Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired

Where the blind can see through computers

SUCCESS STORIES

Alona Bateg

“Through the fire, through the limits through the wall,” this describes Alona Bateg’s (a totally blind lady) journey to success.

Alona is a devoted wife to Mario (himself totally blind) and a dedicated mother to four kids. The blind couple earned their living through massage and occasional band gigs, but their combined earnings were not enough for the family.

In 2005, Alona took that leap of faith by taking the tedious five-month medical transcription training in ATRIEV. Leaving her husband and two older kids in Baguio, Alona relocated to Manila bringing with her their one-year old baby boy and their five-year-old daughter as her guide. Her training was interrupted by occasional breastfeeding and lullaby singing.

But all her hardwork paid off. After completing her training, Alona returned to Baguio and was immediately accommodated as on- the-job trainee by the TOP Outsource performance (TOP) Inc. in August 2005. She was offered an apprenticeship contract in May 2006, and in September 2006 Alona met the standards of TOP Inc. and became a full fledged medical transcriptionist. At present, Alona handles three accounts for her company.

In the ATRIEV’s benefit concert entitled “When You Believe” in 2006, Alona showed her singing prowess through her soulful rendition of “Wind Beneath my Wings”. Applause roared as she sang the song to her daughter, Alaizah. Her astounding performance led to several singing invitations from the Australia-New Zealand Association’s Christmas party in Forbes Park, Makati, the Finex Ruby anniversary presentation at the Palacio de Manila and the Standard Chartered Bank’s “Flight for sight” benefit dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel. One of her most memorable performances was no less than for the Philippine President, herself, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.

A total performer, career woman and mother rolled into one… that is Alona Traquena Bateg.

Angel Balasabas

“Resolute yet Resilient”

Angel, at 20, is determined to pursue her course in Associate Computer Technology at the Asia Pacific College (APC). It may be a simple dream for a girl her age but for Angel, totally blind, finishing a computer course in one of the centers of educational excellence is already a feat.

Angelita Balasabas was born on February 4, 1988 in Davao City. Like her mother, angel is totally blind due to Vitamin A Deficiency.

Angel is a love child and she recalls her childhood days when she and her mother moved from one relative to another because they have no permanent house and what hurts the most is the rejection from her very own father.

Having a blind mother and being blind herself are perhaps enough reasons to be miserable; but because of her strong faith in the Almighty, she weathered every storm and faced the challenges of life.

In September 2007, she finished the Access Technology in Popular Applications (Basic Computer Literacy) training course in ATRIEV. Then another opportunity came when she passed the APC scholarship exam which led to a course in computer technology. Her studies in Metro Manila were made possible through the support of Mr. Craig Reines, an ATRIEV trustee, IBM sponsorship fund, Liliane Foundation and ATRIEV.

The sun started smiling at her. She may not see it but she can feel it. Twist of fate happened and things turned for the better.

Now, Angel’s mom found a more responsible man that she truly deserves. Their marriage was blessed by Angel’s twin brothers. They have their own house and a complete family. Angel is very much a part of the new family; accepted and well-loved by her step-father.

Angel’s story proved the age-old saying that “behind every cloud, there lies a silver lining”.

Cards Delos Santos

"The Maestro"

Ricardo “Cards” delos Santos, a young man from Samar got totally blind in 1996. He was only 15 then and now at 27, he was able to adjust to his situation, accept reality and move on. He believes that “God has his mysterious ways in leading one’s destiny.”

With his natural love for music, he is the Principal Tenor and one of the former choir trainers of The Ambassadors of Light Choir, an all-blind choir for almost 10 years. He is also called Maestro to some friends because he has completed a Music Teacher’s Diploma course at the Philippine Women’s University.

Cards plans to merge his musical prowess with technology through MIDI musical transcription. After completing his basic computer literacy training in ATRIEV, he was given a two-year scholarship in Information Technology by STI. While maintaining his good grades, Cardz also represented the school in singing competitions.

In ATRIEV’s benefit concert “When You Believe” in 2006, Cards opened the show with a Josh Groban original that has revealed his vocal discipline. He shared center stage with Charice Pempengco, one of the international singing sensations of today.

After completing his two-year diploma course in STI, Cardz had a first taste at the corporate world by working as a research assistant in Kapient Philippines. The demands of a new job and at the same time, continuing his course to a four-year degree took a toll on him. He finally gave up his corporate career and decided to concentrate on his studies while working part-time as a content writer.

In ATRIEV’s new concert entitled “Stand by Me” to be staged on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Meralco Theater, Cardz will again sing a Josh Groban original but this time, to be accompanied by Gerard Salonga and the FILharmoniKA Orchestra. Truly a Maestro, Cards can actually demonstrate his singing excellence with no less than the best orchestra playing for him.

Erick Marco Ramos

“The big One”

When Mr. Peter Wallace, ATRIEV’s Chairman of the Board, met Erick Marco Ramos for the first time, he referred to him as the “Big One”. That is exactly what Marco is, not only in his size and height, but in many aspects as well.

Like most children, Marco, when he was younger, had big dreams for himself. He wanted to become a doctor, a lawyer, an astronaut, an actor, a rock Superstar and even a Formula-One race car driver. The only difference is that he knew that the only way he can achieve these dreams is to study as hard as he can. Unfortunately, as he grew older, and bigger, blindness robbed him of his sight and his dreams.

