intramural Games is one way through which the Rotary extends its support to the outreach programs within the community.

This Sports Fest was opened by a parade of waving banners and flying balloons while the representing athletes from Interact (High School) and Rotaract (College) proudly displayed their respective school colors. The steady heat of the Sunday sun was no match for the enthusiasm of the Deaf participants as they gamely joined one sports event after the other capped with an awarding ceremony. Even against tough competitors, SDEAS students also clinched one of the main games in the afternoon and placed 3^rd in the Tug of War.

The 24^th Rotaract/Interact Sportsfest was sponsored by PP Jolly Ting, Boysen Paint, PAGCOR, and Rtn. Tama Ng

Deaf Benildean Faculty attend Leadership Training in Hong Kong

Deaf Benildean Faculty attend Leadership Training in Hong Kong
By: Leo Sulse and Ariscel Lobo

Two of SDEAS Senior Deaf Faculty Mr. Ariscel Lobo and Mr. Leonides Sulse, both with a Master of Education Degree from the Philippine Normal University, attended the “Deaf Dialogue: Deaf Leadership Training” held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong last December 27-30, 2009. The training was funded by the Post Secondary Education Network-International (PEN-International), a global partnership of colleges and universities serving the higher education needs of Deaf students.

Mr. Lobo and Mr. Sulse were among the 19 participants from the Asia Region from these participating countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

The Deaf Dialogue was sponsored by The Nippon Foundation and organized by the World Federation of the Deaf Regional Secretariat in Asia/Pacific and the Centre for Sign Linguistic and Deaf Studies.

The second series of the Deaf Dialogue is slated on June or July 2010.

For more info, please visit: www.deaf-dialogue.net

New Deaf Model for DLS-CSB Prospectus 2010

Congratulations to Jasmin Rivera, Yobbo Garcia, Dan Lester Perez, Patrick Padao, Plen Bautista, and Yamie Fiestada for being chosen as the new SDEAS student models.

Last February 2, 2010, Carrie De Guzman, Ana Kristina Arce, and Romeo Catap, Jr. of the Marketing Communications Office, together with MCO student assistants Juan Carlos Salamat and Gerard Jose Teaño visited the PEN - MLC and LC for a photoshoot.

The MCO staff described the student models as cooperative and easy to work with and the students also had fun in between poses.

Watch out for our student models in the upcoming DLS-CSB Prospectus, and other College promotional materials.

Veteran Sign Language Interpreters Attend Workshop at DLS-CSB

VETERAN Filipino sign language interpreter as well as budding interpreters recently attended the Interpreter Education Training and Workshop organized by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies recently at the DLS-CSB Taft campus.

The Main speaker was Lucy Lim-Yip, a Malaysain who is recognized fro her work as an interpreter/trainer. A freelance sign language interpreter, Yip Has been working with the Deaf for 24 years. She is also a team member of the Malaysain Sign Language Research Team of the University of Malaya.

Sign Language interpreter help bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing as they are knowledgeable in the language and culture of both communities. This provides equal opportunities for the deaf, making information accessible and enabling them to participate in events.

Silence (and distance) makes the heart grow fonder

Marvin and Ruth Marcial prove that being deaf is not a hindrance in finding one true love. The couple outside their home in Virginia, USA.

Silence (and distance) makes the heart grow fonder
By: Joyce Dalawampu

What makes a love story great?

Literature can give us a number of stories that can make our hearts either flutter or break, like the winding twists and turns of Cupid and Psyche, the melodramatic turn of Romeo and Juliet, and the much talked about pop culture couple of our generation, Edward and Bella.

But what of quiet stories - the ones that can be likened to a scenic ride to a nearby seaside, no fireworks, no grand theatricals, just two people who work hard, love freely, and trust much.

