Probably the first of its kind, the Philippines will now have its first deaf animators as seven MCCID deaf alumni including Deaf Coordinator Ervin Reyes passed the pre-qualification examination given by Take One Animation Studio last November 3.

Eric Tansingco, company’s proprietor/manager, offered the opportunity for free to the deaf as part of his advocacy in providing jobs for less fortunate youth. This time, he wants to give chance to Persons With Disabilities to work for his future projects.

MCCID alumni starts the hands-on character drawing.

Now on its eleventh year, Take One Animation Studio specializes in 2D animation services for traditional Japanese and Western (Disney-type) animation. They also conduct 2D and 3D animation trainings and workshops. Among their hugely successful projects include Onepiece, DragonballZ, Precure, Flying Trapeeze and Mari & Gali. They also do clean-up and in-betweening works for TOEI Animation Philippines, the only subsidiary company outside Japan.

Sir Eric gives individualized instructions.

All seven deaf started their rigid training last November 7 and is expected to complete the modules within a month. Daily and weekly evaluation will then be given to them.

Sir Eric hopes to fill up 80% of the slot coming from Persons With Disabilities. Based on his initial observation, he sees a great potential for deaf 2D Animators. Evaluation will again be given to the first batch, after which, they will be automatically hired to work as In-betweeners and assistant 2D Animators.

Web Accessibility Forum 2011

Video presentation of Philippine National Anthem made by MCCID Batch 2010 students

NCC's Ms. Merce Nicolas gives her opening remarks.

NCDA Chief Nelia De Jesus introduces the participants.

ATRIEV's Julius Charles Serrano explains about user experience in accessing the web.

Deaf participants Feliciano Manio Jr. and Moises Libot (MCCID)

MCCID Training Director and PWAG President Jojo Esposa

NCDA Deputy Executive Director Mateo Lee Jr. and DepEd's Lauro Purcil gives certificate of appreciation to Sir Jojo.

Participants in Photo Ops

As part of this year’s celebration of White Cane Safety Week, a half-day web accessibility forum was held anew last August 2 at Occupational Safety and Health Center Training Room in Quezon City.

Julius Charles Serrano, a web accessibility advocate and PWAG representative gave his insights on user experience in accessing government websites. He also explained some accessibility barriers met by a Person With Disability in getting content from websites.

For his part, MCCID Training Director and Philippine Web Accessibility Group President Jojo Esposa elaborated on the topic by introducing ICT as well as discussing international and local laws/circulars pertaining to equal access to the web. NCDA Chief Nelia De Jesus challenged the participants to do their share by adhering to the call of making their sites accessible to everyone.

Sponsored by the National Council on Disability Affairs-White Cane Safety Week Organizers and the National Computer Center, this forum was participated in by web developers and representatives from various national government units as well as key stakeholders.

bochealthcamp2011

Day 1 - Registration

Day 1 - Preparation

Day 1 - Organizers and Facilitators

Day 1 - Singing of Philippine National Anthem

Day 1 - Opening Message; Bro. Gary Echane, Brothers of Charity

Day 1 - Explaining of House Rules; Mr. Leo Bartolome, Liliane Foundation Philippines

Day 1 - Tour at Campsite, BOC Formation House Baguio City

Day 1 - Introducing Campers; Sir Lucky Paltep, Game Master

Day 1 - 1st Workshop Activity; Sir Jerome Marzan, Facilitator

Day 1 - Workshop Activity Campers

Day 1 - Workshop Explanation; Sir Jojo Esposa,MCCID Facilitator

Day 1 - Private-Public Self; Sir Jojo Esposa, Facilitator

Day 1 - Reproductive Health; Mr. Aga of Catholic Ministry to the Deaf People

Day 2 - Continuation of Reproductive Health; M. Aga of CMDP

Day 2 - Workshop Activity; Ms. Boots Mendoza, Facilitator

Day 2 - Workshop Activity

Day 2 - Prayer for Lunch

Day 2 - Sir Lucky instructs students about cleaning schedules.

