THAT is how Julieta Lanaja Pancito describes herself.
A teacher of the Kumon Method of Learning in Davao City for almost six years now, she said she never thought that she would stay that long with the program.
Kumon is a self-learning program that aims to develop independent study skills. While Kumon has teachers, the teaching method is different from those in schools and/or colleges and universities.
Pancito started working at the Kumon as assistant teacher in 2010, while she was still studying Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology at the University of Mindanao. She graduated in 2013.
“I may not be an educator by profession, but I could say, I am a teacher at heart. Since I was young I already dreamed of becoming a teacher. Unfortunately, I took up a different course when I got here in Davao City,” Pancito said.
The course she took was not her choice.
“It was my sister’s idea to take-up accounting, because my mother earlier told me not to take-up education. Kini laging manghod ta (Because I’m the younest)… I said okay,” Pancito added.
Pancito was born in Corella town in Bohol on July 1, 1989. She is the youngest of 10 children. After she graduated high school in 2006, she worked as home-based cook for one-year.
“Being the youngest was not easy at all. I thought when I graduated high school, that one of my elder brothers or sisters, who have already gone to Davao City, would fetch me and send me to college. But they didn’t,” she said.
The excitement to go to college waned as no one returned to get her. An elder sister did finally go to Bohol because of a concern that had to be attended to. In going back to Davao City, she decided to bring Pancito along.
Pancito arrived in Davao City in January 2007. She took her entrance examinations at University Southeastern Philippines but circumstance prevented her from enrolling.
“I waited another year, wala man ko’y mabuhat. For the meantime, I helped my elder sister take care of her children. I realized then life in the city is far different from the rural areas. You need to strive hard,” she said.
It was only the following year when she finally enrolled. While in school, she looked for a job to provide for herself. That was when she was accepted as assistant teacher in Kumon. She did not complete her college course in time as there were school semesters where she would not enroll as she still had to earn her tuition money.
Pancito almost gave up her studies.
“I felt exhausted. I just want to work so I can also help my parents,” she said. Ms Ely Go, her of the Kumon Method of Learning, did not want her to quit college.
“You know, God is always there. He sends people to lift you up when you are down. And yes, there is a right time for everything we ask for,” she said.
When asked whether she has regrets for taking a different course, Pancito said it does not matter. She added that she is already closer to her dream because she is already teaching and guiding children.
“I am already glad that I had this opportunity and that I have small contribution to society that is making life better for others. But I must admit that I still have lots of plans in life,” Pancito said.
Pancito is hoping for more blessings to come so she could also provide not only for herself and for her family, but also for others, especially homeless children and elders whom she sees sleeping on the streets.