Seeing the Light Above and Beyond

The Young Achievers

ATRIEV, a computer school for the blind, in cooperation with U21 global, the world's premier on-line graduate school, TeleTech, the global leader in customer management care and business process outsourcing services and IBM Philippines brings together the country's singing champions and a new breed of blind musical talents in "When You Believe" a concert for a cause to be held on October 27, 7 p.m. at the UP Theater, Diliman Quezon City.

The Show will highlight the "Power of Believing" in the stories of three blind achievers: Julius Charles Serrano, the first blind programmer; Krissy Bisda, the first totally blind recruitment specialist and Alona Bateg, the first non-medical totally blind medical Transcriptionist in Asia. Their stories will prove that through believing in one's self, in one's God and the belief of family and friends, limitations can be conquered.

Criselda "Krissy" Bisda

If there is a beauty contest for the Visually Impaired, ATRIEV has a perfect candidate for it. With a towering height of 5'7, the beauty and brain, Criselda "Krissy" Bisda got all what it takes to be a Beauty Queen.

Blind since 12 due to the pigmentation of the retina, Krissy managed to finish her studies in a regular school. Krissy graduated with a Degree in psychology at the Philippine Women's University in Manila.

Krissy said, "I promised to myself that no matter what happens I would find work in whatever type of environment. I don't want to be idle because I know I can do more in spite of my condition. If I would mind my condition, I won't move ahead and develop myself."

True to what she said Krissy is "the first blind person to qualify and work in a corporate environment." She signed an employment contract with TeleTech, a global provider of business process outsourcing and customer management solutions where she works as a recruitment specialist. This time, the tables are turned because in Krissy's job, she interviews and assesses countless job applicants-all of whom are with sight. This is a milestone in call center history.

In "When You Believe" the concert, Krissy will be serenaded by two of our singing heartthrobs, Kris Lawrence and Jed Madela. She will also interpret the poem of her life that embodies beauty and hope despite the odds. Krissy may have lost the sight, but she still has the vision and the heart to reach out to people especially to those with visual impairment.

Julius Charles Serrano

Once a dream, now a reality. To become an IT Whiz was one of Julius Charles Serrano's dream. Who could imagine that a young man with Visual Impairment could achieve such a feat! Julius at 22 is the youngest of four kids. He is the only blind member in the family but this disability has never stopped him from reaching for his dreams and working hard on his skills with the computer.

He is the first blind student to graduate from a four-year computer science course in STI College Recto which makes him the Very First totally blind Computer Science graduate in the Philippines. Computer science, though a very visual course, was completed by Julius with flying colors besting his sighted classmates. To name a few, He won Best in System Analysis and Design in 2002 and Best Programmer Award in 2004.

Julius is the only Filipino who was invited to Hamburg, Germany by the developers of JAWS, a software that allows text-to-speech output. He is being honed as one of the programmers in the South East Asian region to customize the software to various commercially available applications or proprietary applications of the call center industry.

In the concert "When You Believe", Seryn Regis' original "Follow your Dream" will depict Julius' life. Julius is an inspiration to all the young people out there. There's really a truth in the saying, "If you wish, you can achieve and if you dream, you can become."

Alona Bateg

"Through the fire, through the limits through the wall," this is how to describe Alona's journey to success. Alona Bateg is a wife to a blind husband, a mother to four children, a singer of an all-blind band, a Licensed Social Worker and a Medical Transcriptionist of Top Outsource Performance Inc. a Medical Transcription Events Consultancy Company based in Baguio City.

Alona and Mario, her husband, earned their living through massage and occasional gigs but their combined earning was not sufficient for their basic needs. It was in 2005 when Alona decided to explore a career in Medical Transcription. From Baguio, she relocated to Manila to take ATRIEV'S Medical Transcription course. Initially, she stayed with a relative in Bagong Silang but eventually, rented an apartment near ATRIEV'S training center because of her relatives' financial status.

Could you imagine this young couple, blind, raising and taking care of 4 children? It really takes lots of courage and perseverance to raise a family and strive to lead as normal a life as possible.