Day 2 - Camp Cleaners and Dishwashers

Day 2 - Dramatization

Day 2 - Workshop Activity, Ms. Boots Mendoza, Facilitator

Day 2 - Recognizing Self Workshop

Day 2 - Reporting of Results

Day 2 - Responsible Use of Internet; Sir Jojo, Facilitator

Day 3 - Relations to Parents; Ma'am Zeny Guevarra, Akapin Facilitator

Day 3 - Students' Responses; Ma'am Zeny, Facilitator

Day 3 - Closing Remarks; Ma'am Claire Magtoto, IMMFI Director

Day 3 - Giving of Certificates

Day 3 - Student-Campers and Facilitators Form a Heart-shape

Day 3 - Campers display their Certificates

The first in a series of Health Camps sponsored by Liliane Foundation Philippines to MCCID Pampanga Deaf students was held at Brothers of Charity Formation House in Baguio City from may 20-21, 2011.

It’s main purpose is in order to strengthen their awareness on reproductive health, responsibility and self-esteem. Among the facilitators include Sir Jojo Esposa and Sir Jerome Marzan of MCCID, Mr. Aga of Catholic Ministry to the Deaf People, Ms. Zeny Guevarra of Akapin Bulacan and Ms. Veronica Mendoza of Liliane Foundation Philippines.

stcamillussignlanguage

MCCID Video of National Anthem

Rey Demit, St. Camillus Official hosts the training.

Fr. James Roa, St. Camillus Head gives his welcome address.

Sir Jerome teaches signs of listed words.

Fr. James introduces himself through sign language.

Sir Jerome types the fingerspelled name on computer to verify if its correct.

One of the doctors introduces himself to Sir Jerome.

Sir Jojo teaches "Our Father" to participants.

Sir Jerome and Fr. James distributes certificates.

Sir Jerome receives token from organizers.

Participants with Fr. Luigi Galvani, St. Camillus Founder

Participants displaying their certificates

MCCID conducted sign language training to administration and staff of St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog City, Western Samar last April 20.

A total of twenty participants attended led by Hospital Director Fr. Jaime Roa, Phd and Mr. Rey Demit. The one-day sign language training was done in order to equip them when they meet deaf patients.

Sir Jojo and Sir Jerome gave the training.

Monde Nissin Training

Batch 1: Sir Jerome asks questions in sign language to Fita biscuit employees.

Batch 1: Deaf Irene Dagos introduces herself through sign language.

Batch 1: Sir Jojo teaches basic conversational sign language training that is tailor-made to what the company needs. He also explains about deaf culture and tips on how to sign effectively.

Batch 1: For their last lesson, Sir Jojo teaches them the song "Our Father".

Batch 1: Light chat with Monde Nissin HR Department staff

Batch 2: MCCID Deaf students' Joanna Teves and Moises Libot gives sign name to one of the hearing participants.

Batch 2: Ms. Jing Umadhay of HR Department gives her welcome remarks.

Batch 2: Ms. Nilda Villa, also of HR Department explains the purpose of conducting sign language training.

Batch 2: One of the HR staff introduces herself in sign language.

Batch 2: Ms. Nilda Villa, also of HR Department explains the purpose of conducting sign language training.

Batch 2: Around 40 staff and supervisors attended the training.

Batch 2: Sir Jojo teaches signs.

Batch 2: Moises and Joanna answers questions in sign language.

Batch 2: Monde Nissin Participants together with Moises and Joanna

Monde Nissin Corporation, makers of hugely popular “Lucky Me Noodles” and “Fita Biscuit” invited MCCID to conduct a one-day Conversational Sign Language training to their staff and employees at their main plant in Balibago Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Due to the large number of participants, the trainings were divided into two batches. The first batch was held in February 22 where Sir Jojo Esposa was accompanied by Sir Jerome Marzan and Irene Dagos. Around 25 workers and staff attended the first day.

