“Curious: Spotlight on Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Literature” is one of the ten projects featured in DLS-CSB’s first Benilde Open Art and Design Exhibit (2024) last May 23 to June 30, 2024. The exhibit is led by Mr. Michael Vea, a Deaf faculty member of Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS). His vision is to promote the recognition of FSL Literature as an emerging branch of Philippine literature. In both the Philippines and around the world, written works dominate the literary scene. Because of this, many believe that literature exists only in printed or spoken form. Few realize that Deaf individuals also create stories and poems through their visual language—sign language, such as Filipino Sign Language (FSL). The exhibit features the works of the country’s first creative signing workshop fellows under Mr. Vea: Patrick Silver S. Padao, Shaquille Y. De Guzman, Lorhen Joy Sumili, Nathaniel Macariola, and Francis Ethelbert Pagaduan. “Curious” aims to introduce FSL to hearing audiences and to show that a distinct form of visual literature thrives in the Filipino Deaf community. It hopes to inspire a redefinition of literature—one that includes and celebrates the creative works of Deaf Filipinos.
