The Department of Tourism – Region III led by Regional Director Ronaldo P. Tiotuico in cooperation with the Division of City Schools – Angeles led by Superintendent Antonieta B. Tiotuico crafted a partnership agreement in January 2008 that paved the way for the realization of a plan to improve the quality of life of elementary and high school children in the Schools Division of Angeles City under the Department of Education thru material assistance in the form of educational equipment and livelihood programs, especially among the physically challenged population. It came to being that ABC Hotel in Angeles City proposed the donation of more than 250 desktop computers to public schools in Angeles City as part of his communitarian service. Mr. Gerard Heinen of ABC Hotel negotiated with Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico to deliver these computers to the intended beneficiaries with instructions to give priority to physically challenged and poverty-stricken children.
On January 15, 2008, DoT started delivering ten (10) computers to the special education class (SPED) of Angeles Elementary School in Angeles City. Beneficiaries here included autistic, slow learners, blind, deaf or hearing impaired and mentally retarded children, among others. DoT provided more material assistance like headsets, keyboarding modules to aid teachers in applying their lessons on the blind and hearing impaired. The following months saw the delivery of more computers to schools like Tinio Elementary School, Cutcut ES, Sta. Teresita ES, Sto. Domingo ES, among other schools – all courtesy of ABC Hotel.
In June of 2008, the regional director discussed with Principal Carol Patarata of the school for special education together with Jesus “Jhuvey” Guevarra, president of Pampanga Deaf Association, the possibility of initiating a move to enhance the skills of the deaf or hearing impaired to enable them to find jobs or engage in their own business in the future. Soon enough, the regional director found a soft spot in the heart of prominent businessman Mr. Chin Ho of Angeles Filipino Enterprise (engaged in the business of offering baking products in Angeles City) and readily agreed to provide the start-up capital for an oven for a proposed bakery for the deaf. On July 29-31, 2008, a seminar-worshop on bread-making was introduced to some 18 deaf members of the Pampanga Deaf Association. The DoT and the Nutrition Department of Angeles City local government led by Arnel Calaguas conducted the training with the help of experts in the field of baking and bakery operations in time for the celebration of Nutrition Month in the city. The DoT provided assistance in acquiring special equipment for the continued operation of the business. Sign language interpretation was expertly provided by the DepEd teachers.
Effective August 04, 2008, the members of the Pampanga Deaf Association will start doing business selling a variety of bread in various outlets, particularly in the elementary and high school community of the division.
It is the fervent hope of the DoT and DepEd that the general public will soon support and patronize the products of the deaf in the hope of giving them a chance to earn a decent livelihood, become productive members of the society and contribute to nation building.
The members of the Pampanga Deaf Association are forever indebted to the following teachers of the City Schools Division of Angeles whose never-ending commitment and dedication to the upliftment of the quality of life and education of the deaf has brought them all to where they are at present: Carol Patarata (Principal), Editha Pena, Aileen Liwanag, Melodia Delfin, Susan Cunanan, Ernesto Quinlog, Iluminada Manalili, Nancy Guevarra, Alice Maglalang, Fatima de Castro, Jhuvey Guevarra, Joni Dimarucut and Edzil Conderilla.
For further information, please contact Jesus “Jhuvey” Guevarra of the Pampanga Deaf Association at Mobile No. 0915-709-6612 or Tel. No. (045) 889-2020. The office and production department is located at Angeles Elementary School, Jesus St., Angeles City, Tel. No. (045) 887-5800.
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