Who's one teacher who changed your life or inspired you the most and why?

The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate “apparently ordinary” people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people. 

 K. Patricia Cross

All of us, whether we are now a senator, banker, preacher, businessman or even a homemaker, has had a teacher who has touched our life in one way or the other. We would not have reached where we all are now if not for our teachers who continuously spent time to share with us their valuable knowledge, whether it was from the curriculum or from their personal insights on life.

As we celebrate Teacher’s Day on Oct. 5, let us all remember our teachers with a grateful heart.

Bong Osorio, VP/head of Corporate Communications, ABS-CBN Broadcasting:

I actually have plenty of very memorable teachers Dr. Ophelia Dimalanta, Dr. Piedad Guinto Rosales, Dr. Magdalena Villaba, Dr. Lourdes Bautista, and Mr. Roger Buhay all great professors of literature, philosophy and communications in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, UST. They have common traits motivational, always interested in their students’ development, nurturing, experts in their respective disciplines and they know how to impart their knowledge and experiences. Let me take this opportunity to unlock the fullness of my heart and say thank you for being part of my growth years.

Marianna Lopez Vargas, Ateneo ’12:

My Tata (what I call my lolo) is not a man of many words but rather he leads by example. Through him I grew up learning that success is measured by the people whose lives you have helped and it means nothing if you do not have your family to share it with. Family is the greatest wealth of all and togetherness is most important.

Puey Quinones, fashion designer:

Aside from my mother being the best teacher and always my inspiration in life, I can say that experience is the one of the best teachers we can have. Experience gave us the freedom to do everything, but it will also teach us the consequences of our actions.

Rafa Sy, International School, ’11:

My senior year English teacher, Mrs. Thompson, would definitely be the teacher who has inspired me the most throughout my high school career. Other than the fact that she’s a great teacher, her love for literature and teaching has shown me that no matter what you end up doing in life, as long as you love what you are doing, you will be happy.

Nicholas Pratt, International School, ’11:

Throughout my life in high school, the most inspiring teacher I have ever met is Mr. Reynaldo Candido. Mr. Candido, my higher level Filipino teacher, enjoys teaching not only Filipino, but also Philippine history. He usually cracks funny jokes in class, which creates a positive atmosphere for learning. He also makes his lectures interesting rather than boring by teaching with enthusiasm and interest in the topic, which in effect engages and inspires students to learn. He has taught me to love Philippine literature and also stresses the importance of “pagiging Pilpino natin.” He inspires me to learn more about my roots and Filipino culture, and also to give back to my country in one way or the other; that simple act means a lot to others. Mr. Candido is, indeed, a teacher all students love.

Andrew Masigan, businessman:

For me, it has got to be my first year high school algebra teacher, Mr. Ceferino Sunga. He flunked me and sent me to summer school that year! It was a wake-up call, having breezed through grade school without ever opening my books to study. After that summer, I knew I had to step up and get with the program.

Since then, I have learned to love numbers, and went on to major in finance and got my masters in economics.

Angelo Puyat, director VGP Group of Companies:

One teacher whom I would say had a significant impact on my life is Fr. RB Hizon S.J. of the Ateneo High School, where currently he is the school’s principal. He was our religion teacher in second year, and back then he was still called “Bro. R.B.” Aside from being friendly and accommodating to us students, Fr R.B. felt like one of the guys and not the stereotypical authority that fed you lesson plans and dictated homework from the classroom podium.

Although he made sure he covered what needed to be taught, he also would on occasion share with us his experiences before he joined the priesthood, often telling tales of his scholastic days that we adolescent boys could relate to. My friends and I always remember his account of when he first seriously began thinking about being a priest. Of all places it happened in a disco (Faces pa yata and uso nun), when in one crystallizing moment it hit him: “What am I doing with my life?” That started it all. Oddly enough, religion was one of my best subjects that year, and though there were many takeaway messages from Fr. R.B.’s class, his biggest inspiration to me was, like him, when I feel I’ve strayed quite a bit from the right path, whether it may be in my personal, professional, or spiritual life, I also intentionally ask myself: “What am I doing with my life?”

That never fails to set me straight... or so I’d like to think. Thanks “Bro”!

Ginggay Joven Dela Merced, general manager, Visions & Expressions:

I learn a lot from the lives of several people: whether they’re rich or poor, acclaimed or underrated, good or bad. I get an abundance of advice from family, colleagues and friends; but I feel nothing teaches you better than actually experiencing life itself. When you hear life is hard, you don’t really know how hard it is unless you undergo it yourself. When you hear life is full of miracles, you don’t really fully grasp it unless you encounter the miracles yourself. So I suppose the best teacher is experience.

What I know now, I didn’t know back then; and what I’ll know a decade from today remains unknown. So experiencing life savoring its sweet and bitter flavors I trust only builds character and wisdom... and should only inspire you to lead the life you’re meant to have. And in my case, I hope it is a purposeful one.