Also included in the interview hosted by Suzie Abrera and Regine Tolentino was Deaf Indie Actor Romalito Mallari together with Ms. Joi Villareal as her sign language interpreter.

Here is the YouTube Video Interview:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxRu4lIcCPA

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.

Clockwise from left: MCCID's Jerome Marzan and Jojo Esposa, Akap Pinoy's Daylin Taleon, Liliane Foundation Philippines' Tess Dela Cruz (writing on the board), NCDA Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz, Nova Foundation's Noli Agcaoili and Autism Society of the Philippines' Nilo Sorongon

The activity was one of the culminating workshops held since September 2008. The Australian Government aims to establish a situational analysis on how government and non-government institutions in the Philippines involved in disability issues are implementing activities to address inclusive development for programs that support Persons With Disabilities. They aim to establish a partnership program through their “Development for All” initiatives with focus on people with disabilities.

Key AusAID officials attended the affair coordinated by Ms. Bernadette Cariaga, Program Officer for Development Cooperation and Focal Person for Disability. With education for people with disabilities as its main agenda, the participants were divided into groups addressing the Philippine educational system. The groups were able to come up with situations and successful programs which answers the following questions:

1. What is working well- examples of practice that are working particularly well in certain contexts?
2. What are the factors present that are contributing to the successful examples given and
3. What are the resources- knowledge, skills, experience, financial, that we have and can make use of?
4. What need to be the future objectives in the short (3 years) to medium (5 years) term?
5. What needs to be done and actions to achieve them- the steps that need to take place, the contributors to the action, the types of resources required?

MCCID College Team joined the Alternative Learning System of Education Situational Analysis for Persons With Disabilities with members led by National Council on Disability Affairs Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz (facilitator), Liliane Foundation Philippines National Correspondent Teresa Dela Cruz, Autism Society of the Philippines Executive Director Ranilo Sorongon, Nova Foundation President Noli Agcaoili and Akap Pinoy Representative Daylin Taleon. The group was able to come up with good practices which addresses employability, self-sustaining, improvement of life, enjoyment of life and productivity. Also present in the workshop is Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Raquel Estiller-Corpuz.

Sir Jojo presents the group's output to the body.

The group was able to coin a new term replacing the Alternative Learning System. They renamed it as “ALTERNATIVE TECHNICAL/PRACTICAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (ATPLO)“. They agreed that no skill is too high that is unachievable for PWD. Focus on individualized learning abilities of PWDs. Extend reasonable accommodation to upgrade and enhance the qualifications of PWDS as part of advocacy based on UN-CRPD.

In strategizing for ATPLO, the group was able to come up with the following:

1. Device a disability specific assessment tools to be re-adapted for PWD. Look into various skills, learning abilities. (OT, DPOs, OSHD).
2. Must form a technical working group, interdisciplinary group for PWDs in ATPLO. Recommended to TESDA, DEPED, and industry or cross-platform for approval for skills assessment. This is a work in progress.
3. Device a communication system that can be easily assimilated for training and for Human Resource companies. This is used to facilitate learning in ATPLO.
4. Localize the collaboration/networking between NGO-LGUs (case of Laguna ASP Chapter with CP, DS). Empower or devolve these enhancement courses to local Disability Peoples Organization (DPO).
5. Create safeguard measures to protect ideas and to ensure the exclusive rights to products, ideas and services for PWDs.
6. Document and promote successful ATPLO projects for replication or adaptation per LGUs, disability sectors. (Case study: SM-PFRD Coping Seminar)
7. Start ATPLO early on. Focus on transition. Select better option or opportunities, which are technical/practical in nature. Educate parents to give options from traditional education to one responsive to the child’s needs. (ATPLO caters to persons with intellectual disabilities). Campaign to parents of PWD and professionals catering to PWD for options to traditional education.
8. Consortium on best practices between, GO, NGOs, DPOs and professional associations. Encourage more stakeholdership to develop more champions for PWDs using ATPLO.

Basic Education, through support for programs under the Government of Philippines Basic Education Reform Agenda to assist the Philippines to achieve its MDG target for universal primary education. This includes support for school based management, rationalisation of teacher deployments to ensure coverage of remote schools, text book provision and school building construction. Increased support will be provided to improve access to and quality of education for children in disadvantaged and conflict affected areas.

