UPLB’s speech communication organization, The Rhetoricians, in partnership with the Laguna Deaf Association (LDA), launched a seminar and sign language workshop titled “RheDEAFine: Exploring Different Ways of Communicating” to promote, acknowledge, and provide opportunities for the Deaf culture, community, and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) on April 9 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
To officially commence the program, LDA President Mr. Mark Gimutao gave the opening remarks, defining what a deaf awareness seminar is and why it is important for Hearing and Hard of Hearing people to attend such an event.
“We are given this opportunity to present ourselves as Deaf to the Hearing community, so we are grateful for this chance. […] Hearing people need to attend this Deaf awareness seminar so that they will know and understand the Deaf culture, identity, and language; even the deaf and hard of hearing can also learn. All [of us can] learn from the stories and experiences of both Deaf and Hard of Hearing. With the Deaf culture and language, the Hearing people and [the] Deaf will be able to communicate and learn to love and respect one another. […] So, keep an open mind and heart. […] Do not be afraid, let us communicate,” Mr. Gimutao signed.
Ms. Naty Natividad, the founding board and former president of the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters, Benildean faculty, and current proprietor of Deaf and Terp Training Services, was introduced as the speaker to shed light on the situation, plights, and experiences of the Deaf community. She then introduced her fellow FSL teachers as resource persons to sign and discuss the presentation for the Deaf awareness seminar.
Deaf and Terp’s FSL 1 Teacher and Benildean alumna Ms. Veronica Mae del Rosario (Teacher Nica) introduced the benefits of learning sign language, what kind of Deaf and Terp offers, and her fellow FSL Deaf Trainers. She also explained what FSL is in detail in line with the Filipino identity and its form as a language that is uniquely for the Deaf community.
“[FSL is a language]. Just like any other language, Filipino Sign Language has its rules, structures, variations, [and] components. It’s not artificial but it’s a natural language. It has its own syntax and grammar,” Teacher Nica gestured.
This was then expounded by fellow Deaf and Terp Teacher and Benildean alumnus Mr. Emmanuel Bernardino (Teacher Emman) as he explained what makes FSL unique from other languages, addressed the misconceptions from FSL, and taught the importance of the FSL Act or also known as Republic Act 11106.
“There are different sign languages, and FSL is the sign language of the Filipino Deaf. FSL has already been enacted through [the] FSL Act. […] This would give access to the Deaf; [thus], this law is very important for us to give an access [and] to advocate, especially for the hearing to understand the importance of FSL. So, for the Deaf community, we really value FSL and the law because this gives us access,” Teacher Emman expressed.
The discussions were then wrapped up by Ms. del Rosario as she explained the five parameters of sign language (handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual signals) and gave FSL examples and activities along the way. An open forum followed consequently to accommodate questions, queries, and insights about the webinar proper, the Deaf culture, and FSL.
Upon accommodating the questions of the audience and awarding a certificate of appreciation to the speakers, Assistant Event Head Ms. Kristhina Catapia provided a quick recap speech to wrap up the first half of the program.
“Through ‘RheDEAFine,’ we have explored and we are exploring different ways of communicating. […] May this event be the start of our long-lasting relationship with the Deaf community. As FSL teacher Abby stated a while ago [in the open forum], ‘Collaboration and advocacy are needed so that the Hearing community and the Deaf community can help each other.’ Thank you so much and let’s have a wonderful afternoon,” Ms. Catapia concluded after summarizing the salient points in the seminar.
The workshop was held after a short break and series of performances, where participants were divided into different breakout rooms with their assigned FSL Deaf Trainers from Deaf and Terp. Aside from Ms. del Rosario and Mr. Bernardino, the other trainers, Ms. Christine Baculio and Ms. Archina Landayan, were also fellow Benildean SDEAS alumni.
Paying it forward by giving a helping hand
Other than the seminar and workshop, The Rhetoricians also launched “Deaf Community Support (DCS) Kit,” a fund-raising activity, by selling educational shirts (₱199), statement pouch (₱20), DCS sticker pack (₱100), and deaf-friendly masks (₱35), where 100% of the proceeds will be given to their partner organization, Laguna Deaf Association-Los Baños Chapter, to cater and support the needs of the Deaf community.
A free booklet will be provided for purchases ₱250 and above. Those interested may view the products in their Facebook page and place their orders via the following links:
For those who opt to donate, feel free to send any amount to any of these donation channels:
- BPI: Dezscyrie Pearl Lorenzo (6116-2589-33)
- Union Bank: Charlize Anne Lucero (1094 2432 8847)
- GCash: Ian Eugenio (09289774063)
- BDO: Adrielle Rej T. Enriquez (010900017937)
- PayMaya: Chelsea Berganio (09951582581)
- Paypal: Francis Via Bernas (paypal.me/viabernas)
- Landbank: M Pristine San Pedro (1896 4583 25)
- Security Bank: Maria Andrea Melosantos (0000038937007)
LDA was established in 2011 in San Pablo City with Deaf members from different towns and cities of Laguna.
