Interpreting 101: To mouth or not to mouth?

December 1, 2009 in Interpreting Issues, Sign Language
Tags: Department of Education, Geraldine Ruiz, Jerome Marzan, Nilo Sorongon, Noli Agcaoili, Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Rafaelito Abat, Raquel Corpuz, Sign Language, Tess Dela Cruz, total communication

She said that the Department of Education is advocating for TOTAL COMMUNICATION and MOUTHING WORDS must be emphasized in teaching. She even commented that the interpreter hired by the organizer was a “pasaway” (too stubborn) because she signs while her mouth is closed. Ouch!

Country Sign Name

November 14, 2009 in Anything Filipino, Deaf Experiences, Filipino Sign Language, Sign Language, Travels
Tags: ASL Country Signs, Edmond Guzman, Imelda Marcos, Philippines sign language, Sign Language, Thailand Deaf

At first, it was difficult to introduce ourselves because of the sign language barrier. But when we got the hang of it, we let loose our signs. We were able to penetrate their conversations and understand their signs. All in but a few minutes of “getting to know” them.

Inclusive education, is it fit for the deaf?

October 15, 2009 in Deaf Experiences, Discrimination Issues, Laws on Disability, Sign Language, deaf culture
Tags: Sign Language, Department of Education, Special Education, deaf education, inclusive education, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

This issue has been discussed and debated countless times with hearing people as protagonists. We have been dictating education to them since “education” was invented. Deaf education in the Philippines started more than 100 years ago. Has there been an improvement since then? Don’t we think it’s about time that the deaf people should be more involved in these discussions? It’s their rights that we’re securing, not ours. I hope that when the people from the government especially from the Department of Education start making in-depth discussions about inclusive education, they should at least give the deaf people a chance to be heard.

What’s in a Sign Name?

January 20, 2009 in Blogroll
Tags: Barack Obama sign name, Fidel Ramos, Filipino Sign Language, Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo, Jojo Esposa, Joseph Estrada, Sign Language, sign name

A few hours from now, the American nation will be witnessing a historic event. The most powerful nation in the world will inaugurate its first African-American president in history, Barack Obama. Most of the news articles on DeafRead are related to that momentous event. The most popular blog post happens to be the sign name [...]

Spider-Man with I-Love-You Sign

September 12, 2008 in Hello from Me, Sign Language
Tags: Filipino Sign Language, I-love-you sign language, Mekanda Robot, Raul Roco, Sign Language, Spider-man

This I-love-you sign of Spider-man has been used as part of the logo and emblem of most schools for the deaf and associations here. It also became a signature hand symbol used by a popular and charismatic politician former Senator Raul Roco when he ran for president in 2001. So “I LOVE YOU” sign is the same in the US, and of course, in my beloved country, the Philippines. By the way, the phrase is translated as “MAHAL KITA” or “INIIBIG KITA” in Filipino.