The second batch was held in February 28. This time Sir Jojo was accompanied by MCCID Students’ Joanna Teves and Moises Libot. More than 40 employees participated.

The training was aimed to equip the employees and staff on how to handle future deaf co-employees.

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa conducted a whole day seminar on web accessibility to Webmasters Consortium of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last October 22 at DOST-ASTI lecture room in Diliman, Quezon City.

Sir Jerome introduces himself as a deaf web designer.

The main objective of this seminar is to implement accessible website design using the technical guidelines recommended by the Web Design Accessibility Recommendation (WDAR) Checkpoints of Philippine Web Accessibility Group in relation to the implementation of National Council on Disability Affairs – National Computer Center Joint Circular No.1 Series of 2010.

More than 20 participants from the head office as well as other key regions attended the seminar organized by the Advanced Science and Technology Institute, an attached agency the DOST. This program falls under their eDOST INFOSYS Project.

Web Accessibility Participants

Sir Jojo explained about the importance of accessible information and communications technology especially those who have physical impairments. He also gave an overview of some recommended checkpoints as well as how to include them into their websites. As a lecture strategy, he was joined by Sir Jerome Marzan, one of MCCID’s deaf trainor and web designer as his resource person so that the attendees can have a first hand information on the needs of a person with disability in accessing websites.

Sir Jojo receives token from DOST-ASTI.

DOST is composed of 16 regional offices, seven research and development groups, seven scientific and technological services and five sectoral council. Each of these services and groups have their own websites within DOST’s top level domain.

View the DOST-ASTI Official News Article here.

MCCID’s Sir Ervin Reyes and Sir Jerome Marzan, deaf web designers together with Sir Jojo Esposa got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting WordPress founding developer Matt Mullenweg when they attended the third WordCamp Philippines held at the College of St. Benilde last October 2, 2010.

Close to 300 web designers, developers, bloggers and enthusiasts attended this year’s event sponsored by Avatar Media. WordPress is an open source Content Management System (CMS), often used as a blog publishing application, powered by PHP and MySQL. It has many features including a plug-in architecture and a template system. Used by over 12% of the 1,000,000 biggest websites, WordPress is the most popular CMS in use today.

Matt Mullenweg delivers his State of WordPress Address.

WordPress has been included in the web designing course of MCCID since 2008. It makes web developing easier and more customized. Current deaf students find web designing faster since they are already taught how to make websites using HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

Mr. Mullenweg gave his State of WordPress address at the camp. He was pleasantly surprised that there are deaf web designers in the Philippines who are familiar with WordPress. When asked if he already met deaf web designers, he said no. This is his first time.

MCCID web designers with Matt Mullenweg.

WordCamp is a conference type of event the focuses on WordPress. They are informal, community-organized events that are put together by WordPress users. Everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and get to know each other. It was held in nearly 40 countries.

Aside from attending various break out sessions, raffle draws were held. It was very fortunate that Sir Jerome and Sir Ervin won free one-year webhosting subscription from solidhosting.ph while Sir Jojo got a free t-shirt from Google Philippines.

MCCID College deaf students experienced another first, that of learning Tai-Chi-Chuan.

Master Teacher Bennet Amoroso, a successful entrepreneur from Batangas and a martial arts expert was able to share his knowledge by teaching Tai-Chi to 1st and 2nd year deaf students for three Saturdays as part of their Physical Education Classes. The first class was held in September 18 at MCCID Lecture Hall.

Students copy the basic moves.

Teacher Bennet, a long time friend and former FEATI University colleague of Sir Jojo, was truly gracious to accept the latter’s invitation to share his skills in Tai-Chi to the deaf. He said that this form of martial arts is both soft and strong. It is very much fitted to the deaf since it requires basic hand movement which is very comfortable for them.

Master Bennet demonstrates Tai-Chi as a self-defense.

Teacher Bennet also emphasized that Tai-Chi, just like any martial arts, can be used as self defense. But compared to other disciplines, it focused more on yielding or sticking to an incoming attack rather than opposing it. He also discourages the use of Tai-Chi as a form of undermining other people. It must only be used as a last resort.

