Silent Odyssey: The Right to be Heard

the poster for the Silent Odyssey premier show

Stalking where sound is deafeningly silent
Drowns me into wonderful truths
I can no longer hold for myself
They persist to be.

-Miranamedina
( Silent Odyssey, 2008)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFUeGiYyH6I

The Right to Be Heard

Article 19. of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html) states:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

This article, written across nations and cultures in mind, includes the right to expression. Consequently, even those who cannot hear have the right to be heard. And this can be done through the use of sign language. This is my perspective as a viewer of the movie “Silent Odyssey”.

I was able to watch the premier screening of “Silent Odyssey” a documentary film by Miryad Visyon(Vision) in collaboration with the Philippine National Commission on Culture and the Arts(NCCA) and Lingap-Pangarap(Nurture a Dream) Foundation Inc. This was sponsored by the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies(DLS-CSB SDEAS) and University of the Philippines Special Education Council(UP SEC). In 2006, Miranamedina’s debut advocacy film on marginalized sector, “Alyana” was shown in the same venue, the UP Film Institute. I reluctantly got involved in a short documentary film on environmental degradation sometime in 2002 so I have known this “ institute” as the way I first heard its name- “Film Centre”. I am going backward a bit.

Alyana, a two and a half hour documentary tackling “ autism”, their circumstances and related issues made me cry. While watching, I ”placed myself in the shoes” of Alyana who inspired the filmmaker to start doing such film and all the rest of the special children featured in the film along with their concerns. What struck me the most are the struggles, confusion, “ups and downs” of the parents who were given the chance to take care of such special children and what they learned along the way or how it changed their perspectives. Most importantly, the movie showed that “ autism” is a “leveler” so to speak- it happens to any parent regardless of their economic or social status and finding out lessons born of such circumstances.

I was raised in an egalitarian and inclusive environment so I had no problems in dealing with these children considered as “others” by many. But still, “Alyana” has given me a comprehensive perspective about special children and “autism” in particular in just one sitting. Truly, visual arts films included have this very effective way of sending a message across.

I cried while watching “Alyana” so I was expecting another “serious” educational” movie. Well, “ Silent Odyssey” was different. It made me giggle and smile. I am not a film critic- I do not have the qualifications nor the experience to be one but I am expressing what do I reckon on how the film “ Silent Odyssey” has affected me in the scenes that I found very memourable.Thus, I am writing what I think and feel candidly about the movie as an average viewer.

The Movie

I like the intermingling of the entertainment and the educational value of “ Silent Odyssey” so in sum I find it very engaging. The movie successfully captured my attention in an instant because of the prologue with a girl performing alone, joining a group and they kept on dancing onstage building momentum. In the process it made expectant about what's more to come. After the prologue, it went on the “emphatising” part which I found useful. It’s about a mother being irate when her daughter arrives home late with a guy who does not speak so she insinuated about her relationship with such friend. But when she was convinced that the young guy is “deaf” she reacted differently. That scene practically captured many Filipinos’ attitude of treating the deaf as “ others” to the extent of putting them down. Growing up in a culture where telling someone tells another “Maganda ka sana kaya lang bingi” (You are supposed to be beautiful but you are hearing impaired”) when a normal hearing person cannot easily pick up what someone is telling her, I am guilty of using such sentence at times which implicates that the deaf are inferior over others just because they cannot hear. This has been a very familiar line or butt of jokes among Filipinos and in this case, “being beautiful” but deaf has become a liability.

The film goes on with the definitions which I appreciate much because being sourced from the Wikipedia making the words easier to understand. (I was concerned that definitions would come from medical books, thank goodness, they did not). Then it goes on with interviews with people and organisations considered as “authority” on the issue. I was amazed that the filmmaker was able to trace such primary sources from the Luzviminda group ( Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao representing the Philippines three major islands) , the missionaries of the Bible School for the Deaf, the Philippine School for the Deaf, various educational institutions in the Philippines and abroad and the very remarkable I should say was- the interview from Madrid where the president of the World Federation of the Deaf Congress Markku Jokinen has impeccably explained the issues and concerns of the deaf.

