Behavior therapist draws inspiration from physically challenged brother

The Manila Times

Behavior therapist draws inspiration from physically challenged brother  Family bonds often inspire remarkable journeys, and the story of Jessa and Gabriel Manalo is a heartfelt testament to this truth. Jessa, a skilled and passionate Behavior Therapist, shares a unique and deeply personal motivation for her career choice—her youngest brother, Gabriel. Born with profound deafness and the youngest of five siblings, Gabriel has navigated a world full of challenges with resilience and determination. Jessa's decision to pursue a career in behavioral therapy was sparked by her love for her brother and a desire to create meaningful change for individuals like him. In this interview, the Manalo siblings open up about their experiences, their unbreakable sibling bond, and the profound ways they’ve influenced each other’s lives.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net   Subscribe to Business Franchise Guru: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessFranchiseGuru   Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters  Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #philippines #entrepreneur

Transcript

00:00This is Butu Bartolome, Business Mentor Talks over Manila Times.

00:29Today is a very special day for me because this is something that I'm very proud of.

00:34That again, whatever disability can become an ability to always communicate.

00:45Communicate is very important to us.

00:47And this morning, we have a brother and a sister who will tell us about their experience.

00:53What is their experience in terms of living in this age, in this technology age.

01:00So today, this morning, we have with us Jessa and Gab Manalo.

01:07Good morning to you, Jessa and Gab.

01:11Good morning. Thank you for having us.

01:15So Jessa, tell us Gab, what is his disability since he was a child, Jessa?

01:25You can talk while you're making a sign language.

01:30So he's deaf.

01:34He has profound hearing.

01:38So since birth, he cannot hear anything.

01:42That causes him to not be able to speak since he can't hear anything.

01:46He can make sounds but he cannot hear himself.

01:50That's why he can't formulate his words.

01:54So Jessa, Gab is the youngest of five, correct?

02:00Yes.

02:02And how many siblings do you have?

02:06Fourth.

02:08You're the fourth.

02:10So what did you specialize, Jessa?

02:12What is your profession, Jessa?

02:16I am in behavioral science.

02:18I currently work as a behavioral therapist.

02:22Behavioral therapist.

02:24And as a behavioral therapist, what does it cover?

02:28Behavioral therapist, it's a scientific-based evidence that you can understand, measure, control, or unlearn behaviors.

02:39So I mainly work with kids.

02:41So we're going to promote good behavior.

02:46Okay.

02:48And how does it feel to have a brother, Gab, whose disability is like this?

02:55Was this something that inspired you to take this profession, Jessa?

03:01Actually, yes.

03:03It really inspired me to take this profession because

03:07I had this talk with my mom.

03:09She told me,

03:12Son, push your passion because as a mom with a special kid,

03:18it's hard to find therapy for our kids that you don't know where to bring the child to.

03:24Because right now, there are only a few of us.

03:28So there are only a few professions like this.

03:33Yes.

03:35So Gab, how old are you?

03:41I am 24.

03:4424.

03:46And Gab, ladies and gentlemen, is a well-known gamer.

03:54And a lot of people are wondering, how did Gab become a gamer who cannot hear and who cannot speak?

04:02So tell us, Gab, what was your feeling when you were growing up?

04:11I feel good and nice to the world because they accept me as deaf.

04:41Gab is very well-known on social media.

04:49How many followers does he have on social media, Jessa?

04:58He has a lot. Actually, it's 343,000 on TikTok.

05:04Wow, ladies and gentlemen, Gab has 300,000 followers on TikTok.

05:12And how does he play games? How does he do it, Jessa?

05:23I started way back in December last year because of the COVID.

05:32My mom gave me a computer and then I don't know what to do with the computer.

05:41So I tried to work with the computer and then he started playing.

05:50How can he play? Tell us.

05:54I learned how to play with my brother before.

06:01When I was a kid, my brother taught me how to play computer games.

06:07Okay. And basically, you're playing a very high...

06:11This is a big game you're playing, right? Is it Valorant?

06:16Valorant.

06:17Yes, and this is a high-intensity game.

06:21How do you cope with that, Gab?

06:31I have eyes and my senses are good.

06:37So I just play normal.

06:41His hand and eye coordination is really good.

06:45He's very aware of the game.

06:47He's very aware of the game.

06:49He has intense focus with his eyes.

06:54So he's using his eyesight.

06:57Yes.

06:59And how does he react to his games?

07:04Because I see in his reels, the way he plays is as if he's normal.

07:13He's able to play.

07:15And a lot of people who are commenting,

07:17how does he play?

07:19Because I'm sure we have a lot of friends who have this disability.

07:26So, Gab, tell us how you can do it so that you can help others.

07:31Because...

07:41Let's do it again. Slowly, slowly.

07:45She's fast at translating.

