Teachers
I owe it all to my teachers. Well, not really all because my family was also a significant part of my being molded into an adult and a professional.
But whenever I am confronted with difficult choices in life, I imagine myself traveling through time to relive those classroom encounters meant to prepare us students to become good adults.
Judging from some of our teachers' demeanor, it later became apparent that their generation went through a tough time that they so desperately wanted to steer our generation toward a better one.
That brings me back to 1984, inside a classroom at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion along Gorordo Avenue. Miss M was a strict teacher but I didn't know until that day that she could also wax political in her sermons.
You're all expected to behave properly at all times, she sternly reminded our erstwhile disorderly bunch. "No one is exempted even if you're the daughter or son of Marcos!" Like I said it was 1984, even Grade 2 students were not spared from talks at home and in school about the notoriety of Marcos and his cronies. An anti-Marcos mood pervaded Cebu that time.
Mrs. Cruz was a pleasant contrast to the uncompromising middle-aged spinster Miss M. One day Mrs. Cruz brought the class outside to identify the types of clouds based on their shape in the sky. It was a simple science exercise but one that is etched in my memory. I guess it was the care that such a motherly figure took in patently pointing out the different cloud formations to a bunch of hyperactive eight-year old kids that struck a chord in my heart and mind.
In their own contrasting ways both Miss M and Mrs. Cruz taught us the virtues of discipline, integrity, and fortitude. I could mention a few more like them: Miss Angulo, Miss Gonzaga, Miss Ranili, Miss Lozano. They were my elementary school teachers and obviously I have not kept track of where they are now. I hope they have aged gracefully and are still enjoying their retirement years.
My high school teachers are remembered and appreciated as much. But unlike our elementary school teachers, we still get in touch with our high school teachers from time to time. Last Sunday I learned of the sad news of the passing of Madam Josefina "Pinit" Carvajal. She fought well but succumbed to the big C.
Madam Pinit was our biology teacher at UP High School in Cebu. Memorable times with her include dissecting a frog so we can see and explore the various parts of an animal's anatomy. Be gentle and show respect to the procedure, she would remind us.
She honed our intellect by telling us that biology is no walk in the park but she will be there to guide us through the labyrinth of the science of life. We were on our own but she showed us that there is a system to understand the lesson and get things done.
Thank you Madam Pinit! You and many other teachers who have already passed on or are now in their retirement years have raised a generation whom you had prepared to accomplish the task of nation-building through discipline, integrity, fortitude, and a respect for the scientific method.
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