- Family first. You can never invite him during periodical examinations of his daughter. He is the one who tutors them especially in math. He goes home every day to have lunch with the family
- It’s ok not to conform. In a conference in Washington, he was comfortable loafing around the hotel in his Chinese slippers.
- Speak your mind out. He did not hesitate to speak his mind out even if his ideas can be unpopular or contradicted “the ideas of his friends.” He did this to me several times. First, when he opposed my endorsement of a program in Bicol saying that the program needs to mature. Second, when he told me that it is about time we establish partnership with central DepED (knowing my aversion to dealing with bureaucrats and political appointees.
- No entitlement. “Power does not bestow on you the right to be ahead of others or to demand special services.” He never sat on presidential tables and preferred to mingle with the crowd. At times, he sat on the registration table.
- Simple is beautiful. “One can count the number of his checkered shirts.” He made no fuss about food served to him. He ate almost anything.
- Be resilient. He slept on the boat from Zamboanga to Siasi, bathe even if the water was dirty, and ate even if there was so spoon or fork. He kept telling me, “Take the time to rest when we are out in the province.” Shake off the work mentality.
- Cost-effectivity is the key. He slept in cheap but clean hotels when he was in Manila. Why spend a lot of money when all you need to do it to take a clean shower and dress up? His contribution to a sit-down dinner that Synergeia sponsored was a singing group that sang in beer gardens in Naga. But the “Pork Barrel” was a big hit. He preferred to take the train from the airport in Washington even if he did not know how to get a ticket from the machine or lost his way
- Consistently show appreciation and support. He was there all the time, inspiring mayors, barangay captains, sharing his experiences, articulating his insights. His presence was his biggest gift. Simple gifts like coffee mugs, and a bedroom lamp (for me) were the premium. When he joined the Galing Pook for his “Reinventing the School Board program”, he said, “Ma’am para sa iyo ito at sa Synergeia.” (Ma’am this is for you and Synergeia.)
- Think deeply. His ideas were a cut above the rest. They were different. He thought that our programs were incomplete unless superintendents are accountable to local governments and their communities. His last words of wisdom is that we will not be remembered by the power and wealth we have held but by the way we related to people.
- Be uncomfortable with perks. He was ill at ease with the accolades and his popularity. He was astounded when people wanted to have their photos with him. He did not know how to react. All he can do was to say, “One, two, three,” every time the camera clicked.
- He had a great sense of humor. When he was told how special he is to Synergeia because of the huge publication costs for our manifestos of support (we had four), he laughingly said, “Kumita pa ang mga yon” (They even made money out of the venture.)
- He had a great sense of humility. After months when I refused to talk to him, he came uninvited to a Synergeia conference and sat at the back. He raised his hand to participate in the open forum. My heart just broke. I publicly announced ,”Mayor, bati na tayo” (Mayor, everything is forgotten)
Author: synergeia
Tanauan education program re-energized
Four years since it completed a three- year reading proficiency program, Tanauan City received a fresh shot in the arm with the conduct of new training programs for school heads and district supervisors, and for parent-leaders. The training was again made possible with support from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Inc. (PMFTC).
The City’s DepEd Division Office, led by Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Josilyn S. Solana, welcomed the fresh infusion of assistance, citing the urgent need for its school administrators to better appreciate the workings of instructional supervision, and for parents to commit to a partnership with schools. These, according to Dr. Solana, are key to further improve the performance of school children of Tanauan.
More than 70 principals and supervisors participated in the training on Instructional Supervision last February 27-28, 2013. Syneregia’s Dr. Antonio Torralba and Mrs. Carmelo Oracion of the Ateneo Center for Education Development brought different perspectives to effective instructional leadership, while allowing participants to learn from each other through the sharing of best practices. Dr. Solana, meanwhile, emphasized the need for principals to give top priority to the task of instructional supervision, as this directly impacts on increasing educational outcomes.
The successful run of the principals’ training was followed a week later by the training of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officers of both elementary and secondary schools. The PTA training, held on March 7-8, 2013, was attended by more than a hundred PTA officials. The two-day training was both an enjoyable and learning experience for the parents, who were treated to a good mix of activities that included talks on good parenting, and ways through which parents and schools can be better partners, as well as community singing and dancing exercises. Parents also actively participated in a workshop, where they came up with their respective plans for their schools.
Local government support lent luster to the activities. City Mayor Sonia Torres Aquino graced the PTA training,to the delight of the parents. The LGU also generously offered free use of the newly-renovated Governor Modesto Castillo Center as venue for the Principals’ Training.
Mentoring the Mentors of Teachers
Two days in March (March 5-6) were dedicated to the 24 school administrators and head teachers of elementary and secondary schools in Mamburao. They temporarily set aside the everyday demands and pressures of work to listen, interact and learn during the Administrators’ Training.
The speaker, Dr. Antonio Torralba, was already a friend to most of the participants as this was the fourth activity he has facilitated in the municipality. Once again the PPSTA Building, where the mentors gathered, echoed with laughter during Dr. Torralba’s talk. The participants related well with his examples of real life challenges. They realized that these challenges were in fact opportunities that can make them into better persons. They were pleased to learn practical ways on dealing with stress and managing their time. They also had workshops with Dr. Torralba on their leadership styles and personal relationships with teachers.
As a strong believer of education as a key factor in providing a good future to the children, Mayor Anthony Villarosa encouraged the participants to be inspiring and treat their students with love and patience.
In closing, sophomore students from Mamburao National High School moved the hearts of the participants with an essay and a poem. The students expressed their love and appreciation of their teachers and school heads with a prayer that they would not give up on them despite the occasional lapses in their behaviour.
