Employees of Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI) and Caltex Makati Credit Cooperative (CMCC) have recently held a Deaf Awareness Talk and Activity to help deaf children build self-esteem and social skills. This is part of CPI’s annual Volunteer Day, which keeps the company’s culture of volunteerism and diversity alive, and organized in partnership with My Children’s House of Hope Bahay Bata 127 Inc.
Twenty volunteers from CPI, marketer of Caltex fuels and lubricants, engaged with 32 beneficiaries and their guardians to learn basic American Sign Language (ASL), including the baptism of the volunteers’ sign names. The volunteers and beneficiaries and guardians teamed up for signed performances of nursery rhymes, proving that the joy of music transcends sound.
Chevron volunteers also gave the beneficiaries backpacks from the company’s Women’s Network, school supplies and uniforms to motivate them to go to school every day.
Mae Belle Albay, CMCC operations supervisor for Batangas, shared that it was her first time participating in this kind of outreach activity. She reflected that the deaf community is just one of many sectors that need empathy, respect and support. Albay added, “This activity is such an eye-opener. I’ve learned a lot about how to be more respectful and relate to them more.”
According to Bahay Bata Executive Director Ana Maria Dizon, the interaction of CPI and CMCC employees with the beneficiaries could encourage the latter to dream big and believe that one day they too realize their goals and even climb the corporate ladder. “Since may appreciation [ang mga volunteer] sa mga bata, yung mga bata, [maiisip nila na] pwede ako maging boss, pwede ako ma-employ.’ (Since the volunteers show appreciation to the kids, the kids can think, ‘I too can become a boss, I too can become an employee.)”
The Bahay Bata teachers also expressed gratitude to CPI and CMCC for this engagement, saying they saw that the beneficiaries and parents genuinely enjoyed spending time with the volunteers. They noted how such activity can help the children open up to people. The activity also struck a chord with some teachers who are also parents to deaf children.
Teacher Leny Rose Salazar said, “Na-lilimit talaga [ang mga bata] kasi sa bahay lang sila nagkukulong. So dito, mas maganda na may iba silang nakikitang mukha para di rin sila laging takot sa tao. [The children are often times limited to staying at home. So it is a good thing that they see different faces so that they will feel more comfortable engaging with other people.]”
As for CMCC General Manager Cheche Osia, this activity is the first step in realizing CPI and CMCC’s shared goal of building a world where the deaf community can thrive without discrimination. “We look forward to the time when the Filipino deaf [community] will be empowered.”
Chevron has a long-standing history of using this annual tradition to advocate various causes nationwide. The company’s employees provided career training for the disadvantaged youth of Don Bosco Pugad in 2023 and planted 353 Malapapaya and Arungin seedlings at the La Mesa Nature Reserve in 2022.