I was also surprised to find out how the Lamoiyan Corporation was able to give such “ deaf group” a chance in society by giving them "jobs." I say this employer is "for the books" for he has done it quietly sans the media attention like what other corporations of “social responsibility” would do. Even the “ GoNegosyo”( Go Business) which is gaining popularity in these hard times in the country( underscoring the feats of the deaf) was featured. There was a plethora of issues covered by this movie thus having 110 minutes in the total length quite reasonable. Yet I did not mind nor wished that the movie would end soon because as I have said, I found it very engaging.

Another remarkable about Silent Odyssey are the introductory shots very pleasing to the eyes- the beauty of Zamboanga shores, the majestic falls in Laguna, the acacia trees shot pretty much like an art film, the royal headdress of a woman turning prior to an interview with a communication authority (no less than the Chairman of the Speech Communication and Theatre Arts of the University of the Philippines herself Dr. Belen Calingacion) and the beauty of a painting turning out to be a work of the budding visual artist Fernando Escora(I asked around after the film showing because I got interested although I cannot afford to make art collections-well not yet!) are a feast at least to my eyes and probably to those who are art enthusiasts and appreciators like me.

The movie has made me think, laugh and smile a lot. I have a favourite scene among them all- the love story of a deaf couple. I was so touched I could not help but cry- silently. For one, I love the sea and this particular scene captured my unparalleled interest ( I sat on the aisle part I did not mind people passing by from the time to time while the show is ongoing but I got really annoyed when someone passed by while I was watching this part) because of the beautiful scenery which turned out to be somewhere in Palawan ( the paradise that I found since May 2007 where I want to grow old- if I will) whose seascapes and landscapes are truly exhilarating! I was so thrilled when the wife was asked what will she tell her husband before she or the husband dies. She answered ”I do not want to die first because I cannot imagine living without him”. And when she was asked if her story can be retold, what would she want to change to which she replied” I am happy the way it is, because even if we will meet again in heaven, I will still marry him”

Now I can be faulted for the words because I am unsure if I got them correctly although my close friends tease me that I always had this gift of "videographic memory". I was really thrilled I got myself mixed up over the lines from the happy wife. I enjoy such love stories of any kind, so if this is a documentary and hearing it directly from the person with tears of joy in her eyes while declaring such love and not from an actress then it is pretty much convincing. I was severely hit. I cried silently for joy because I am happy for them realising that that even people whom normal people consider inferior due to unavailability of expressing themselves through words were able to find that bliss in marriage because arguably- they gave themselves a chance and opted to make it work. I am unsure if I was able to capture the words in verbatim but in essence the wife was telling the interviewer that her husband means the world to her and she is happy- and that's what really matters. I was fully convinced because it shows in the glimmer of her eyes- pretty much like a lovestruck lass well, again- perhaps just like you and me at a time . If I am the filmmaker I would have put this scene towards the end because the deaf wife was talking about heaven on earth( because of such love felt from her husband) and there were some footprints prior to the shots in the building with arches towards the end for that romantic and happy ending. But filmmaking, just like writing, everyone's style is unique so i leave it to her.

The filmmaker has successfully put it differently by continuing with the educational stuff and advocating the use of Filipino Sign Language which is pretty much logical because this is for the Filipino people although the Speaking English sign language brought by the American missionaries were also useful. There were additional inputs about deaf issues and concerns which reminded me that in addition to a “happy ending true -to- life love story” I was watching an advocacy film with the purpose of bridging the gap between the hearing and the deaf. Towards the end, the filmmaker's appeal goes, “the deaf are just imperfect as you and me and they have the right to be heard.” And I completely agree. I then checked my own copy of UN’s Declaration of Human Rights to find this out. Yes, the deaf have also the right to be heard and expressing themselves, just like a hearing person (like me), makes them(as it has made me), feel very much better, and probably a lot happier.