07:47Yes.

07:48They don't know.

07:50The question is, how do you do it?

07:53How?

07:55I...

07:58I...

07:59I...

08:02I play and I always practice with training.

08:08And even if I get bored, I always practice and study the game.

08:16It's by experience.

08:20Okay. And by experience.

08:22So, Jessa, how does it feel that you have a brother like Gab?

08:27How does it feel that you're able to reach out to a lot of people

08:32like your brother has this disability?

08:36How does it feel?

08:39From the start, of course, it's a little bit frustrating

08:44because there are a lot of things we want to say to him

08:49but we can't say it right away

08:51since there's a barrier.

08:54We have to talk to him through sign language.

08:57But later on, as I grew up and I mature,

09:01I feel very blessed that we have him in our family

09:06because he teaches us to be patient.

09:09And not just that, he teaches us to be humble

09:14and to think about other people's situations too.

09:17That if we have him, there are things that are more challenging than others.

09:23So, Gab, do you feel that he's not left out in the family

09:29simply because of his disability when he was growing up?

09:35No. No, I don't feel sad.

09:38I feel blessed because of God.

09:43He gave me this ability.

09:46So, when he was growing up from being a young child

09:52to where he is now,

09:54was he able to share or inspire a lot of people too?

10:06I want to thank

10:16about my experience.

10:23He said

10:33He said that he wants to share his community to the people.

10:38He wants the people to know that there are people like him

10:42that is very willing and accepting of everyone too.

10:51And share everything.

10:54I want to show that I can do it too.

11:00That whatever the normal people can do, he can do it too.

11:05That's true.

11:07Actually, disability is not a gap for them to communicate with the normal people.

11:14In fact, we have companies like Happy Toothpaste

11:20wherein the founder employs the deaf and mute.

11:26And he himself, Mr. Pedro Cecilio,

11:30learned how to do the sign language.

11:33Tell us, Jessa, isn't it hard to learn sign language?

11:37Right now, we see a lot of TV programs in major networks

11:43where I'm really happy that we have people who are learning sign language now.

11:48Have you noticed that, Gab?

11:50I'm sure when you were growing up, it was not like that.

11:55But now, there are people who are learning sign language, part of that small screen.

11:59And really, I think that the world is now giving emphasis

12:03on helping people for you to communicate, right?

12:07So that's what's happening there.

12:09So Jessa, what are your advice to parents

12:15who have a child or relative with a disability?

12:22What is it that they should do as a behavioral specialist?

12:28What are your advice, Jessa?

12:32As a behavioral therapist,

12:34I think we should first learn how to sign, of course.

12:39Because we can't really understand them without any proper communication.

12:44And if they don't know how to sign,

12:46at least learn the facial expressions.

12:49Because that's where it shows what they feel.

12:53Are they frustrated? Are they happy here?

12:56And give it time to learn sign language.

13:01And also give time for yourself.

13:03Because it's not that easy.

13:05You just studied it. You'll remember it tomorrow.

13:09So you need to practice with someone who also does sign language.

13:14Because a lot of people are trying to learn sign language.

13:20Although, what's lacking is the communication

13:23where you can use sign language.

13:25So they tend to forget it if they don't practice every day.

13:30Maybe another thing is being patient.

13:32Being patient with the member of the family.

13:35Because it's not something that people will say,

13:40why did my brother become like this?

13:42No, it's actually a blessing.

13:45As Gab said,

13:47it's something for you to appreciate the world of communication.

13:53You're not just letting your brother be in a corner,

13:58you can do whatever you want with your life.

14:00But with the age of technology now,

14:02and you as a behavioral specialist,

14:05we should help them become more normal.

14:10And Gab is really an inspiration to all.

14:15And I'm sure a lot of our viewers who are watching this

14:19are getting inspired.

14:21A young man, a good-looking young man,

14:24who looks normal,

14:28and yet nobody can believe that he has this disability.

14:33We have seen people who are probably not able to hear or speak,

14:39but they look so sad.

14:41But Gab looks so happy.

14:44What makes him happy, Gab?

14:47What makes you happy?

14:48You look so happy.

14:50What makes you happy?

14:58My family.

14:59They make me happy,

15:01and they're very supportive.

15:04And they believe in me to do whatever I want to do.

15:08And also, I would add up to that.

15:11There are a lot of families, especially parents.

15:15Of course, they will really worry if their child is special.

15:20But as they grow up,

15:22we need to accept that they can also do it.

15:26If we can do it, they can also do it.

15:28Because what happens is that we're very worried

15:32because they're different from us.

15:34But once we accept that Gab can do it,

15:39that special kid can do a lot more than us.

15:46For example, we can't do gaming.

15:50Gab is very famous in the gaming world.

15:53Yes, I believe in him.

15:57So basically, how is that now?