The activity was spearheaded by the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Christian Blind Mission and Liliane Foundation Philippines. It was attended by various government and non-government organizations that offer CBR programs and strategies within their communities. Ms. Teresa Dela Cruz, LFP National Correspondent was one of the co-emcees.

The two-day event aims to harmonize all the sectors of Persons With Disabilities in promoting community activities with focus on inclusive education approach. MCCID already started its CBR strategy this year by opening up its first branch in Tiaong, Quezon in partnership with Liliane Foundation Philippines and Bethsaida, Inc.

koreaconference08-02to072009

Day 1 (11:00 am) - Philippine Delegates prepare to board Philippine Airlines at NAIA 2 enroute to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea.

Day 1 (2:00 pm) - Onboard Philippine Airlines

Day 1 (9:00 pm) - Incheon International Airport Escalator

Day 2 (9:00 am) - MCCID Group wears Filipino costume in front of DreamTel International Youth Center Hostel.

Day 2 (10:00 am) - Yewon Church Korea Main building

Day 2 (10:00 am) - Yewon Church Department of Deaf Ministry Chapel

Day 2 (1:00 pm) - Philippine delegate attends the afternoon church service with Sir Jojo interpreting. Rev. Chung Eun-chu, Conference Chairman and Senior Pastor of Yewon Church gives the sermon.

Day 2 (3:00 pm) - Philippine delegate made a courtesy call to Senior Pastor Chung Eun-chu.

Day 2 (4:00 pm) - Philippine Team outside the Yewon church

Day 2 (4:00 pm) - Sir Jojo takes a shot with his Korean counterpart sign language interpreter Ma'am Gloria Nayeon Kwon.

Day 2 (6:00 pm) - Philippine team in front of local Korean restaurant after a delicious dinner

Day 3 (9:00 am) - Sir Jojo interprets the Worship-Lecture Service at Dreamtel Conference Hall. Ms. Hanna Jong, Korean interpreter is beside him.

Day 3 (10:00 am) - Worship-Lecture Service with Philippine deaf participants

Day 3 (11:00 am) - CAP College SFD Registrar and Pastor Julius Andrada's wife Ma'am May Andrada interprets for Senior Pastor Chung.

Day 3 (2:00 pm) - Sir Ervin and Sir Jerome pose in front of famous Korean national warrior hero in the middle of Seoul City.

Day 3 (3:00 pm) - Philippine Team joins the Korean deaf members performs a sign language interpretation of a popular Korean tune beside the man made Seoul River.

Day 3 (4:00 pm) - Sirs Jerome and Ervin pose in front of unique UFO shaped Korean building.

Day 3 (9:00 pm) - Philippine Team on stage with Korean Department of Deaf Ministry Evangelism Alliance for World Evangelization.

Day 4 (7:00 pm) - From left: Eleazar Fancubit, Sir Jerome Marzan, Joanna Teves and Sir Ervin Reyes of MCCID group perform "Esperanza", a Filipino Cultural Dance.

Day 4 (7:30 pm) - From Left: Michael Valois, Harold Viray, Ptr. Julius Andrada, Ptr. Rolando Landicho, Rodante De Torres and Perseus Rendal representing Capitol City Baptist Church Deaf Ministry and CAP College School for the Deaf perform the famous "Maglalatik" or Philippine Coconut Dance.

Day 5 (10:00 am) - Rev. Choi Duck-Keun, Director of the Department of Deaf Ministry with Sir Ervin and Sir Jerome

Day 5 (3:00 pm) - Sir Jerome Marzan pose in front of Korean Buddha Temple inside the Korean National Museum.

Day 5 (6:00 pm) - Sir Ervin and Sir Jerome pose in front of majestic N Seoul Tower.

Day 5 (7:00 pm) - Philippine Delegate pose at Manila Window inside the Seoul Tower Dish some 236 meters from the ground.

Day 6 (4:00 pm) - Philippine Team bids goodbye to Korea inside the huge Incheon International Airport.

