I remember panicking a bit in my high school English class when all my classmates have already gotten back their scored essay and I wasn’t called yet to retrieve my paper. I checked my bag to see if I tucked away the essay we were supposed to submit the other day. Instead, I pulled out my draft and read the first words I wrote – only to realize you were reading them aloud in class. It earned the top marks for that writing exercise and you thought it worthy to read it out to everyone. After reading it and calling my name to everyone’s surprise, I humbly came forward to receive my paper as the class applauded – I guess from then onwards, I earned the reputation for being a good writer and poet. This led to joining writing competitions and having side hustles that came useful throughout the years.
You see, more than encouraging us to read deeply into our books and sharpening our grammars and compositions, you gave me one thing I needed the most at that time – to believe in myself, especially that I could apparently do something so well. It took me out of the books I comforted myself with at a time a teen had to deal with the loneliness of having to adjust to another school and environment. Your notes of encouragement in our writing exercises coaxed out the words I had always wanted to say yet never had the chance to do so – until I had the confidence to write them down, your faith that I could do it, and the opportunity to represent others and their sentiments.
There were other fond memories as well that could attest to your kindness despite being the Prefect of Discipline. I came in late for school once (despite living just across the street, haha). Thus, I had to hang around your office (as every Isabelina who came in late or had the guts to flaunt too long ribbons and too long skirts). Luckily, I was not perennially late and I did not have to run around the campus as a sanction. I was back in class just after a few minutes chatting with you. Even when I was already in college and I was applying for a conference, I went back to my alma mater to ask if you could write an endorsement for me. Not only did you obliged my request – we also talked about love and how you never minded being single for so long yourself (“Kung wala, eh di wala!”). But then God had other plans and your husband ‘Ta Orbitz (who was my College Algebra Teacher and equally passionate in teaching like you) came along. These words of comfort and wisdom written on paper and etched in memories are still with me and to the rest of us who became your students.
In the same way that you have shared with us the gift of your presence, we pray and hope that these recollections shall also bring comfort to those who are very dear to you at this moment. I hope these words somehow gave a fitting tribute to your life as a grace that has blessed mine. Thank you so much Ma’am Linda! Dios Mabalos po!
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| a glowing endorsement |
