TEAM ATRIEV

ANTONIO "TONY" D. LLANES JR.

Head, Program and Implementation Unit

Pastor, pioneer, trainer are few of the monikers of Antonio “Tony” Llanes Jr., ATRIEV’s founding President and currently, the Programs Unit Head. Tony has a natural knack for anything technical. Though low vision since birth, his blindness did not stop him from learning how to repair audio equipment, refrigerators and even computers.

Tony is an innate pioneer. When no one else in the Philippines has dared to use the computer, he was already experimenting with speech boxes so that the blind can gain access to computer-based information. Tony goes beyond the exploration and experimentation. After his discoveries, he makes it a point to share the information and skill with others.

Passion is also one of the outstanding traits of Tony. Aside from his passion for technology, he is also a music enthusiast. Tony plays the keyboard, the guitar, harmonica, flute and dreams of playing the saxophone someday.

Tony is also a born teacher. He captivates his students—whether sightless or sighted—as he tediously explains every topic there is about using computers. He takes on a different persona when he captures center stage. This is the reason why Tony was given the huge responsibility of Programs Unit Head, taking the lead in the conduct of ATRIEV’s training modules.

Because of Tony’s unparalleled contribution to the blind community through ATRIEV, he was the sole blind awardee of the “Go Negosyo Most Inspiring PWDs for 2007” given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship headed by Jose Maria Concepcion III. Tony, together with four other persons with disabilities (PWDs), were presented to no less than Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines at a simple ceremony held in Malacañang.

In 2008, Tony received yet another prestigious award. In celebration of RFM’s milestone of 50 golden years in the industry, the “Yes The Filipino Can! Awards,” spearheaded by RFM chairman Jose Ma. “JoeCon” Concepcion Jr. and RFM president and CEO Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, recognized Filipinos who have greatly contributed to improving lives and empowering their countrymen. A total of 11 individuals and institutions received the distinguished award led by no less than Sen. Juan Flavier. ATRIEV’s Antonio Llanes Jr. was the one and only PWD awardee for his unparalleled work in information technology for the blind. The ceremonies were held on October 13, 2008 at the NBC Tent.

Now in his golden age, Tony has renewed his vocation as a pastor. He continues to develop the next generation of ATRIEV leaders so that he can serve God full time. He dreams of spending his retirement in his own farm in communion with his family, with nature and with his maker.

CAROLINA "CAROL" C. CATACUTAN

“Head, Planning and Development Unit

“As a child, I have dreamt of being a psychiatrist, of going to the moon, of being a world-renowned pianist, even becoming a nun but being a teacher is certainly not in my list,” says Carolina Catacutan, head of the Planning and Development Unit of ATRIEV. Carol, as she is fondly called, is one of the founding members of ATRIEV or the Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired.

Blind since age 11 due to retinitis pigmentosa, Carol is a Cum Laude graduate of Mass Communications from the University of the Philippines. She has been a professional writer since—having published numerous feature articles in various national magazines, two romance novels in Filipino and three television screenplays. To date, Carol is the first and only Filipino blind writer who has written a television screenplay. “It was indeed a challenge for a totally blind person like me to write for television—a very visual medium,” she relates.

Carol had to give up writing when she joined ATRIEV as a full time staff in 1999. Carol, although she claims she doesn’t like it, is also a teacher. “I am a teacher by force, but I am a writer by choice!”, This might be true, but Carol and her students can not deny the fact that she is an effective instructor. Her insertion of humor and wit in her lectures make her classes fun to attend and certainly more enjoyable. Don’t get her wrong though. She won’t let you off easy. She believes in the value of hard work and respects all those who share her beliefs.

Carol has also been invited as resource person for various seminars and conferences here and abroad. A favorite guest over various TV programs, the latest of which was on Storyline of ABS-CBN where she was personally interviewed by Patricia Evangelista. She also portrayed a cameo role in a digital movie with Gina Alajar entitled “Angels” directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. She wrote her life story for “Maalaala Mo Kaya” entitled “Liwanag” portrayed by Claudine Barreto and was chosen as one of the best family stories for the TV show’s tenth year anniversary. She portrayed the lead role in a stage play written and directed by Fr. James Reuter entitled “The Dolls that Nobody Wanted” staged at Meralco Theater, AFP theater and St. Paul's Quezon City Auditorium. When Carol finally retires from ATRIEV, she plans to continue her teleplay writing someday soon. She dreams of writing the story of her life for the silver screen because people can learn from her struggles. “I truly believe that the greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising each time we fall,” Carol states. She has gone through discrimination by school administrators and even by employers. She has also experienced rejection by the community she lives in and the people she has chosen to love. Through it all, she has remained steadfast and resilient. “But of all my achievements,” Carol reflects, “My biggest and most precious trophy is my one and only son.” Carol is a single mother to a beautiful baby boy. “My son, Cedric Isaac, gives me pride and joy—beyond measure… beyond compare.”