Day 6 (7:00 pm) - (From Left:) Licca Andrada, Ms. Lilet Onggon, Ma'am Revie Garcia of CAP College SFD, Sir Ervin and Sir Jerome aboard the Philippine Airlines Flight 469 enroute to NAIA 2

The Philippine Deaf Christian Community was privileged to be invited by Korean Yewon Church to attend as special guests to the 2009 World Deaf Mission Conference from August 1 – 7, 2009 at Seoul, South Korea.

Rev. Chung Eun-chu, Conference Chairman and Senior Pastor of Yewon Church wants Christ’s light to shine to the deaf all over the world including the Filipino people “where is is with filled the culture of darkness, deaf remnants, deaf lay leaders and deaf businessmen will arise.”

The nineteen-person Philippine Team was led by Pastor Julius Andrada, Deaf Pastor of Capitol City Baptist Church Deaf Ministry (CCBCDM) and Deaf Coordinator of CAP College Foundation. She was accompanied by his wife and CAP College Registrar May Andrada, their two children (Jules and Laicca) and their ward Miraluna Onggon.

The CCBC Deaf Ministry was composed of Ptr. Rolando Landicho, Catherine Mailem, Rodante De Torres and Jeremicah Penir. CAP College group includes Harold Viray, Michael Valois, Perseus Rendal, Ylena Kristina Reyes and Ms. Revie Garcia.

MCCID College Team was led by Sir Jojo Esposa who is also the team’s official sign language interpreter. Other members from MCCID include Sir Ervin Reyes, Sir Jerome Marzan, Eleazar Fancubit and Joanna Teves.

The Korean Team was led by Rev. Choi Duck-Keun, Director of the Department of Deaf Ministry, Deaf Asst. Pastor Juwon Chung and Sign language/English Interpreter Ms. Gloria Nayeon Kwon. Ms. Hanna Jang and Mr. Deayeob Kwan provided the English interpretation.

The conference aims to equip the deaf participants to commit themselves for spreading the Good News of God through Jesus Christ and evangelize the world focusing on deaf people. Based on Korean statistics, there are 300,000 Korean Deaf population and around 70 million Deaf people worldwide.

Aside from attending the conference, the Philippine Team were also treated to the beauty of Seoul, Korea. The team visited the Seoul Manmade Stream, National Museum of Korea, Namsan Cable Car and N Seoul Tower.

All expenses were paid for by the Korean Church as part of their worldwide evangelization. Visit their official website at www.deafmission.net.

More photos here.

MCCID College of Technology, in partnership with Bartimaeus Center for Alternative Learning (Bethsaida, Inc.) and Liliane Foundation Philippines will open its first branch in Tiaong, Quezon and will be ready to accept deaf high school graduates starting this school year 2009-2010.

After a series of discussions and viability studies conducted from February to May of this year, the three institutions forged a special agreement to put up a post-secondary school which will offer computer courses similar to the ones being given to Manila campus. MCCID will provide the curriculum, materials and an academic instructor/expert. It also pledged to donate a couple of computer units.

Bethsaida, Inc. Logo

LFP Logo

Bethsaida administrators and faculty were given a tour at MCCID school.

Sir Ervin Reyes and Bethsaida's Deaf Teacher Mamerto Cortez Jr. in front of Bethsaida's main campus.

To know more about the school, you may contact (042)652-1874, cell number 09236349481 or email them at bartimaeus_loida@yahoo.com.

(From Left) NCDA's Dandy Victa, MCCID's Jojo Esposa, RBI's Mayette Regala, Filmmaker Ralston Javier and APCD's Ryuhei Sano

MCCID Alumnus Gimar Aguillon prepares for interview. Gimar currently works as a web designer at Nova Management, Inc.

Sir Ervin is being interviewed by Mr. Sano.

The Asia Pacific Development Center for Disability (APCD) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) collaborated with Filipino stakeholders to create a 15-minute documentary film about the history and development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Persons with Disabilities.

The Philippine counterpart is composed of the following major stakeholders:

1. National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) – representing the government;
2. Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) – representing the visually impaired sector;
3. Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID) – representing the deaf sector.

The agencies were selected based on their active participation and contribution in the establishment of accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities. NCDA is in the forefront for disseminating information about accessible ICT by sponsoring workshops and sending delegates to international foras. RBI produces assistive devices like braille printouts and DAISY while MCCID designs websites and actively promotes web accessibility to other non-government agencies. The three were also APCD-JAICA associate members.

