A NEW HOPE FOR FILIPINOS WITH DISABILITIES

A NEW HOPE FOR FILIPINOS WITH DISABILITIES

Finally, after 20 long years, the persons with disabilities (PWD) in the Philippines can now have a chance to be represented in the Congress.

The Pilipinos with Disabilities, Inc. (PWD Inc.) was approved by Commission on Elections (COMELEC) last year, paving the way for them to carry on their shoulders to represent the most marginalized sector in the country in the Congress.

The PWD Inc. nominees and officers together with the children with disabilities and their parents from Philippine Society of Orphan Disorder.

“For more than a decade already, the sector has not been represented in the Legislative branch. The ability of the sector to contribute in all matters that would redound to the benefit of the society as a whole has been proven. We have a lot of concerns that require legislative interventions. We firmly believed that it would be more meaningful and realistic if the sector is represented in the Philippine Congress for we further believed that the best policies for PWD’s are those that emanates and authored by the sector themselves,” says Teddy M. Kahil, the National President of Philippine Blind Union Inc.

PWD Inc. representatives are visually-impaired Michael Barredo, orthopedically-impaired Manuel Agcaoili, Adeline Ancheta, Luis Arrelano, and Octavio Gonzales.

This will be the first time that a partylist for PWDs will run in the election. In 2010, COMELEC barred the now-defunct, Disabled Pinoy Party. This decision became controversial and raised eyebrows on how COMELEC before choose the real partylists.

It was very controversial because the COMELEC approved several partylists whose nominees are not related to the marginalized sectors that the law provided and most of the partylists they approved are high profile people who have links to former President, Gloria Arroyo.

After screening all partylists last year, COMELEC this time choose the real representatives of the partylist system and removed those who are not marginalized as according to the law.

“They are represented by Filipinos, all of them are disabled. Right now we don’t have a representation of the disabled,” says COMELEC Chairman, Sixto Brillantes.

The Board Members of PWD Inc. (Clockwise from topleft): Mr. Michael Barredo, Mr. Manuel Agcaoili, Mr. Carlos Weber, Mr. Lui Arrelano, and Mr. Ramon Cuervo III.

“Yung nominees nila, talaga namang disabled. Pangalawa, may track record sila of working with and for persons with disabilities,” added Commissioner, Rene Sarmiento, who also heads the special voters’ registration for PWDs.

During the raffle held by COMELEC to determine the seeding of all partylists in the ballot, PWD Inc. was picked for the slot of number 10. This means a bigger chance of getting “at large voters” or voters who have not decided which partylist to vote.

But, the seeding is not only a factor that will determine the chances of being elected. The PWD Inc. needs all the support from 10M PWDs in the Philippines.

“The journey of the sector to acquire seats at the Philippine Congress can be realized through unity setting aside personal interests and intellectual competition. Let’s all be united and help the sector achieve our dreams,” Mr. Kahil said.

“Let us all work for having a voice in Congress. This is the best opportunity to show that the PWD sector have matured already and desires a single front in engaging with the government. Let us all do away with our partisan “kami-kami, kampi-kampi” attitude and think more for the general welfare of the sector above our own parochial concerns. Let us be united!” says Emer Rojas, the president of New Vois Philippines.

Lei Asuque-Talvo, a member of Philippine Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and a strong ally of the PWD sector, also believed that it’s time for PWDs to unite. “It’s time the PWD sector to unite, make your voices be heard and show your numbers. Tama na po ang pagtatalo kung sino ang dapat na na-accredit na party list, in the end ang sektor pa din naman ang nire-represent nito,” she says.

Another PWD leader, Jess Docot, expressed his support. “Let us always maintain unity in diversity. Setting aside principle and conviction will be tantamount to losing one’s dignity as a person. Let us then let father time present what is best for the sector,” he said.

The PWD Inc.’s vision is to remove barriers, systemic and attitudinal, that hinder PWD participation in community life. And its missions to empower the PWD sector by uplifting existing economic and social conditions for its betterment.

Employment opportunity for PWDs is one of the platforms of PWD Inc.

