MSS Palaro 2009 made me reminisce

Ana, a co-teacher at MSS way back '97 came to school and invited me to judge the Literary competitions for the MSS 2009 Palaro. Earlier, she was trying to contact me but she was using the number of my phone that got lost. Anyway, I told her I'd come.

Last Friday, October 23, I entered back to MSS. I saw students playing ball games, some just roaming around. I was right away reminded of my stay at Spinola. When I got to the lobby, I recalled the times when I talked with my students there. I was told that Sr. Myrna was upstairs and the contest would be at the HE Room. Sr. Myrna has been a long-time close friend. She happily welcomed me.

As the contest progressed, I remembered what happened in the past - the moments when I was there at the school. The students were as talented as in the past. I was truly reminiscing the old times!

Dada and I at a Contest

Yesterday, there was a contest in our school. It so happened that my student before at Spinola School, Idalyn Lutero, was there to coach for a spelling bee, which would also be participated by my contestants, whom I was also coaching.

It was somewhat new to feel something, that your student before is in a contest, with both of you involved. During the course of the contest, I couldn't help but confront with what I was feeling. Well, the contest was truly not a big deal as it would spend time that should have been for teaching tasks. And so I just realized, that aside from really growing older (O yes, I accept it!), it is also heartwarming to see my students joining in the circle where I belong. I have been always feeling the fulfillment to have seen my students succeed. Idalyn, or Dada as we fondly call her, is certainly one of those I am so proud of. Looking back at MSS, Dada was one of the students who were excelling. I know that as she continues with her journey in the DepEd, she would sooner reap the sweet fruits of her labor.

All the best in life Da!

Ellan Jasper's Home!

Last month, while I was at WMSU, I got a text from Ellan, one of the pioneering students of MSS. He just arrived from abroad and he worked there as a seaman. After the end of my class, I proceeded to where he was. He was on a drinking spree with his batch, who were also my students at Spinola.

As we were talking, he happily showed me his cellphone pictures while abroad. He has traveled like all over the globe. The places he visited were truly amazing. Ellan has gained a lot of weight, but he still has been a student that I used to know of. Our meeting there near UZ with his batch was just like a day that came after yesterday - their high school moments at Spinola.

He will be back abroad sometime at the end of this month. Way to go, Ellan!

Butch, once a student, now a co-teacher

Ralph Magbanua he is. He's one of the very first students in a science class that I taught at MSS. I could still remember the "eagerness to learn" of the little boy that he was during our classes. During his second year, I taught the class where he belonged English lesson. I wasn't assigned to their class when they were in third year.

Now, he is a civil engineer and, a co-teacher at WMSU-Ipil ESU. I was so glad to have known that he would be teaching in the campus. I have been proudly telling my students at WMSU that once, Butch was one of my brightest students!

wow wowie!

Wowie or Rowel Torralba, was one of my interesting students at MSS. Just last Saturday night, I met him at the Ipil Plaza. One of my friends told him that I was at the park, so he came to see me. Yesterday at the Palid Beach, while we (my students at WMSU-Ipil) were preparing our food (we were having a party), I saw Wowie washing something (I thought it was fish) at the shoreline. Soon enough I called him up and he approached me. He invited me for a drink with his Uncle and cousin.

Looking back, Rowel was like a kuya to his classmates. One thing that I would remember about him is his skill in guitar playing. He even composed a song for Mama Mary and his batch sang it during their graduation. Wowie got a friend "Puti" or Marvin whose foster parents were also close to Rowel. He called Marvin's mother "mama" and later I caller in the same manner. Marvin's house at Palid made me often go to Palid with Wowie. One time, we were sailing on a small vinta and took a swim at the coral reef. It was a very nice experience, seeing a variety of live corals in their vibrant hues. The water was very clean too. How I wish to go back there for another snorkeling.

The Wowie now, is a someone earning for his living. He is a trainee for PNP and at the moment assigned here in Ipil. He told me that he will be assigned later to Tungawan, a 30 - minute away drive from Ipil. But as we talked yesterday, I felt the same Wowie that I used to know. A big dreamer but at the same time, content with what he could possibly have. He is one Spinolanian who will forever be remembered.

