The Principle of Tough Love

Fifteen years of teaching has taught me a lot of things

I was so aggressive during my first few years

Pouring out that early what I have in my bag

And felt should it be shared to students

Over those years, I witnessed how students

Try to determine how far they can go

In terms of making the teacher

Adjust to their situation

And I tried my best to be good

Understanding and caring

To the best of my ability

But I saw how students

Can be abusive unconsciously

Or even deliberately

Thanks to my exposure

To treatment and rehabilitation approaches to drug dependents

It was from them where I learned

The Principle of TOUGH LOVE

While it could also be very uncomfortable at times

I need to be tough if only to tell students

That their "ego tripping" will not work this time

Oftentimes, teachers are accused of ego tripping

Even by fellow teachers,

Siding with some students

But little did they know

How students manipulate situations

And make some of their teachers

Appear like the "kontrabida" in the teledrama

The students themselves have created

To feed their personal interests

I have learned my lesson

And I'm confident people will later realize

That what I'm doing now will also be beneficial

To thesis advisers and panelists

Who else end up being harassed by students

Who at the end of semester,

Will all rush to them as if they are

The only concerns teachers have in school

As if, teachers are superheroes

Who must save them in their most critical moments

In school - at all times

TAO din kami

In the same manner that students

would always claim their rights as students

Students we know ae also like us

Who have limitations as well

But we teachers are not stupid

not to know who's naughty or nice

Even if they are not Santa's in their eyes

Yours,

CM DOMA

(It was exactly two years ago while I was currently working on my thesis,

When this anecdote was personally shared to me by my dearest thesis adviser,

one of my great mentors - Prof. Crescencio Doma.)

HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS DAY!

For all those teachers out there, be proud for you have the gift to share knowledge,

to spread wisdom in our society. Your teachings are valuable treasures which can never 

be taken away from mankind.