PWD Inc. shared their platform of government:

1. To work for the full implementation of RA 10070 which calls for the establishment of Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in every City and Municipality in the country — this will serve as the nerve center on matters that affect PWDs, ensure active participation in community life & governance, and facilitate their mainstreaming back to society.
2. To push for the establishment of a national Registry for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in the Philippines as provided for under RA 7277, IRR Rule IV, Sec. 3, Heading A, Sec. 1.1.3)  with a reliable data base through which formulation of programs and activities that will benefit PWDs as well as those caring for them, will be facilitated.
3. To effect a decent and viable program that would bring about opportunities for employment in order to free PWDs from bondage of poverty, neglect and despair. This could be achieved with the implementation of EO 417 which aims for economic independence by —

– Urging all government agencies, even LGUs to emulate compliance started by the DepEd to grant whenever possible         organizations of PWDs the privilege to supply 10% of the agency’s annual requirements for manpower services as well as material items (e.g., tables, chairs, desks, etc.).

-Enjoin TESDA to set aside a budget specifically to provide PWDs with technical education and training in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to equip them with skills needed to find good jobs.

-Providing help and technological advice to organizations of or to PWDs that wish to engage in livelihood activities.

-To assist PWD organizations secure financial support for its programs, projects and activities.

4. To convince the national government to provide a package of benefits and better social protection through enrollment with   PhilHealth and membership with Social Security System and PAG-IBIG.

5. To pave the way and help DPOs link up with government and civil society so that urgent PWD concerns & issues are relayed to and brought to the attention of the public for appropriate action.

Millions of PWDs needs a voice in the Congress.

Their legislative agenda includes:

1. To call for a review of all existing laws work for the full and that impact on PWDs such as RA 7277, RA 9442, RA 10070, BP 344, EO 417, etc. and work for amendments, if necessary, and subsequent effective implementation and enforcement.
2. To call for amendments or changes  in  Philippine  laws   to harmonize with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
3. To ascertain the need to enact new laws that would be responsive to the welfare of persons with disabilities.

THESE VISUALLY IMPAIRED SINGERS CAN DO ANYTHING

Last November 30, during a Christmas party for children with special needs, the guests were touched and some were drawn into misty eyes when these a pair of twins and sisters took their turn to perform in the center stage.  What captured the hearts of these twins is that they have beautiful voice despite of their disability.

Jerome and Josh Nelmida and Camille and Czarina Mercado, known in the persons with disability (PWD) circle as the singing visually impaired (VI) children, proved them wrong and showed that disability is not a hindrance to success.

What they do not know from the start that aside from singing, they also have other talents that normal people believe that the visually impaired persons cannot do because of their disability.

Jerome and Joshua Nelmida at left and Czarinah and Camille at right during their song numbers.

As singers, Jerome and Joshua knew how to sing at a young age but didn’t know the proper way of singing. With proper practice, they were able to improve it. They are currently members of a chorale group for visually impaired singers, Ambassadors of Light, and were invited to sing at an event in Malacanang too.

They are also into photography. As photographers, they are active in Photography with a Difference photo workshop. They also competed against non-PWDs at the Canon Photomarathon recently, where they were called as VIP, as in Visually Impaired Photographers, together with 3 other VI children.

As swimmers, they are being trained by the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled- National Paralympic Committee. They also compete regularly in the annual Visually Impaired Sports Training and Advocacy Games.

According to Jerome and Josh, they love what they are doing and they are capable to do it. Aside from doing the three talents that they have, they are also learning from it.

The sons of Annette and Ricardo, who also have two other teenage children who are not PWD, Jerome and Joshua were born with retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disorder caused by an abnormal blood vessel development in the retina of the eye.  When they were 28 days old, the newborn twins, in order to save their sights, had to undergo four laser surgeries but were unsuccessful. Doctors said that it’s only 20% chances to save their sight.

Unlike most parents who took long time to accept the disability of their children, Annette accepted Joshua and Jerome from the moment she laid her eyes on them. She admits that acceptance s a must because if a mother doesn’t accept her child with disability, then it will only hurt her.

Annette showed her true mother’s love to the twins. She raised them up like a normal person and get involved with their life. She went to Resources for the Blind to learn more about the disability and it is in RBI where Josh and Jerome first went to school.

Currently, the twins are mainstreamed with non-PWD students at Cupang Elementary School, where they are a singing sensation. They are consistent in section 1 level. They admit that there are bullies in school but they just ignore them off and they will just do the things that make them happy.

Annette lets the twins decide on what to pursue in their future career and they both want to be teachers.

The visually impaired singers met Mr. Ramon Cuervo and Dr. Kirby Salvador.

