Espesyalista 2009: A quiz bee for Deaf Students

Photo by: Jesus Morales (Deaf Student)

Last October 24, 2009, the UP Special Education Council (UPSEC) in partnership with SDEAS hosted “Espesyalista 2009: A Quiz Bee for Deaf Students”

Seven elementary schools from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces joined the competition: Antipolo SPED Center, Batino Elementary School, Bagong Silang Elementary School, Barro Obrero Elementary School, Commonwealth Annex, Gen. M. Hizon Elementary School and Rosa Susano Elementary School.

The program started with a prayer lead by an UPSEC member, Jennifer Pampelona, followed by the Philippine National Anthem, which was lead by SDEAS student, Raphael Domingo. Ms. Maria Veronica Templo-Perez, the Dean of SDEAS, gave the welcome remarks. The audience watched in amazement as Silent Steps presented a special number entitled “I Have a Dream”.

As Dean Perez had said in her welcome remarks, it was an opportunity for the SDEAS students to look back at their humble beginnings and remember that they too were once elementary students. For the contestants, it was opportunity to see that there is life even after they graduate from high school and hopefully the thought of going to College would motivate them to study hard and achieve their dreams.

The quiz bee proper was composed of questions from the different subject areas ranging from easy to difficult. After a close fight, Commonwealth Annex emerged as the winner followed by Rosa Susano Elementary School in second place and Bagong Silang Elementary School in third place.

Espesyalista was a venue where elementary Deaf students showed their academic competence. It promoted the use of sign language in Deaf education and empowered the Deaf students, giving them a sense of confidence and a learning experience. But most importantly, it upheld the advocacy that it is the ability and not the disability that matters.

Written by: Bea Francisco

Rizal is my president

Photo by Nadine Canalogos (Deaf Student)

Rizal is teaching the youth people to be good value and leader for our country.

Next year is coming soon, there will be new president 2010, the most people are still undecide whom they want to vote for run president, they still look for the president who is honest, trust and love our country.I feel the same, i still think whom i like to vote. Rizal is my president was showing me and touched my heart, i was thinking and looking at our country right now, there is a lot of youth people, they true know the good value and leader but they dont do because they might think hard to do for our country, some of them are good to do but, the most they do good value and leader for themself not for others and our country.

I hope the people (run for presidents) not forget Jose Rizal what he done for us was freedom, he fought for our love country. I also hope the youth people know good value and leader then they do for others with their true heart.

Written by Jerene Justiniano (Deaf Student)

Free Day! Smartbro Wireless USB

At Plaza Villorana in De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, there were many Hearing and Deaf students on line noisily for getting FREE Smart Bro USB before it started to open at 1:00pm on October 23, 2009. Around 500 students on line, they were excited to get it. They came there so early around 11:00 am while the Smart Bro still prepared. As hot from the sun, they were patient to wait stay on the line. For Deaf students, they were about 20 to go there to get the free USB. Some of Deaf got frustrated and Hearing students, too. The Smart BRO is so awe-inspiring to the students of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde. Giving big thank to The Smart Bro.

Written By: Nadine Calagos (Deaf Student)


Wireless USB "SmartBro", this is a good design as BLAZERS that our ANIMO BENILDEAN is ASTIG! I would like to thanks CSB that free wireless usb for Benildean student using the internet when we need for the projects and homeworks that using it.I believe that our Benildean students can do it! Astig!

Written By: Raymond Manding (Deaf Student)

Special Day Graduation October 17, 2009

SDEAS Business Track students tour Gardenia Factory

Last Aug 7, 2009, ENGLICOM, the Filipino-Chinese student organization of DLSU-M, sponsored a tour of the Gardenia Factory in Laguna for SDEAS Business Track students.

The ENGLICOM members and SDEAS students were treated with a video presentation of how Gardenia started and how it grew to be a very successful company today. The video emphasized on Gardenia’s corporate values and commitment to Quality and Consistency in every bread they make. After the video presentation the students were toured around the vast bread factory. The students were fascinated by how big the operation was and how quality is maintained in each stage of the baking process up until the bread is packed and delivered to the customers. The factory tour ended with a visit to the bread shop where visitors could buy different Gardenia products at discounted prices.

After the Gardenia factory tour, the group headed back to Manila. The group settled at Luneta Park to have lunch. Everyone brought food to share. ENGLICOM even prepared some food for the whole group. When everyone was full and rested, it was time for interaction. Even though it was raining at that time the group proceeded to have some fun and games. The group played charades inside the bus while they waited for the rain to stop. When the rain clouds cleared, everyone participated in some parlor games on the park grounds.

At the end of the day, the students were all tired and some were dirty with mud but both the Deaf and the Hearing students learned something new and surely had a great time. This partnership of SDEAS with ENGLICOM shows that we could all learn from each other if we just set aside our differences and celebrate our similarities.

Written by: Jason Quiñones

Plans for Secondary Program Initiatives

From August 19-27, 2009 Ms. Shannon was in the Philippines and met up with a number of Deaf students, Deaf and hearing faculty of SDEAS, including a select number of high schools for the Deaf.

The rationale of the visit was to do informal data gathering of the needs and concerns of Deaf students and the Deaf and hearing faculty who are involved in the secondary and post-secondary education of the Deaf in the Philippines

Paper Presentation

Paper Title:
Assessment of Faculty Competency in the Integration of Instructional Technology in the Classroom at the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Paper Description:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the current competency level of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) deaf and hearing faculty on the integration of instructional technology tools in their teaching.

Deaf and hearing faculty of SDEAS would be able to determine their level of competency in terms of instructional technology use in the classroom. The result of the study aimed to provide baseline data that the school can utilize in planning and implementing policy and action-oriented activities for the improvement of its services and the welfare of its clientele-the Deaf students.

Furthermore, the findings of the study will be an avenue for SDEAS faculty to know which area or competency they need to improve on and develop in terms of instructional technology usage inside the classroom and to ensure their preparedness as they faced with the challenges of the current and future advancement of technology.

The result of this research work may help school administrators plan professional development activities that will help SDEAS faculty become proficient in the implementation of instructional technology in the classroom. It will serve also as a basis in developing instructional technology competency standards for current and future faculty of SDEAS teaching the Deaf. Such standards will support and advance the expected instructional technology plan as a cornerstone of SDEAS faculty preparation program as well as professional development plan for SDEAS faculty, staff, and administrators.

Leo Sulse (Author)
Master of Educational Technology 2009
Philippine Normal University