Past and the Present - Episode 1

“ Teacher ”

Melissa is a college student taking Education. She studies well and 19 years old. Her dream is to be a teacher just like her father when it was still alive.

One day…She sat on her desk doing her project. “Mhel, what are you doing?” her mother asked. “Doing my project, Ma!” “Can you teach your brother with his reviews? His periodical exam is near.” “Yah, I’ll go to his room after I’d finished. I’m almost done with it.” Her mother smiled. “Hey!” Mhel turned her head towards her Mom. “Don’t stay so late, Okey?” She grin. “Don’t worry.”

Later… “Jhoel, Are you still awake?” as she knocks at her brother’s open door. “I am. I’m waiting for you!” She entered the room roaming around her eyes to the four sided place. “What a mess?!...”she exclaimed. “You’re not doing your chores here! You’re already 16, you supposed to clean it by yourself!” “Hey, you supposed to teach me and not to scold?!...” “I am teaching you right now. You’re giving Mama burdens! She’s already old! Think about it, Okey?!..” “Ai-Ai, Madame! I heard you loud and clear, over!” her brother replied with a salute. She laugh. “You really wanted to be a pilot, aren’t you?” “Yes, Ma’am, yes.” “Then…Private Dela Cruz, take your things, pack up and be ready for your battle! We don’t want to have a color red in our sheet, aren’t we, Private?” as she yelled pretending to me a Military Officer. “Yes, Ma’am, yes.” both of them giggle.

One day, in her classroom… “Did you heard it? Miss Lagunoy is very sick. We’re going to have a substitute teacher from now on! That was great!” “I heard that our substitute teacher is a very good teacher, I like her than Ms. Lagunoy!” her other classmate added. “Is it right that we should compare the teachers?” Mhel asked to them. “Ofcourse, because we need a good teacher for us to have interest in the subject she is teaching!” Anna answered. “It’s not fair.” “What’s not fair there?” They asked her. The conversation was distracted by the bell, signing that the class should start.

Breaktime… “Class, I am Miss Andrea, your substitute teacher! I would like you to take your paper and pen! We’re going to have an essay writing!” As Mhel could remember the opening of their new teacher. “Hey Ms. Dela Cruz, having hangovers?” She was disturbed by a familiar voice. It was Ms. Andrea. “Can I sit with you?” “Glad to!” she answered back with beam.

“You’re a good essay writer, Ms. Dela Cruz!” Mhel stared at Ms. Andrea. “T-thank you!” “I have check all your works and your essay is the most interesting, I think!” “R-really?” “Yes, you left a question that also catch up my attention! What is the reason you are taking a course such as education?” “B-because I wanted to be like my father!” “He’s a professor?” “Yes, when he was still alive!” “I am sorry!” “That’s okey! He died helping others.” “Being a teacher, is being a hero!” Melissa was surprised of what she heard. “In the field that we choose, not all are glad that we exist. Some of them, hate us. Teaching requires not only words and letters. There are things that words cannot explain. It’s in the individual to discover that. We are only the starting point of a dream of a learning one.” “Why are you saying this to me?” “Because you have a heart of a good teacher someday so take care of it.” “Heart of a good teacher?” “From a good teacher will follow a good teacher also! I have heard most of the student saying they don’t like Ms. Lagunoy as their professor. She’s not good in teaching, they say. But that’s not true.” “Why?” “Because I was once her student too!” Mhel was amazed.

In the hospital… “Who is it?” Ms. Lagunoy was shocked as she saw her student came to visit her. “What are you doing here?” “What a stupid question, what else should I be here? To visit you, ofcourse!” Ms. Andrea answers her while putting the flowers she bought in the vase . “I have a companion to see you!” “Who is it?” Mhel came out from the door. “I came here to learn, Miss Lagunoy!” she uttered. The Old woman shed tears. “At last another good fruit!”