Even though congenital retinopathy had taken away his sight at an early age, he proved to his sighted classmates that he can slug it out with the best of them.

IN July 2007, he took ATRIEV’s Access Technology in Popular Applications Training Course. He was one of the top students of that batch. Even so, he never hesitates whenever any of his classmates need help. His fun-loving and high-spirited nature endeared him to his trainers and his peers. He is now one of ATRIEV’s volunteer trainers assisting the most challenging trainees of the school.

His scholastic record in ATRIEV gave him the opportunity to be one of the scholars of Mr. Craig Reines, ATRIEV’s former trustee. He is now a freshman student at the Philippine Normal University taking up education major in communications.

Aside from Marco’s talent in writing, he is also gifted with a beautiful singing voice. His RnB styles gives a fresh look at blind performers. His biggest performance was at the ruby anniversary celebration of Finex held at the Palacio de Manila where he rendered “Knocks me Off my feet”, a Stevie Wonder original. On the upcoming concert of ATRIEV entitled “Stand by Me” on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Meralco Theater, Marco will sing back-to-back with the very talented acoustic artist, Nyoy Volante.

IN the future, Marco dreams to be an International Best-selling Novelist. He said jokingly: “I will only stop dreaming after I drew my last gasping breath!”

That’s Marco. The big dreamer with the big heart and a big future.

JR Santiago

"Stevie Wonder of the Philippines"

When JR sings, everybody listens. His emotive singing voice coupled with his keyboard antics earned him the moniker “Stevie Wonder of the Philippines” given by ABS-CBN, one of Philippines’ media giants.

JR, or Benedicto Santiago Jr., being the only blind child among 4 siblings, easily accepted his disability when he received Christ as his Savior and Inspiration. He has actively performed in various church functions and is part of his church’s music ministry.

As a student of STI Balagtas, JR was given due recognition of his talent by the school authorities. In the nationwide foundation day celebration of STI Education Services Group held in Aliw Theater in 2005, he was asked to perform three songs while playing the keyboard. During the media promotions of ATRIEV’s benefit concert “When You Believe” in 2006, JR captivated the hearts of the anchors of the TV shows he visited. He was asked to render one song number to another up to the end of the show.

He also upstaged popular artists in one of the posh hotel functions of an industry awarding ceremony. One can literally hear a pin drop as JR sang “I will be Here” with much soul. His solo performance landed in the pages of various broadsheets.

His ultimate dream is to perform alongside his idol, Gary Valenciano in a concert that will give music and inspiration to the world. Though JR’s ultimate dream has yet to be fulfilled, JR will be given an opportunity of a lifetime in ATRIEV’s “Stand by Me” concert on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Meralco Theater. JR will sing a Gary Valenciano rendition of “We are the Reason” but this time, playing the grand piano alongside Gerard Salonga and the FILharmoniKA Orchestra. It is rare for a blind person to play and sing with the best orchestra in the land, the FILharmoniKA and JR Santiago is the first and only person with such a distinction.

Lemelou Arbiol

“The Optimist”

Lemelou, when asked about her dream, exclaimed, “To be a good Mom someday!” Getting married is not her priority at the moment but she plans to have a family of her own in the future.

Lem, as she is fondly called, was born in Cavite on July 21, 1982. She wasn’t able to finish College not only because of her visual impairment but also due to financial difficulty. Lem still has functional eyesight that enabled her to travel and read large print.

At present, she is under the Scholarship Program of IBM Philippines and Asia Pacific College managed and administered by ATRIEV. She is in her First Year at the Asia Pacific College taking up Associate in Computer Technology. Like her favorite song “Only Hope” by Mandy Moore, her only hope is to finish her studies to ENSURE a brighter tomorrow.

She IS VERY GRATEFUL TO all the people, the sponsors and of course ATRIEV who still believe in her ability in spite and despite of her disability.

She said, “Having low vision or being Visually Impaired is not a reason for me to stay home and cry all my life.” She is decided to have a better life that is the reason why she continues to reach OUT FOR THE STARS.

With all the love, understanding and support from her family and friends, Lem is very positive that she can make it to the top.

Shiela Aggarao

“The Go-Getter"

Born on October 29, 1990 in Sablayan Occidental Mindoro; 18-year-old Sheila May Aggarao believes in the saying that “Help yourself and the heavens will help you.” Sheila is a freshman at the Asia Pacific College taking up Associate in Computer Technology.

After finishing high school at Quirino, Sheila thought she had reached a dead end when a reputable university in Metro Manila rejected her because of her visual impairment. Through the efforts of ATRIEV, Sheila took the scholarship exam in Asia Pacific College in May, barely a month before the start of the school year. She passed the exam with convincing grades and was immediately awarded the scholarship in the prestigious college.

Being Low Vision is still an advantage compared to other blind students of her age. She knows that an Open Angle glaucoma is like a “Thief in the Night” That can hit a person blind. Sheila’s computer training in ATRIEV equipped her with the necessary skills that will allow her to be productive whatever the future may bring.

Sheila is an only child and the death of her father last year made her even a stronger person. She is even more determined to finish her course and to be part of the Corporate World someday. She also plans of having a permanent house for her and her mom where they can live comfortably together in the future.

She said, “Life is short, so live your life to the fullest.” Sheila hopes to get the best out of life. She was able to face her past without regret… seizes her present with confidence and prepares for her future without fear.