Czarinah Michaela and Camille Michaela Mercado, 18 and 15 years old respectively, were blind since birth. According to their parents, Brenda and Alvin who are both government employees, the doctors really had a hard time to figure out the cause of their blindness because everything was perfect and okay then, apart  from being both and only blind in the family.

“As their mother, I immediately accepted their condition, because I believe then that they were God’s gift to us. And I never did anything wrong, therefore I treat it as a blessing in disguise. And it actually was happening indeed! They are my blessings,” Brenda said.

Like Annette, she immediately accepted the disability of her children. “There’s no such secret with that, all I did was acceptance. I don’t treat them as different, but instead I treat them as like the other normal children. I let them play, stumble, cry, get hurt, become happy, everything that everyone’s feeling and experiencing,” she said.

It is in the faith in the Lord that encourages and motivates her to raise her children. She knows that God would not give any circumstances without having its purpose, so then she just live a life with them.

And she feels blessed to have Czarinah and Camille. “I am blessed that I have given such daughters like them who are inclined in music,” she said.

Aside from singing, the sisters have other talents too. According to Brenda, Czarinah is an explorer and adventurer. She has all the bravery in everything that she does. She also loves dancing, acting Etc. She also loves sports, and she’s willing to learn a lot more if given the opportunity. While Camille is kind a timid but then shes know that she’s trying her best to grow up and explore the beauty of life. Of course with the help of her family.

“Aside from singing, I was blessed to have a  talent that enables me to adopt on anything, sports, dancing, acting, traveling, interacting, almost everything. If given the chance I’m always open with improvements. I’d like to put in more and more skills within myself. I also have lots of future plans in the upcoming tomorrow,” says Czarinah, a 2^nd Year College taking up Business Management at STI Fairview.

“Aside from singing, I also doing my theater thing, because I know then that I could express myself and I am able to show and prove to all the people that I can do something for my fellow despite of my impairment,” added Camille, a 3^rd year high school student at Ramon Magsaysay High School, España Manila.

What inspires them to sing and share their talents is to share their life to the society. “Our lives are a comprehensible illustration of what we want to have. Every time we sing, we just want to entertain them and convey a message. We want to inspire them that despite of what we lack, we got everything more than what we have had. And we are willing to do whatever we might contribute to promote for the awareness of the people around us. Of course, how you connect with them is the key, that’s why we tell them the approach that we want to have with them,” the sisters said.

They were also inspired by their faith and gratefulness to the Lord, for they share their God-given talents. And of course, their family inspires them to chase their dreams and for unending support that they continuously gave to the sisters.

They are also thankful for themselves. “We want to have a remarkable legacy that they could somehow keep in mind and remember for the rest of their lives and hopefully within the next generation,” they said.

“Dear fellow visually impaired persons, there is no mountain too high; there is no ocean too wide to be the reasons why you cannot achieve your dreams. Don’t tremble and learn to love the risks. Who knows, you might end up reach the stars. Just always keep on looking the brighter side of life, keep on running for the goals in life, keep on searching for the treasures of life, and keep on moving positively. Never let someone bring you down when you’re up, and never sink to a lower level to be something or someone you’re not. It is in your hands on how you will live life. Have faith in God and smile always. Wear that as your cosmetic, because life has given you so much more and so as God,” Czarinah and Camille’s inspiring message for their fellow VI persons.

The Nelmidas and Mercados together with the Pilipinos with Disabilities Inc, officers and nominees.

For Brenda, she also has her inspiring message to people and to the mothers of VI persons. “Whatever you are facing right now, maybe you’re questioning and asking God why me? However, we must learn only to trust him. And remember that nothing starts without its purpose in order to prepare us for a brilliant ending. Being blind is not something that we should regret, but it serves as an eye opener that beautiful things cannot really seen with our naked eyes, but more than that it must really felt within our hearts.”

The two twins and the sisters have shown to the world that disability is not a hindrance to success. There are many PWDs who have talents and skills but left unrecognized because of the way the society treats them. But these twins proved that despite of their disability, they can still do many things.

WORKING WITH LADY LUPUS

WORKING WITH LADY LUPUS

Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease that affects joints and muscles, skin, kidneys, nervous system, lungs, heart, blood-forming organs and blood vessels among others. The manifestations can be very mild, or may be severe and life threatening.

Arthritis is one of the effects of lupus.

