Pinay teacher sa China, pang-drama series ang buhay

Sa loob ng mahigit isang dekada, ang Filipina educator na si Marianne Lourdes “Mary” M. Leonor ay gumawa ng malalim na epekto bilang isang English-language teacher sa Suizhou City, Hubei Province, China.

Sa pagsasalita sa Pandesal Forum na ginanap sa historic 86-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City, ibinahagi ni Marianne ang kanyang inspiring journey, kalakip ang kanyang mga karanasan sa pagtuturo sa mga estudyanteng Tsino sa kindergarten at grade school at ang kanyang pag-asa para sa mas tumatag ang relasyon ng Pilipinas-China.

Since 2012, nagta-trabaho na siya Suizhou Foreign Language School in Suizhou City—(located just two hours by car or 55 minutes by bullet train from Wuhan).

“My students are incredibly smart and hardwor­king, especially when it comes to their homework,” pagbabahagi niya sa ilang kaharap na entertainment press sa Pandesal Forum last week. “Tea­ching English as a foreign language in China has been both challenging and rewarding. The educational system there is highly efficient and tech-savvy. Schools are paperless, and students are diligent, studying from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. But they also have time for noon naps and extracurricular activities like sports, which keeps them balanced,” chika niya.

At alam na alam daw ng mga estudyante niya na isa siyang Pinay kaya aniya nag-e-effort ang mga ito na matuto ng basic Tagalog words.

Maging sa kulturang Pilipino ay familiar na rin ang kanyang mga estudyante. “They know about talented Filipino entertainers like SB19 and other singers, as well as telenovela actors and actresses. It’s heartwarming to see how connected our cultures are,” rebelasyon niya.

At para sa kanya, kung may gagawing TV drama o pelikula sa kwento ng isang guro, inaasahan niyang maaaring gumanap sina Iza Calzado, Dimples Romana o Mylene Dizon.

At ang sarap ng buhay niya sa China.

Pinuri niya ang cashless lifestyle, affordable fresh vegetables and food, and efficient public transportation, including buses, subways, and bullet trains. “Living there is safe, convenient, and healthy,” sabi pa niya. “I’ve even lost 30 kilos—from 95 to 65—thanks to the fresh, vegetable-rich Chinese diet and regular workouts with my fitness coach!”

At bukod sa malaking suweldo, free housing, free electric bill and Internet, free all food expenses, may allowance pa siya for twice-a-year vacations back to the Philippines. “Throughout my stay, I’ve felt nothing but kindness and friendship. When I tell people I’m from the Philippines, they always res­pond warmly, saying our two nations are traditional friends and brothers,” sabi niya.

As the Philippines and China celebrate the 50th anniversary of their official diplomatic relations this year, Marianne remains hopeful for the future of better bilateral ties.

Bongga siya. Ang suwerte ng mga katulad ni Teacher Marianne na ang sarap ng buhay bilang isang guro.

Naalala ko tuloy ang character ni Marian Rivera sa Balota at ang kabuuan ng kuwento sa nasabing pelikula. Milya-milya ang agwat sa sistema ng pagiging teacher ni Marian at ni Marianne sa China.