Benildean Deaf Association

The Benildean Deaf Association (BDA) was accredited by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Office for Student Affairs-Student Involvement Unit (OSA-SIU) last October 30, 2008. BDA aims to promote the rights of Deaf people to be mainstreamed in the hearing society, to seek for opportunities for full access to information, and to become self-reliant as student leaders.

Any BAPDST student who is interested in the promotion of the purposes of the Benildean Deaf Association may become a member by presenting himself or herself to any of the Executive Board. S/he should maintain his/her cumulative grade average of 2.0

Activities of the Benildean Deaf Association include the Deaf Literacy Program, the Filipino Deaf Studies Program, and full support to the multi-sectoral committees in charge of the annual Deaf Festival. BDA Vice President Raphael Domingo chaired both the first Deaf Festival in 1995 and the 15^th year celebration of the festival last November 16-21, 2009 at DLS-CSB campus.

BDA started its operation in the School Year 2008-2009 under the guidance of Student Organization Faculty Adviser Ms. Teresa Buenaventura. The first batch of Deaf officers included Ana Kristina Arce (President), Raphael Domingo (Vice President), Anna Salvador (Secretary), Carmilyn Octavo (Treasurer). Board members were John Alexis Abad, Nadine Calagos and Ma. Anaditha Angcay.

For School Year 2009-2010, the current officers are: Ma. Anaditha Angcay (President), Raphael Domingo (Vice President), Anna Salvador (Secretary), Nadine Calagos (Treasurer). Board members are Mark Kelvin Marical, Beverly Sapno and Basil De Leon.

The Benildean Deaf Association also consistently made a mark in the annual Bahaghari Awards in which recognition is given to deserving student leaders, student organizations, student projects/activities, student volunteers and student organizations faculty advisers under the OSA-SIU who have excelled in the field of extra-curricular activities, rendered service and has exemplified the Benildean Core Values.

In the recently concluded Bahaghari Awards last March 26, 2010 held at Plaza Villarosa, Taft Campus, BDA was at the top of the three best organizations and current Vice President Raphael Domingo was one of the top five student leaders, the same award then President Ana Kristina Arce received in 2009. Ms. Marian Patricia Bea Francisco was also nominated in the Most Outstanding Student Organization Faculty Adviser category.

With reports from Ana Kristina Arce, Ma. Anaditha Angcay, Marian Patricia Bea Francisco, and the Office for Student Affairs-Student Involvement Unit

Deaf student wins Best New Actor award - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Deaf student wins Best New Actor award - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:22:00 05/15/2010

NO ONE was more surprised than Rome himself.

Romalito “Rome” Mallari, the Deaf actor in the Cinemalaya entry “Dinig Sana Kita,” scored an “unexpected victory” at the Star Awards, handed out by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

Mallari won Best New Movie Actor, beating ABS-CBN’s current fair-haired boy Enchong Dee (who was nominated for “Paano Ko Sasabihin?”).

“Dinig” director Mike Sandejas commended the PMPC for choosing “a Deaf boy with no real future prospects in the industry over an upcoming popular actor … They simply believed that he deserved it. It was a leap of faith.”

‘Shocking’ triumph

In an e-mail interview, Mallari told Inquirer Entertainment that he found his triumph “shocking.”

He admitted that he felt “nervous” accepting the trophy onstage.

“My first reaction was: ‘Whoa! I can’t believe it. It’s awesome. Thank God!’ My mind was flying.”

He considers the award “a dream come true … ever since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be an actor.”

He hopes the award would lead to new projects, but he also regards it as an inspiration to do better.

“My wish is to be a good example for the Deaf community,” he said. “It makes me want to work harder. It proves that there is hope in spite of life’s hardships.”

He related that he plans to keep the trophy in “my room in the dormitory.”

He had to put his thesis on hold to attend the Star Awards, he said, but he’s now finishing it.

Mallari is taking up Bachelor of Arts in Applied Deaf Studies, specializing in Multi-Media Arts in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies.

He is now busy reediting his thesis – a music video that helps Deaf people appreciate popular music.

He plans to volunteer in Deaf community programs like workshops and work full-time after his graduation in October, he said.

Honored, too

He shares the honor with his director Sandejas and the rest of the “Dinig” team – which also won the Sound Engineering (Ronald de Asis and Mark Locsin), Musical Score (Francis “Brew” Reyes) and Original Theme Song (“Sana Ako ay Marinig” by Reyes and Niña Sandejas) trophies in the Digital section of the Star Awards.

Said Sandejas of Mallari’s victory: “Not only can Deaf people dream to be actors, they can dream about becoming award-winning actors, too. I told Rome that he has to grow up a bit more because he’s now carrying the flag for the Deaf everywhere.”

E-mail bayanisandiego@hotmail.com.

Listening to the Deaf

By: Rica Espiritu

"I was once more invited to sit in the thesis defense panel of some deaf students. Theywere to present their projects and they needed people in the industry to give these students the proper feedback needed. The projects ranged from websites, books, online tutorials, product packaging and marketing collaterals. The topics range from short stories for deaf children, a website for sexually abused deaf children, helping the deaf tour manila, explaining the bible through stories for the deaf..and creation of mythology involving deaf characters.

One can't help but admire the perseverance and ideas that came from these students. All one has to do is look at their works to see how much talent and potential these students have."

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