With careful application of modern methods of diagnosis and treatment, it can be well controlled and patients with Lupus can now expect to achieve good health.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), the most serious type of Lupus that can cause damage to several major organs of the body, is a worldwide disease.  Based on 2001 records, there are over 2000 Lupus patients in the Philippine.

Because of the global warming, Lupus is on the rise, particularly in Asia, including the Philippines which is one of the most affected countries by global warming. Experts said that sunlight and ultraviolet rays are major triggering factors for Lupus.

Dr. Sandra Navarra echoed the same because of the rise of patients going to the healthcare centers and being diagnosed with Lupus. She also said that Lupus is a very challenging disease for doctors because there is a wide range of manifestations.

Lupus can still be treated, especially when treated early. Dr. Lyndon John Llamado said that it is important for lupus to be detected early and treated properly to prevent complications and improve the quality of life.

Lupus affects mostly women. In the photo, women with lupus show their talents and abilities despite of lupus.

Because of this, there’s a need for lupus advocacy and awareness, to make people aware about this disease because many more remain undiagnosed as public awareness of the disease is still lacking.

During the Asian Lupus Summit 2012 held in Manila, Professor Chak-Sing Lau of Hong Kong said that there is a lack of awareness on the impact of SLE in the community such as few patient advocacy groups.

He gave 3 things to do for lupus awareness:  awareness on lupus by public, government, and funding bodies, training of physicians in lupus management, and to know the lupus patients better.

Lupus is most commonly known to affect women but is rare to affect men. One of the examples is Mr. Ramon CF Cuervo III. A real estate professional, Mr. Cuervo was diagnosed with Lupus back in 1990 during the peak of his professional career.  As one of the few men who got this “woman’s disease”, he jokingly referred to it as his“live-in partner” and named it as “Lady Lu”.

“She came into my life like a shy and coy lady in December 1990,” says Mr. Cuervo. “She first made her presence felt by giving me a gift of rheumatoid arthritis. This gift of hers made the doctors take several painful blood tests but their analysis provided to be inconclusive.” Being invisible is what he described as the special gift of Lady Lu.

During that time, he was at his peak of his professional career. He started to work with his father in the real estate industry while he was still a college student at Letran.  Together with his father, they incorporated Cuervo Appraisers Inc., an offshoot to his Masteral studies of Economics at the Center for Research and Communication, which is now University of Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Cuervo began to feel fatigue from all the things he had done. He taught it is natural because he was very busy man. So fought it and continue his ways. But the fatigue persisted accompanied by body pains, insomnia, anxiety, and some digestive discomforts. When he went for a medical check-up, his doctors taught he has rheumatoid arthritis. Mr. Cuervo took medicines and continued to work.

It was only later that Lady Lu came out in the open. “In December 1999 she struck me with a strong dose of typhoid fever as well as other infections that came easily to me,” he said.

He checked out of the hospital again and continues to work and became busy again. But his colon burst and he had to undergo operation. “It took six hours of intense surgery to operate on my colon and after waking up from the ordeal – I was stuck with a colonoscopy bag,” Mr. Cuervo said.

Mr. Ramon Cuervo and Dr. Sandra Navvara

“Three agonizing and painful months after that surgery, I was still confined the hospital and drowned a large amount of steroids, antibiotics, and  other nameless drugs that would put rocker Pepe Smith to shame. But no matter what medications I took, nothing could drive her pain and her mark off me.”

Lady Lu also took its toll on his emotion and spiritual well-being. He felt he is driving his friends away. Faitgue came in again and finally, he consulted Dr. Navarra. And the doctor’s finding is: Lupus.

“The doctors that treated me confirmed that Lady Lu was indeed the culprit. I had gone through several ANA testes and it confirmed her existence right down to the smallest molecule that she was bonded to me,” he said.

Despite the pain and against doctors’ orders, Mr. Cuervo continued like a real trooper and continued to build up on his professional life. “I then continued to run the business against doctors orders and organized several conferences and international events such as Medical Tourism, and helped start up Clinica Manila,” he said.

Lady Lu was not one to remain silent. “She came back for a visit and I was deluged with much pain and never ending fatigue. It was as if every waking moment was a moment of weakness,” he said. He described Lady Lu as if it is making his body undergoing a “flush” or relapse. Lady lupus was slowly gaining a stronger foothold into his life and physical body. She began to bite, gnaw, tear out chunks of his emotional and even spiritual side that I kept so much inside of me. Such was her ability – to devour from within.