Other agency that participated in the documentary includes the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) where deaf encoders and MCCID alumnus Rona May Savares and Renato Moran were interviewed at their workplace in DFA Passport Division. Nova Foundation, ATRIEV School for the Blind and the Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG) also took part in the documentation.

The main objective of the short film is to document the development of accessible ICT and best practices in the Philippines. It also showcases a short timeline between the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework in 2002 outlining issues, action plans and strategies towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities up to the landmark Philippine contribution on Article 9 – Accessibility which formed part of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities in 2007. The Philippines signed the treaty into law in 2008 and held a unity rally celebrating its ratification in April of the same year which MCCID is one of the participants.

The group chose to get the services of award winning filmmaker and screenwriter Ralston “Joel” Jover because of his professionalism and meticulous work detail. APCD Chief Adviser Mr. Akiie Ninomiya commended Mr. Jover’s attitude of diligently following the instructions set by the group without compromising his cinematic style. Jover’s famous films includes “Kubrador”, “Tirador”, “Manoro” and soon to be shown “Marlon” a docu-story of an 18-year old unschooled blind person.

The “Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability” (APCD) Project is a technical cooperation project between the Government of Japan and the Government of Thailand, which is started in Bangkok on 1 August 2002. The Overall goal of the project is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region.

The docu-film is expected to be finished and shown during the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration this July and at Disability Summit this September. SM Supermalls Committee on Disability Affairs also promised to assist in the presentation of the film in its selected activity centers. APCD will also lead the way for its international release. The short film has an English sub-title and sign language inset. It will also have Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilocano versions.

Junior Chamber International (Jaycees) Manila Chapter donated part of the amount used to build twelve pieces of animation light boxes during the Turn Over Ceremony held at MCCID College Design Room last February 28, Saturday.

Dubbed “Operation Handog Gamit”, the team was led by their President Mark Steven Ong. This activity was a brainchild of Mr. Andrei L. Dy, Project Chairman together with his teammates Paul L. Sy and Romulo (Jay) R. Ramos Jr. Andrei started coordinating with MCCID last year through emails. He then visited the school in December during its Christmas party and was able to meet the administration and deaf students. He then asked for the school’s requirement that needed immediate assistance.

Sir Remberto Esposa Sr., the school’s president then informed Andrei that MCCID College wants to open a new 2D animation course. This program is very much fitted to the deaf since most of them are artistically inclined and very creative. One of the requirements in offering the training course is the animation light box. So Sir Esposa requested the group to support them in making those light boxes.

Manila Jaycees give wacky poses behind the second-hand computer monitors they donated to MCCID College.

Aside from the light boxes, JCI Manila donated five pieces of second-hand color monitors. These will be used to replace some of the broken monitors in the computer room. MCCID College currently has 20 desktop computer units in the laboratory.

JCI (Junior Chamber International) is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs. We are 200,000 active JCI members and millions of JCI alumni participating in projects, meetings, learning programs and events. The group thrives in more than 6,000 communities located in more than 100 countries throughout the world. JCI members are 18 to 40-year-old professionals and entrepreneurs who have joined a local JCI chapter. They are being trained to become better leaders. They also organize projects in the areas of business, individual, community, and international development.

Asia Pacific Center for Disability Project (APCD), a technical cooperation project between the government of Japan and Thailand officially recognized MCCID College as one of its Associate Organizations based in the Philippines last November 14 and appeared in their website on December 12.

In a formal letter sent to MCCID Training Director, APCD through their Director Ms. Kanitta Kamolwat accepted the school’s application for membership after passing their basic requirements. They also expressed their appreciation for the efforts made by the school in promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities specifically the deaf sector in the Philippines.

As an associate organization, MCCID College can take part in their annual programs and activities as well as participate in their international trainings, conferences and events. They will also support the capacity-building of the focal point and associate organizations to network information especially grass-root organizations. This will encourage grass-root organizations to share and disseminate disability related information in an accessible way to all in the Region.

NCDA Head Ms. Nelia De Jesus highlights important ICT successes during brainstorming session.