My Personal Encounter

I arrived at the film centre prior to the showing of the film so I was amazed to find out “ deaf” people of such number. I have done few volunteer overseas works with the blind in the past but it is my first time to see the “ deaf” group. I can hardly understand how they communicate but I have seen it in the twinkle of their eyes- they are happy in their own silent world.

In hindsight, this experience has made me realise that- the happiest moments in my life are quiet ones. I am ecstatic when I first heard the tender and pure words “ I love you” over the telephone from my first nephew(whom the clan has waited and prayed to have for seven years) at age one but I can hardly explain the feeling when he first gave me his hugs and kisses the first time we met. I feel the comfort of my Dad’s soothing and loving words when things go wrong but I can smile and forget all my troubles when he runs his fingers to my wavy hair and I feel fully forgiven when he intentionally rubs my head and smiles afterwards at times when I am extremely naughty or headstrong. I am assured of my Mom’s unconditional love when she says ‘ I forgive you’ everytime I apologise for every mistake that I have committed that she cannot tolerate but giving me a tight hug without a word has made me feel very much better after each disagreement over issues and ideas. I am assured of my then boyfriend’s concern every time he says “take care “ but I feel that he is there for me by the way he looks at me amidst the throng of many people and how another then boyfriend's eyes can caress me even if he dances with somebody else in parties. When I meet an old friend, exchanging “hello, how are you? “ are not enough until we hug each other and laugh together just like the old times.

Moreover, the very unforgettable moments of kindness that stayed in my heart are from strangers. First was when a total stranger in a foreign land tapped my shoulder to give some tissue paper before getting off the tram because I was endlessly crying from the time I boarded the tram. Second, was another (then stranger) surprisingly tapped my shoulder around a couple of hours past midnight to say goodnight after a long, tiring and disappointing day in an island (this surprised me i never had the chance to respond to this kind gesture). Third, was when another ( then stranger) let me cry out in her shoulder over a very painful experience after a friendly altercation which i opted to forget. When I remember the faces of these people, i can’t help but smile- as their acts of kindness linger in my heart.

Helen Keller, herself a marginalized being, an excellent blind writer said “ The best things in life cannot be seen or touched, they are just felt in the heart”. In essence, words are not necessary to convey one’s feelings. One can be deaf or mute or blind or having those “ five senses” fully functional yet can be human enough because of the heart, where these feelings emanate and whether they are expressed through verbal or through non- verbal actions just like using sign language in the case of the deaf, message can be conveyed if they emanate from one’s heart, to another.

And I am joining Miranamedina in her “ Silent Odyssey” in my own silent way. After all, as the movie stressed towards the finale part, the deaf are as imperfect as I am and just like humans like me, they also have the right to be heard. And just like Odysseus, the Greek hero in Homer's epic poem and later shown in film “ The Odyssey”http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/summary.html who has brought home wisdom- much more important than the spoils of war after a long adventure from the fall of Troy and undergoing ordeals (and surviving them in his ten years travel back to his kingdom Ithaca) watching the movie “ Silent Odyssey” has not only given me enough information an entertainment but most importantly, the desire to do my part of bridging the gap between the “hearing” and the “ deaf”.

And I wish the some realisations would happen to all who will be given the chance to join Miranamedina in the future screenings of her “Silent Odyssey. “ After all, the deaf have the right to be heard too- just like you and me.

Tranquility

The Coron island's Bonol beach, orange tulip's favourite beach

"When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves,

it is useless to seek it elsewhere”

-François de la Rochefoucauld

(French classical author, leading exponent of the Maxime, 1613-1680)

Sunset

"Sunset in St Kilda Beach", photo by orange tulip

How fine has the day been! how bright was the sun,

How lovely and joyful the course that he run!

Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun,

And there followed some droppings of rain:

But now the fair traveller's come to the west,

His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best;

He paints the skies gay as he sinks to his rest,

And foretells a bright rising again.

