TRIBUTE PICTORIAL/ARTICLE Many teachers made significant contribution(s) in our lives. A few of them are now gone but many others are still with us albeit the long physical and time distances that separate us. Contributions were given in many ways--from making us feel valued to making sure that we are challenged by "picking" on us to answer a question in front of the whole class when they knew by our fidgetting that we obviously came ill prepared.
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There is a quote by Henry Adams that states: "A teacher affects eternity; she (it can also be a he) can never tell where her influence stops." I believe in the connectivity of things. We are who we have become because of the many people who somehow touched our lives. For four years at the Meycauayan Institute, many teachers guided and influenced us. In our youth, we may not have fully realized just how much their teachings had shaped us. Maybe now, we can begin to say in gratitude, thank you! Following are some of our tributes. Edgar Gonzales shared his regret of having made a comment to Mrs. Agripina Bernardo, our World and Oriental History teacher. He wrote in an essay before the year was over that he was faking interest and that Oriental History was just another subject to study. Meant or not at the time, Edgar thought he unnecesarily hurt Mrs. Bernardo's pride. In a passionate speech he delivered not too long ago, he used a quote "the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome," learned from one of the many lessons imparted by Mrs. Bernardo. In doing so and while in the midst of receiving a standing ovation, Edgar silently made an act of contrition acknowledging the difference Mrs. Bernardo made in his life. As we looked back, we all felt that Ms. Mahinhin Roberto along with other good but strict teachers "terrorized" us. We failed to realize that her and others high expectations of us merely manifested a belief in our capabilities. Because we were young we would have preferred the easy way. We just wanted to rock along. The "terror" teachers pushed our limits, stretching us in ways we were not familiar with. They scared us a bit. Why did they have to use the "tough love" approach? There were appropriate moments, however, when our teachers used a soft and gentle touch. Especially during times when we felt most vulnerable. In our yearbook, The Bamboo, there was a picture of Mrs. Ocampo pinning a medal on Edgar. At least once, she made sure Edgar did not miss enrollment. She ensured that lack of money was not going to be an issue. On another occasion, an assistant librarianship position was created just so Edgar can have a job to give him some financial support while attending college at night. Along with Mrs. Ocampo, many cared. They made sure the Board of Directors did not have a choice but to say yes to the new-fangled position. For me, Mr. Herminio Rubio is the teacher I
remember who first recognized the "orator" in me. I
did not even know I had that talent but somehow Mr. Rubio did.
Matter of factly, he told me one day that he was entering my name
in the declamation contest. He told me I had two weeks to practice
and practice I did. Just because he thought I could do it--I did
and won, many times over. Delfin remembers Ms. Isabelita Quiambao in our
third year. He was with section A2 and the English and Literature
instructor was Miss Priscila Eugenio.He was to present a play
in class and his role was that of Sganarelle,a drunkard shylock.
He would be staggering drunk,holding a bottle and singing a drunkard's
song. The problem was that he did not have a tune. The day before
the presentation, he chanced upon Miss Quiambao in the hallway
and asked her if she can please him find a tune for his song.
Even though she was going to her next class, she stayed with Delfin
for a while and in no time was singing the song to the tune of
Elvis Presley's and Connie Francis' song "Love Me Tender".
The following is an article written by Edgar Gonzales as a tribute to Ms. Teodora Belza. go to top A Dream and a Prayer - Isang Pangarap
at Dalangin go to top
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| We have reproduced here the letters sent by Edgar Speedy Gonzales and Evelyn Gregorio for Mrs Bernardo and Ms. Roberto.go to top Dear Mrs. Bernardo & Miss Roberto, go to top |
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Here is a letter prepared by Evelyn Gregorio for Ms. Roberto and Mrs. Bernardo go to top Dear Ms. Roberto and Mrs. Bernardo, The salutation is how I remember calling the two of you during my fourth year in MI. And if you notice too, I remember your full names!!! In high school, some of us call you "terrors" Not that you are frightening re your looks etc. but we were frightened that we (especially me)won't measure up to your standards and you without qualms will tell us in our face "What are you doing in Section A" or similar statements. But this fear had really made us work harder and develop our potentials. I am a teacher now and sorry, I have been flagirizing
your techniques since I started teaching honors classes here in
Massachusetts. In times of discontent of what I get as an answer
I say" Are you sure you are in the correct class (honors)?".
I learned and had developed my knowledge of English grammar by way
of Ms. Roberto and another teacher from La Union. And I always tell
my students that "My accent may not be as good as yours but
my undesrstanding of the language is 99%!!!"( the one percent
being their slang) Thanks to you Ms. Roberto!!! I am a Math teacher
and people are surprised that my English is quite good, they say
unusual. And to you Mrs. Bernardo, you made learning History very interesting and challenging to me. I do not know but there are several instances when the topic requires more than dates, names and places; you more often than not called me to answer. Did you know instinctively that I hate memory work!! But I remember those proud moments of my young life with your famous HMM and a nod to my answers!! In conclusion "My dear Terror " of teachers I am forever in your debt for teaching us right and pulling from us the hidden talents/ablities that only you can get out of us!!! I hope to be remembered like you terribly frightening in their strictness and high standards , yet teachers from whom I really learned a lot!! Thank you so much and see the fruit of your labors in us, the eloquence by which we tackle our assignments, the high quality of work you expected from us class 1965 Section A!!! Look for us in our website "www.mi65.org" and share us what happened since we last saw you in May 1965!! I remain grateful forever, P.S. Up till I learned that thinking faster than talking is a disability, I was still devastated why I did not get the part of "Dayang" in one of the plays of the Pen Mouth Playhouse Club. Sabi ni Miss Roberto para raw akong express train. Kasi po mam pag binagalan ko ang salita ko iba na ang lalabas sa bibig ko. I have to run after my thoughts. My mouth is now in step with my brains, due to my ripe age of 57/58 my brains naturally slows down but my mouth did not falter (yet) LOL . Kaya mam pag meron kayong play can I audition again please!!! Thank you! Thank you for being you!! go to top |
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Tribute|
Pictorial1965 |
Pictorial Current I | Pictorial
Current II |
ARTICLE: Ms. Teodora
Belza| Mrs. Bernardo and Ms. Roberto