AMPLIFIED: commdev

Learning Beyond Impossibilities

11:00 AM

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear cochlear implants – and, well, hearing aids. On April 21, 2018, Saturday, the Civil Law Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas became the venue for learning beyond, entitled, “Learning Beyond Impossibilities”.

The event was created by the 4SLP students of the UST SLP Department, Batch 2019. The event aimed to equip its audience with facts and stories about hearing loss and the measures we can take. Posters were put up near the UST Botanical Garden to aid the presentation of awareness towards the Thomasian community.

Starting the afternoon, Santino Palafox shared his experiences on dealing with hearing loss. Palafox was diagnosed to have profound hearing loss and was fitted with hearing aids at 5 months, and then experienced a cochlear implant surgery at 13 months. He said that, “My wish for all hearing loss kids is to have easier access to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and therapy classes.”

Palafox told the audience his journey with hearing loss. “Don’t let anybody tell you [that] you can’t because you can”, he stressed. Palafox has just graduated from Ateneo De Manila GS with Merit awards/Co-curricular awards showing the audience that family support and early intervention can provide a more optimal life for the individual with hearing loss.

Games where presented afterwards: the whisper challenge and the classic “hep-hep hooray” with the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students and the Health Allied Strand students of the Senior High School. Palafox also became one of the participants.

The next speaker was Dr. Benedict Baguyo from the Better Hearing Philippines, Inc. (BHPI). BHPI, formerly called Task Force on the Prevention of Hearing Loss, assists in the prevention of hearing loss, primary health care-based control of hearing impairment, and the community-based improvement in the quality of life for the hearing impaired and their families.

The speaker shared that 28% of Filipinos have hearing impairments with ear wax or impacted cerumen as the most probable cause. He also shared the laws, policies, benefits, and packages that exists for hearing loss. He shared that hearing aids and speech therapy may soon be accessible to all with its inclusion in PhilHealth packages. He shared the ways to advocate for the hearing loss regardless of the age.

Another intermission number was presented, wherein 4SLP students, Junella Mendoza and Ann Abanilla serenaded the audience with their own version of Paramore’s “You are the Only Exception”. They were followed by the performance of Maby Bagalay, Rain Laurel, and Maki Solomon (4SLP) as they sang, “A Million Dreams” from the Greatest Showman soundtrack. The audience sang along with enthusiasm.

The last speaker of the day, Dr. Lloyd Crizaldo, presented the Dos and Don’ts of Listening. He presented the factors that causes the probable hearing losses. “Noise induced hearing loss is preventable,” he reminded. He also shared the ten facts about hearing loss from the World Health Organization (WHO), saying that though all of them are important, the tenth step should never be ignored: Hearing loss is preventable through public health actions.

Crizaldo then emphasized that every single individual from health professionals to manufacturers should act out their role to assist the prevention of hearing loss.

Phyllicia Mercado, the leader of the 4SLP project, presented the closing remarks for “Embracing diversity and overcoming adversity”. She concluded that the program was about finding our roles and finding light to the cause. She shared that through an outcome may seem impossible, to overcome an adversity, the only need is to embrace the diversity. – Madelyn Escario

commdev

SLP Society holds Seminar on Gadget Use and its Effects

7:12 PM

Today, children as young as three years old have been accustomed to using gadgets such as cellphones and tablets. Despite the many precautions on its effect to childhood development, the use of such technology is still on the rise especially in the younger population. Such was the topic of discussion last April 21, as the Speech-Language Pathology Society held a seminar titled, “Strengthening the Future: Raising Awareness on the Effects of Gadgets to our Children.”
The first resource speaker was Ms. Josefina Era who has an on-going dissertation for a Doctorate degree in Philosophy major in Child and Family Studies. She is a licensed professional teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education majoring in Childhood Education. She described the Digital Generation and how the use of gadgets affects their everyday interactions. She also pointed out the consequences that might arise in all areas of development such as greater risk in eye problems, expressive language and speech delay, and impaired social skills.

“Connect person to person. The one who spends time with me is the one who loves me,” said Era as she explained that the best way to nurture children is to connect with them during the early years of their life. She advised parents to prioritize relationships and to have balance within the household, ending with the message that real relationships cannot be replaced by gadgets and digital media.
The second speaker was UST-SLP alumnus Mr. Ken Dizon. He is the head SLP at Apple Tree Integrated School, a senior consultant, and is part of the group of Starkey Hearing Foundation. He taught parents strategies and techniques to facilitate speech and language by making their homes a language-rich environment. He started with a discussion on how SLPs can train parents to become better teachers at home. He also gave a brief explanation on childhood development in terms of speech and language.

