Listening beyond sound: Joaquin Arce on growing up deaf in one ear

In a quiet, deeply personal heart-to-heart with Kuya, PBB housemate Joaquin Arce opened a part of himself he had long carried with quiet strength: his experience of being deaf in one ear. What could have been a lifelong burden, he transformed into a source of character, resilience, and empathy.

Joaquin shared that he has lived his entire life hearing from only one side.

“Pinanganak po akong bingi sa kanan kong tenga, never ko po naranasan na may dalawa akong tenga na nakakarinig (I was born deaf in my right ear; I’ve never experienced having both ears able to hear)." There was no moment of adjustment, no before-and-after—just the reality he grew up with.

Yet rather than allowing this difference to make him feel limited, Joaquin said he was raised in an environment where love and affirmation prevailed.

“But my entire life, I’ve been looking at it at such a positive light. Nung lumalaki po ako, hindi ko po naramdam na may special needs po ako kasi yung mga magulang po they treated me like I wasn’t deaf, they didn’t treat me na kawawa ako (When I was growing up, I didn’t feel like I had special needs because my parents treated me as if I wasn’t deaf — they never made me feel pitiful)," he said.

His parents’ approach shaped his self-perception. They didn’t shelter him or paint his condition as a weakness. Instead, they instilled in him a sense of uniqueness—an inner confidence that allowed him to see his world through gratitude rather than loss.

“They enforced positivity na unique ako,” he shared.

This mindset eventually became one of Joaquin’s greatest strengths inside and outside the house.

“At dahil po dito I make it a habit ang pakikinig sa mga tao. Para marinig ko lahat ng sinasabi (And because of this, I’ve made it a habit to really listen to people — so I can hear everything they say)," he said. Continuing, "I guess I became a good listener because of that.”

In a space known for challenges, pressure, and emotional vulnerability, Joaquin’s story stands out not because of adversity—but because of the grace with which he carries it. His message is a reminder that limitations do not define a person; attitude does. His story is also a testament to how the right support system, especially at home, can transform what others might see as a disability into a wellspring of strength.

Through this intimate exchange, Joaquin shows the nation that listening isn’t just about hearing—it’s about intention, presence, and heart.