Q: Your interest in helping people is the basis of much of your work at JPL. What promulgated your determination to improve the quality of life for others?
A: I’ve always been involved with socially relevant and service-oriented activities since my college years. I went to a university that emphasized the value of social action and that stuck with me. As a member of Jesuit Volunteers Philippines program, my volunteer work with rural poor communities strengthened my resolve to seek opportunities to serve the underprivileged. The same passion and commitment led me to start a career education and placement program for the deaf in Manila, among other related initiatives.
Thus, I see JPL as an excellent platform to serve fellow citizens who visit the library daily. I take the word “public” in public library very seriously. As a struggling immigrant father almost six years ago, I was a beneficiary myself of the fantastic services of the public library. So I can relate how a refugee, a person with a disability, or a customer facing challenges appreciates JPL’s many resources and programs. It is my own way of giving thanks to this institution for the many opportunities given to me both as a customer and as an employee.
Q: After “The Hammer” was shown at the Main Library, teachers and deaf viewers expressed an interest in attending future JPL deaf or ASL related activities. Have more activities been scheduled?
A: I am grateful to the Jacksonville Deaf Club, local colleges that offer deaf education/ASL courses, and various JPL offices for making The Hammer movie screening a great success. I'd like future programs to carry the same spirit of collaboration with both JPL and the deaf community. That said, there is a pending request to see if we could get the rights for movies using mostly ASL. There are independent film companies that produce such films. However, these titles are not part of the current list of movies that we have the rights to show. Hopefully, we can develop a follow-up movie program sometime during the fall. We are also checking the possible use of the auditorium in November for the Deaf Hands-On Theatre program organized by the Jacksonville Deaf Club and UNF. ASL programs for kids are also being discussed. There may be opportunities for other JPL branches to host deaf-themed programs. I plan to contact JPL colleagues who may be interested in exploring these activities. Working with and for the deaf community is a rewarding experience.
Q: How have you used your knowledge of Filipino sign language in assisting deaf customers?
A: I always tell people that there is no universal sign language and my previous experience signing in Filipino Sign Language (FSL) does not perfectly translate to American Sign Language (ASL). However, it helps that the language structure/rules and many signs of FSL and ASL are very similar. It has definitely been an advantage communicating with our deaf customers. While I am not certified to interpret, I've been called numerous times at the circulation and "Ask Here" desks to facilitate the communication between staffs and customers. I have also made myself available during e-government and job search open lab programs for deaf customers in need of assistance.
Q: When you found that our deaf and Spanish-speaking population wanted computer classes, you met the challenge. How did you organize these classes and get instructors to assist, and what benefits do you see for these people and JPL from your efforts?
A: We have yet to offer regular computer classes in ASL. I have discussed this with our partners and hope to someday offer classes at Main and other branches that may be more accessible to the deaf community.
Computer classes in Spanish, on the other hand, wouldn't be possible without the partnership with Center for Adult Learning (CAL) and the support of my supervisors. CAL was instrumental in relaying to us the request for basic computer instruction from their ESOL students, as well as coordinating with the students and promoting the program. I was fortunate to have a couple of bilingual volunteers who were very patient with me as we went through the birth pains of the program. One of them, Francisco, is now currently employed and serves as a class facilitator. CW’s Jessica Serrano is part of the team that developed the modules and regularly teaches classes. My role has been to set the general direction of the program, coordinate with our various partners, and be our learners' number one cheerleader! The team also enjoyed the numerous brainstorming and evaluation meetings since the early conceptualization stage back in April. We've grown from an initial pilot class exclusive to selected ESOL students to weekly public class offerings in two locations (Main and CW). The goal is to further improve promotion of the program and recruit more bilingual volunteers to teach classes. We hope to work with other branches that have a significant Spanish-speaking population and offer similar classes in the future.
Q: What is your favorite pastime?
A: I am blessed to have a beautiful wife, Ruby, and two amazing daughters, Danielle, age 8, and Denise, age 7. I spend most of my leisure time with them and every moment with them is a favorite!
My wife and I love traveling and exploring new adventures together. We've done all the crazy theme park rides, skydiving, white water rafting, and we've jumped a bridge together. Recently, we conquered Asia's longest zip line (840meters/4500 feet above sea level) during a visit to the island of Mindanao, Philippines. We are the biggest fans of our daughters who are budding junior triathletes. They are now training for their third race of the year in central Florida.
I'm getting more involved with the Filipino community in Jacksonville and currently teach a pilot Conversational Tagalog class twice a month at the Main Library. I am a lifelong sports fan. I only discovered American football six years ago and now I'm totally hooked on the game and rooting hard for the Jags!
What is most important to me, though, is that I always try to make time amidst my busy schedule for personal prayer and reflection.
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