Teachers are the rock of our society.
Despite their small pay, they work hard everyday so they can groom their students to become better individuals and citizens.

“Actually, masarap po yung pakiramdam maging isang teacher. Kahit hindi ka well-compensated pero nakikita mong natututo yung estudyante mo, nagiging inspirasyon ka sa kanila, sapat na na kabayaran sa amin yun,” said teacher and student council adviser of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina – Senior High School Department Paul John Pascual.
But when everything stopped last March, even the people who had all the answers were left with questions.

The patience of teachers and their ingenuity were tested. Moreover, besides thinking of their immediate families, they also thought about the safety of their extended ones — their students.
“Sobrang laking adjustment po yung nangyari sa amin kasi bilang teachers, face-to-face talaga yung alam namin. Tapos lahat nag-stop. Hindi na namin alam yung next step na gagawin namin, hindi na namin kung magpapatuloy pa yung trabaho namin,” shared Pascual.
“Of course, iniisip din namin yung mga estudyante namin. Paano yung graduation? Yung enrollment? Yung mangyayaring school year? May confusion at frustration pero kinakaya naman.”

For the past few months, teachers across the country became students. They would think of ways on how to adjust to the so-called New Normal.
And it will all culminate on October 5 as schools will distribute modules and begin online classes.

“Sa ngayon masasabi ko handa na kami. Pero yung real challenge is ma-experience namin yung October 5. Yun yung pinaghahandaan namin,” Pascual opined.
Knowing that it’s crunchtime, Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), through its leader Ronald Mascariñas, made sure to give an added boost to the teachers and staff of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina – Senior High School Department.

One-hundred packs of Adobo Connection frozen products were distributed to them.
This is all part of BAVI’s celebration of its 23rd year in the industry.
Speaking on behalf of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, Pascual expressed his gratitude to the organization for not forgetting them.

“Nung dumating yung Adobo Connection, na-touch kami kasi may nakakaalala pa sa amin. Kaming mga teacher, frontliner din kami so nakakatuwa na naalala pa kami at nabigyan pa kami ng surprise.”