A Tribute (A message delivered before the HTU Communty on February 3, 2010 during the Personnel's Day, Audi-Gym)

Fetching my son Karl, a grade one pupil, from school yesterday, he told me that teacher's day will be celebrated again today. Mother's reaction? "That couldn't be, i told him. Teacher's day in catholic schools is celebrated every January 28 in honor of St. Thomas Acquinas". And he said, "Sabi ni teacher". Teacher Beth, it is you he was referring to of course. Later, I received a call from Jenina's mother, who is a colleague in the Provincial Government, asking me if I can come and give a tribute during the program for the Personnel's Day celebration today - a confirmation of what Karl earlier said. The lessons I learned from that encounter with my son - (1) He is telling the truth. And that's one value our teachers have taught us - to speak of thruth, of what is true. Veritas as our logo says; (2) It affirms how influential teachers can be in the life of every student under their care.

Sister Carol and the Dominican sisters, faculty and personnel, good morning. Allow me to read to you a poem by an unknown author and which I would like to dedicate to all of you as a tribute:

"Wonderful Teacher"
With a special gift for earning
And with a heart that deeply cares
You add a lot of love
To everything you share
And even though
You mean a lot,
You'll never know how much
For you helped
To change the world
Through every life you touched.
You sparked the creativity
In the students whom you taught,
And help them strive for goals,
That could not be bought,
You are such a special teacher
That no words can truly tell
However much you're valued
For the work you do so well.

Teachers are inevitable part of our lives. They play a significant role in the formative years of our development, in one way or the other. When we are young, our teachers play the role of second parent, taking care of us and showing us the right path to success. When we grow older, they help us achieve our targeted goals and guide us in such a way that life's toughest challenges seem easier to accomplish. They prove to be the moral guide for us. They recognize the talents of their students, sharpen it, and give it the proper shape, which ca prove productive.

For what I am today, I owe it much to my former teachers and I convey my appreciation for their contribution, dedication and devotion. They had helped in my development as a child, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. They had helped me expand my horizons and encouraged me to explore my potentials to the maximum possible extent. And as my age progressed, I came out of their shadows, but their footprints remain etched in my life paths. Many of you have seen me from my elementary, high school up to college days. I think, even until when I get married. And I am truly grateful.

May I read to you another poem by Joanna Fuchs entitled "A Teacher for All Seasons", to describe you, teachers:
A teacher is like a Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.
A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.
A teacher is like a Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.
A teacher is like Winter,
While it's snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.
Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You're a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude.

I see today familiar faces - the personnel whom I had been constantly in contact with during my school days especially those from the library; my mother's contemporaries who have been teaching for more than thirty years and who really deserve lifetime praises for touching the lives of all those students who had been under their care; My Grade II teacher, Teacher Ave. I give to you same love as your pupils now just did; my teachers in High School, Mam Belen Operiano and Mam Malou Ismael; my college professors, Dr. Nel among them; my former colleagues in the teaching profession. I salute you for really loving this noble profession. In teaching it is said that you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so maybe for ten, twenty years or more. For students, there may be good, better, best or even worst teachers. To choose the special teacher or the best becomes subjective. But somehow, I know each of our teachers have a special spot in our heart. You'll appreciate better when you're already out there in your chosen field of career, soaring with your own wings. When you're boiling water, you'll remember your chemistry teacher saying there's only one boiling point of water. When you're teaching your child the arithmetic, you'll remember your math teacher saying 1 + 1= 2 or your algebra teacher when explaining the Pythagorean theorem to them. You will always remember your teachers, I know. You will always do. And it seems to me that the greatest reward they have is to see every student that come their way successful.

A mere thank you may not be enough but nonetheless, I would like to say again, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you, my heart has no bottom. As Alexander the Great said, "I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well". To all of you, thank you for your time, for your love, most of all, for your life. Good day!