Mirana Medina is both an advocate and an artist. Her 2006 film, Alyana: A Study of Autism in the Philippines, has been viewed all over the Philippines. Her upcoming movie is the first feature-length documentary film on Filipino deaf culture. Silent Odyssey: A Journey into the Deaf World premiered September 20, 2008 at the University of the Philippines Film Center Theater.
“I have to admit that many issues tackled in the film were new to me,” reporter Fujioka Junkichi said after viewing the piece. "So, in that sense, the film has accomplished its purpose of introducing what is happening in the deaf community in the Philippines . . .”
The film chronicles a variety of issues, including the sentiments of Filipinos with hearing impairments towards hearing society and the pioneering efforts of significant members of Filipino deaf history. It also touches on important and current issues surrounding deaf education in the country.
Silent Odyssey features more than 40 members of the Filipino deaf community, including educators, missionaries, and service providers and also boasts special participation by Markku Jokinen, president of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).
“I want to tell deaf Filipinos not to forget that being deaf does not mean being worthless,” Jokinen says in the film. “Being deaf means being the best. Remember that your Filipino identity means being the best. Respect yourself. Be proud. And live as equals with others in the world.”
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