“When I am talking about “It Takes a Village”, I’m obviously not talking just about or even primarily about geographical villages any longer, but about the network of relationships and values that do connect us and binds us together.” – Hillary Clinton
I always dreamed of becoming a writer. Dreams do come true.
All I can remember vividly when I was a young girl studying in Lamba Central School was that I felt so small and the school too big. That applies literally. I was so skinny nobody will notice I am around.
Khaligya, an older and bigger classmate, used to bring my wooden chair up and down whenever we move classrooms. I dread this changes that happened quite frequently. I worry if she is absent.
I was noisy though. Even in elementary, I had the makings of a communicator that I would proudly become 30 years later. At one time our grade 2 teacher Ma’am Mosura moved me in the front row seat to keep me quiet.
I was also in the middle of 2 classmates, one was Larry Alegre. That did not solve the problem. The two boys started talking and got noisy along with me, too, until I got confronted to shut up.
Ma'am Suelan or Ma'am Coroy (far left) as we fondly call her is passion personified. Her music and dance lessons, along with discipline, will never be forgotten.
Two things I got in this lesson that I carried on in a positive way. Influence and the importance of the front-row. If I have a choice, I do not take the back seats. You can always find me up front. Ask my colleagues and travel friends for more details about influence.
My most dreaded class was Mathematics (or Arithmetics then). I loved my uncle Ramon Laguardia so much but that’s also as much fright I have of him when he was the teacher.
If you cannot answer his question, his weird way of making you remember it was to go stand up the table in front of your rowdy classmates, repeat several times what you missed, then take a bow. Imagine how red-faced you can get. Of course, you don’t forget! We would always laugh at this recollection but if you’re the butt of this laughter, you just want to melt in your seat.
Teachers and mentors who helped make us what we are today. Who has the most influence in your elementary days?
He always had that pack of cigarettes (long before it was banned) in his left shoulder. A hopeless chain-smoker who can finish several packs a day, he admitted his remorse when he found out he has lung cancer. Despite these (now hilarious) experiences, he was among the most well-loved by his students – always kind and a good friend to everyone.
We always looked up at Ma’am Socorro Suelan for all the dancing and singing lessons. She was one of the most passionate and dedicated teachers I have known. She loved her craft and it still shows long after she retired. Her husband Ramon was also a teacher and manned the sports activities and the carpentry shop.
My cousins Lourdes Lozaga and Zenaida Losaria were also teachers in the school. Manang Oding was a disciplinarian in the classroom her students would always be alert when she is around, that includes me.
The good old days. My mother called Ma'am Bernardino by her students is on 4th photo from right. Sir Enrico is 4th from left.
But she was so thoughtful I would never forget the set of handkerchief she gave me on my birthday. Manang Naida was an opposite. She was always tolerant with an easy smile. You hardly see them apart during school activities.
The longest serving school principal was Sir Enrico Castanares, whom I still regard very highly. As far as I can remember, he would always be nice and quiet but firm whenever a decision was needed. He was among the good leaders who established the school and become what it is now.
The list is long. My mother was an English and Home Economics teacher. Many of my parents’s friends and our family members were valuable part of this school where I grew up and started learning about the big world.
The school as it is now. This is the original main building renovated many times over.
Indeed, I agree with Hillary Clinton. It takes a village. The people around you, mold you and take part in making who you are. Be they family, teachers, classmates, storekeepers, neighbors, friends and enemies, farmers, helpers, the names are endless. Everyone is important.
We may not remember all of them, but they will always be part of who you are now. This one Filipino saying I do not forget: Ang hindi lumilingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan (Those who do not remember where they came from won’t achieve where they want to go to).
I wish with all my heart I can put everyone’s name here. That’s a goal as I keep writing the blogs for https://www.facebook.com/LambaCentralSchoolPlaygroundChallenge. Aristotle said “Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”. This is one Happiness Project we all can take part of.
Pursuing the challenge is a huge opportunity for happiness. We always go back to where we came from, right? It is a wonderful feeling to give back. Try it in your own village.
-o0o-
“The Dragonfly Effect binds us to others, to larger communities, and to social causes. There really is no better way to strengthen the connection between ourselves and our surroundings, fulfill our psychological and emotional needs, and, above all, create meaning in our lives than by cultivating social good.” – The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change by Andy Smith and Jennifer Aaker