I'm in Baguio!

After a long, warmly nostalgic trip, I’ve finally arrived in Baguio! After dropping off Maren (from FEU) at the facilitators cottage in Teachers Camp, we’ve finally checked in at the Microtel. Our accommodations are excellent, as you might surmise given the picture I snapped of the hotel, and the company is even better. In addition to UA&P stalwarts such as Joyce de Leon, Cathy Limsoc and Ronnie Balbieran, I was reunited with Mr. Pagsi. Amazingly enough, he still remembers me! Mr. Pagsi is a veritable legend in the teaching profession: fifty-five years of continuous, passionate service in the Ateneo de Manila High School. He taught my dad way back in 1960, and myself in 1988. He’s one of the reasons why I found myself drawn, almost irresistibly, to the teaching profession despite my self-professed aim to follow the dictates of the motivation for profit.

In retrospect, I don’t think that I was really cut out to make millions, or to live my life with the casual affluence evinced only by the very rich. As my dad oftentimes reminded me while growing up, I should count my lucky stars that I wasn’t born “old rich” but that I was born “old smart”. My family has always had a strong intellectual legacy, especially intellectual work that leads to public service. Teaching, I found to my chagrin a long time ago, was in my blood. It’s only recently that I’ve learned to embrace this legacy of intellectual public service. For this I thank my loving family, who have always supported me, and Mr. Pagsi. My parents made me who I am. Mr. Pagsi helped me see who I can be. For that, my most heartfelt thanks.

At any rate, I’m on my way to mass at the Cathedral. Already Lora (formerly Tan) Garcia is itching to drop by an ukay-ukay. Sounds like an adventure in the works! See you soon!