Thnks fr th mmrs

Play the song for more feels...

So it's over...

This time I know it's gone.

3 years went by in a flash. I started in August 2019, but who knew I'd be saying goodbye in February 2022?

It is bittersweet, having to go, when I found great joy, meaning, and purpose in my most days as I stayed here. I thank my students, colleagues (both admin and teaching personnel), and everyone who made my PLV days memorable. And now as I write my farewell letter to you all, I cannot help but be at a loss of words in articulating how I really feel, so pardon me if this will be a mess. Hehehe.

Just so you know, before I entered the doors of the Pamantasan, I was a lost kid. I wasn't sure about my strengths and weaknesses. I wasn't sure about my passions. I didn't find anything worth doing. I didn't know what I really wanted to do. I didn't know what I really wanted to be. I was just going along with the flow and entering whatever doors opened themselves to me. I was a tutor, a baker, sales officer, marketing associate, IT professional, driver, musician, and a Secondary Education graduate. I was, for a time, also a college teacher in St. Louis College where I re-started my teaching career. I was all sorts of things, but never did I imagine (back then) that I'd go back to and stay in my first love - teaching in a classroom. By the time I got to the doors of PLV, I was asked to teach environmental science and another related subject. It was refreshing, to say the least, to be brought back to the field, teaching a course that is packed with action and urgency, where I am able to unleash my skills, knowledge, and influence in advocating for an issue that needed to be solved right now lest we suffer intolerable consequences.

It was in PLV where I was able to build stronger relationships with both students and colleagues alike. This was where I found friendships that transcended Father Time's test. This was where I felt loved and supported despite the distance and time that we were apart. I never thought I'd hold friends dear in my heart despite meeting only virtually (Internet love yarn?! haha). To all of you whom I built these relationships with, I have no words but thanks. And though I may be biding farewell to the university, know that whatever we had will continue to break the barriers of distance and time. You guys have been with me through thick and thin (perhaps more thin than thick) and I am confident that we will continue to be.

(If you have group pictures of us that you want to add here, DM me for the pics!)

To all my students whom I have encountered in the face-to-face setup, know that you and I were both privileged to have been in such. Those moments of yesterday now has felt like eons ago. But though they now feel like part of the distant past, they are nevertheless real, and those are moments that I am forever grateful for. Remember that while I was teaching you guys, I was learning much from you too, not only about how to be a better teacher, but on being a better person as a whole. I will miss you all dearly!

To all of you whom I taught virtually, there have been far more significant challenges to us than before. I know that while I was struggling myself, you guys were too, perhaps even to a greater degree than I was. I thank you as well because your passion and grit for learning and your presence have been my stronghold to give me just enough fuel to continue fighting and keeping on. Even if I haven't met most of you in person, you are all a part of me too. I will miss you all dearly too!

For your knowledge, I have recently been accepted for a Technical Assistant position at the Department of Education Central Office under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation program and have decided to pursue this opportunity in the hopes of making a bigger impact on our country’s quest for climate change education. This is an exciting career development for me and I thank you all for being a part of my journey in preparing for this! With that, I decided to put my teaching career in PLV on hold (perhaps, for the meantime) so as to focus and pour out all that I have in finding success in this new role.

Well, this is not "the end" the end; not a goodbye, but rather, "See you again!" I hope and pray that you guys will continue fighting and striving not just for your dreams but the hope of creating a better world for us all, especially for those who are powerless to enact change. I pray too that as your cups are emptied in your different endeavors, may you find others who are just as willing to fill your love tanks to the brim so that you can continue fighting and giving your all. You guys have made me stay super fun and worthwhile. I love you and I will miss you all!!

Thanks for the memories! Ciao!