Justice Warrior: John Paul Ecarma Maunes

As the founder and current executive director of the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS), John Paul Ecarma Maunes has long been known as a champion for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) rights in the Philippines. In fact, he is a “multi-awarded advocate [who] has volunteered in all areas where he may mainstream the inclusion of PWDs in all aspects of society”—from advancing Filipino Sign Language (FSL), to pushing for anti-discrimination ordinances in his hometown of Cebu; from advocating for PWD participation and access to sports, to mentoring NGOs and working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to combat sexual abuse of the deaf, as well as partnering with ABS-CBN—one of the biggest local television broadcast network in the Philippines—to promote deaf-friendly newscasts. His main inspiration? His deaf best friend, Peter Paul who was said to have taught him the basics of sign language and the culture of the deaf community. Although Peter passed away almost 15 years ago in an accident, his legacy continues to live on in the hearts of many, including that of Maunes’s.