PAIDE HOLDS SECOND GOLDEN HANDS AWARD

By: JOY LANON CRISTAL

The Philippine Association of Interpreters for Deaf Empowerment (PAIDE) held its second Golden Hands Award on the grand evening of May 2, 2010 at the Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City . The awardees who came from different regions of the country were Arturo V.Abrena, Jr. (Baguio City SPED Center), Rhodora Pamaran-Brouillette (presently based in Rochester, New York), Annabelle Sabordo-Catimbang (Integrated Special School, Iriga City), Linda Villacorta Colindres (Barrio Obrero Elementary School), Remberto I. Esposa, Jr. (Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf), Macaria Punzalan-Ilao (Quirino High School), Olivia Marcellana-Lintag (Manila High School), Ma. Isabelita Valencia-Quebral ( Miriam College ), Ricardo B. De los Santos (Las Pinas North National High School), and the late Belen M. Herreros of the Philippine School for the Deaf who was given a posthumous award.

The first of its kind in the Philippines and a brainchild of PAIDE Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alfredo D. Celada, Jr., the Golden Hands Award, is given to professionals who have served the deaf community with remarkable commitment for 15 years and more. These year's awardees came from a long and dedicated service to deaf people, each doing admirable contribution to the betterment of the life of deaf people. While all of the awardees are in educational setting, their tracks of service show involvement with deaf people beyond the usual job requirements in schools. All the awardees have been engaged in community and outreach activities where they share their skills and talents without remuneration. Aptly so, Ms. Letty V. Uy, PAIDE Chairman of the Board, commended the awardees for their unselfish and untiring service to the deaf community.

The awards night was attended by PAIDE interpreters, supporters, and friends from the deaf community, different school and organization representatives. The heart-warming speeches of the awardees and the touching video presentation made for each of them filled the night with tearful joy. Mr. Julius G. Andrada, current vice president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) was the guest speaker for the event. He praised PAIDE's noble work of recognizing the dedicated hearing people who serve as their allies. Speaking on Deaf identity and culture, Mr. Andrada encouraged everyone in the audience to learn both sign language and Deaf culture as the two are inseparable. He appealed for greater support so that the larger society will come to respect and accept the unique identity of the Deaf. In his closing message, Mr. Ricardo B. De los Santos, PAIDE Sign Language Training Consultant, affirms Mr. Andrada's pride for the Deaf identity saying that the “dumb” refers to the people who refuse to accept and recognize that sign language is a legitimate language.

The grand affair could not have happened without the help of PAIDE's graduates and trainers who served as interpreters, performers, program director, writer, assistants, documenters, technical staff and ushers. Truly entertaining were the beautiful song interpretations performed by the artistic interpreters. Dancing and signing to the song entitled “Rosalinda”, Ms. Maureen Aguilar and Emelie Gentalian mesmerized the audience with their captivating stage presence and showed the power of interpreters to translate the meaning, motives and feelings of a song into signs, body movements and facial expressions. A special thanks was given to Atty. Judy Alice U. Repol who charmed the night with her graceful hosting as master of ceremony. Mr. Michael S. Potian, PAIDE's Sign Language Training Officer served as award's night director. Also present during the awards night were the 2006 Golden Hands Awardees namely, Ms. Annie Blanca Ms. Joy Cristal, Ms. Sonia Lodado, Ms. May Andrada, Mr. Jun Celada and Ms. Becky Santos, whose show of continuing support to PAIDE's endeavors encouraged younger batches and modeled an empowering community of seasoned and new interpreters.