Priscilla The Deaf Dreamer
It just feels good to hear stories like this… just a testament that our world is more open and ready to accommodate special people. And may Priscilla be able to prove to all of us that there is indeed a space for them in the working society.
STUDIO WHISPERS
By: Ethel Ramos
PBB teen star not hindered by disability
‘Gusto ko kasing maging inspirasyon ng mga kapuwa ko hearing impaired. That nothing is impossible, even with someone like us to dream and, ika nga, go for it.- Priscilla Navidad’
DEAF dreamer Priscilla Navidad of the recently concluded “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Season 2″ had a chance encounter with Aga Muhlach, when she and her fellow evictees, Rona, Juriel, Joef, Linda, Kevin and Jolas went on a charity mission with some ABS-CBN executives, headed by Charo Santos-Concio and Cory Vidanes, in Bacolor, Pampanga.
With the group were the cast of the ABS-CBN sitcom, “That’s My Doc,” headed by Aga. They included Roderick Paulate, Bayani Agbayani, Pokwang and Nova Villa. Also present were the kids in the cast, Celine Lim, Jairus Aquino, Sophia Barrs and Bronson.
“It was a happy group,” Priscilla related. “And I, in particular, was in my element. Sayaw ako ng sayaw while waiting for, ika nga, the action to take place. We were to feed and give gifts to more than a 100 children.
“I must have caught Aga’s attention. He called me. And he was probably surprised why I was not responding. Somebody must have told him that I was hearing impaired. He did some sign language. E, hindi nga rin ako marunong ng sign language.
“But we later had the chance to talk. And I was truly impressed with him. He looks so young. ‘Di mo sasabihing may asawa na siya at anak. At mabait siya,” Priscilla added.
***
Priscilla is from Davao City. While in town for the rest of the “PBB Teen Edition 2″ activities, she and her mom are staying at the Sogo Hotel on Quezon Avenue, where the hotel management gave them a 50 percent discount.
In the Sogo Hotel compound is also where the boutique shop of Ogie and Rose Vergara is located. It is also the office of the STEAM Foundation, which Aga helped establish 12 years ago. For a time, Aga was the foundation’s chairman and president.
The STEAM Foundation aims to educate and train its deaf members, which will allow them to get employed in companies where they can excel despite their disability. Most of the members are college graduates.
Aga volunteered to give up the position two years ago to give way to one of its members, Cromwell Umali, who was born deaf and is now employed with the Media Office of the President in Malacañang, to become the foundation’s president. Aga remains the foundation’s honorary chairman and president.
Most of the foundation’s members work with Jollibee depending on the abilities they can offer.
Aga has long been an endorser of the No. 1 food chain.
In any case, Ogie and Rose’s boutique serves not just another work place for some of the members but their meeting place as well.
Again, Priscilla related: “When my mom and I got off from a taxi we were riding, para umakyat sa hotel, nakita ko ang grupo ng mga deaf. Nag-uusap sila through sign language. At tawanan sila ng tawanan.
“My mom and I decided to approach them. That’s when they brought me inside the boutique and introduced me and my mom to Tito Ogie and Tita Rose.
“Tito Ogie and Tita Rose promised to have me tutored by a sign language expert,” Priscilla concluded.
***
Priscilla confessed that joining showbiz has been her childhood dream. Nonetheless, she knows, too, that her being a hearing impaired might post some problem in achieving her dream.
“But I will appreciate din if ABS CBN will allow me na maka-guest sa ilan nilang programa. As it is, I’m enjoying guesting in one ABS-CBN program after another with my fellow evictees.
“The fact, too, that I get the chance to hobnob with people na dati ay napapanood ko lang sa TV at pelikula makes me feel not just happy but lucky.
“Gusto ko kasing maging inspirasyon ng mga kapuwa ko hearing impaired. That nothing is impossible, even with someone like us to dream and, ika nga, go for it.
“I’ve tried it and have proven that not all your dreams may be fulfilled. But going after it is already a fulfillment.” Priscilla further stated.