Dyan, my sis

Her voice is as angelic as her face. I consider her my closest sibling. She became a student of mine on her first year in Spinola along with my sister Dionessa, who was at second year that time.

She would win every singing contest in MSS. Everyone in school just loved her heavenly voice. Thanks to me, I tutor her (joke, but a bit true). She was also the soloist of the Regional Band Delegate to the National Competition way back (I forgot. Was that in 2002?) She would care less about academics but I know she had the brains to cope up, but just like me, she probably didn’t believe in recognitions. She was so small-built that many considered her like a kid in the elementary grade. But, unknown to us, she had a lot of suitors. Among the known one to me was Jonathan Fontanoza. I could not forget the time I saw them walking through the Sanito bridge with Jonathan holding my sister’s lunch box. Dyan was at second year and Jonathan, I think was first year at the time. They eventually broke up. I heard Dyan’s friends were a factor of the breakup (sounded like showbiz). Marvin Insisto (married now), who is our neighbor also became Dyan’s BF. My parents loved Marvin, considering that his family is our family’s friends. I thought they broke up too. She pursued her college at WMSU in Zamboanga City. There she met Jonathan Maraon, who is now her husband. Jonathan was the most serious BF Dyan had. That could have been the reason why they were meant to be. She had to stop for her pregnancy. Now, they are staying in Consolacion, Cebu with their cute son Jonas. How I miss Jonas. Jonas grew up here at home since he was 6 days old. Dyan is working now as a medical transcriptionist. Thanks to Athan, he sent Dyan to school. Athan is currently an engineer at the Transco in Cebu.

Dyan and Athan had their church wedding last May 24, here in Ipil. I was singing for the event as a tribute to my favorite sis.

Christine R. Roxas, truly worth emulating

I thought it was her who supposed I was a new student when she saw me on their “first-day-high” in 1998, third year level. It was my first day of work as a teacher at MSS. I had to blame it on my small built, barber-cut hair, faded jeans, blue shirt, sporty shoes, my small pack and on the thing I carried on my hand – a lunch box. She belonged to the pioneering class. The class was kinda surprised when I introduced myself to them. I thought they couldn’t believe. But of course, I had had to show them I was a worthy teacher.

Christine, we call her Ninia, as a third year student was simple but very observant. To my mind, she could be thinking about many things the way I handled the class. She was not so vocally participative in class recitations. But, she was excellent in the quizzes and written exams. She presented awesome projects. Her devotion to her studies, family and God was very evident. She was a consistent top 1 student. Maybe she didn’t know how I appreciated what she hung on the wall of the III – Masunurin room. It was about the “greatest” things in life.

When she was in fourth year, Christine became a bit extrovert. It was also at this time that I became “friendly” with my students. (You see, a new graduate would have all the ‘principles” in education in his mind. But as years pass, he becomes aware of the real world, and becomes more flexible.) Christine would go out with us (some of her classmates). There was even a time when we had to be past twelve at Pangi in a fiesta. I heard her father was kinda strict regarding her going out, that’s why I would think twice before I would invite her. Finally, she graduated valedictorian, of which she deserved most. All her high school days were blessed truly and I have been always happy to have been a part of her education.

She took up MIS at Ateneo de Zamboanga, maybe not considering any possibility that she’s going to be a teacher one day. During some sem-breaks, we would see each other with her classmates. There was a time that we got home almost already 6 pm from the beach and I had to bring her to her home. His father was there and was so angry. He said something like “delikado ngayon…” in a heavy tone and it scared me a bit. Who would have thought Kuya Manny (the name of Ninia’s father) and I would become close friends now, thanks to Interlude choir membership! Christine at those times would hear my “useless sentiments”, perhaps during the times I drink with our friends. But, I thought she was giving a listening pair of ears. Now she’s a teacher at a university. I heard from Ate Lourdes (her mom) that she’s serious in her career. I think she’s going to be successful in her current job. At the moment, we would see at the church and talk about anything for short moments. Her parents are my companions in a choir.

Christine is a reminder of the batch she belonged to. Worth-emulating and I am truly proud to have become a teacher and a friend of her.

I would have had this posted last May 24, her birthday. But because I was busy with my cousins around, I could not find time. Her batch and I would usually celebrate her birthday at her home.