Master Bennet explains tai-chi as compared to other martial arts.

He also equated Tai-Chi with Biblical teaching and doctrines unlike the Chinese way. He does not adhere to the balance of good and evil but focus on the triumph of good against evil.

Wikipedia states Tai chi as a way of health training, meditation and ultimately as a martial art. It concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. For those focused on tai chi’s martial application, good physical fitness is an important step towards effective self-defense.

Master Bennet together with deaf students

During his spare time, he teaches Tai-Chi to out-of-school youth in Batangas as part of his mission of spreading the Good News. Bennet owns and manages a tutorial business as well as a travel and tours agency which focus on historical spots within Batangas.

In order to communicate well will their future deaf co-employees, the Human Resources Division and Data Entry Operations staff of Air21 Philippines held a one-day Conversational Sign Language training conducted by MCCID College last September 14, 2010 at Cargohaus building, Paranaque City.

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa conducted the training together with deaf alumni Owen Domagtoy and Maricris Siping. The deaf gave individual distinct sign names to each trainee based on their physical appearance.

Sir Jojo teaches sign language to Air21 employees.

The training was participated in by more than twenty Air21 employees led by their HRD Manager Levi Diestro together with Vicky Villarosa (Training Manager), Feddie Ross Saflor and Jennevin Sipat. Others include Mary Anne D. Lumaque, Mary Grace D. Pestaño, Sean Francis P. Magsayo, Paul Anthony G. Gomez, Jay L. Reyes, Emmalyn N. Lining, Mary Rose E. Sevilla, Michael John M. Racadio, Rozette Ann M. Lebii, Michael D. S. Bolos, Emerito A. Ilagan, Alvin P. Zaguirre, Angelo Carreon, Markie T. Tupas, Ruel P. Amaguin, Emilio E. Basco, Laurence R. Militar and Jose D. Garcia Jr.

Maricris Siping instructs trainees on fingerspelling.

Owen Domagtoy assigns sign names to each participant.

Before the session, the trainees were already familiar with fingerspelling. This is because they already have a deaf person hired just this year, Sheryll Rose Agarap, a CAP CFD graduate. The company intends to hire more deaf employees in the future.

Aside from learning basic conversational sign language, the group was able to sign songs and appreciate the importance of understanding the deaf and their culture. Sir Jojo also emphasized the deaf's work ethics and positive traits.

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa Jr. conducted a free three-day workshop on web accessibility and WordPress Content Management Systems (CMS) from June 23 – 25 sponsored by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

The seminar/workshop was held at the NCDA Board Room. It aims to expose the government partner agencies as well as local government units about making their website accessible to everyone especially those with physical impairments.

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa Jr. conducts the seminar/workshop to government employees.

On the first day, Sir Jojo explained about introduction to Accessible Information and Communications
Technology. He also tackled on the popularity of online social networking and how it changed the lives of Filipinos. In the afternoon, he focused on access barriers of persons with disabilities and how web accessibility can help them remove those challenges.

On day two, he introduced the Philippine Web Design Accessibility Recommendations as well as the Manila ICT Design Recommendations. He also made a demonstration on how to validate web sites online as well as manually. On the third day, he introduced Content Management System using WordPress. The attendees were able to install web servers and WordPress CMS on their demo-computers and created their first simple website.

Ten government agency representatives working under their Management Information Systems/Information Technology departments were initially selected to participate in the workshop. Three of the attendees came all the way from Misamis Oriental and Iloilo.

Workshop/Seminar Participants

In his welcome speech, NCDA Executive Director-OIC Mateo Lee expressed his full support in promoting web accessibility as well as encouraging other stakeholders to be more concerned with visitors of their official website with which some of them might have difficulty accessing. He also promised future follow up seminars for others who were not able to attend.

Certificates were awarded to all the successful attendees.

Web Accessibility Forum

MCCID students took part in the web accessibility forum.

