To all my blog readers worldwide, may I promote to you this touching film about Filipino Deaf, their history and their current issues of discrimination and oppression? The movie was produced and directed by Mirana Medina, a famous Filipino film editor. Premiere showing will be on September 20, 2008, 4 p.m. at the UP Film Center Theater (Cine Adarna) sponsored by DLS-CSB SDEAS and UP Special Education Council.
The movie will probably have its international release. If you’re interested, you may contact Ms. Noemi Jara at Tel. No. (632)526-7441 local 239, Mobile 63927-2246584 or email her at silentodyssey@gmail.com.
SILENT ODYSSEY—a journey into the Deaf world—brings out the Filipino Deaf’s sentiments towards the hearing society, chronicles the significant and pioneering efforts of different institutions and personages in Philippine Deaf history and touches on important and current issues on Deaf education. It introduces the word “audism” (Deaf oppression)—a not-yet-so-popularly used term in the Filipino Deaf community; takes a glimpse at the 15th World Federation of the Deaf Congress in Spain with the theme “Human Rights Through Sign Language” and the celebration of the entry into force in the Philippines of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The film also focuses on some of Deaf achievers who are worthy of emulation by the Filipino Deaf youth and presents the World Federation of Deaf President Markku Jokinen’s views on oralism, use of hearing aids and importance of sign language to the Deaf. Most importantly, the film takes a close look at the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) — its probable origin, uniqueness, present status vis-à-vis other sign systems and its importance as index to the cultural identity of the Filipino Deaf as a cultural-linguistic minority group.
The journey leads to a realization that the Deaf are disabled and impaired by society’s failure to understand and accept their language and culture as an ethnic group, disregarding their cultural needs as Deaf persons by not providing the bridge of communication which aggravates their linguistic isolation. That “Deaf can” is no illusion but a reality which can shame those who think of themselves as superior just because they can hear.
To know more about the film, visit their blog site. Here is the trailer:
Filipino Deaf from the Eyes of a Hearing Person 
Hi.
This is a great film that will dignify the Deaf in the Philippines and will rid majority of those non-PWD’s who watch of their biases against the sector.
More power to the producers and most of all to you, my Deaf colleagues. Take charge!
Gigi P. Ruiz
Ortho