A Teacher’s Tale: Honoring Obedience, Love, and Dedication
By Micarl Abrantes
Once upon a time—specifically, a year—we celebrate the stories of teachers. Every month of September, these characters, whose roles are always on the side as mentors, become the heroes and protagonists. In this year’s commemoration of the National Teachers’ Month, let us step into the scene of how the HCHS community honors this significant occasion.
Each year, Hopeans come up with various ways to celebrate teachers. This year, however, Hopeans chose to focus on the very heart of the matter— the lives and stories of teachers. Through a teacher’s day program, the Student Council Organization (SCO) spotlighted the special tales of teachers.
Setting up the story, the program prologued with a sense of reverence. The entrance of colors signaled the beginning of the revered day. As the audience waited for the valued flags to reach the stage, the air was especially different than usual. Spirits were high, anticipating joyous moments ahead. Hopeans were especially passionate in singing the national anthem, and cooperative in declaring favors for the celebration through the opening prayer. The theater hall was particularly beaming with a vibrant enthusiasm.
Like a narrator, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Jimmy Sy, introduced the protagonists of the celebration—the teachers. These main characters were seated together in the front rows of the auditorium. This seating designation is unusual yet special, for it signified that they were the guests of honor in the program. Mr. Sy’s opening remarks served as epithets for these honored guests. He thanked the teachers for their unwavering dedication, passion, and care for the students. He congratulated the school principal, Dr. Angeline Tan, on the future construction of the new building, and he also expressed his appreciation to the Hope Alumni Association for their generosity in giving back. Inciting the story forward, Mr. Sy challenged and encouraged not just the teachers but the entire Hope community to indulge in the celebration as a reunion and reflection. “Let’s all work together for a bright future,” he said.
The action, then, rose when a symphony of performances was offered to the protagonists. Hope Rondalla’s rendition of “Pasilyo” particularly woke the bright yet solemn mood. As if on cue, the audience sang the chorus lovingly with their heads rhythmically bobbing and vibing with the music. These mixed emotions of solemnity and excitement remained with the graceful performance of the Hope Ballerinas, soulful singing of the Hope Chorale, the melodious chiming of the bells of the Handbell Ringers, and the groovy performance of the Hope Dance Troupe. The energy further intensified with the special performance of one of the teachers. The audience was astonished when Mrs. Eden Lo showed her vocal prowess as she sang “Chiquitita”. Cheers from students and co-teachers reverberated through the cushioned auditorium. The vibrant energy is clearly set for the highlight of the event.
Ironically, the climax of the celebration required the silence of the hall and the dimming of the colorful lights. In between lively performances, there were meaningful pauses that engaged the audience’s ears for intent listening. Everything else was dimmed out to highlight the tales of teachers shown and told through audio-visual presentations. Through the interviews, the teachers recounted their beginnings, challenges, and triumphs as educators.
A common tale of teachers revolved around purpose. They share the same sense of calling to educate the students about the value of learning. Rooted in being inspired by their former teachers, these practicing teachers want to pass down the knowledge and wisdom they gained, and to further confirm that studying can also be fun. “I want to impart to my kids that learning is fun,” Teacher Hannah Cheng said.
Being the guardians of human ken, teachers face immense pressure to be knowledgeable. They are expected to know many things. Some even expect them to know all things. However, unlike a supernatural character, teachers are fallible. They make mistakes; they are not all-knowing. MYP Coordinator Mrs. Jhudelle Navarro shared a related tale to this. When she was still teaching Science, a student asked her a question she did not know the answer to. Without any hesitation, Ma’am Jhudelle admitted she did not know the answer at the time, and invited the students to explore it together with her. This anecdote proves that teachers and students can learn together and from each other.
They may play the roles of guardians and mentors in the frame story of life, but teachers are heroes in their own lives. They take on different journeys, and as their stories progress, they take on lessons that develop their character. Seasoned teachers are a testament to this. Owing to their long teaching experiences, Mrs. Eloisa Van Rijt and Ms. Joyce Chu were able to share some advice with new teachers. Ma’am Van Rijt emphasized the importance of humility and keeping the heart of a learner: open-minded and teachable. “Don’t act as a master teacher. Act as if you are still a learner,” she said, testifying that learning is a lifelong journey.
Warm applause marked the end of the moving climax. This round of applause was not a response to a performance but a tribute to the lives voluntarily shared in pursuit of a better future. Lest applause and acknowledgment were not enough, the Hope Alumni Association and SCO gave tokens of gratitude to teachers and staff, just as heroes receive rewards and recognition at the end of the battle.
Nearing the end of the program, students and teachers collaborated to give the last (but definitely not the least) performance. Phones were raised, cameras shuttered, and the loudest cheers roared when some teachers stepped off the stage and joined the Grand Dance performance. It was truly a festive culmination of the performances aimed to entertain the main characters of the day.
On behalf of the student body, SCO President Samantha San delivered a special message, explaining the theme of the celebration, “A Teacher’s Tale: Honoring Stories of Obedience, Love, and Dedication.” Samantha said that this theme is a reminder that every classroom moment is part of a teacher’s story. “‘A Teacher’s Tale’ [is] a reminder that behind every lesson, every classroom moment is a story— your story as teachers,” she stated. Samantha, then, thanked the teachers for their dedication that lights the students’ way to dream and grow. “On behalf of all students, we honor you, we celebrate you, and we thank you for everything you teach, and for the love you so freely give. Happy Teacher’s Day!” she exclaimed.
Further expounding on the celebration theme, Dr. Angeline Tan closed the program by comparing the teaching experience to a story. It can start as a dream or a calling, and it has a never-ending conflict of staying in the profession or giving up. Nonetheless, she said, “However we started, the setting of our stories [is] penned by the Lord, and not one chapter is left to chance.” No matter how their stories end, Dr. Tan encouraged the teachers to go back to the reason they started teaching, and to think about why they are writing and telling their stories. These stories, according to her, were meant to inspire, to uplift, to encourage others. With this, Dr. Tan thanked the teachers for sharing their stories. “Lastly, ‘I think the best stories always end up being about the people rather than the event,’ as per Stephen King, which is to say, a story should be character-driven. Today, teachers, you are the character, the star of the stories, and we honor you. Happy Teacher’s Day,” she remarked.
With heartfelt messages, a sincere closing prayer, earnest singing of the school hymn, and the exit of the colors, the teacher’s day program came to an end. However, it did not fully end there. The teachers will continue their stories in the classrooms. As they battle the challenges of educating young minds daily, teachers wish to remain as heroes celebrated not just once a year. Respect, regard, and support are gratifying rewards they hope to receive continually. With these gifts in hand, the teachers can prosper. Their tales of obedience, love, and dedication shall continue, and so shall their legacy. It will live on… happily ever after.