Dizon proceeded to teaching techniques such as using the child’s environment to introduce new concepts as well as having a book to encourage reading and facilitate learning. Citing sources, he also explained that there are both positive and negative effects associated with the use of gadgets. Therefore, these can be used to promote learning and must be regulated to be able to reduce its harmful effects.
The event ended with an open forum where students, teachers, and parents could ask the speakers regarding their concerns. Certificates were then awarded by SLP Society External Vice President, Phyllicia Mercado. - Vianca Ocampo

commdev

An Afternoon with the Ladies of Little Sisters

7:00 PM

A student’s duties are not only confined to the four corners of the class room. It extends further; reaching communities, homes and individuals. A college student, whose shoulders act as foundations for the future, has, in a sense, an obligation to do as much good for the world as possible. To that, community development activities has become almost a hallmark activity for the achievement of the universal goal all should strive for.

The fourth year students of the SLP Department of the UST-CRS, once again extended this practice by embarking upon an excursion which focused on both the betterment of those in need and for the acquisition of invaluable knowledge and experience that they would require as future Speech Language Pathologist. The target of this particular community development activity was the St. Teresa Jornet Little Sisters Home for the Abandoned Elderly; a perfect little quaint nursing home which houses over a hundred elderly women, each with their own quirks and interesting stories to tell. The facility itself could be divided into four areas; the living quarters, the mess, the chapel and the main hall. The living quarters, situated in the centremost area of the compound, is a multi-levelled dormitory styled living structure starting at the second floor of the main building. It has the basic accommodations expected, a bunk and drawers for the inhabitant’s possessions, and each room accommodating two to three residents at a time. The chapel was situated to one end of the compound as to prevent any noise from the living quarters, or revelry from the main hall, to snake its way into the solemn environment expected of a chapel. The mess was situated behind the main hall, filled with tables and chairs and looking quite similar to high school cafeteria, it was where the residents retreated to for their afternoon snack after our visit. The main hall, which is situated right below the living quarters, bordered by the levels of the dormitories, allowing all from above to peer down from their lofty balconied heights, was where all things recreational occur. In fact, this was where us SLP students conducted both our evaluation of the elderly occupants of the facility as well as our prepared program of games and singing, as to rile up the spirits of our immediate patients in such a way as to invigorate them for our more probing and clinical inquiries.

The SLPs, which both acted as entertainer, host and contestant, riled up the residents which competed with one another in a game ‘Hip-Hip-Hurray’ which culminated with a tie between two of the residents, who outlasted their spryer competitors. Afterwards, the singers of the class had their fun serenading the elderly ladies, whom enjoy it greatly, even cheering for more or joining in and calling out song names to be performed, in hopes that their visitors would humour them, which, to their credit, us SLPs did, singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” at the request of one of the ladies, resulting in an admirable attempt. They even showed us what they could do by singing a song of their own.

The atmosphere was warm there, it honestly felt as if we were wanted, as if our presence was some form of relief from the humdrum routine they were far too accustomed to during a daily basis. This is noteworthy as it somewhat, at least to me, made interacting with them easier, which in turn made eliciting vital information from them easier as well. They almost seemed to have no hesitation from sharing aspects of their former lives, in some sense it even felt as if they were keen to do so. They would converse about who they were, how they ended up in the facility, how much, or little, they enjoyed the food, and other funny anecdote from their lives, either about them or the people they’ve come to know around them. Though I can only speak for myself, it made the experience almost pleasurable, like visiting your own grandmother, especially since all the residents were all so fun loving and honestly just as curious about us as we were about them, to the point that pressure to succeed and to constantly excel almost washed away, making it feel almost natural and routine.

The experience was not just fun and game though, it gave a glimpse of how we should compose ourselves for the future and what we needed to become to truly be grate. It was, at times quite taxing and was maybe a tad too short of a glimpse, but it gave a significant component of what an SLP student needs to become a truly full-fledged Speech Language Pathologist. - Jordan Martin G. Uy

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Meeting with the angels of the Cottolengo: A Community Development Story

7:00 PM

Photo taken by Talavera (4SLP and SLP Society EVP-ECs)

Founded on the Thomasian principles of community service and compassion for the poor, the fourth year students together with professors and alumni, headed to Montalban Rizal last September 16 and 23 for the first community development activity of the year, “Cottolengo Filipino: A Journey Exploration.” The two-day activity consisted of speech and language assessment and the provision of a home program to the members of the partner community.

