Waving a magic wand

Remembering Laura “Lullah” Quiambao as our benevolent English literature teacher brings tears of joy to my eyes. In 1969-1970, I was a lost and awkward 14-year-old high school senior at the Holy Family Academy in Angeles City. I had a bad case of inferiority complex. I do not know what magic wand Miss Quiambao waved that caused an intellectual awakening and led us to the garden of knowledge. Believing in our potential, she encouraged us to write. Exploring our delights, doubts and dreams, our young minds bloomed. I became an enthusiastic student and buckled down to serious work. Within four months, I was on the honors list. With my love for literature awakened, I became a writer. Miss Quiambao, now Mrs. Del Rosario, is currently our ambassador to Vietnam. In June, she opened her own school in Angeles City, the Pax et Lumen Academy.

—Malu T. Gueco

Life’s truths

JUST before the end of my sophomore year in high school, I signed up for our school’s Religion Extension Class (REC). Hansel Gineta – Sir G – was our teacher, assigned to bring 41 idealistic girls out into the streets of Manila and teach them the way of life for most Filipinos, molding us into socially aware and responsible citizens. We met people who opened our eyes to inequality and poverty. It was 12 years ago when I first met the teacher who gave our class a deeper appreciation of life.

—Pamela Erika A. Meriales

Beloved ‘monsters’

Professors Nerissa Tantengco, Zenaida Q. Reyes, Felice Yeban, and Bumanglag-Ruscoe were known as the monsters of the Department of Social Science in PNU. Although they made my student life difficult, I’m very grateful to them. Without their guidance, perhaps I will be a half-baked educator today.
—Gil Jaradal, teacher, Batasan Hills National High School

Molded by artists

In my four years in the high school department of the School of the Holy Spirit in Quezon City, I discovered a nobler embodiment of the title “artist.” My teachers transformed me into a young woman I could be proud of, held my inexperienced hand as I put my dreams on canvas and tried to turn them into reality. Thank you, Miss Cruz, Miss Mendoza, Miss Suva, Miss Sabordo, Miss Bernardino, Miss Del Mundo, Miss Canivel, Miss Benitez, Miss Malayas, Miss Aniago, Miss Osila, Miss Acasio, Miss Torralba, Sir Flores, Sir Peñefiel, Miss Santos, Miss Abreu, Miss Pedrosa, Miss Ticman, Miss Pineda, and Miss Dioquino, and everyone from SHS, QC.

—Tamara Janelle Anonuevo- Subido, BS Psychology, Miriam College

Gentle facilitator

Professor Miriam Ugaddan or Teacher Nam told us she was just a facilitator but she could not facilitate if we would not contribute anything. She made us realize that everyone was unique and had special ways of learning. Her love for God was what I admired most. I have been a preschool teacher for 17 years. Teacher Nam is my role model. I am thankful for the training I got from her.

—Paulette D. Aquino, UP BS Family Life and Child Development

Words of praise

Mellissa R. Espiritu, my high school English teacher, is now the principal of my alma mater, Veritas Parochial School. Miss Millette encouraged me to write more and head the school paper staff. Her words of praise helped aspiring writers to come out of their shell. With her encouragement, I earned a leadership award on graduation day.

—Marika Vianna Q. Bernardo, Systems Specialist, Cornersteel Systems Corp.

Teacher as artist

Dr. Leonisa C. dela Rosario said, “A teacher is an artist, who builds beyond the wisdom, values and skills of the students.” These words from a professor at the National Teachers College taught me how important teaching was. I have had my frustrations in my chosen profession but her example helped. What I like most about her is her personality. You might find it hard to believe she is the dean of instruction because of her down-to-earth image. Her smile can make your day better. I never saw her angry or in a bad mood. Doctor Dela Rosario is an inspiration to me.

