Quick Information On Roselle Ambubuyog Biography
| Name | Roselle Rodriguez Ambubuyog (Maria Gennett Roselle Rodriguez Ambubuyog) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1980 |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, Ateneo de Manila University |
| Birth Place | Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Known For | First blind Filipina to graduate summa cum laude at Ateneo |
| Occupation | Product & Support Manager, Advocate for the Visually Impaired |
| Notable Achievements | Jose Rizal Model Student Award, BPI Science Award, Various Scholastic and Humanitarian Awards |
| Eye Condition | Blind since age six due to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) |
Early Life and Family Background
Roselle Rodriguez Ambubuyog was born on January 12, 1980, to Gemme Fonte Ambubuyog from Pandan, Antique, and Deannah Ballesteros Rodriguez from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. She grew up as the youngest of four children, and was raised in a devout Roman Catholic household in Metro Manila. At the tender age of six, her life took an unexpected turn when she lost her eyesight due to a severe reaction to over-the-counter medication prescribed for asthma.
This adverse reaction, later identified as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) – a severe form of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) – caused extensive damage to her corneas and tear ducts.
Despite this life-altering condition, Roselle’s family provided immense support, helping her navigate her new reality. Her brothers played a crucial role by reading books to her, as she gradually adapted to her blindness. Her resilience and determination became evident early on.
Roselle Ambubuyog Date Of Birth & Age
Roselle Rodriguez Ambubuyog was born on the 12th of January, 1980, which makes her 44 years old as of 2024.
Roselle Ambubuyog Parents
Roselle father name is Gemme Fonte Ambubuyog, while the mother name is Deannah Ballesteros Rodriguez
Roselle Ambubuyog Birth Place
Roselle Ambubuyog was born in Metro Manila, Philippine.
Roselle Ambubuyog Educational Achievements
Roselle’s academic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Although blind, she excelled in every stage of her education, graduating as the valedictorian in all her schools: Holy Infant Montessori School in 1986, Batino Elementary School in 1993, and Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila in 1997.
Roselle’s educational accomplishments reached their peak when she attended Ateneo de Manila University, one of the Philippines’ most prestigious institutions. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a minor in Actuarial Science, graduating summa cum laude in 2001. Her graduation marked her as the first visually impaired Filipina to receive this honor. To assist her in her studies, Ateneo equipped her with cutting-edge Braille translation software, a Braille printer, and a talking calculator, ensuring her success in a sighted environment.
Career and Advocacy
Roselle’s professional career is as inspiring as her academic journey. She began working as a Consultant-Contractor for Human-Computer Interaction at Freedom Scientific, a company in Florida, USA, that develops technology for people with visual impairments. She also collaborated with Serotek Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to provide accessible systems for over 800,000 visually impaired individuals in the Philippines.
Currently, Roselle serves as the Product & Support Manager at Code Factory, a global leader in screen-reading, magnification, and Braille access solutions for mobile devices. She has been instrumental in developing accessibility technologies that help visually impaired individuals navigate modern technology, further advocating for the disabled community worldwide.
Roselle Ambubuyog Personal Challenges and Triumphs
Roselle’s life is a testament to overcoming adversity. Losing her sight at such a young age was difficult, but she embraced the challenge with courage and determination. She experienced discrimination in her early school years due to her blindness but used these experiences as fuel to excel. Her ability to focus on her strengths, rather than her limitations, is one of the cornerstones of her success.
Roselle’s story was catapulted to greater heights when she was invited to speak at Kerygma Conference 2012, where she captivated an audience of 15,000 people. Her eloquence and positivity left a lasting impression, leading to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Roselle Ambubuyog Advocacy for the Blind Community
Roselle is deeply involved in advocacy work for the visually impaired. She is part of the Asian Center for Trainers and Speakers (ACTS) and has worked on several projects to provide hardware and software donations to blind communities in the Philippines. One of her most notable efforts is “Project Roselle,” a program aimed at improving the accessibility of education for visually impaired students.
Through her advocacy, Roselle has shown that blindness is not a limitation but a challenge to be met with creativity and perseverance. Her work in technology, particularly in developing screen-reading software and Braille systems, has revolutionized the lives of many blind and partially sighted individuals.
Roselle Ambubuyog Notable Achievements
Roselle’s accomplishments extend far beyond her academic success:
- First visually impaired student to achieve a perfect score in Math on the Ateneo College Entrance Test
- Recipient of the President’s Award for Service and Excellence
- Awarded the St. Ignatius Award for Outstanding Scholar
- Received the Jose Rizal Model Student award from the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council
- Recognized with science awards from the Bank of the Philippine Islands
- Named one of the “Everyday Heroes” by Reader’s Digest Asia in 1998 and 2004
Frequently Asked Questions On Roselle Ambubuyog Biography
Who is Roselle Ambubuyog?
Roselle Ambubuyog is the first visually-impaired Filipina to graduate summa cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2001. She is known for her remarkable academic achievements and contributions to technology for the visually impaired.
When was Roselle Ambubuyog born?
Roselle Ambubuyog was born on January 12, 1980.
How did Roselle Ambubuyog lose her eyesight?
Roselle lost her eyesight at the age of six due to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and severe immune system reaction caused by medication. This condition led to damaged corneas and lacrimal glands, resulting in permanent blindness.
What are Roselle Ambubuyog’s educational achievements?
Roselle consistently graduated as a valedictorian in her primary, secondary, and tertiary education. She graduated summa cum laude from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Actuarial Science.
What software was used to assist Roselle in her studies at Ateneo de Manila University?
To accommodate her visual impairment, Ateneo de Manila University provided Roselle with a Braille translation software that converts scanned text into Braille format. They also provided her with a Braille printer and a talking calculator.
What awards has Roselle Ambubuyog received?
Roselle has received numerous awards, including:
- Jose Rizal Model Student Award from the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council.
- President’s Award for Service and Excellence from Ateneo.
- St. Ignatius Award for Outstanding Scholar from Ateneo.
- Science award from Bank of the Philippine Islands.
What are some of Roselle Ambubuyog’s contributions to technology for the blind?
Roselle has worked as a Human-Computer Interaction Consultant for Freedom Scientific, Inc. and Serotek Corporation, developing accessibility solutions for people with visual impairments. She is currently the Product & Support Manager at Code Factory, a company specializing in screen-reading and Braille access solutions for mobile devices.
What was Roselle Ambubuyog’s motivation to pursue education despite her blindness?
Roselle’s determination to overcome her disability and excel in her studies was driven by her passion for mathematics and her belief that her blindness should not limit her potential. She also wanted to inspire others facing similar challenges.
How has Roselle Ambubuyog impacted the visually impaired community in the Philippines?
Roselle has been involved in various advocacy projects aimed at improving accessibility for the blind. She has donated software and hardware for visually impaired individuals across the Philippines and has helped raise awareness about blindness and its challenges.
What is Roselle Ambubuyog doing today?
As of now, Roselle Ambubuyog works as the Product & Support Manager for Code Factory, a company based in Barcelona, Spain. She continues to be involved in advocacy work and technological development for people with visual impairments.
Has Roselle Ambubuyog delivered public speeches?
Yes, Roselle is a renowned speaker who has delivered inspirational speeches to large audiences, including a notable speech at the Kerygma Conference 2012 in front of 15,000 people. Her speeches often focus on overcoming adversity and finding strength through faith and determination.
What philosophy does Roselle Ambubuyog live by?
Roselle’s guiding principle is that weaknesses can be turned into strengths through determination and God’s grace. She believes that her achievements are a testament to overcoming personal limitations with divine help.
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