As its first joint activity, MCCID College collaborated with APCD, the National Council on Disability Affairs and Resources for the Blind in documenting and presenting a 5-minute video on the success of ICT accessibility best practices in the Philippines. In a meeting last November 14 held at NCDA Board Room, APCD representative and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Expert Mr. Ryuhei Sano led the brainstorming and planning of this special activity. MCCID will be involved in the sign language interpretation of the video. The documentation is tentatively scheduled to be filmed in May 2009 and will be released during the National Disability and Prevention Week Celebration on June.

APCD’s main goal is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region. They were established in 2002 as a legacy of the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002, under joint collaboration of the Government of Japan and the Royal Thai Government. APCD has been endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific as a regional cooperative base for its Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive,Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,2003-2012.

Sir Jojo introduces APCD delegates led by Mr. Ninomiya during their 2004 visit.

The APCD team led by Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, APCD Chief Advisor first visited the school in 2004 in its former Sta. Mesa campus. They were warmly welcomed by the school’s officials and students.

APCD is the first international agency that recognized the school under its college status. To know more about them, visit their official website.

Organizers and delegates of the Indo-ASEAN Seminar on “Shruti Drishti” held at Pune, India from January 18 – 19, 2007 were very much impressed by the country presentation and active participation of the Philippine delegation.

The Philippines was represented by participants from the government’s Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) led by Ms. Nieva S. Neri, Information Technology Officer of National Computer Center-CICT, Ms. Ms. Maria Leanna Alvero Beltran, Content Development Coordinator of CICT and Mr. Remberto I. Esposa Jr., one of the administrators of Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG) and MCCID Training Director.

During the country presentation, Mr. Esposa explained in detail about the initiatives made by the Philippine government in helping persons with disabilities access to information technology through the partnership between CICT and the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) as well as vigilant participation of the private non-government national organizations like ATRIEV, RBI, PBU and PWAG. It was most applauded by the delegates and interests on it were gauged by the numerous questions raised by the group. Queries range from web accessibility and use of ALT text attributes on images as well as text messaging system in the Philippines which were all answered clearly by Mr. Esposa and the rest of the team. Host delegation led by Mr. Ajai Kumar of India’s Department of Information Technology and other delegates congratulated the Philippine team for its wonderful presentation.

Among those who participated include delegates from Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host country India.

Sir Jojo Esposa (3rd from right) receives an award given by the National Consumers Foundation.

In recognition of their performance in the field of technical-vocational education for the deaf, MCCID’s top deaf student as well as foundation’s Training Director were recently awarded by the National Consumer Affairs Foundation.

Aldrin D. Gabriel, MCCID Student Organization President and consistent class topnotcher was the recipient of the “2005 Asia-Pacific Young Professional for Academic Excellence for the Disabled Sector” category. The ceremony was held at the AFP Theatre in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last June 9, 2005.

On the other hand, MCCID Training Director, Sir Jojo I. Esposa Jr. was the 2005 People’s Choice Awardee in the field of Education. This was awarded to “Outstanding Filipino Achievers” aged 40 and below from entertainment business, public service, education, sports and other major professional fields of endeavor. The ceremony was also held at the AFP Theatre, last September 29, 2005.

Aldrin Gabriel was chosen to receive this award due to his exemplary achievement as a TESDA scholar in the National Capital Region in 2004 beating other students from different schools in Metro Manila. He will also represent MCCID in the NCR-Abilympics Skills competition to be held this November, 2005.

As the founder and president of Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf Foundation, Inc., Sir Jojo, as his deaf students fondly call him, started to develop his love for the deaf and sign language at an early age of 21. At 27, he established an institute that would help the deaf enhance their skills in computers and will eventually become productive citizens of the country.

Now on it’s 11th year, the Asia-Pacific Excellence Awards and 23rd National Consumers Quality and Peoples’ Choice Awards are being given as tribute to outstanding companies, products and individuals who made significant accomplishments. The National Consumer Affairs Foundation (NCAF) headed by civic leader-journalist & PR Specialist JONATHAN “JAKE” NAVEA was responsible for successfully initiating and popularizing major family and consumer-related events in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific Region such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Family Week, Grandparents Day, Consumers Welfare Month Celebration, Asia-Pacific Week and Children’s Month since 1980.