Hearing (Y)our Voices by Erika Cinco
On March 3, we celebrate World Hearing Day to raise awareness on the importance of ear and hearing care across the world (World Health Organization).
As mental health advocates, it is not just a day for hearing, in a sense, but for hearing the voices of our vulnerable communities.
For hearing, for healing, for caring.
In the Philippines, an estimated 1.8 million individuals are with hearing difficulty in 2020 (Philippine Statistics Authority).
Some challenges the Filipino deaf community face is a result of multiple issues intersectional of each other. Most commonly experienced are:
Communication barriers, due to
Lack of support for education; leading to,
Lack of career opportunities or Non-prioritization of Deaf job applicants/workers; as a result of,
Lack of inclusivity in participation and decision-making; because of the…
Prevalent lack of access to programs and services. A reason for this can be tied back to communication barriers.
Language is a set of rules and symbols that govern the way we communicate and understand each other.
Filipino Sign Language (FSL) is a unique set of symbols on its own and the official sign language of the Philippines. It is a dynamic system of communication that is ever-growing and evolving, becoming more inclusive each time.
Being a more concept-oriented visual language, it is different from American Sign Language (ASL) and other forms. It is also not patterned after English or Filipino words and grammar.
It is uniquely influenced by Filipinos’ use of body language.
Despite challenges, movements for and representations of Deaf Filipinos are rising.
For instance:
RA 11106: Declared The Filipino Sign Language As The National Sign Language Of The Filipino Deaf And The Official Sign Language Of Government In All Transactions Involving The Deaf, And Mandating Its Use In Schools, Broadcast Media, And Workplaces
Project SIGND: Signs for Inclusive Governance and Development Project seeks to increase the preparedness and adaptive capacities of the Deaf to climate-related risks and disasters by moving towards a more inclusive governance and resilience building.
The GoOD Sign: A Deaf Awareness and Basic Filipino Language Seminar by Overdoughs Cafe
Hand and Heart Organization
International Deaf Association
Philippine School for the Deaf
Benilde Deaf School
See references for more information!
How we can support and show our empathy
"Seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” — Alfred Adler, psychiatrist
Practicing empathy and sensitivity comes hand in hand with showing our support for the Filipino Deaf Community. A mix of understanding, respectful interaction, and active efforts in promoting inclusion and opportunities for equality should continue to persist.
We can learn to use FSL, advocate for accessibility, celebrate Deaf Art and Culture, and support Deaf-Owned businesses.
A good example of this is the Caravan Food Group, Inc. (CFGI), which created a Deaf-friendly work environment and aims to educate the public about the Deaf community.
References
Agbisit, Joanne B. “Inclusive Employment Is Good for Business: Francis Reyes (CEO of Caravan Food Group, Inc. Philippines).” The ASEAN Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025, theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/inclusive-employment-is-good-for-business-francis-reyes-ceo-of-caravan-food-group-inc-philippines/.
“An Act Declaring the Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Sign Language of Government in All Transactions Involving the Deaf, and Mandating Its Use in Schools, Broadcast Media, and Workplaces – RA 11106.” National Council on Disability Affairs, ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/ra-11106/.
Balanquit, Liberty. “Liberty Notarte-Balanquit Presents Filipino Sign Language Research.” Department of Linguistics UP Diliman, 8 Aug. 2023, linguistics.upd.edu.ph/news/liberty-notarte-balanquit-presents-filipino-sign-language-research/.
“BENILDE DEAF SCHOOL.” De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, www.benilde.edu.ph/benilde-deaf-school/.
Estiller-Corpuz, Marites Racquel. Chapter 3 ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD of the DEAF in the PHILIPPINES. www.ide.go.jp/library/English/Publish/Reports/Jrp/pdf/151_04.pdf.
Francisco, Michael Angelo. “PHILIPPINES: Listening to the Deaf in the Climate Crisis.” Heinrich Böll Foundation, 28 Oct. 2024, th.boell.org/en/2024/10/28/philippines-listening-deaf-climate-crisis.
“Functional Difficulty in the Philippines: For Household Population Five Years Old and over (2020 Census of Population and Housing).” Philippines Statistics Authority, 26 Oct. 2022, psa.gov.ph/statistics/population-and-housing/node/168274.
“Hand and Heart.” handandheartph.com/
“Philippines Deaf Education Association.” International Deaf Education Association, ideadeaf.org/.
Lao, Waya. “How the PH Deaf Community Strives for Inclusivity through Filipino Sign Language.” Rappler, 2 Sept. 2023, www.rappler.com/moveph/filipino-deaf-community-strives-inclusivity-filipino-sign-language/.
“Philippine School for the Deaf.” Gov.ph, psd.depedpasay.ph/.
“Signs for Inclusive Governance and Development Project (Project SIGND).” Oscar M. Lopez Center, www.omlopezcenter.org/our-work/project-signd/.
“The GoOD Sign.” Overdoughs, 2024, overdoughs.ph/.
“World Hearing Day 2025.” World Health Organization, 2024, www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2025.