| Mentors.
What are they really?
In the dictionary, they're defined as trusted counselors or guides.
In everyday language, they're understood as people we actually spend time with, get to know and learn so much from. They're the ones who guide us and serve as our inspiration.
But for me, I define mentors in a different way. They don't have to be close to us, they don't have to like us, or even remember us after a few times of meeting with them, but in our perspective, they have changed us a lot--for the better, and became a source of strength and inspiration.
I have considered many mentors in my life. My family, my friends and even animals. But, let me make this a tribute to those who I met inside the classroom but has affected my life even after school hours.
In my former school De La Salle-Araneta, I was inspired by one great professor, Sir Tagal. He was my teacher in Politics and Government. Truth be told, it was because of him that I started becoming politically aware. Before I took his class, I had no intentions of learning about Politics and anything related to it. All I thought then was that it's dirty and nothing more [well, now that I know more about it, is there really something more? haha]. I didn't really care about the current situations or the political scandals happening then. But after taking his class, I was just so inspired that I even started thinking about taking up Law in the future. It was just so amazing how he know the constitution so well that he had an answer to every question I made. And while he may not know it, he has actually made a big difference in my life.
And then I transferred to the University of the Philippines.
In my first semester, I was lucky to have been under Professor Sayson, who in spite of my 2 failed exams [it's formal logic, for christ's sake], gave me a final grade of 3 [which is the lowest grade] for almost complete attendance [i think i was only absent once--and that was because i couldn't get out of the house because of SONA which was held right outside our village], and well, I believe he saw my effort [he actually failed someone because she wasn't really showing any]--only I really couldn't follow those intimidating P's and Q's. Of course not all professors are like that, that's why I'll always be thankful I took his class. And no, I do not hate him for giving me 3 because I know I deserve that grade. I actually love him for being fair and considerate, and most of all, for not crushing my dream of finishing college. Had I failed that, I would have lost hope. So I'm really thankful I was lucky enough to be under a very nice professor, who I learned a lot from [except for the P's and Q's, haha].
In my second semester, I took Creative Writing under Professor Jerry Los Baños. At first, I thought I was going to learn about writing better. But no, I realized through Sir Jerry that although there are kinds of writing that are better [or, more appealing to different markets], no one can really teach us how to write [unless maybe someone will proofread all our articles, haha], but we can learn how to appreciate the different types of writing. Before entering his class, I had no appreciation for poems using metaphors. I mean yes, that's what defines a poem, but just like how I write, I like readings poems that are straight to the point. But in his class, not only did I learn to appreaciate poems that take time before I create an interpretation, I have grown to appreciate reading short stories not because the stories are really great or different but because of the writing styles used. I have learned to analyze more than what the text says. I try to figure out everything from the time it was written, the culture at that time, the characters, everything. And it's all because of Sir Jerry.
It was also in my second semester that I took Speculative Thought, a major subject under Sir Jojo Bañares, where he discussed philosophers from the religious ones, to the empiricts and rationalists to the existentialists. Through him, I have grown to love and appreciate Philosophy even more. It was because of him that I told myself I will not shift whatever happens. And it was also because of him that I learned how to think critically, weighboth sides, find inconsistencies and create arguments of my own.
It was also last semester that I took yoga class under Maam Alberta Guanio. A yogi for more than 25 years now, she has truly served as an inspiration to me. Her graceful moves, her unending wisdom, her peaceful self, her healthy mind and heart. At her age [I'm guessing she's in her late 40's or even in 50's now], she was never sent to the hospital, she's never had migraine or any stress-related attack. Her radiance comes from within. The peace is inviting. It was from her that I've realized the importance of living a non-stressful, happy life, and the importance of eating right. She's the only one that truly convinved me why vegetarianism should be promoted and practiced if possible. She may not remember me when we meet again, but I will always and forever be grateful to her, and remember her as the woman of grace and wisdom. [I was so inspired by her that I actually made her my character for my creative writing class. The name, the physical features, the speech...everything.]
And now, this semester, I have been lucky again.
I have met two of the best teachers all students wish they encounter. I know I'm only in my sophomore year but I know these two will already be in my top 10 list of great professors.
Meet Alwin Aguirre and Eric Julian Manalastas. UP students, if ever you have to take Pop Culture and Gender and Sexuality, take Sir Alwin. And if you have to take Psychology 101, take Sir Eric. I'm telling you, every meeting is worthwhile. No matter what your grade is, you will not regret it.
When I first met Sir Alwin, I told myself, "He's such a cool guy! Young, nice, funny, fashionable, and very articulate." On our first day, he already asked us something that made me think. And every class from then on was full of conversations that stimulated each and everyone's thoughts and opinions. He made me see Pop Culture in a different light. Having grown up in the world of show business, my perspective was leading towards that direction, of course. But seeing the other side and interpretation of things through Sir Alwin gave me a lot of realizations and conclusions. And then recently, I learned that he's actually a Palanca awardee [2nd place on Sci-Fi], a poet, a writer and has already published a book. At his age, he surely has achieved a lot. But what I appreciate about him the most is his humility. Not once did he mention that he won an award, or that we should buy his book to support him or because he's a great writer. Had I not talked to a friend of mine about his teaching, I wouldn't have known. The award and achievements may somehow tell us about how great Sir Alwin is, but they can never define how he really inspires his students, and how he has shaped our minds to always stay open and see beyond what the text says.
Sir Eric is just as interesting as Sir Alwin. He's funny, he's very intelligent, he's very witty, he's cool, he knows what interests his students and he applies everything he has learned in Psychology. I remember telling my friend, "I want to be Sir Eric's friend." And I didn't say that for grades or anything related to school but because I really think he's such a fun person to talk to, and I believe I'll learn a lot from him. I can imagine myself not talking in front of him because I'll just be listening to whatever he says and as always, be fascinated. First day I met him, I already knew I took the right professor. And I was not wrong. Every meeting is a happy meeting, literally. He leaves us with these amazing information and encourages us to apply it as much as we can. He gives us the funniest examples, and the easiest to understand so that we can really grasp what he is saying. But even though the examples are funny and easy to comprehend, they're not just that. They're actually important examples. The class is so fun that even though I am almost about the sleep [or even have microsleeps--unintentionally] in the class I go to before his, I never feel sleepy in his class, and I never notice the time [I don't even look at my watch/cellphone] when I'm inside his classroom. Being late for just one minute means a whole new information missed. My decision to really stick to Psychology as my elective is all because of him. And I thank him, for finally showing me why I should stick to my decision.
These people are not people I get to hang out with after our class schedule. These people aren't close to me in aspects other than academics. But these people, without their knowing, have changed my perspective on a lot of things. These people, without their knowing, have taught me things I wouldn't have learned otherwise. These people, without their knowing, have helped shaped who I am today. These people, without their knowing, have encouraged me and gave me hope and wisdom. These people, without their knowing, bring out the best in me. It's because of them that I work harder and take my classes seriously and meaningfully. These people, without their knowing, have inspired me so much more than they probably think.
I would not have been this kind of student if not for these professors. And whether they remember me semesters from now or not, whether they give me a high grade or not, whether they eventually become my friends or not, I will never ever forget the life lessons they have taught me and I will forever consider them as my mentors.
How about you? Who are your mentors? |