MCCID National Anthem Sign Language video shown on stage.

NCC Angelita Nicolas gave the welcome remarks.

DAISY Head Lauro Purcil also gave his talk.

DOTC Rizal Morales gives his inspirational address.

ICT Video is shown featuring Sir Ervin Reyes.

Sir Jojo gives his lecture on web accessibility.

Sir Jojo receives certificate of appreciation together with NCC Angelita Nicolas, DOTC Rizal Morales and NCDA Nelia De Jesus.

Web Accessibility Forum participants together with MCCID College students

Third year batch 2010 students of MCCID attended the first Web Accessibility Forum conducted by the National Council on Disability Affairs Sub-committee on Information and Communications Technology held last July 20 at Philvolcs Auditorium in UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

Aside from NCDA, other cooperating agencies include the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) – National Computer Center (NCC), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). NCDA member agencies like DOH, DSWD, Philippine Information Agency, DOST and DFA also participated.

MCCID Training Director and Philippine Web Accessibility Group Current President Jojo Esposa Jr., was one of the main lecturers. He expounded on the Accessible Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and how important it is to everyone especially those who are with physical impairments. He enumerated some access barriers experienced by PWDs when they open government sites. He also introduced a few tips on how to make websites accessible.

For his part, ATRIEV Executive Director Antonio Llanes together with Project Director Rene Orense demonstrated some assistive devices used by visually impaired and those with low vision. These includes screen readers and screen magnifier softwares.

Among those who gave their inspirational messages were DOTC Senior Transport Development Officer Arch. Rizal Morales, Philippine DAISY Consortium President Lauro Purcil and NCDA TCD Chief Nelia De Jesus.

The highlight of the forum is the announcement of the official signing of NCC-NCDA Joint Circular No. 1 requiring all websites of government line agencies including their attached, regional and state universities and colleges to redesign their websites in order to pass the web accessibility design standards set by Manila ICT Design Recommendations through the Philippine Web Accessibility Group. NCC IT Officer Angelita Nicolas gave the announcement. She also informed the participants about future workshops and seminars that will be held.

Aside from MCCID, other Persons With Disabilities Non-Government Organizations also attended the forum. These includes ATRIEV, Philippine Network of Daisy Consortium and Philippine Deaf Federation (PFD). PFD President Raquel Estiller-Corpuz requested all government agencies to open their doors to PWDs especially those who don’t have funds to connect to the internet to offer their services free.

The forum’s objective is to make the participants understand the concepts of web accessibility towards a “disability-inclusive” Philippines where information accessibility for persons with disabilities is based on human rights principles. It also aims to encourages the attendees especially the government sector to make their websites compliant to web accessibility standards under the Manila ICT Design Recommendations and/or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The activity coincides with the country’s annual celebration of the 32nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (July 17-23). This year’s theme is “Sa Istrukturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able“. DPWH is this year’s lead agency.

MCCID College of Technology was able to get a contract to train selected members of KASAMAKA Community Based Rehabilitation Organization of Makati City in information technology related programs.

Under the contract, MCCID College will conduct Information Technology training for Persons With Disabilities of Makati City for three courses; Database Management Through MS Access, Basic Accounting Using MS Excel and Basic Web Design Using HTML. The training started last Saturday, April 17 and will continue up to July 2010.

KASAMAKA CBR through their Managing Officer Gerry Mariano, requested MCCID to provide IT training to members of their organization to enhance their computer skills. They hoped that the additional skills that they learned will better equip them in performing common clerical tasks within their respective offices and barangays. They were able to push through with the training because of the financial assistance from Christian Blind Mission (CBM), one of their active funding agencies and continuously support their programs.

Joanna Teves together with Ace Diaz

MCCID has assigned Joanna Teves, a hard of hearing student of MCCID, to conduct the training. She is expected to sign and talk at the same time. This was requested by the organization in order for them to brush up their sign language skills. She will be assisted by another deaf alumni, Ace Diaz.