16:00What will you do now, for example, Jessa,

16:03if someone is watching,

16:05and they're in need of somebody like you,

16:08how will they choose somebody in order to help them?

16:13Or do they really need somebody like you,

16:16who is a behavioral therapist, to help them?

16:19What are the signs that they need?

16:22Number one is that they need a diagnostic

16:26from a development pediatrician.

16:29Then right after that,

16:31we will tell them what type of therapy they need.

16:36We have speech therapy, occupational therapy,

16:40and behavioral therapy.

16:43So whatever the doctor advises,

16:45that's what we follow.

16:47And when choosing a therapist,

16:50we make sure that the therapist is licensed.

16:54Because once the therapist is not licensed,

16:57and they don't undergo proper training,

17:00the child might not progress.

17:04So that's the most important thing.

17:06They should double check

17:08what their license is,

17:10and what the therapist is doing.

17:13And of course,

17:14they should also look into the attitude of the therapist.

17:18Because we all know that it's not cheap.

17:21So for others,

17:23it's because of the money.

17:25So they should look into it,

17:27that as a therapist,

17:28it's very passionate,

17:30and it's not just about money.

17:32He or she is always there to help us.

17:36That's the priority.

17:39So in other words,

17:40Jessa, you undergo so many trainings,

17:43so many case studies and exposures, right?

17:45Yes.

17:48I'm actually just passed my qualified applied behavior analysis technician

17:54in the US.

17:56But I'm going to practice here in the Philippines

17:59because as of now,

18:00we are 105 in the Philippines.

18:03Wow!

18:04105 as against...

18:06What is the population of people with disabilities?

18:10In your opinion,

18:11what is the record so far that we have?

18:15You have 105,

18:16and yet,

18:17how many people are in need?

18:19According to the doctor,

18:21Sir Boots,

18:22right now,

18:23there are almost a million in the Philippines.

18:27So there are so many patients.

18:29A million?

18:30Yes.

18:32So that's an alarming number.

18:38Imagine,

18:39are we still having students studying your kind of course right now?

18:47Yes, Sir.

18:48Happily,

18:49right now,

18:50I think there are schools that are opening

18:54for a course on behavioral therapy,

18:57specifically about autism.

19:01Because I focus on autism.

19:03So there are a lot of schools that are open about it.

19:06Because before,

19:07our culture,

19:08the Filipino culture,

19:09we were very denial about this kind of course.

19:12But right now,

19:13since we have expanded our knowledge,

19:16we are also accepting that

19:18a child needs to undergo therapy

19:20so that his case doesn't get worse.

19:24Correct, correct.

19:25So that's a very noble job that you're doing.

19:28I'm sure it's taxing on your part,

19:30but it's self-fulfilling.

19:32Especially,

19:33you have your brother, Gab.

19:35Yes.

19:36You're able to communicate with him.

19:39You're able to have a family.

19:42He should not be ostracized from the activities,

19:46but really be part of the family,

19:49the growing family.

19:51Okay.

19:52So what is the plan of Gab in the next few years?

19:56Gab, what is your plan?

19:58What are your plans?

20:00I wish to focus on my school

20:05and meet people

20:10and look for a job.

20:19And I will make a lot more content

20:22so I can grow my community.

20:24Wow!

20:26Another fun fact,

20:28Gab is Dean Lister.

20:30He studies very hard.

20:32Wow! Dean Lister!

20:34Where is he?

20:36What school is he in?

20:38He's studying at College of St. Daniel de La Salle.

20:45And how many classmates does Gab have

20:49that are similar to him?

20:51They are 22 in the block,

20:55but for the deaf people in the school,

20:58we have 74 deaf in the school.

21:03Wow!

21:04I'm glad.

21:06I mean, I guess I get a goose pimple

21:09knowing that Gab is a fan fact.

21:12He's Dean Lister of St. Benilde.

21:16It seems like all of you are from St. Benilde.

21:20It seems like all of you are a product of Animo La Salle.

21:25Yes.

21:27From Chef Gary.

21:29You too, Jessa, right?

21:31And also Dean Lister.

21:33So, Gab, do you plan to teach in the future?

21:37Do you have plans of teaching people like you?

21:45Yes.

21:46I believe that I can teach the people

21:53in an app.

21:58I believe that I can have the opportunity to teach people.

22:04Before, he really teaches sign language for free

22:08here in our province.

22:10So, we go to different secluded areas

22:13where there are deaf people.

22:15We teach the parents and siblings to use sign language.

22:22So, he plans to share sign language.

22:26That's a good app.

22:27That's a good advocacy, Gab,

22:29for you to do that because you're doing,

22:31you're sharing what you have,

22:34the blessings with the community, right?

22:36That's good, right?

