WHO could forget the mentors who taught us our ABCs? I mean, literally.
I could remember them. At least, their family names. Mrs. Lim who taught me the ABC and the ABAKADA in Grade 1. Ms Policarpio and Ms. De los Santos. We were taught to call them by their family names as a sign of respect.
I had a boyhood crush on them. Alas, I wish I was older than them so I could court and marry them.
Along the way, they came. And went. I could still remember their names. And faces as they were in their twenties.
In our Facebook fanpage closed loop, I am shocked to see them in their 70s. My memory of them was frozen in time. Real life showed time for them has move on. Their smooth skins in their twenties were replaced with wrinkles in their sunset years. Some of them have moved on to the afterlife.
I am who I am today. Whatever good I made in life, you can trace them on these mentors. Whatever flaws I made it in life it’s on me. Because they taught me to make informed choices but I have to make the choices.
As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “I am a teacher. It’s how I define myself. A good teacher isn’t someone who gives the answers out to their kids but is understanding of needs and challenges and gives tools to help other people succeed. That’s the way I see myself, so whatever it is that I will do eventually after politics, it’ll have to do a lot with teaching.”
So I can understand Mr. Richard Gelangre, Bacolod City Public School Teachers Federation Association president, who said, “Give due honor to the teachers.” Mr. Gelangre led the “Walk for Salary Increase.”
“Three years ago, President Duterte assured us that his administration will give us P10,000 per month across-the-board salary increase, so he should keep his promise. The government should consider our demands for a salary increase to a minimum of P30,000 per month,” Gelangre said. Fair enough. Promises are not just written on paper but to be acted on.
Our Constitution declares, “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.
“They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.”
Next to our parents, teachers help form moral and spiritual values. It pains me to see these mentors gain a pittance for their efforts. This column is a choice, my debt of gratitude, a recognition of all their sacrifices. May the State do the same.