My last class with PhilLit AC72

At the start of the term, I knew my PhilLit AC72 class was going to be special. This was the section I have taught for three consecutive terms and I was looking forward to being their teacher again.

And what a wonderful term it turned out to be. Our last class summed up perfectly everything we had taken up during the term. As their final project, I assigned groups of five to prepare presentations on the following: 1) a book launching of their assigned novel, Soledad’s Sister by Butch Dalisay; 2) an exhibit of their artwork based on the short story, Desire by Paz Latorena; 3) a performance reading from Dulaang UP’s Atang, one of two plays we watched during the term (the other one was Isang Panaginip na Fili); and 4) a tribute to National Artist for Literature Francisco Arcellana: Remembering Franz who was my professor in fiction writing when I was an English major in UP Diliman.

The final words came from me. Here is what I told my class:

“On our last day, I also prepared something to share with you. I am happy that we were able to watch not just one but two plays this term. I believe that exposure to theater is important and watching these plays brings us closer to our national identity and culture. I am happy that we were able to attend the book club discussion of Soledad’s Sister in SM Megamall’s Powerbooks. I am happy with the students who have a perfect attendance and I name them from memory.

“On our last meeting, I think it would be only fitting to introduce you to your next English subject, World Literature. I hope you are familiar with the Victorian poet, my namesake Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She wrote a book of poems entitled Sonnets from the Portuguese. The most famous poem in this collection of 44 love sonnets is Sonnet 43. It has an equally famous opening line that goes like this: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways? Let me rephrase it a bit.

“How do I love this class? Let me count the ways.

“I love that the first term in ExWrite, I felt an instant affinity with the class.

“I love that after ExWrite to PubSpe1 then PubSpe2 and now PhilLit, each term was special in many different ways.

“I love that the class helped me through a difficult period last term when my father died.

“I love that I was able to teach this class for four consecutive terms.

“Today I want to thank everyone for a very productive term. Thank you for the privilege of being your teacher.”

I would like to think that I could repeat the magic of that particular class where everything fell into place. All the meetings inside and outside the classroom were fun and meaningful with everyone doing their share of the work. The culminating activity was the perfect last note. It was a happy ending to a great class - my much loved PhilLit AC72.

(ELIZABETH S. REYES is currently Coordinator of the English Resource Center of Asia Pacific College. Aside from Philippine Literature, she also enjoys teaching World Literature, Expository Writing, Research Writing, Technical Writing, Public Speaking, and even Freshman Grammar and Composition.)