Andrew Miller is the International Director for DMI. When he’s not munching on liquorice bullets in Sydney, he’s travelling around the world raising funds and DMI’s profile in developed countries or visiting the fields we support to see what’s needed and how our funds are being managed. Either way, he works tirelessly to avoid unidentifiable food and meets lots of weird and wonderful people who he just can’t resist interviewing…

#14 Aser

Aser Milarpes is one of our longest serving teachers at Bicol Deaf Action (formerly the Fisherman of Christ Learning Center) in Ligao, Philippines. Born Deaf, he is a much loved figure at the school and a local hero to the Deaf in the region. I catch up with him in the dining hall at the school with Principal Anabelle interpreting where he reveals to me things that even take Anabelle by surprise…

Andrew: I believe you were one of the first students to study here at the Fisherman of Christ learning Center. Is that correct?

Aser: Yes.

So you are a living legend! How old were you when you started at the school and what grade?

I started in grade one at the age of eight.

And what was your first impression when you started at the school?

I was amazed. It was my first time to come to a school or a place where everyone was communicating with their hands. I didn’t understand what they were saying, but it was fantastic to watch people communicate in this way.

How long did it take you to learn how to sign?

Kids pick it up pretty quickly so I was comfortable with sign language after just a couple of weeks.

That’s very quick. Are you sure that’s not just because you are a genius?

It could be! The children learn quickly by observing each other and learning in the classroom from their teachers. The first word I learned to sign was ‘eat’! We had to learn that one very quickly or we might have missed out!

Can you tell me about your family?

I was one of seven brothers – no sisters – but my youngest brother died in infancy. My father was a coconut farmer, and my mother worked as a housemaid. 

Were you the only Deaf one in the family?

Yes, only me. And I’m also the only one who graduated from college.

That’s a real achievement! How did your family react to that?

That pretty much changed everything. When I was a young boy, they had no hope for me and they treated me that way. Now I’m the only graduate in the family. They all look up to me.

Did any of your family learn to sign?

Not really. We just developed a set of signs for use around the home and we got by with those. It was more gesturing than signing. Later, when I was able to sign, I would teach them so they could sign without looking like idiots.

I feel you. What was the most challenging thing about growing up Deaf?

Sometimes my brothers’ friends or other kids in the neighbourhood would tease me and bully me. I’d cry about that. They used to signal that I had my tongue cut off or that I was crazy and that was really upsetting. 

I imagine that the environment of the school here was very different and you felt very comfortable here?

Oh yes. Nobody bullied me here. I fitted right in. I was really very happy being here right from the start.

So how did you go from student to teacher here at the school?

I was supported through college by DMI supporters so I always felt a strong connection to the school. Coming back and working here was a way of thanking DMI supporters and returning the favour to the school.

What grades do you teach here?

I teach the lower grades – maths, music, arts, physical education, and health. I’m also the school librarian.

You are dorm Dad to the students here, too. You do everything!

When did you start in the dorm?

I started in 2011.

Tell me some of the challenges and the enjoyments.

I enjoy having the responsibility of overseeing the friendships at the school, and I love to see the students grow in maturity and in their relationships.

You must’ve had some naughty boys in that time. Do you have any stories to tell?

Yes, of course! There was one boy who used to spit on me and urinate on me sometimes! He was only five years old when he started so I used to have to bathe him, too, and that was no fun. 

What did you do when he spat on you and urinated on you?

I asked him if he wanted a good spanking! But he was very young so I just talked to him and he would calm down a bit.

You are a very patient man!

That boy is still at the school. He’s 15 now.

Wow, how do you feel every time you see him? Do you ever want to return the favour?

Well, he has other problems now, but it’s still good to see him growing to maturity, even if it’s a little bit more slowly than the other boys. 

I believe you have recently planted a new church. Is that right?

Yes, I started a church in Polangui in July 2022 after Covid restrictions began to lift.

Do you have theological training?

Neville arranged for a hearing pastor to train up new young pastors in this area and I was one of those who studied with him. We trained on the last Saturday of every month for five years. 

Neville was fantastic, wasn’t he! Years after his passing, churches are still opening as a direct result of his apostleship. How many people are in your church now?

We started with about 15 but some of the younger ones left to go and work in Manila so we only have seven or eight Deaf adults. Would you believe it, that boy who used to spit and urinate on me actually lives right near the church. I’ve invited him to come several times, but his father won’t allow him to come because of family commitments. I’ll keep working on him.

What do you see for your future?

First, I want to see my church grow in numbers. But personally, I wouldn’t mind getting married and starting a family. I would like to have two children, one boy and one girl.

Do you have anyone in mind?

Yes, I do.

Well, come on, don’t be shy. What’s her name?

Marie Sheila Dulay.

So when do you think you’ll get married?

Next year.

Anabelle: Next year!? You never told me!

Well, I’m telling you now! Andrew, please come back next year for my wedding.

I would be very happy to. After you get married, will you stop being a dorm dad? 

Marie has stable employment at a bread factory in Manila. I would prefer to stay here until I’m 60 and retire so that’s something we need to talk about.

If you move to Manila and your wife is working at the bread factory, you might get a lot of free bread and put on a lot of weight so I think it’s healthier for you to stay here.

You might be right. I’ll try that with Marie.

~

If you would like to support Aser, or any of DMI’s pastors, schools or projects please go to https://deafmin.org/donate/ or click on the ‘Donate’ button below.