If you can hear me now
Deaf scholar Juner Quiambao overcomes loss through education
How can one ever forget the endearing Facebook post of a graduation picture of a teary-eyed young man, with a wide, grateful smile while clutching a framed portrait near his heart, before the final resting place of his parents.
His name: Juner Quiambao,a 26-year-old deaf scholar, and this is his story.
At the age of eight, he contracted German measles, a viral infection that left him deaf. Despite the challenge, which turned out to be a permanent disability, he accepted this new phase in life with love from his parents, three brothers, and a stepbrother.
Just when the close-knit family started to recover, however, Quiambao’s mother succumbed to breast cancer. And within two years, their father had a fatal heart attack.
The succeeding deaths of their parents left the siblings totally devastated, emotionally and financially. They only lived from the food afforded by their maternal grandmother. “We were absolutely clueless where to get money for rent and the piling up of unpaid school fees,” he recalls.
Quiambao, who was studying at the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) then, was suddenly pushed to the proverbial corner. He did not know how to cope with the mounting expenses for basic existence. Knowing full well that they had to fend for themselves, he reached out to his best friend Daniel, and asked if he knew of any work opportunities. “I told Daniel that I needed to work—to at least buy my own food,” he says.
As good Samaritans, Daniel’s parents accepted Quiambao as a weekend household helper, in exchange for a few hundred pesos per day.
While still trying to survive on a daily basis, the pursuit of continuing education was certainly not a priority, and sounded like a far-fetched dream. Quiambao’s teacher from PSD encouraged him, however, to apply at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB). He immediately grabbed the opportunity and independently and secretly applied.
Quiambao was blessed for he was not just accepted, but was also a recipient of a scholarship grant.
“At PSD, it was easy to adjust as the whole school was dedicated for the deaf,” he noted. But things were different at Benilde—the deaf and the hard of hearing were mixed with the hearing. Instead of feeling intimidated, he soon adopted the college’s standard Filipino Sign Language (FSL).
He still made certain that he capped off the night by studying—after a long day of classes and organization commitments—and maintained his grade requirements for his scholarship.
Come sophomore year, however, all his savings during his days as a house helper were gone. “With no money, I planned to quit school. I was so depressed and so lost, I simply wanted to give up,” he recalls. “Observing my dilemma, Agnes Canayon, director of the College’s Center for Deaf Education and Formation (CDEAF), encouraged me to continue my studies while she attempted to search for a sponsor.
Then, the parents of Benildean associate Bea Francisco came to the rescue and supported him. All the while, the scholar never met his scholastic guardian angels, though he exchanged letters and sent tokens of gratitude to them.
With a newfound lease in life, Quiambao joined a number of associations that helped him relate with others. This boosted his confidence. He became part of the Lasallian Ministry Program for the Deaf, the Silent Steps, SDEAS sports team, and Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company. An active member of the Social Responsibility and Outreach Program, he volunteered to teach FSL to the public school teachers in Davao and to the juvenile delinquents in the Stairway Foundation, Inc.
“Though I have undergone so many difficulties in different stages of my life, volunteering made me a positive person. It gave me a chance to appreciate my family and interact with so many hearing ones,” shares Quiambao. “So whenever I felt sad, I just focused on the works where I made others happy.”
The scholar also brought his newfound advocacy on to the performing stage when he played the role of Ding, Darna’s deaf brother, in the college’s recent musical entitled Ding! Ang
Bato. “I did not expect to take the part, as hearing students likewise auditioned for the role.” he says. “All the cast members learned sign language and were signing the entire play. I felt so proud—like a real advocate.”
Also currently nominated for the Gawad Benildyano Award, Quiambao and his efforts, dedication, and achievements continue to reflect in the impact he has left both in the deaf and hearing community. “It is good to serve as an inspiration to other people. It’s not being makapal ang mukha (shameless), it’s being confident that you were able to show your Benildean values. There are so many opportunities here. Everyone around you propels you to achieve your dreams. They do not only teach us academically, but also teach us to not to give up, and most important how to serve. Because of Benilde professors and students, I did not give up.” Quiambao beams.
Recently, Quiambao’s siblings witnessed him march down the aisle of the Philippine International Convention Center to receive his diploma in Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies – Business Entrepreneurship under the college’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS).
When asked about the background of his viral social media photo, he says, “Right after the ceremony, we visited the graves of our parents to show my diploma, lighted candles, and kissed their portraits.”
‘Whenever I felt sad, I just focused on the works where I made others happy.’