- Isaac Watts

(Moral Songs--A Summer Evening)

Federer the Champ

Andy Murray and Roger Federer are presented with their trophies after their final match on Day 15.
Photo by: Rob Loud/usopen.org

Roger Federer poses with the US Open trophy after his fifth straight win.
Photo by: Rob Loud/usopen.org

Roger Federer drops to the ground as he celebrates his win over Andy Murray to be the US Open Men's Champion.
Photo by: Rob Loud/usopen.org
Roger Federer (SUI)[2] serves to Andy Murray (GBR)[6] during the Men's Singles Finals match on day 15 of the 2008 US Open.
Photo by: Rob Loud/usopen.org

Photos (and their captions)were downloaded from http://www.usopen.org/

I grew up cheering for the hunk Andre Agassi as i learned playing lawn tennis during his prime. I was not a big fan of Roger Federer the first time i saw him play and the only thing i knew about him at that time was- he is Swiss, so i asked my friends if he is related to the popular female tennis player Martina Hingis. I saw how he defeated Andre in the Australian Open in 2004(that was the first time i saw both in person, along with the gorgeous Andy Roddick whose pretty boy looks practically took my breath away as i came few feet close in the rehearsal courts ) but through the years, i have realised that i became a Federer fan, nevertheless. Well everybody loves a winner maybe-and i am no exception This probably started when he defeated Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in 2006 men's Singles Australian Open. I started to cheer for him as i saw his mighty forehands , great backhands and his amazing aces. Yes, he is a calm and composed (i never saw him having tantrums even in stressful times all throughout a game), determined(he looks and moves every inch a winner) and driven( he always tries his mighty best) while in court. Roger cried when he received his Oz 2006 men's singles trophy and said " i badly needed this!" while thanking his supporters. From then on i watch or read his matches in Wimbledon, Australian, the Olympics in Beijing, China and now the US Open. Most of his previous games were not really good- he had unhappy losses and from the top seed, he became number 2, his previous position now held by Spain's Rafael Nadal. As i was watching the videoclip of Roger's final round and final match i cant help but gasp at his prowess yet smiled and pretty entertained when he dropped to the ground realising that he won over Britain's Andy Murray. http://www.usopen.org/ . It was a marvelous sight indeed, and yes i am a certified Roger Federer fan for the past three years and coming.

And i terribly admire him for being true to his girlfriend of many years despite his " star" status. I am thrilled everytime i watch him looking at the place where her pretty girlfriend is seated, briefly smiles and continues his serve to his opponent in the game. In one of barbecue parties with my friends along the Yarra River, which is always scheduled within the week of the Australian Open i exclaimed that i wish i can be as lucky as Roger's girlfriend because despite his extreme popularity as a tennis star, they remained an item all these years. Roger is not as gorgeous as Andy and charming as Andre yet there is something in his persona that draws people and girls in. Is there another Federer out there? Well, that's a good question, isn't it?

Most importantly, watching Federer in all his games is like watching life in reality as it unfolds. He does not necessarily win in all his games, sometimes he loses. He is capable to take his own losses gracefully yet he never loses his determination to "make it" in the next game. He lost to Rafa in the Wimbledon. He did not fare very well in the Olympics as well. Yet when he wins, one can see how triumphant a person could be by the way he drops, smiles and it elated me so much to see him kiss his trophy-he always had that kid in him and he is unafraid to show it. He never fails to acknowledge the cheering of his fans and he gamely answers every question from the sports media. He looks as if he is winning his match the first time.

As he joined the recently concluded US Open he was not the top seed anymore but his grit and determination did not wane. He is very much a human too when he never hesitates to show his emotions in the eyes of millions of viewers in court and in television. Yes, Roger Federer made it as his fifth win in the US Open and it made his fans, including me- immensely happy. In tennis and as a person Roger is every inch a winner. And i'll keep on cheering for him in his future matches. And i wish him and her girlfriend well.

