There are a lot of things we don’t know about the Deaf. I just recently found out that they prefer the word ‘deaf” written with a capitalized ‘D’. They can act, appearing in several shows on stage and on TV. Some of them are even very skilled in photography and the visual arts. Surprisingly, there’s one thing that none of us would ever believe – they love music – and by that we can say the Deaf can dance.

 

During the creation of 2009 Cinemalaya entry Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said), I happen to be bringing along a big headset and an iPod. One of the deaf actors approached me and asked if he could use my iPod. He gestured in sign language something along the lines of ‘why can’t he hear anything’? I quickly spoke to the interpreter and asked what he was trying to say.

 

Apparently he wanted the drums and bass boosted. The actor even asked me if I had hip hop and R&B tunes and specifically asked for the hit songs we know of. I adjusted my iPod settings and then he started dancing. The volume was loud enough that I could hear the beat. I was surprised to see him very in sync with the music. During a dance sequence shot later that evening, the Deaf dancers took their cues from the booming backbeats. I was suddenly unable to differentiate them with the hearing crowd.

 

 

Music is indeed universal. They could feel the rhythm just like we do and they’re even more precise in their movements that most of us would be. As expressive they may seem, they’re also very observant. Most likely they can tell you what you’re mood in by the way you move or how your face reacts. “The deaf are more sensitive to people and surroundings than the hearing people” says Director Mike Sandejas, who also directed 2006 Cinemalaya Best Picture Tulad Ng Dati (Just Like Before). He adds, “Hearing people need to realize that they do not really listen”.

 

Dinig Sana Kita is about this very thing. The story goes on about Kiko, (played by Romalito Mallari) a Deaf dancer who meets Niña, (Zoe Sandejas) a troubled musician who abuses her hearing. Kiko & Niña meet in a camp that mixes the Deaf and the hearing. Both of them discover not their differences but rather their common love for music.

 

 

The other actors are Robert Seña, Lorenzo Mara, Micah Torre and Adrianna Agcaoili. The Deaf actors are Bronson Escalderon, Cathy Joy Patriarca and JJ Sunico with dancers from Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas (DTP) and DLSU-CSB’s Silent Steps Dance Troupe. Also included are musicians Marc Lopez, Wilf Trinidad, JJ Lacson and a cameo appearance by the band Sugarfree, headed by Ebe Dancel. Legendary musician Francis Brew Reyes – who has worked on Tulad Ng Dati and the sound design for Chito Roño’s blockbuster ‘Tenement 2’ – created this movie’s musical score.

 

The movie teaches something of great value. As we are spoon-fed with the sounds that we hear, we tend abuse our ability to speak or listen. We take for granted those who need us the most in this time of rapid verbal exchanges and audial pollution.

 

 

Director Mike Sandejas tells us of the primary lesson in this movie – “Who then is more Deaf, those who cannot hear or those who CAN hear but will not listen?”

 

Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said) will be shown at the Cultural Center of The Philippines on July 17-26, 2009.

For more information, please check the following Facebook page: Dinig Sana Kita

 

 

Posted on 10 July 2009 by Nina Sandejas in Featured, Film, Music

Tagged cinemalaya, dance, Deaf, dinig sana kita, mike sandejas, romalito mallari, zoe sandejas