Ms. Carolina T.
Cordero,
A Deaf with A Hearing
Heart
When MCCID students think of the name Carol, the first thing that comes
into their minds is success. Are they exaggerating, making "sipsip" or
just telling the truth?
What better
way to start telling about her exciting life than in her family. Carol
Cordero nee Tang, a half Chinese mestiza is the eldest daughter
of a naturalized Chinese father and a Kapampangan mother. She is not the
only deaf in her family. She also has two sisters, Susan and Rose who are
both hearing impaired since birth. She also had a brother and a sister
who are both hearing. In analyzing her family history, she had a deaf great
grandfather.
In her school
day, she studied at the now Philippine School for the Deaf (formerly
National School for the Deaf and Blind) in Pasay City. She was an active
pupil both academically and in extra-curricular. She even became an honor
pupil.
She was also
an active student in high school. In college, she enrolled and was the
only deaf student at that time being mainstreamed at the now Polytechnic
University of the Philippines (formerly Philippine College of Commerce).
She took up and graduated in a Secretarial Course. Recently, PUP gave her
a "Distinguished Alumna Recognition" for her exceptional performance
despite her disability.
She did not
forget that she is still deaf. She joined many deaf groups and one of them
is the Philippine Association of the Deaf in which she became the Miss
Deaf Philippines.
After college,
she started thinking about her future. In 1969, when a friend of hers invited
her to work at 3M Philippines in Sucat, she did not think twice. She knew
that it is very difficult for the deaf to get a decent job in the hearing
world during that time (even until now). At first, she was assigned as
a dishwasher. But she did not mind it. She knows that it's her work. After
a few days, the Plant Manager noticed that her work is not fitted to her
qualification so she was assigned to man the packing machine. The rest
is history.
Carol married
one of her co-worker and they are blessed with two hearing children, a
boy and a girl. After more than 29 fruitful years faithfully serving the
company, receiving numerous "Perfect Attendance" and "Most Outstanding
Employee" awards in 3M aside from the very prestigious "Presidential
Award for the Handicapped" given by no less than former President Corazon
Aquino, Carol started to think about helping her fellow deaf.
At first she thought of studying computers. One of MCCID's loyal friend,
Pastor Julius Andrada encouraged her to study here. At her age, she was
the oldest in her class. But she did not mind it. "Education is a continuous
process", she said. "Age does not matter."
This is where
the love for her fellow deaf blossomed. Soon, she became a part-time computer
and a typing instructor. She started holding some counseling sessions with
the deaf students. She reminded them that the hearing world is so big.
They have to strengthen their hearts and cooperate with the hearing. Do
what the hearing does. Make them feel that the deaf can do many things
even better. Love their work. It's the only thing they got.
Carol is
also one of the Board Members of Philippine Institute for the Deaf and
a faithful Christian and the past President of Silent Witness Ministry
of Greenhills Christian Fellowship. She is also a member of Philippine
Federation of the Deaf.
Carol is
now holding the position of Senior Packer (Officer-in-charge in Packaging,
2nd Shift) which includes responsibilities such as orientation of new casual
and regular employees, overseeing the operations in the Packaging Area
and assisting in product operations. In 1997, she was awarded as the first
"Outstanding Deaf Employee" of the Association of Agencies for the
Deaf (AAD) during the Deaf Awareness Week celebration.
She has
been faithfully serving the Lord as acting treasurer for the deaf congregation
of 1st Fundamental Baptist Church in Project 4, Quezon City. She has been
in the ministry since 1978.
Also in 1997,
coinciding with the celebration of MCCID'S 4th Founding Anniversary, the
members of the Board of Trustees for which she is the Secretary, recognize
a remarkable and faithful friend by giving her the distinguished "Outstanding
Alumna" award. Carol deserves it and MCCID honors this Christian Deaf
with a "heart that listens". |
Catholic Ministry
to Deaf People,
Deaf Empowerment
Towards Development
Founded in 1989, Catholic Ministry to Deaf People, Inc. is registered as
an incorporation, with a non government organization status, under the
Securities and Exchange Commission (Reg. No. 183469) and has a tax-exempt
status within the purview of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. It is a member
of the Commission for Deaf Ministry, headed by Fr. Nonnette C. Legaspi,
within the Archdiocese of Manila.
The dream
of this office is to empower the Filipino Deaf community towards spiritual,
educational, psychological, economic/vocational, political and socio-cultural
DEVELOPMENT to help its members achieve their highest potentials as persons
for and with others.
CMDP's mission
is four-fold:
To provide religious, moral
and values education and formation;
To assist in formal and non
formal training of Deaf and hard of hearing people;
To offer counseling, rehabilitation
and human services; and
To advocate for and promote
the rights, culture and development of the deaf.
The following
are its objectives:
1. To teach moral, values
and religious education to Catholic deaf students in Metro Manila;
2. To hold prayer groups,
days of prayer, retreats and Bible classes to interested Deaf individuals;
3. To train individuals
to become religious educators of and Catholic leaders to Deaf people;
4. To offer spiritual
formation to Deaf adults in five parishes;
5. To provide scholarship
to poor Deaf students;
6. To offer leadership
training, Deaf awareness, parenting skills and values education workshops
to Deaf students and adults;
7. To offer counseling,
rehabilitation and human services;
8. To provide workshops
on deafness, Deaf culture and language;
9. To serve as an advocate
on behalf of its Deaf clients and the Deaf community in general and
10. To open its resources
on deafness to professionals and interested individuals.
Among the
latest accomplishments, achievements and current activities of CMDP include:
Religious
Education: Four new schools added to the list of public schools serviced
by our staff in the teaching of Religion, Moral and Values Education to
the Deaf.
Outreach:
In addition to interpreting Mass and conducting Bible study, literacy has
been added in our services to the Deaf of Baliwag, Bulacan. Last August
24, 1997, a new outreach site was organized; the St. Vincent church in
Solana, Cagayan where Verus Reyes, our Deaf cathechist interprets Mass,
conducts Bible study to 35 Deaf Catholics and teaches Sign Language to
hearing people. All material that she uses come from CMDP.
Advocacy:
CMDP is spearheading and coordinating the movement to combat the ill effects
of Deaf fraternities. CMDP facilitated in cooperation with NCWDP
the organization of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, an organization
of and for Deaf people.
Concrete
Human Services: CMDP through its Vocational Services worker is
conducting a follow-up of a case of two Deaf employees ad the Post Office.
Our Mental Health
staff are networking with other schools and agencies for the guidance of
Deaf adolescents. CMDP has organized Guidance and Counseling Services for
Deaf students at Quirino High School and Manila High School. Similar Services
are also offered at the Batino Elementary School and M. Hizon Elementary
School. CMDP is also currently working on the cases of sexually abused
Deaf children. See
the News Tab.
Officers and Staff of
CMDP
SR. MARIA SANTHOSHAM "JOY"
L. CRISTAL, SDS
Mental Health Program
Coordinator
MRS. SALUD EVANGELISTA,
Ph.D.
Office Administrator
MS. MA. TERESA "TESS"
BUENAVENTURA
Human Services Supervisor
You can contact CMDP at:
15C
Salvador St. Unit G, Loyola Heights
Quezon
City, Philippines 1108
Tel.
Nos.: (632)426-6339
Fax
Nos.: (632)433-4339
E-mail: cathdeaf@mozcom.com
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