—Ma. Theresa C. Aquino, 3rd year, BEEd (Eced), NTC

Not just teachers

Two teachers of the Southern Iloilo Polytechnic College (SIPC) acted as my second parents, giving me the confidence to stand on my own and accept my mistakes. Shirley Frigillano, Ma’am She to her students, was my teacher on my second year at SIPC. She was like a second mother to me. When I almost quit my studies because of family problems, she told me not to give up and to learn to forgive and forget. Herminia Falsario, who taught me when I was in first year, made me a more diligent and determined student. She constantly reminded us of the things we needed to succeed and told us to live up to our full potential.
—Rovia S. Tutana, BSEd English IV-A, SIPC-WVCST Miagao Campus

Unforgettable

At first, I thought Manilyn Nicomedes was very strict. But I was mistaken. She was a disciplinarian who did not like her students to go wrong. And she practiced what she preached. She was not only a teacher but a good friend. The gloomy classroom came alive with her. I became more interested in science, a subject that I used to find boring. But, though we considered her a friend, we always treated her with respect. She inspired us to learn more. Thank you, Ma’am Manilyn. You left many beautiful memories in my heart.

—Marie Bernadette B. Balaguer, IV-SS1, Victorino Mapa High School

Building mansions

Professor Anita Bellosillo said, “If you want to get rich, don’t go into teaching; if you want to build unseen mansions by all means teach.” In her Literary Criticism class at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Ma’am Bellosillo taught us the real essence of beauty and life’s simplicity. I admired her love of teaching. Through her, I found that indeed teaching was a noble profession. I have been a teacher for 14 years now and being part of my students’ lives makes life worth living.

—Shirley Recodo de Los Reyes, Teacher 1 (SEF), Bo. Obrero National High School, Bo. Obrero, Iloilo City

A whole new world

Doctor Jovita H. Orara, who taught our class in Literary Criticism three years ago, always surprises people when they learn she is over 80. She remains physically fit, has a sharp memory, can make the most of her phone’s unlimited texting capability and, above all, performs well her duties and obligations as a teacher. Her dedication to and passion for teaching are unquestionable. She is rarely absent even though she has to travel from UP Diliman to Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. in Bulacan. With her guidance, I learned to think outside the box and see the world from different perspectives. She let me see what I was capable of. I admire her strong personality and positive disposition. Dr. Orara is a constant stream of wisdom.

—Mae O. Concepcion, Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc., Bulacan

Teacher as mother

Maria Theresa Subala was my English teacher and class adviser in Grade I. She was a kind woman with a warm smile and a gentle voice. When I wrote a short poem about our new laptop at home, Miss Subala told me, “Let’s send this to The Judenites!” I was surprised that she wanted to submit my silly rhyme about “my computer called Homer” to the school publication. The poem did not see print but Miss Subala encouraged me to write more, saying I had great potentials waiting to be revealed. Miss Subala was more than my English teacher. She was like a mother to me. I will forever be indebted to and will never forget Miss Subala, who made me realize my capabilities.

—Herschel Tan, a graduate of Saint Jude Catholic School, is a BS Accountancy major at the University of Santo Tomas.

Reading is fun

One person who changed my life was Mrs. Ferrer, a reading teacher. My older brother and sister were also her students and both of them only had nice things to say about her. Fair and fun described her classes. At the end of the semester, for instance, we had long quizzes and what I called a “book rave.” She would bring books from the library and we raced each other to get the book we wanted to read. Mrs. Ferrer let us read for a while then she asked us to summarize what we had read, which always left me tongue-tied. Other English teachers did not challenge me as much as Mrs. Ferrer did that sometimes I felt my passion for English literature slipping away. From Mrs. Ferrer I developed the ability to think fast and always be prepared, skills I find useful until now.

—A.A. Lao

A true bridge

After battling cancer valiantly for more than 10 years, my beloved teacher passed away in 2001. Up to the last moment, his overriding concern was the welfare of others. He stressed that “teaching the children well is what matters. All the rest are just secondary concerns.” Fondly called Ty Sian (Teacher Ty) by students and colleagues, he embraced the Catholic faith a few days before he died and was baptized Jose Maria Ty Eng Liong. My son Nathan Joshua wrote a letter after Ty Sian passed away, thanking him for all the things he did and saying the late teacher would always have a place in his students’ hearts. Nikos Kazantzakis said teachers used themselves as bridges, over which they invited students to cross. My Teacher Ty was one such bridge.

—Nellie Sonido Feng

My role model

Doctor Napoleon Hill’s principle of success is to be productive in every field. He stressed the importance of know-how: Teach a man to fish and he lives forever. A great teacher shows how to harness talent and overcome challenges and difficulties. A positive mental attitude guides my everyday life. Napoleon Hill was my teacher, coach, inspiration, role model.

—Jayson R. Biadog, 4 Mariveles St., Mandaluyong City