What started as an ordinary visit to a fast-food restaurant turned into an unforgettable moment of connection for deaf content creator Archie Drilon. In April, Archie’s eyes lit up upon spotting someone familiar—not by face, but by shared experience.

He had just met Reymond Bacarro Abonitalla, a deaf service crew member. Archie immediately sensed something special during their brief encounter, and it was all caught on camera. It wasn’t just a moment of recognition—it was a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially in the provinces.

“Na-meet ko si Reymond. After that, nung nakita ko siya, alam ko agad na hindi siya hearing person. Kasi I noticed that he is using body language. I saw the nameplate na siya ay PWD. So, kaya nung nagkatinginan kami, sabi [ko], ‘Deaf ka ba?’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘oo,’” Archie recounted in an interview with The Philippine STAR.

Curious but cautious, Reymond at first wasn’t sure how to respond. He was busy at work and didn’t immediately realize Archie was deaf as well.

“Hindi ko siya kilala. Sabi ko, ‘Teka lang, deaf ba ‘to?’ Parang hindi naman siya sumisenyas. So, in-ignore ko lang siya, hindi ako tumingin kasi nagta-trabaho ako eh. Finally, sabi ni Archie, ‘Uy, halika dito. Ang cute mo naman. Halika dito, deaf ka ba?’ Ino-observe niya pala ako for a long time,” Reymond shared.

The moment sparked joy and inspiration on both sides. Archie was especially moved to see someone like Reymond working confidently in a public-facing role—something he admitted is still rare in their hometown.

According to Archie, “Honestly, I was about to give up na rin. Kasi in Manila, nakita ko marami naman mga company na maraming deaf na nagwo-work.”

He added that seeing Reymond reminded him that change is happening—even in provincial areas like Los Baños. “Nakikita ko ‘yung changes dito sa Los Baños. Now, job opportunities have been laid out, and more people have more awareness. It’s the same thing like in Manila. It’s really wonderful. So, I hope that it will also be like a special place like in Manila.”

For Reymond, meeting Archie gave him an opportunity to share not just his pride in his work—but the deeper reason he pushes forward every day.

“Sabi ‘I am really inspired by your story kasi you are brave enough to do this. I hope this will be a standard for everyone.’ I was very, very happy seeing him. Meeting another one [deaf], I hope he can also be successful like me, finding a job.”

He also expressed gratitude for the companies that saw his potential and gave him the chance to prove himself.

“So, nakita nila na I have this potential. So, they keep on inspiring me to do my best and they helped me a lot. Now, as a deaf, I realized I actually can and they take care of me. Sometimes, there are some miscommunications because I couldn’t really hear.”

Reymond’s personal motivation goes beyond employment—he works hard not just for himself, but for his loved ones.

“My parents take care; they help me become independent. Purpose ko naman talaga is to support my family and to save some money because I know I don’t want to become a problem for them, and I know I can be discriminated but I still feel happy.”

His sister Wendy shared how their mother once feared Reymond’s future due to the lack of opportunities for deaf individuals in their hometown.

“‘Yung mama namin, ‘yung pinaka-worry niya talaga is, may future ba ‘yung anak ko? Kasi deaf eh. And doon sa amin po kasi, walang opportunities for them. So, nung dumating talaga kami sa Los Baños, nakita namin na, ‘Uy, may mga companies pala na nagre-recognize ‘yung mga kagaya nila.’ Sobrang grateful kami. In-embrace ‘yung kanyang ‘deaf-erence’ eh.”

Reymond also took a moment to thank members of the hearing community who have shown appreciation and respect to the deaf.

“For the hearing community, maraming salamat din. And I know that some of you really appreciate the deaf.”

Both Archie and Reymond hope their story encourages other PWDs to keep moving forward, even when faced with doubt or discrimination.

“I don’t want them to be lost, depressed, or feeling left out in the society. I hope that they will never give up, and I hope more advocacies, more stories like this, volunteering, or some stories that would make an inclusive company or inclusive environment for the deaf community so they can learn as well. And I hope that they can continue learning about the deaf community so they can be included,” said Archie.

Reymond ended with an inspiring message that reflects both his strength and hope for the community:

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry too much. Those discrimination that we have been experiencing since we were a child, mapapagtapusan natin ito, ma-overcome natin. There might be some people who wouldn’t really understand what we are. But if we keep on peering or if we keep on being visible to society, then they can recognize who we are. For the deaf, they can smile. Huwag matakot. Huwag kayong laging galit. It’s always important to have a good heart and continue sharing love and serving. But, kahit mag-isa lang kayo, just keep on going. Like Archie did.”

H/T: Philippine Star