LOURDES "DESSE" B. BORGONIA

Small but Capable

Her petite built and soft voice can be very deceiving but Lourdes “Desse” Borgonia is already one of ATRIEV’s strictest and toughest training instructors.

As a child, Lourdes Borgonia dreamed of being a doctor. Seventh of the eight children of Marino Sr., a farmer and Eleonora, a midwife, Desse spent her childhood days in Baggao, Cagayan valley. Desse narrates,” I have always wanted to be a doctor because when I was a kid, my mom used to take me with her to the barrio health centers to help her in the prenatal care and giving birth to pregnant women.” But Lourdes’ dream of being a doctor was permanently robbed from her from the day she was born. Lourdes was diagnosed with progressive congenital cataract.

Despite the odds—having a big family and living in a provincial town—Mr. And Mrs. Borgonia wasted no time in giving her the best education they can afford. “I remember when Lourdes was growing up,” her mother recalls, “she once told me that if her other siblings could finish school, why can’t she?” Mrs. Borgonia was taken aback by Lourdes’ comments and realized her daughter’s yearning to learn and achieve. .

Desse attended primary school in Cagayan and completed her high school at the Philippine National School for the Blind—the only residential school in Metro Manila.

In year 2000, Desse took her first computer training program in ATRIEV. Then she took a two-year E-Commerce course in STI Recto as one of TESDA’s scholars. In 2001, she bested sighted TESDA scholars in the National Capital Region when she received the Academic Excellence Award. She continued to reap more awards when she bagged the Webmaster Award for ATRIEV’s Disabled-Friendly Website in 2005.

Aside from her academic awards, Desse also excelled in various fields. She has won volleyball and swimming competitions in high school. In ATRIEV’s benefit concert “Stand by Me” Desse was also given the once in a lifetime chance to perform her favorite song “The Journey” accompanied by no less then Gerard Salonga and the FilharmoniKa. Present in the audience was the man of her dreams, who flew all the way from Malaysia to watch her performance. Desse recalls, “That single moment on stage with the FilharmoniKA was overwhelming… I had mixed emotions—nervousness, joy and disbelief”.

Desse also participated in various training programs overseas. She was the only blind competitor in the 2003 Abilympics held in India. She also represented ATRIEV in the JAWS scripting workshop held in Vietnam and web accessibility workshop held in Malaysia.

At present, Des is already the lead trainer of ATRIEV, handling ATRIEV’S main training course in Basic PC Operations. For year 2008, Desse is given a crucial role as ATRIEV’s Mediator to Liliane Foundation Philippines, one of ATRIEV’s major partners. As a mediator, Desse has to identify the needs of ATRIEV’s blind clients and recommend to Liliane ways and means to best support them. Her experience as a totally blind person herself, gives her clear insight to the real needs and capabilities of a blind person.

Lourdes’ meticulous eye for detail propelled her to her present stature—the mediator, training instructor and the awarded webmaster.

RENE "WANNIE" B. ORENSE

Multi-faceted

Rene Orense is the fourth of six sons of the late Renefredo and Grace Orense. Rene is also one of two low vision children of the family. Despite his low vision, Rene still managed to complete a telecommunications course in AMA Caloocan alongside his sighted counterparts.

He first came to ATRIEV in 2004 as a shy, straight-from-high school look. In his interview, he was almost inaudible. On his first day as a trainee in the Medical Transcription course, he changed all the icons in the desktop translating the English words into Filipino. His trainers were instantly irked by this playfulness. But his class performance showed his true form.

After completing the first training program in ATRIEV, Rene was hired as a part-time employee, ranging from technical work to teaching assignments. Because of his functional vision, he was slowly trained to be part of ATRIEV’s presentors particularly in sensitivity workshops.

His biggest break was when he teamed with Tony Llanes, ATRIEV’s President, for the adaptive technology training of the World Bank’s Knowledge for Development Center (KDCs) all over the Philippines. He had the privilege to visit as far north as Tuguegarao to as far south as Cotabato. Rene performed several roles in making the KDCs accessible to all types of disabilities—from technical set up of adaptive equipment to disability awareness workshop presentations.

