‘I now proudly put ‘Deaf’ on my resume’: The story of Cristina Guanzon

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Cristina Guanzon, UI Lead at Product Engineering and Digital Growth, shares about life and work as a deaf person, her first two months at Globe, and her dreams of reshaping the world for others like her.

Everything went silent. I was having a normal day at work when my hearing aid suddenly failed. I felt extremely vulnerable, exposed, and helpless.

Growing up deaf was definitely challenging. Until today, it can be a struggle to understand the world around me and to come to terms with my disability. Often, it’s lonely. 

Going to school was particularly daunting. Aside from the challenge of being deaf in a largely hearing world, there was pressure to excel academically like my siblings and make my parents proud. There was pressure to keep up with and fit in with my peers. I’ve had my share of bullies.

Cristina Guanzon, UI Lead and proudly deaf.

I had to learn to adapt and rely on various methods to get by, from verbal communication and lip-reading to learning to work with assistive tools like my hearing aids or an FM system which worked like a lapel microphone for my teachers to use with me. 

I constantly have to adjust to a world that wouldn’t really do the same. But having a strong support system built by my family and eventually, friends and allies, helped fuel my determination to face each day with courage. I wanted to do what I could to reshape the world for me and others like me.

I was never sure about disclosing my disability as I was scared it would affect my chances of getting employed. This is a sad reality, of course, and I really was rejected many times because of my deafness.

I remember applying for work upon graduating from Industrial Design at the University of Sto. Tomas. I had much anxiety crafting my resume, sending it out, and waiting for responses. I was never sure about disclosing my disability as I was scared it would affect my chances of getting employed. This is a sad reality, of course, and I really was rejected many times because of my deafness. 

Eventually, I landed my first job. I learned a lot and I appreciated the opportunity to prove myself. It opened more doors, and I gained more and more confidence in myself. 

It was in this job that I had a turning point – the moment my hearing aids went silent. The helplessness I felt led me to make a conscious decision to lean into my deafness. I decided to learn sign language and immerse myself more in the deaf community.

Learning sign language and further understanding deaf culture was a journey of profound emotion and discovery. In connecting with other members of the deaf community, I found solace in the fact that I was not alone, gratitude upon realizing that I have a great support system, lightness in finally accepting myself, and a renewed determination to advocate for others like me.

In sign language, you introduce yourself by fingerspelling your name. Can you try?

I no longer hide my disability, rather embracing my deafness and my identity. It took years for me to get here and it will take even more years to make the rest of the world understand. Still, I now proudly put “Deaf” on my resume, and it has led me to even more remarkable opportunities. 

Cristina with her team.

On my first day at Globe as UI Lead, I was upfront about my deafness. I wanted to bring awareness about our community and culture. One of the first things my colleagues asked was how to sign some phrases and that I share my world through sign language classes. I appreciate my colleagues making an effort to sign simple greetings of “good morning” and “thank you” after meetings. They also willingly adjusted their communication methods, like speaking on my stronger side and allowing me to lip-read. Their patience and understanding touched me profoundly, reinforcing my gratitude for their acceptance.

It makes me feel hopeful that people and the world can be more inclusive. It reminds me that we hold the power to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Like any other new job, there was an adjustment phase. It was initially quite challenging, particularly with the bustling environment of Globe. Socializing also plays a significant role especially with the team. Fortunately, we’re equipped with various tools to facilitate collaboration, including Google Chat, online meetings, and emails. The hybrid setup has also been invaluable, allowing us time to recuperate from the intense stimulation of the workplace. 

It makes me feel hopeful that people and the world can be more inclusive. It reminds me that we hold the power to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

It has now been two months since I joined Globe, and while I’m still finding my footing, I’ve established a doable routine. Unlike most who rely on coffee for their morning boost, I kickstart my day by switching on my hearing aids, embracing the chaos of sounds that energize me. 

Every day is an opportunity for improvement with the team. There were some challenging days, but we quickly got to know each other and found the best ways of working together. 

In addition to their dedication to learning sign language, I appreciate that Globe prioritizes mental wellness through initiatives like DUDE check-ins and Thursdays By the Desk (TBD). The company has also been proactive in promoting disability sensitivity by implementing department-wide training sessions. 

Our team recently completed Diversity & Sensitivity Training (DST) last April 24, and the atmosphere was one of attentiveness and inspiration. It allowed us to empathize with and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. It was a refreshing and enlightening experience that reminded us of the importance of empathy and inclusivity in our work.

Cristina's team completing Diversity & Sensitivity Training (DST) last April 24.

As a UI Lead, my deepest desire is to ignite a fire within my team – a passion for painting a bigger, more inclusive picture. I want us all to feel the heartbeat of accessibility, to understand its profound impact on individuals’ lives. It’s more than just pixels and code; it’s about empowering every person every day. I want us to craft digital experiences that become lifelines, making technology a tool that not only assists but uplifts and connects us all on a deeply human level. 

That’s what I’m most excited about at Globe. It gives me the opportunity to create these inclusive spaces. 

My advice for others considering a career at Globe, or anywhere else for that matter: embrace who you are, focus on what you can do, build and keep your support system close, and create your space. As Globe puts it, “Atin ang mundo.” 

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