After completing her training with ATRIEV, she went back to Baguio in June of 2005. She was readily accommodated as an On the Job Trainee of TOP Incorporated.

In May 2006, she signed an "apprenticeship contract" and was told she would be considered for regular and fulltime employment, depending on her performance. After one year of hardwork, Alona Bateg is a full-fledged medical transcriptionist signing a full-time employment contract in September of this year.

At present, Alona shares the title with Dr. Mike Borgonia, also a product of ATRIEV, as the First 2 Blind Medical Transcriptionists in Asia.

Atriev's Homegrown Talents...Star Records, Watch Out!

Ricardo Solayao "Cards" Delos Santos

Ricardo Solayao Delos Santos, or "Cards" for short, was born on September 19,1981 in Catbalogan, Samar.

This young man from Samar became totally blind in 1996. He was only 15 then and now at 25, he has been 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 choirmaster of The Ambassadors of Light Choir, an all-blind choir, for almost 10 years. Cards is also called Maestro by some friends because he is currently working for his Music Teacher's Diploma at the Philippine Women's University. At the same time, he is a Freshman of Information Technology at STI, Cubao. Card plans to merge his musical prowess with technology to earn a living.

In the concert "When You Believe", Cards will open the show with a Josh Groban original that will showcase his vocal discipline. He will share center stage with Charice Pempengco, one of the Little big Star champions.

Benedicto Santiago, Jr.

Benedicto Santiago Jr., or "JR" as he is fondly called, is the only ATRIEV talent who will be give a solo performance in "When You Believe" the concert. JR's emotive singing voice will truly melt the hearts of young ladies.

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's talent was given due recognition 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.

In the press launch of "When You Believe", singing champion Sheryn Regis, herself, was mesmerized by JR's singing voice. She said, "Wow, he sounds exactly like Christian Bautista." He may not have the dance antics of his idol, Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano but he certainly has the heart and soul of his idol.

Ralph Orense

During the presentation of ATRIEV talents to Star Records, the line producer of the concert, 17-year old Ralph Orense was almost left out. He was ready to leave the room when ATRIEV Project Coordinator insisted the record representatives listen to his rap antics. After an initial bout with shyness, he finally went out of his shell and started with a Gloc-9 original "Ipagpatawad Mo". The record representatives were in awe as this young man rapped the words flawlessly. Instantly, Star Records Events Coordinator called Gloc-9 and asked him to perform a rap showdown with Ralph Orense, ATRIEV's extreme rapper.

So on Oct. 27, during "When You Believe" the concert, the crowd will enjoy a new breed of talent in a visually impaired rap artist. Aside from rap, Ralph has also volunteered as ATRIEV's training assistant for two years.

After graduating from high school, Ralph will avail of a 4-year STI Scholarship that he won in a PowerPoint Presentation competition besting blind presenters much older than him. With Ralph's enthusiasm and energy, he will certainly soar to higher heights.

When You Believe: The Concert

This one-of-a-kind benefit concert shall showcase today's pop, rap, RnB and jazz artists back-to-back with ATRIEV's equally gifted blind talents. Well-known artists like The Akafellas and the Little Big Star Champions will share center stage with blind kids. Rap artist Gloc9 will do a showdown with Ralph Orense, ATRIEV's very own rapper. Singing heartthrobs like Kris Lawrence and Jed Madela will serenade Krissy Bisda, the very beautiful totally blind recruitment agent of TeleTech. award-winning performer Sheryn Regis will interpret the colorful lives of blind achievers through her songs. Jazz icon Mon David will senerade a blind mother and her daughter. Inspirational Diva Jamie Rivera will cap the evening with her heartrending songs.

Don't miss this rare concert experience. Tickets are at Php2,000.00, Php1,000.00, Php500.00 and Php300.00. For ticket reservations please call: 995-7336 or 438-9373 or text to 0926-215-3787 or 0917-506-0006. For more details, visit Yehey.com, the official website of "When You Believe". Be there!

Special thanks also to BG Consolidated Holdings, National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO), Nestle Philippines, Smart Communications and PLDT. These companies have helped ATRIEV realize its dream.

For more information about ATRIEV, please visit www.atriev.org.ph.