Lady Lu gave him difficulty in his active day-to-day activities. But despite having this rare disease, he so many things and become successful on his endeavors.

As a real estate professional, he is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Cuervo Appraisers Inc.; Chairman of Cuervo Valuers and Advisory Council, Inc.; Chief Finance Officer, Board Member, and Co-Founder of Clinica Manila; Independent Director of Philippine Reality and Holdings Corporation (Philrealty), immediate Past President of PAREB-Manila Board of Realtors Inc.; consultant and adviser of different property owners and investors.

Aside from professional life, Mr. Cuervo is also an advocate for lupus and persons with disabilities (PWD). He is the Finance Head of the Pilipinos with Disabilities, Inc. partylist that will run for Congress in 2013 Elections. He is also a sought after resource and inspirational speaker on issues and concerns which are not only limited on Real Estate Industry but also to lupus and PWDs.

Mr. Cuervo said he never imagined he will suffer from lupus in his life because he was a very active man, even an athlete too. “I was into mountain climbing and football, and I was a varsity swimmer in Letran. I do martial arts also. I was a tough guy. But unfortunately, I got lupus,” he said.

Mr. Cuervo has been active in lupus advocacy as shown in the photo where he is taking notes during th Asian Lupus Summit.

He is an inspiration to his fellow Realtors, business partners, PWDs, and friends because of his holistic approach in coping, working and leading a productive life in spite of limitations cause by lupus.

In our next article, we will discuss some of the trends on lupus based on the 2012 Asian Lupus Summit. This is a part of Mr. Cuervo’s advocacy to help spread awareness on lupus.

References:

• Lupus Foundation of the Philippines
• “The Sly Wolf” by Adelle Chua Tulagan
• Lupus survivor appointed commissioner- Philippine Daily Inquirer

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PHILIPPINE REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF CELEBRATES 35TH YEAR

RACuervo Appraisers in Association with Cuervo Valuers and Advisory congratulates the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID) on their 35^th year celebrations. Our RACuervo staff, Raphael Torralba, once took a basic sign language class at PRID and he learned more about the sign language and the deaf world.

Acting as responsible professionals, Sign Language Interpreters are responsible for facilitating communication between the deaf and hearing person. When the hearing person speaks, the interpreter will interpret the words into sign language to the deaf person. In reply, the deaf person will do a sign language and then, the interpreter will translate it into words. So, the interpreters are very important and a vital part in communication process.

Sign Language Interpreter, Reiner Blas, interprets the proceedings to the deaf audience during the hearing in Congress.

Individuals can receive training to become Sign Language Interpreters from a sign language class or organization like PRID. Sign Language Interpreters also have certification as a proof that they are qualified to interpret. Sign Language Interpreters can also take continuing education courses to maintain certification and to further enhance their interpreting capabilities.

Sign Language Interpreters work in a wide variety of settings such as TV news, conferences, seminars, businesses, educational institutions, etc. The knowledge and expertise of Sign Language Interpreters is especially needed when a deaf person find themselves in critical situations that require clear communication.

The role of Sign Language Interpreters is very challenging. Sign Language Interpreters aims to bridge the hearing and the deaf world together. Although Sign Language Interpreters’ responsibilities center on translating information to hearing and Deaf clients, “language problems create the potential for enormous tension among interpreters, school officials, and Deaf students” (Lane et al., 1999: 259). It is the Sign Language Interpreters’ responsibility to ensure that the information is communicated clearly to the both parties.

According to Cynthia B. Roy (1995), a Sign Language Interpreters’ role can be defined as professional if one has the following:

• Complete fluency in two languages
• Interpretation skills
• A wide general knowledge
• A knowledge of the field in which he/she interprets
• Bicultural sensitivity, and
• A highly developed sense of professionalism

Ms. Febe Sevilla (in black shirt) translates the sign language of Rey Lee, a deaf, during the deaf’s rally for Filipino Sign Language.

Being a vital bridge to connect the Deaf world to the hearing world, PRID helped the interpreters opened up the line of communications. They also gave them a chance to learn and be a part of the Deaf world. It has been continuing its dedication and excellence to provide quality and well-trained Deaf interpreters to help the Deaf community since 1977.

 

 

 

With sources from:

www.asigninterpreters.com

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