22:37Because there are people, there are families

22:39who cannot probably afford a behavioral therapist,

22:42a licensed therapist,

22:45but you, being deaf and mute,

22:48you're able to reach out,

22:50in some way or another, right?

22:52So, Gab, last thing,

22:54what advice can you give

22:56to people like you?

23:00What can you advise?

23:01More or less, give me two advices

23:03that you can give.

23:15Oh.

23:16I want the deaf

23:18to learn what?

23:34I want them to not be bad

23:37to the people,

23:39and they need to understand

23:42and they need to understand

23:45about just being deaf

23:47and being accepting.

23:48So, he wants them

23:52not to be bad

23:54and just be accepting

23:56to whatever they have.

23:59So, Gab,

24:00because they raised him,

24:03in whatever he does,

24:05he always chooses to do the good.

24:07So, sometimes, of course,

24:09even if he gets frustrated

24:11to other people

24:12since he doesn't understand,

24:13he just thinks,

24:15I'll just do what's good

24:17instead of reacting badly.

24:22So, very inspiring, Gab.

24:24I'm really inspired

24:26by seeing you now.

24:29I've seen Gab and Jessa

24:32when you were very small at the time.

24:34That's years ago.

24:38Not so much years ago.

24:40But again, I've seen your growth.

24:42And really, I'm so thankful

24:43you have parents

24:44like Doc Jerry and Grace

24:47who really reared up you

24:49into what you are right now.

24:52The values are still there.

24:54The Manalo family is a winner.

24:57Right?

24:58So, that's what's inspiring.

25:00You're always a winner

25:02on whatever you're doing.

25:05And really,

25:06Jessa, you are somebody

25:08who probably is

25:09one of the rare 105 people.

25:12And you can really keep on

25:14helping a lot of,

25:15I'm sure,

25:16it's really stressful work.

25:18But looking at you,

25:20you're always happy.

25:21Just like Gab.

25:22You're always happy.

25:24Just like your mother.

25:26Always forever young.

25:28Looking.

25:29Like that.

25:30So, thank you very much for this.

25:33And really,

25:34it inspires people.

25:37Gab, continue your streaming.

25:39I'm always watching how you stream.

25:42And really,

25:43my grandkids are wondering

25:45whether you are really

25:46the deaf and mute.

25:47And I always tell them,

25:49he is.

25:50But look at him.

25:51He is so normal-looking.

25:53Right?

25:54So,

25:55mind you, viewers,

25:58that's Dean Slister.

26:00Okay?

26:01How did Dean Slister become

26:04interested in the world

26:06where we are right now?

26:08At St. Vinilpa.

26:10And it's all thanks to them.

26:12Gab is also an artist,

26:14a visual artist.

26:15He also makes mural paintings.

26:18We hire him a lot.

26:20He's earning a lot more than me.

26:25Do you have pictures of him, Gab?

26:28I need some pictures

26:30or probably movie clips.

26:33You can be the modern Picasso

26:36of right now, right?

26:38Of this modern age.

26:41What kind of things does he paint?

26:46He makes murals.

26:48To whatever request of the owner,

26:51what he wants to do,

26:52he can do it.

26:53But right now,

26:55he makes a lot of murals of flowers.

26:57Since my mom loves flowers

26:59and plants,

27:00that became her focus

27:02and her first project.

27:04But does Gab ever portray

27:07in his art

27:09what he feels inside?

27:11Does he have those?

27:14He does.

27:15Actually, he's building

27:16his own brand right now.

27:18The name of his brand is

27:19To Have Peace.

27:21Because of everything,

27:24the frustration he feels,

27:26he always tells us

27:28he just wants to have peace.

27:31For acceptance and everything,

27:33less stress.

27:34His focus is on peace.

27:36Good, good.

27:37I will be happy to share

27:39your works, Gab.

27:41Especially in this interview,

27:43we need that

27:45to be inspired.

27:47In this world of disruption,

27:49we need, you're right,

27:51you have peace.

27:52We need to have peace

27:54in ourselves.

27:55Especially during this pandemic.

27:58So probably you can share with me

28:00Jessa, his works.

28:03He painted my mom

28:05his first ever project.

28:07And then after that,

28:09the next one.

28:10Send me his pictures

28:13so we can post them

28:15in our interview.

28:17Alright?

28:18So again, Jessa,

28:19thank you, thank you very much.

28:20Gab, thank you very much.

28:22How do you say thank you, Jessa,

28:24so I can more or less learn?

28:27Thank you very much.

28:33Yes, he says thank you

28:34and Merry Christmas.

28:36That's all I know.

28:38That's how it is.

28:40Okay.

28:41Thank you, thank you very much.

28:43God bless you both.

28:44Thank you very much.

28:45Bye-bye.

28:46Bye-bye.

28:47Bye.

28:59Bye-bye.

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