Students from the Philippine Institute for the Deaf took center stage on Thursday night in their annual recital, “Live the Moment, Move the Memory,” held at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City.
The event showcased deaf and special learners performing excerpts from Disney classics such as Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Mulan, and Snow White. Despite their hearing impairments, the students demonstrated their skills in singing, dancing, and acting.
“Every year talaga ginagawa namin itong recital. Ito yung evaluation of the hard work of the teachers and the students. Dito namin mae-evaluate yung natutunan ng deaf students namin where they can be able to speak, makapagsalita,” said Ricky Bautista, the school’s guidance counselor and artistic director.
The recital featured 80 to 90 special students who underwent three months of training, including auditions and workshops in acting, singing, and dancing. Bautista emphasized that the school’s mission is to equip students for college and future careers, preparing them for environments where sign language may not be widely used.
“Ang mission namin talaga is we want them to be in a regular school in college. We want to see ‘yung mga dreams nila ay ma-fulfill nila kasi di naman lahat nung company or school know how to sign,” he added.
For parents like Ross Rivera, whose 19-year-old son Ethan played Tarzan, the program has been transformative.
“Siyempre proud na proud sakanya despite his disability nagagawa niya yung mga nagagawa din ng normal na bata na pumapasok sa eskwelahan at nagpeperform sa harap ng mga tao,” Rivera shared.
Theater has helped Ethan overcome his shyness, giving him confidence to perform and interact with others, proving that disabilities do not limit talent and determination.