Community development activities are headed by the SLP Society’s external vice president Phyllicia Gail Mercado and approved by the UST Simbahayan and the Office of Student Affairs. The Speech-Language Pathology Department continues to provide services for free to the chosen communities of the college.

Photos taken by Sy, Gallego, Felix, Lai (4SLP) and SLP Soc EVP-ECs

Mercado said that she chose the Cottolengo Filipino as it was the community that received less attention from the college due to its location. The organization which is owned and managed by Little Works of Divine Providence Congregation aims to serve the most poor, abandoned, neglected, and surrendered persons with disabilities. Most of the kids housed in Cottolengo are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition the fourth years already have ample knowledge of from their Motor Speech Disorders class.

“I was confident that the fourth years will be able to rise up to the challenge. The professors and I were hoping that this experience will be beneficial for the students because they’ll be handling kids who have the conditions they’re studying and be able to apply the lessons that were taught,” Mercado said.

Photos taken by Felix (4SLP) and SLP Society EVP-ECs

Each of the students were assigned to a client and were tasked to assess their speech and language skills. Aside from patients with cerebral palsy, students also interacted with clients diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, and Down syndrome.

“In my head I was thinking, ‘I hope I don't let them down’. I wanted to be one of the people that gave as much as they deserve. The kids were very welcoming and the place catered to almost everything they needed. It was an eye-opener for me to a lot of different cases and scenarios wherein I'll be exposed to as a future SLP. The whole experience was challenging and tiring, but in the end, always worth it,” said fourth year student Keana Espiritu when she was asked about her experience.

Photos taken by Pumaren (4SLP) and SLP Soc EVP-ECs

Clients from Cottolengo spend their day socializing with each other and learning from their teachers. They also receive education with subjects such as Math, English, and Filipino. Some of them have learned sign language or express themselves in words and writing. They also have time for sports and other leisure activities such as basketball and volleyball. Others have been tasked to make candles and figurines or help with the administrative duties such as guarding the place and record keeping. They also receive spiritual formation as they are active during Eucharistic celebrations and rosary prayers.

A Rey of hope

Mercado stated that the activity was an opportunity for the students to have a glimpse of what internship would look like, since the students handled clients by themselves. The management of the Cottolengo warmly welcomed the students and assisted them on their assessment.

“It felt like a hidden safe place for magical children. The place was large, cozy, and quiet, and the children greeted us with smiles on their faces. They were happy. The neuropathologies we learned in our classrooms were suddenly real people, and the theoretical ideas we learned on how to assess all of a sudden had to be put to use,” said fourth year student Rosabelle Roño.

Roño shared that she had to change her entire evaluation to fit her 19-year old client, Rey, who was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic CP and needed contextual assessment. She shared that she didn’t know what to do at first, but eventually decided to have fun with it, remembering that assessment doesn’t have to follow a recipe.

“The best thing about him was his smile. He was smiling all throughout the session and even if I didn't know what I was doing at first, he eased me into it with his smile. Despite his condition, he looked like he really wanted to speak, and I could see him trying. I was amazed because his receptive language skills was intact, and he had few one word utterances here and there.” said Roño.

Roño’s client used to go to SPED school which helped with his language skills. He was able to understand and even joke around. Roño recalled that one of the caregivers thanked her saying that the assessment and the program would really help the kids.

After a few days the Cottolengo made a public announcement on their Facebook page about the passing of Roño’s patient. That week, the students were supposed to give a home program specifically designed for each of their client. This was given to the home parent of each group for administration.

“I also made him a home program because my mom told me he was already home in heaven. The community development wasn't just an activity to me anymore. It has touched my heart so much more than I can imagine. On the bus going home, I found an ensaymada that was meant for Rey. I considered that it was my last gift from him, reminding me to do well for angels like him.”

Cottolengo Filipino is a private non-stock, non-profit religious and non-government organization licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It currently houses 42 boys and subsidizes SPED classes for 45 indigent boys & girls with families from the nearby communities and accepts donations and sponsors to sustain the needs of the children. – by Vianca A. Ocampo

Learning Beyond Impossibilities

SLP Society holds Seminar on Gadget Use and its Effects

An Afternoon with the Ladies of Little Sisters

Meeting with the angels of the Cottolengo: A Community Development Story

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