HEATHER WHITESTONE-McCALLUM
MS. AMERICA 1995
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.PHILIPPINE
VISIT
March 18 - 21, 1997
Here are some of what leading newspapers in the
Philippines said about the only deaf who ever won the Ms. America title.
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"She is not flashy like Thalia
but Ms. America 1995 Heather Whitestone will definitely sweep the Filipinos
off their feet not only with her beauty but also with her compassion for
the handicapped."
- Pam Samia, Peoples Journal
"Heather Whitestone may be deaf,
but this does not stop her from pursuing her biggest dreams."
- Manila Bulletin
"Ms. America 1995 Heather Whitestone
planed last night and urged Filipinos with hearing impairments to adopt
a positive attitude to overcome their handicap."
- Ben Malumay, Peoples Tonight
MCCID
shares its great pride and honor by making this special web page dedicated
to this fascinating yet humble Christian lady who captivated both our eyes
and our hearts, Ms. Heather Whitestone-McCallum.
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Heather flashes the I Love You in sign language
to the reporters during a press conference together with Philippine Institute
for the Deaf Executive Director and "Double Heather Show" organizer, Ms.
Julie Esguerra upon her arrival at the NAIA VIP Lounge. (Tuesday, March
18, 9:15 pm)
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(Left)-Reporters covering the Ms. America visit.
(Right)- Heather with her very loving Christian husband, John McCallum.
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Heather shares lighter moments with Ms. Esguerra,
Senator Alvarez' wife and one of "Double Heather" sponsors, Ms. Cecile
Guidote-Alvarez and MCCID Training Director and her personal interpreter,
Jojo Esposa Jr.
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(Left)- Heather poses with her interpreter
inside her Holiday Inn Hotel suite.
(Right)-Ms. Carol Cordero, PID Board Director
and MCCID Trustee Officer poses with Ms. America. Carol, also a hearing
impaired, accompanied Heather during her stay here.
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Ms. Whitestone-McCallum together with husband
John are all smiles looking at the parents and deaf students at Philippine
Institute for the Deaf. (Wednesday, March 19, 10:00 am)
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(Left)-Heather answers one of the questions
of a parent during a mini-conference at PID grounds. (Right)-Ms. America
looks intently at the interpreter while John and one of PID student listen.
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Ms. Whitestone emphasizes on something while
some MCCID students (in white uniform) and PID parents look on.
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Heather exchanges pleasantries with Manila
Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, one of PID Board of Directors during her courtesy
call at City Hall. (Wednesday, March 19, 11:30 am)
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Ms. America receives the ceremonial Key to
the City of Manila from Mayor Lim.
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(Left)-Heather addresses the City Hall employees.
(Right)-Mayor Lim jokes about his love for beauty eventhough beauty doesn't
love him.
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Ms. Whitestone explains how she overcame her
disability during her television interview at "Dong Puno Live", one of
the popular talk shows in Philippines. (Wednesday, March 19, 11:30 pm.)
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.(Sorry, no photos during
her "Double Heather Concert" at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
Little Theater on March 20 and 21. We were not allowed to bring our videocam
and cameras inside the theater. Try the PID web site.)
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MS. AMERICA 1995, Heather Whitestone-McCallum
- - Jojo's Personal Annotation
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As her sign language interpreter during her four-day visit in Manila, I
had a chance to be with her on a personal basis. At first, I was very much
scared because I haven't had any experience with American Sign Language
before and with MS. AMERICA!!! WOW!!! I learned from Julie that Heather
is an oralist. How will I sign to an oralist? I'm a pure Philippine Sign
Language interpreter. When I saw her enter the VIP Lounge, I was the first
one who shook hands with her. I was enthralled by her beauty. I even signed
"Good Afternoon" at 9:30 pm!! How embarrassing!!! When I start to sign
to her during the press conference, I did not mouth the words. I learned
later that she needs to read people's lips in order to understand them.
So I changed my method. A big shift for me but it was worth it. I began
to make contact with her.
What really bothered me most is her very beautiful eyes. We were having
an eye-to-eye contact and at times I feel mersmerized everytime I look
at her. Sometimes I forgot what I am signing and just feel awed by her
charming eyes!!!
I had a chance to talk with the McCallum couple inside the van while waiting
for her call. I learned that they are very wonderful and faithful Christian
couple. They shared with me about how the Lord Jesus Christ changed their
lives. I also told them about my burdens with the hearing impaired. John
comes from a family of Baptist pastors and both of them faithfully attend
a Christian church at Georgia. Heather also comes from a Christian family.
All of us love Sandi Patti and her inspiring Christian songs. I remember
John hoping for some kind of a Christian mission where Pastors and Christian
artists from USA come to the Philippines and hold a revival concert and
evangelism.
It was such a wonderful experience for me. I pray to God that they stay
as faithful and as wonderful as they are. I hope that I may see them again
next time but I would definitely see them when we all go to heaven and
meet our Savior and Lord, Kristo Hesus.
Special Thanks to:
Philippine Institute for the Deaf
c/o Ms. Julie Esguerra - Executive
Director
.You
can write personally to Ms. Heather Whitestone at
1663 Prince Street
Alexandra, VA 22314
703.684.0555
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