Such is the story of Marvin and Ruth Marcial.

read more: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/243437/silence-and-distance-makes-heart-grow-fonder

Speech of Janice Sevilla Uy

Career Talk, November 16, 2009
Case Room, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Good Afternoon. It is such a great opportunity to be one of your guest speakers for today. I am Janice Sevilla Uy from Administration and Finance of Liwanag Candle Factory.

It was in year 2003 when our company began accepting Deaf employees from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. And just like any other applicant, they had to go through a standard screening process and were hired as On-the-Job or OJT Trainees. We are also exploring the possibility of hiring more for our production area, but of course, in a job which is suited to them.

Our company accepts Deaf applicants not only because you are loyal and reliable employees but also because we want to give you an equal chance in career development with a hearing person. We believe that everybody has their own skills and talents; and your disability is not a hindrance for you to show what you’ve got. It’s not about what you can say but more on what you can do.

In our experience with Deaf employees, the things I found important and which I liked the most with them is that they are punctual, friendly, approachable, and very dedicated at work. We saw in them the willingness to learn and they can easily adapt to the working environment.

We conducted at least an hour of sign language lessons for our other employees to address communication problems. Other than that, their co-employees have been expressing positive feedback about working with them

We are also glad that there are parents who call us to know more about the working performance of their son or daughter. We know that you, parents, have the most important role in making your child feel how much they are loved and appreciated by the society. Your guidance will indeed, lead them to be a better and more confident individual.

Actually, we had a Deaf employee for about six years. He was assigned in our Marketing Department as a Graphic Artist. From being a trainee, we absorbed him and he eventually became our regular employee. Just like him, you can also be employed in different companies and organizations. Just believe in yourself and don’t hesitate to show your talents.

Don’t let your disability bring your confidence down. Instead, take it as a challenge for you to reach your dreams. You may experience some difficulties before and after finding employment, but this is just a common experience for everyone. You just have to stay strong and competitive.

To close, let us remember that we are all living in one society wherein we have freedom to express ourselves and an equal chance to prove ourselves as well. This is why in Liwanag Candle Factory, we practice fair treatment and do not tolerate discrimination. We accept students like you because we believe in your strengths and capabilities to do better than others.

Always keep in mind that God created us unique. You are all unique in your own ways.

Again, a pleasant afternoon to all. Thank you.

Deaf Reflections Exhibit

The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies would like to invite everyone to the DEAF REFLECTIONS Exhibit. It features the projects made by the students of Ms. Joy Cristal in DITRUMI (Deaf Identity: Myths and Misconceptions), CATHWOR (Catholicism in the World) and RECONSE (Religion and the Contemporary Search for Self). Please take time to drop by, view and reflect on ideas and standpoints on Deafhood, Justice and Faith. The exhibit will be available for viewing until January 30, 2010 at the Taft Campus Back gate Lobby.

The exhibit is a product of the Deaf students’ reflections and sharing in their classes. It aims to encourage the Deaf to continuously reflect on their lives, the events, issues that beset them and the forces around them, in the light of their lessons, new learning, insights and realizations gained from their courses; to make reflection a requisite and inspiration for action. The exhibit is also an invitation for Hearing people and everyone to listen to and reflect with the Deaf.

(The Faculty, January 25, 2010)

Sample Reflections of Deaf Students:

Jerene Justiniano: The Deaf people have their own identity and we do not need to speak and hear because we have our eyes and hands -- Sign Language is our Communication

Raymond Manding: Finding and nurturing the Deaf Culture and Community can also mean nurturing Earth, our home.

Beverly Sapno: “Deaf are normal but NOT DISABLED” because Deaf people are smart, have good skills, and ideas just like the hearing.

Jesus Morales: We are Deaf people in one world with a strong Deaf culture.

Ma. Anaditha Angcay: I realized that there are not enough laws to meet Deaf people's needs. I want to encourage the Deaf to participate in organizations who promote justice and equality, especially those who advocate laws on accessibility in education, employment, etc. I hope we can continue to give our best efforts to meet Deaf needs.