On the first day of our Social Work class back in year 2000, I was so happy to find out that all of my classmates were shifters from different courses in our school. Some of my classmates were from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Education, and many of us were from the College of Accountancy.
Well, I dreamed of becoming an Accountant but I ended up looking for a course that has fewer math subjects and I ended up in BS Social Work.
When our teacher came in for the first day of our Social Work I Subject, the first thing she asked us was on why we took up Social Work. With the lost and frustrated answers we had, (sometimes some students felt like a failure when they shifted from their original course, I felt like a failure back then for not making it to BS Accountancy)she realized that we were all shifters in that class; she got crazy mad and shouted that Social Work department is not a dump site of failures.
She promised us that we would realize later that Social Work as a major is not a trash at all. Since that very first day, she truly made sure that every day of our four years in the department was a day of butterflies in the stomach and knees shaking.
Our teacher is Professor Sylvia Tacudog. During classes, she usually asked us out of this world questions. It was really difficult to think and look for answers to her questions back then. To avoid embarrassment and to at least get a score for the oral quiz, I would just say something. And she would reply that my response was miles and miles away from planet Earth.
I remember a time when she showed me her list, she said I scored One Million. I saw my name with plenty of zeros and she said I answered correctly but once only. The rest were 0 and accordingly those were the times I wasn’t able to answer or my response was miles away from the topic.
She’s comical but somehow when I was a student I was mad because my grades were my life. We considered her examination as bar exams or more than that. Also, being embarrassed in front of the class is normal and a norm. I think almost everyone was used to it but of course except for some bright and hardworking classmates who really find time to read and review.
I was a library working student then and I had the chance to cull out all the Social Work books but to no avail I thought that her examinations were taken from Planet Jupiter. I have thought that maybe Madam Sylvia’s brain is a brain of an alien and not of human. There were times that a number of students had to fail and hate Madam Sylvia more. In my case I really needed to bury myself into reading since failing one subject would mean the suspension of my working scholarship. (Thankfully, I never failed any of her subjects)
Well, I dreamed of becoming an Accountant but I ended up looking for a course that has fewer math subjects and I ended up in BS Social Work.
When our teacher came in for the first day of our Social Work I Subject, the first thing she asked us was on why we took up Social Work. With the lost and frustrated answers we had, (sometimes some students felt like a failure when they shifted from their original course, I felt like a failure back then for not making it to BS Accountancy)she realized that we were all shifters in that class; she got crazy mad and shouted that Social Work department is not a dump site of failures.
She promised us that we would realize later that Social Work as a major is not a trash at all. Since that very first day, she truly made sure that every day of our four years in the department was a day of butterflies in the stomach and knees shaking.
Our teacher is Professor Sylvia Tacudog. During classes, she usually asked us out of this world questions. It was really difficult to think and look for answers to her questions back then. To avoid embarrassment and to at least get a score for the oral quiz, I would just say something. And she would reply that my response was miles and miles away from planet Earth.
I remember a time when she showed me her list, she said I scored One Million. I saw my name with plenty of zeros and she said I answered correctly but once only. The rest were 0 and accordingly those were the times I wasn’t able to answer or my response was miles away from the topic.
She’s comical but somehow when I was a student I was mad because my grades were my life. We considered her examination as bar exams or more than that. Also, being embarrassed in front of the class is normal and a norm. I think almost everyone was used to it but of course except for some bright and hardworking classmates who really find time to read and review.
I was a library working student then and I had the chance to cull out all the Social Work books but to no avail I thought that her examinations were taken from Planet Jupiter. I have thought that maybe Madam Sylvia’s brain is a brain of an alien and not of human. There were times that a number of students had to fail and hate Madam Sylvia more. In my case I really needed to bury myself into reading since failing one subject would mean the suspension of my working scholarship. (Thankfully, I never failed any of her subjects)
As years went by and we were near of finally graduating its where my batch mates and I realized how passionate Madam Sylvia as a teacher was. We have come to love her not only as teacher but as a mother as well. Subsequent to 98% of our batch passing the Licensure Examination for Social Workers, we have come to love her more. I realized that she’s someone who gave her everything, someone who worked beyond the call of duty. A teacher who taught us to see the forest and not just the tree. A teacher who forced us to work and think outside the box. She led us on how to dance with life. She forced us to widen our visions as a student and not just depend on the theories we read from books. She touched our lives so meaningfully that somehow I can say that a piece of her will always be a part of me.
Now that I practice Social Work I usually met many of her former students who were from older and younger batches and we felt really home where ever we are since Maam Sylvia is our common ground. We shared the same stories of embarrassment in front of the class or the one million eggs we got from class recitation. But somehow, perhaps the class embarrassment became our foundation which made us to bravely speak in front of a crowd whoever the audience may be as long as we believe that we are right and we are fighting for something. Also, I am proud to say that the forty something shifters in our Social Work 1 subject are now located in many parts of the world and are successful Social Workers. In my case I am passionate in my development work in my own native land here in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Perhaps the stories of embarrassment or the passing grade of 75 was just a piece of the cake, because what really happened was she inspired and motivated us. Professor Sylvia really prepared us well in our career. Of course, I also thank our other professors, Madam Marietta Molina and Florita Paragas. Without them there will be no BS Social Work in Saint Louis University.
Perhaps the stories of embarrassment or the passing grade of 75 was just a piece of the cake, because what really happened was she inspired and motivated us. Professor Sylvia really prepared us well in our career. Of course, I also thank our other professors, Madam Marietta Molina and Florita Paragas. Without them there will be no BS Social Work in Saint Louis University.
Unfortunately, our hearts were all broken when our dearest Maám Sylvia was hit with that big C in 2006. It was hard for her I know because she’s passionate not just in teaching but also in promoting Social Justice. She battled with cancer and even in her weak body she still managed to teach. Thousands of us, who were her past and present students, joined her fight through faith and prayer.
Notwithstanding, the heavens welcomed our beloved teacher in November 2010. For now she is physically gone forever. But then a piece of her will forever remain in our hearts. Her advocacy on better standard of living and Social Justice will continue to multiply in many parts of the world as long as we are here to make it happen. We are her legacy and as we go deeper into the development work we choose, may Maam Sylvia will continue to touch lives through us.
May you rest in peace Maam Sylvia and I knew that where ever you are, you know how much we loved you.
x
