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FSL ADVOCATES AND DEAF ORGANIZATION ATTEND FIRST STAKEHOLDERS MEETING AT UPLB; FUTURE COLLABORATION ON THE WAY

by Mayumi Kristine Perez

A Collaboration for a Deaf-Inclusive Tomorrow

Los Banos, Laguna – The UPLB CAS LITE Function Room, was alive with vibrant silent conversations on June 22, 2026.  Deaf Organizations, Deaf Schools, FSL Advocates, and LGUs around Laguna, Quezon, Cavite, and Metro Manila attended and gathered for the first Stakeholders Meeting.

“Makasaysayan itong project,”. These were the resonant words of Dr. Liza B. Martinez, Convenor, Filipino Sign Language National Network (FSLN2). She highlighted the historic nature of the initiative, noting that it is the first large-scale study aimed at documenting Filipino Sign Language (FSL) policy development and Deaf culture.

The meeting aimed to introduce the project to stakeholders, present participating organizations and advocates, discuss the local context, and foster networking and collaboration among attendees. Ms. Sofia Guintu moderated the program, opening the event and introducing Ms. Maria Rowena Rivera to lead the FSL rendition of Lupang Hinirang. This was followed by opening remarks from Asst. Prof. Liberty A. Notarte-Balanquit, Chair of the UPLB Department of Humanities and one of the project leaders.Following the opening remarks, Asst. Prof. Nell Buenaventura introduced the members of the UPLB FSL Team: The team is led by Project Leaders Asst. Prof. Buenaventura and Asst. Prof. Notarte-Balanquit with Asst. Prof. Jonelle Nieto as Project Fellow, Ms. Aimee Adiwang as FSL Interpreter, Ms. Maria Rowena Rivera and Ms. Mayumi Perez as Junior Research Assistants (JRAs), and Ms. Sofia Guintu as the Project’s Mentee.

Subsequent to the team introductions, Asst. Prof. Buenaventura presented the project titled, “Strengthening Filipino Sign Language Policies in Laguna: A Preliminary Documentation and Preservation Initiative as Basis toward Southern Tagalog Language Policy Development.” The initiative falls under the Local Regional Studies Network of UP Center of Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS),the policy research unit of the UP system that supports multidisciplinary and collaborative research to address complex national challenges.

Asst. Prof. Buenaventura then outlined the project’s objectives, target outcomes, and expected contributions to the FSL research field and the community, highlighting its role in promoting inclusivity under Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10): Reduced Inequality). He presented the key activities scheduled for the project ‘s one-year implementation, including fieldwork, linguistic documentation, policy reviews, data analysis, validation session, journal article publications, and public forum or roundtable discussions.

Following the project overview, Asst. Prof. Notarte-Balanquit expanded on its core objectives by presenting local demographic data and statistics on the Deaf population. She outlined the socio-linguistical map about the interactions within Deaf communities across home, academic, and organizational environment, drawing attention to significant gaps in inclusivity and accessibility. The project strives to promote FSL as a distinct language, advance inclusive education and accessibility initiatives, strengthen the implementation of FSL Act of 2018, build stronger networks among schools, LGUs and cultural institutions, and protect Deaf heritage and linguistic rights.

After the presentation on local context, representatives from key partner organizations Dr. Martinez from Filipino Sign Language National Network (FSLN2), Dx. Rafa Domingo from Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD)-Board of Southern Luzon, and Ms. Carol Dagani from Philippine National Sign Language Interpreter Inc. (PNASLI) offered feedback on the project’s details such as scope and terminology. They affirmed commitment to the initiative, sharing their enthusiasm and support for its future milestones.

Dr. Martinez further noted, “Almost all of the reviews regarding that I am aware of primarily [focused on disability], kasi familiar yung disability [deaf]. Mas konti [on Deaf Studies], and it is probably only beginning in 2018 because of RA 11106 na nag-shift na looking at big D, Deaf, looking at FSL and the cultural identity.” She explained that while previous studies predominantly centered on the medical or disability framework, a significant research gap remains regarding the “big D” Deaf community, a cultural framing that recognizes FSL as a core element of Deaf identity.

The program concluded its interactive session as Asst. Prof. Jonelle M. Nieto (Project Fellow) led the networking and collaboration commitment segment among the participating LGUs, organization, and FSL advocates. Volunteer attendees offered valuable reflections om the lived experiences of Deaf individuals across familial, educational, and public spheres.  The partner organizations confirmed their pledge to collaborate with the UPLB FSL Studies Team, expressing eager support for initiatives promoting a Deaf-inclusive Laguna.

The UPLB FSL Studies Team sends their warmest gratitude to all participating organizations and FSL advocates for sharing their valuable insights, expertise, and pledging their support toward advancing FSL policy and Deaf heritage preservation in Laguna.

Partner Organizations:

    • UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS)
    • UPLB College of Arts and Sciences
    • UPLB CAS Department of Humanities
    • Lago Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association
    • HearThrive Association of the Deaf
    • Deaf Association of Quezon Province Inc.
    • Federation of the Deaf—Cavite Province, Inc.
    • Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation Inc.
    • Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)- San Pedro City
    • Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)- San Pablo City
    • Association of Laguna Disability Affairs Officers
    • Life of Learning Organization for Peace (LLOoP)
    • Filipino Sign Language Network
    • Philippine Federation of the Deaf-Board of Southern Luzon
    • Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section – Board of Southern Luzon
    • Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
    • Philippine National Association Sign Language Interpreter Inc.