Love is a Rose

"Pink Roses in Bloom", photo by Primo

"Roses in varying colours", photo by Primo

" A Wedding Bouquet, photo by orange tulip

" A Day in the Flower Show", photo by Primo

There is a thin membrane that protects the self, and love’s thorns can puncture it with ease and tear it open. This is the painful service that love provides. It strips away our protective layer leaving us open to both hurt and love, and since we are human and fallible, we cannot love without hurting or be loved without being hurt.

-John Fischer
(Confessions of A Caffeinated Christian)

I am reading this inspirational book over tea in the last few days and i liked the lines too much and scribbled them in my traditional "planner". Yes, i received an organiser as a present strangely starting the month of September but i liked it so much. I am also looking forward to getting busy again and filling up at least my social calendar as i am excited to meet up a lot of old friends again.

The lines would not get off my mind and i tried to find my favourite photos stored in a flask disk. I initially looked for the photos that i took in my few visits of rose gardens in the country but i cannot locate them. Anyway, i got to rediscover the photos from a very dear friend, well also my brother Primo ( he patiently read the manual and taught me how to operate my first digital camera, thanks) from a flower show that entralled both of us and our closest friends one fine autumn day.

Well, the words of John Fischer about my favourite subject " love" are pretty much true, at least as far as i am concerned. Yes, love is a rose. Thanks John for such eloquence excellently verbalising the obvious . And i like roses just as i like tulips as i like loving too.

Favourite Hang-out

"My favourite hang-out", photo by orange tulip

I saw this in one of my hang-outs and it became my favourite from then on. This is where i go when i don't feel like seeing or talking to anyone, too tired, or simply just want to be away from it all. Looking around, there were a lot of pretty artworks and quotes beautifully scribbled all over the place but this particular line captured my interest for it never fails to make me smile everytime i read and reread it. I have a favourite table and chair close to the window where i drink my favourite tea or hot chocolate with a good book and i feel great. I relish those moments for they have been very emotionally and spiritually enriching.

This is also my place of solace next to the beach, when i am confused with what's going on about a lot of things and people around me. I always make it a point to pass by this area no matter how busy my life has been or would be and these words of wisdom from Oscar Wilde reminds me to breathe.

Yes, life is too important to take seriously.

Davao

Davao International Airport
Durian art work greeting local and foreign tourists
Island Garden City of Samal's Paradise Resort
Christmas time in Davao City
People from all walks of life converge at "People 's Park" in Davao City

all photos were taken by Orange Tulip

Few days earlier, i was happy about Barack Obama's good choice of picking up his Vice Presidential running mate Joseph Bidden. This guy is arguably an expert in government and foreign policies, a trait that many critics have found Obama lacking. I am personally in favour of Obama probably because of his disarming charisma and his promised " mantra of change" although he has not talked a lot on how he would go about such "change." I was reading about Hurricane Gustav's destructive plot in the Gulf Coast affecting the Republican Convention. President George W. Bush should have been to appear Monday at the four-day convention and i am getting interested over the 44-year old first-term Alaskan governor named Sarah Palin whom John McCain, in his advanced age and a former Vietnam prisoner of war has chosen to be his Vice Presidential running mate.

The headline news for today has brought chills to my spine. Digos City, Davao del Sur's capital city's terminal was bombed initially killing six people and left 28 others wounded, including a three year old girl. Davao, which is mostly popular for the tasty yet smelly durian is a huge province which was divided into three still huge provinces are as follows: Davao del Norte with Tagum as its capital, Davao Oriental with Mati as its capital and Digos City as capital of Davao del Sur. Davao City is geographically located in Davao del Sur but it has become an independent city. Davao is a lovely place with beautiful gardens, nice beaches, happy people and where local and foreign tourists enjoy coming back. It is a very friendly city both to people and the environment as smoking is prohibited in public places of the city. Around three years ago, i enjoyed reading a book in the city's Rizal Park which is pretty safe. A stone throw away is the San Pedro Cathedral across the City Hall. One can walk to his or her hotel or residence even at midnight and arrives safely, thanks to the disciplinarian,feisty and very much hands-on Mayor who's policies are deterrent to criminals to the delight of the business community and majority of the constituents. Of course criticisms about his management syle also abounds but what the heck, one cannot please everybody and even a popular mayor is never an exception.