In 2006, he was hired as ATRIEV’s project Officer. On that same year, he represented ATRIEV in the APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) Award in Taipei, Taiwan where he was one of the presentors in the “Bridging the Digital Divide” category. He also received, in behalf of ATRIEV, the top award for the best practices in “Bridging the Digital Divide” category in the Philippines.

As a full-fledged ATRIEV staff, he has been assigned to take on various functions. He was the lead instructor for the trainers’ training program of ATRIEV in partnership with the National Computer Center (NCC). He also piloted ATRIEV’s computer literacy course exclusively for low vision persons and the training of trainers in the use of adaptive technology for open source systems.

In 2008, Rene finally decided to tie the knot with the former Ferlin Montebon. Rene and Ferlin also met in ATRIEV. Rene, who is knowledgeable in the use of computers the way sighted people do, was Ferlin’s tutor. The friendship continued from 2005 to 2008 when Rene and Ferlin realized that they wanted to start their own family. Rene and Ferlin will be blessed with a baby boy very soon.

At present, Rene performs all functions that are humanly possible to do. Maximizing his residual vision, he has carried out teaching assignments, technical work, software upgrade, photo shoots, and art work. He has represented ATRIEV in advance training programs in programming and open source technology sponsored by the Bluepoint Foundation Institute. He also represented ATRIEV in the web accessibility training held in Malaysia. Because of his advanced technical knowledge and skills, Rene is given the enormous task of taking the role of ATRIEV’s webmaster in 2008 picking up the cudgels from Lourdes Borgonia, ATRIEV’s erstwhile webmaster. In 2009, Rene is assigned to be the ATRIEV’s Team Leader in its pilot project with Gallop IT solutions, a local transcription company. Rene sees to it that ATRIEV’s visually impaired transcriptionists meet the company’s standards and expectations.

That’s how multifaceted Rene Orense is.

JONATHAN "JON" Y. PALMERO

Shifting Gears

From an ATRIEV student to ATRIEV’S first laboratory assistant… from a full time masseur to a full time computer trainer… from ATRIEV’s Training Instructor to ATRIEV’S Project Officer… from the Philippines, migrating to the United States and going back to the Philippines again… are but few of the shifts in Jonathan Palmero’s life.

Born with congenital cataract, Jonathan still has functional vision in his left eye. He is married to Precy, herself totally blind and blessed with a beautiful teenage daughter, Joffel Angelie. For both Jonathan and Precy, massage is their bread and butter until Jonathan learned about ATRIEV in year 2000.

Jonathan went up and down the ATRIEV career path. After the completion of his basic computer literacy course in year 2000, he served as a volunteer laboratory assistant in 2001. After recommendation by Carol Catacutan to STI-FLITE (now STI Foundation) Executive Director, STI hired Jonathan on a contractual basis to be the laboratory Assistant for Project ATTRAC from October 2001 to December 2002.

In 2002, Jonathan represented ATRIEV in a training program in MS Office application at Ratchasuda College of Mahidol University in Thailand. After the said training, he was given his first teaching load as assistant instructor in July 2002 handling Ms Access and MS PowerPoint subjects. He also participated in two more training programs in Thailand on web accessibility and teaching methodology. Since Jan. 2004, Jonathan has been the lead trainer for ATRIEV’s course on Access Technology in Popular Applications for high school seniors and graduates.

In 2005, Jonathan was given his biggest challenge ever as the main trainer for the National Trainers’ Training Program for rehabilitation workers in partnership with the National Computer Center. For the first time, he taught sighted trainers the techniques he learned in Thailand on how to teach computers to visually impaired children and adults.

Realizing that his potential is not fully harnessed under the training team, he was given the task of the Project Officer in 2005 directly under the supervision of Mr. RG Sayson, ATRIEV’s Executive Director back then. In 2006, when he has shown his best ever performance yet, he, together with his entire family, suddenly migrated to the United States of America.

Life in the land of milk and honey has been tough for the Palmero family. After one and a half years of life in Virginia USA, the Palmero family decided to go back to the Philippines and certainly back to ATRIEV. ATRIEV has room for Jonathan’s skills and expertise because of the expanding training programs of the organization.

In 2008, Jonathan was given a different role in ATRIEV’s benefit concert entitled “Stand by Me”. He acted as the production assistant in charge of coordination of talents, rehearsals and to a limited extent, the floor director during the concert itself. After his active role in the concert, he realized that he enjoys events production more than training.

At present, Jonathan works as ATRIEV’s Research Assistant under the Planning and Development Unit. At the same time, he will also be tapped as trainer side-by-side with Lourdes Borgonia.

There is a lot of room for growth in Jonathan’s professional career. Certainly, he's bound to shift to higher gear.