On July 30, 2026, the Local Congregation of College II in the Ecclesiastical District of Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines, held its first worship service with Sign Language (SL) interpretation.

“Having worship services with SL interpretations greatly helps our Deaf brethren. Not only can they render their praises to God in a deeply personal way but also provides them with a sense of belongingness in the Church,” Christine Flor I. Cariño, lay SL interpreter trainee, said.

On the said occasion, the hymn-singing was interpreted by Brother Sean C. Casin, regular ministerial worker. Brother John Gener G. Tumanlao, district Christian Society for the Differently-abled (CSD) adviser and the congregation’s resident ministerial worker, interpreted the Bible-based preaching led by Brother Jayson P. Balisi, district chronicler.

Through SL interpretation, Francis Mae Tandang, a Deaf member, expressed her delight as she now “can take part in every program of the worship services.”

On behalf of CSD members and officers in the district, Brother Tumanlao expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thanks be to God for, through the Church Administration, SL interpretation has been added to our local congregation. The spiritual welfare of those who are part of the Deaf community will all the more be catered to now for God’s glory.”

College II Congregation is the third among other local congregations, Banlic and Looc, within the district with such development. Worship services with SL interpretation are on Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30 and 6:00 in the evening, respectively. — With assistance from Calamba City, Laguna District Multimedia