Davao has been in the headlines since August 25 due to the ill-fated crashing of the C-130 in the Davao gulf( reportedly close to the Samal islands where white sand beaches including the upscale Pearl Farm are). Digos city is also known for each beaches and this is where most of the people from the nearby Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces go for outings. This is also a major city where travellers from Cotabato City, Maguindanao, South Cotabato and Saranggani pass through on their way to Davao City. http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/

Now enough for the geography. The news about such bombing (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080902-158108/Davao-bus-blast-kills-6, (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080901173 has made Davao in the headlines again. In July, the same bus line was bombed in Digos City initially killing one a nursing student and this was linked to the extortion activities allegedly by the Al-Khobar gang and this time initially killing six people and injuring another 28 including a three year old child. I assume that since the bus came from the city, the child was probably treated to Jollibee or McDonalds, went a little shopping with his parents or had a stroll in the lovely People's Park. Since it happened in the afternoon, they are probably on their way home. Same goes with the other commuters. It was supposed to be a happy day after unwinding in the city. But it turned out to be tragic.

And it happened at a time when the public has heard enough of the atrocities and human rights violations by MILF extremists or break away groups so it has done more impact. Only a copuple of weeks earlier, Kadayawan Festival was celebrated but it did not get much media attention as this gory bombing has done. Whoever was responsible for the bombing of such bus were a group of heartless, cruel individuals who did not care a bit about humanity. Injuring a three year old child, including probably her parents and killing and leaving other civilians wounded is a very cruel act and deserves severe punishment. Yet justice in this country is so slow and i am wondering if this tragic incident would just be included in the statistics.

When the hype of the news about such incident diminishes, what will happen to these victims? Who will take care of them? Who will take care of their hospitalization bills and medicines and will they be ever given an assistance after the medical care? What will happen to families whose breadwinners are included in the initial fatalities? Will they be given a livelihood assistance to start with? Or will they be left behind and fend for themselves and suffer their own pains?

Digos City is around an hour drive or an hour and a half by bus from Davao City. As i have mentioned earlier it has nice beaches too, and one could buy flowers of various kinds from the market although there are a lot more in Bangkerohan Market, Davao City. It has its own Gaisano mall and fastfood outlets and major banks. The people are very warm and friendly too. During " normal days" Digos City i reckon, is a lovely place to live due to its proximity to the beaches and closeness to the amenities of Davao City.

Yet people outside Mindanao and that includes the other countries outside the Philippines are unaware that other areas are safe for travel so they postpone or cancel their trip due to "peace and order situations". I have travelled myself riding the same bus line to Digos City and back to Davao City three years ago and it was my favourite bus because the drivers and the conductors are very courteous and accomodating. Even my fellow commuters are very friendly they exchange smiles with me although they are quite hesitant to talk to me probably because i looked a little different. I was lucky enough in taking these trips for a large number of few days there was no sad incident like this. There were checkpoints in going and coming out of Davao City so i felt safe. However, when the Glorietta Mall in Makati City was allegedly bombed( the cause is still disputed to date) and the Congress of the Philippines was bombed too- the free spirit in me suggested that everyday and everywhere , one's life is a risk and no one was able to stop me from going anywhere whenever my resources could afford it.

I just hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be apprehended and be given due punishment in the soonest possible time to deter further plans of inflicting man-made sufferings to innocent civilians. And i hope that the victims of this cruelty will be taken cared of or their sufferings would at least be alleviated. And i pray that any human right violation of this kind will never happen again.

Its an irony that this occured on the first day of Ramadan- when our Muslim brothers are starting their annual fasting activity as a part of the Islamic practice. Whoever the perpetrators of the crime would be, i hope that they will find it in their heart to pause and meditate and repent. Most importantly, i pray that they will respect the innocent civilian's right to live.