‘Pinoy Big Brother’: Joaquin Arce opens up about deafness

Joaquin Arce opened up about his deafness on Tuesday’s episode of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0.”

In the episode, the young Kapamilya talent revealed that he was born deaf in his right ear.

“Never ko po naranasan na may dalawa po ‘kong tainga na nakakarinig,” he said in the Confession Room.

However, Joaquin said he looks at his condition “in such a positive light na hindi ko po napansin ‘yung mga negatibong effects.”

Growing up, Joaquin didn’t feel like he had special needs because his parents treated him like he wasn’t deaf."

“They didn’t treat me na kawawa ako,” he said. “They enforced positivity na dahil dito, unique ako.”

According to Joaquin, he thinks of his deafness as a superpower.

“Superpowers are what makes superheroes unique. That’s what makes them superheroes and not normal people.”

With his condition, Joaquin said he makes it a habit to listen more intently to other people.

“I guess I became a good listener because of that,” he said.

Kuya thanked Joaquin for his story. “Hindi ito naging hadlang para maging mabuti kang tao.”

“That’s the first time in my life I heard that Kuya. Maraming salamat po,” Joaquin said.

Kuya added, “I am proud of what you did in your life, at sana sa munti mong kwento ay may ma-inspire ka pang iba. Tulad ko, you inspire me.”

Previously, Joaquin’s stepmom, actress Angel Locsin revealed that he is completely deaf in his right ear. She also continually shows support for her stepson.

“Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0” airs weeknights at 9:40 PM, Saturdays at 6:15 PM, and Sundays at 10:05 PM on GMA Network. — Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News