A total of 10 members are expected to complete the programs. Aside from the trainor, MCCID provided the training materials and training certificates. For their part, KASAMAKA CBR provided the trainees, venue and computers that will be used.

MCCID College is also negotiating for the design and development of their official website which will be assigned to one of the freelance deaf web designers.

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa Jr. together with Deaf Student Lucky McGill Paltep conducted a whole day conversational sign language seminar with the United Coconut Planters Bank Employees last April 22 at UCPB Main Office in Makati Ave, Makati City.

Sir Jojo conducts whole day sign language training.

Lucky Paltep, UCPB Program Officer Michael Mapua and Sir Jojo

NHRAP 09

Sir Ervin posts his message on the Rights of Disabled Persons wall.

Sir Ervin, Cultural Music Icon Joey Ayala and Sir Jojo Esposa

Together with Liliane Philippines National Correspondent Tess Dela Cruz

Commitment Signing of Key Government Stakeholders and Implementors

Sir Ervin being interviewed inside the Rights of Disabled Persons Presentation Room

Lucky Paltep and Sir Ervin pose in Rights of Disabled Persons Booth.

NCDA Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz sings together with Mr. Joey Ayala.

Cultural Music Icon Joey Ayala together with Lucky, Sir Ervin, Sir Jojo and Director Gigi Ruiz

(Seated) Philippine Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Atty. Renato Corona, UN Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock (Standing) Sir Ervin, Lucky and NCDA Chief Nelia De Jesus

Sir Jojo, Human Rights Commissioner Leila De Lima and Sir Ervin

Sir Ervin and Lucky together with Kasamaka CBR Director Gerry Mariano

MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa together with Deaf Coordinator Ervin Reyes and Student Organization President Lucky McGill Paltep were invited to attend the National Human Rights Forum for the formulation of the Second National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) from December 10-11, 2009 at Manila Grand Opera Hotel.

The activity was spearheaded by the Presidential Human Rights Committee in cooperation with Commission on Human Rights Philippines and the United Nations Development Programme. This year’s theme is “Building a Positive and Proactive Culture of Human Rights”. The approved action plan will be implemented from 2010 to 2014.

MCCID College of Technology is one of the organizations selected by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to represent the persons with disabilities sector specifically the deaf organizations. NCDA was the lead agency tasked to draft the action plan for the disability sector in line with the Philippines’ ratification of the UN International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

The NHRAP Writing Team that drafted the action plan in line with UN CRPD was lead by NCDA Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz together with Ms. Ruth Tacujan, Ms. Cynthia Barriga, Mr. Steve Alcantara, Ms. Flerida Labanon and Mr. Miguel Limon. Covered by the action plan was the inclusion of unhampered access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which was partly contributed by MCCID through its Training Director Jojo Esposa during the 1st National Disability Summit held last September 2009.

MCCID College has been one of the forefront in pushing for ICT and Web Accessibility for Persons With Disabilities since 2003 by participating in inter-regional and international workshops as well as organizing web design accessibility workshops and advocating barrier free access to the web through the establishment of the Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG). Mr. Esposa is one of PWAG’s founding members and its current president. MCCID has also included web accessibility in its web design curriculum and training programs.

Highlight of the NHRAP activity was the commitment signing and sustaining Human Rights Mainstreaming Initiatives. Those who signed were UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, NEDA Deputy Director General Rolando Tungpalan, CHRP Chairperson Leila De Lima and PHRC Undersecretary Severo Catura. Executive Secretary and PHRC Chairman Eduardo Ermita gave his keynote message. Popular Filipino cultural music icon Joey Ayala was the master of ceremonies.

The participants were given a chance to tour the presentations of each committee who were tasked to draft the action plan based on the eight pillars of human rights. These are Civil and Political Rights, Economic Social and Cultural Rights, Against Torture and Other Inhuman Punishment, Rights of the Child, Discrimination Against Women, Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination and Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Each pillars has a corresponding international conventions and treaties all of which are ratified by the Philippine government.