Alfredo D. Celada, Jr.

He has the makings of a world class sign language interpreter. His confidence and enthusiasm to serve both the hearing and the deaf have been contagious because of the desire to make a difference in the lives of the people he has touched through the works of his golden hands. He takes a swift fide in every challenge that comes along thinking that only positive outcomes await his sacrifices. Upon reaching the top of the hill, he finds time to reflect on how he could still serve others by motivating them to find their own paths to success. He is no other than the dignified Chief Executive Officer and the Sign Language Trainer of the Philippine Association of Interpreters for Deaf Empowerment and the Assistant Principal and Board Member of Angeli Dei Schools, a school for special children, Mr. Alfredo D. Celada, jr.

Sir Jun, as he fondly called by the countless individuals who admire him, started at a very young age of 19 in his ministry as a full time artist at the Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf. His efficiency at work and his open mindedness made him to take a leap into learning the art of sign language while training the other teachers of SAID at the same time. In fact, he already became the Best Sign Language Teacher (1983), his first ever distinctive award in the interpreting field, before being registered as an interpreter from the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in 1984.

He also became the coordinator of SAID-Miriam College Program for the Deaf where he has shared his expertise for four years.

Interpreting for the deaf in a national television program has never been more accurate and pleasant when he started working regularly as an interpreter of Channel 7's Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko for eleven years and News watch, Early Evening Edition, Channel 9. He also graced the 10 th World Youth Day in 1995 by signing for his holiness, Pope John Paul Ii. Because of his wit and his warmth more people sought for him to interpret for the other prominent people of our time like the former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph e. Estrada to mention a few.

He was also invited as panelist and guest speaker in different symposia and enhancement seminars for interpreters at he Guardian Angels Institute of Learning (now Angeli Dei Schools), DLSU-College of St. Benilde, Institute of Social Order, Ateneo De Manila University and Capitol Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. where he generously shared his wisdom and imparted significantly ideas that influenced the growth of sign language interpreting in the Philippines and in the U.S. At present, he is an associate member of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., USA and the Deaf Children's Society of British Columbia, Canada .

This noble man has bagged several important awards like the “Gintong Gabay” Award, where he was recognized for three consecutive years by the Goodwill Industries of the Philippines because of his charitable services for the rehabilitation program for the disabled.

Only a disciplined, goal-oriented and skillful leader like Mr. Alfredo D. Celada, Jr., can bring PAIDE beyond its safe zone and into the future filled with hope for the next line of interpreters. His insight and idealism inspire support from his fellow interpreters to further empower the deaf members of the society through honest and dedicated service. The PAIDE family and his friends from all over the Philippines and other parts of the world are truly grateful for the torch that he has carried in his more than two decades of passionate service in the interpreting field. Mabuhay ka, Sir Jun!

“One must have a keen interest to learn sign language, having in mind the goal to serve the deaf with much patience, dedication, commitment and open-mindedness” – Jun Celada