Sweet students

Today's class fell on a Valentine's Day. So, it started with a quote from my UP Professor: "Valentine's Day is just a social & consumerist construct."

But of course, that didn't stop us from exchanging some Valentine's Day treats.

Two of my students handed me these heart-shaped and sweet treats.

Yes, it might be a social & consumerist construct," but it shouldn't stop us from being sweet.

Saturday Surprise

Went to school on Saturday, and was supposed to ask where my trophy could be claimed.

But instead of me looking for the trophy, it was the trophy who came to me. Delivered by my students from both last semester and this semester.

It was such a pleasant surprise! And it came with a cake, too.

It just gets better and better.

One of the best surprises

It began with a message from Vanie. She asked if I've been told about my nomination as Best Lecturer in the school's institutional awards for faculty. My reply was" "No, this is the first time I'm hearing this."

Cut to the next day. This happened.

Apparently, I'm the Best Lecturer! This is such a cool and awesome surprise!

Too bad I wasn't able to receive the award since there was a work meeting at that same time.

Actually, teaching and interacting with students, school faculty and our school administration is reward enough. So this award is icing on the cake.

Not Becky's Kitchen

But Becky's living room!

Once again, the Mass Comm faculty continues our tradition of spending our Christmas party at Becky's home.

As expected, it was an afternoon filled with food, laughter, and teacher talk.

Merry Christmas, Mass Comm!

Cat Calling

Here's one of the reasons why going to school on Saturdays is a lot of fun.

These 2 cute cattaters - sometimes more - are always hanging outside the faculty area. They're usually there, just looking cute. 

Seeing them is a great way to start the day.

Papa don't Prichy

Referencing Madonna is so irresistible. Hahaha.

Was walking through the school corridor and chanced upon this:

Prichy is actually the reason why I'm teaching in SSC. 

Back when she was the Department Chair of the Mass Comm Department and my office was in P. Ocampo St., she visited me and told me if I'd be interested in taking a part-time teaching job. Since SSC was less than 5 minutes away from the office, and the fact that it was Prichy who asked, the answer was a big, resounding "YES!"

And I"m still here!

But more than that school interaction, Prichy and I have been BFFs since our college years. Our favourite analogy is that if our friendship was a person, he'd be 35 years old now! Gosh!

This makes me feel so lucky because we've known each other not just for many years, but in many roles and iterations - friend, kumpare, co-teacher, co-traveler - and so an and so fort. So, you can say that we practice what we Prichy.

College cats

There are several "house cats" within the SSC Manila campus. 

They're usually to greet me or "meow" at me on Saturdays. They usually hang-out in front of the facutly area, and it's always a joy to watch them.

Was lucky enough to catch 2 of them last Saturday as they were lazing around. It was a scene that's nicely captured in this shot:

They bring cuteness to a different degree.

A college degree.

20/20 Vision

It feels just like yesterday when it happened.

Was working at Dentsu, Young & Rubicam - Alcantara, and our office was in Vito Cruz. A few blocks away was St. Scholastia's College. Prichy dropped by the office one time and asked if I'm interested in teaching a subject there.

Because Prichy is one of my closest friends - and at that time, the Chair of the Mass Comm Department - my answer was a resounding "yes!"

Fast forward to 20 years, and I'm still here!

The adage goes: "Love what you do and you'll never have to work a day in your life." With that, I haven't been working for SSC in the past 20 years.

Teaching is definitely one of the best decisions I've made.

Deco-room

I've been to St. Cecilia's Hall countless times, but it was only last Friday when I appreciated the beauty of the art deco lobby.

Amazing how time can make you see familiar things in a different way.

F&F

Nope, this isn't about the in-house fast-fashion brand of Tesco.

(Gosh, it's still a bummer that they don't have that brand in MNL anymore.)

It's about how today was spent.

Still on Christmas mode, today was a get-together day with 2 groups of people who have been part of my life - and holiday celebrations - for ages.

FRENDZ!

We were almost complete today. We gathered at Mona's house - per usual - and marvelled at how the kids have grown and how many stories we missed in the years we haven't seen each other. (This was my first time to see Rona and TinTin in 5 years!)

FACULTY!

It;s also been a while since our last get together as a Mass Comm faculty. This was actually the first time in a long time that we were able to gather this big a group. 

Of course, we all had our share of classroom stories to tell. And admittedly, the half day we were together wasn't enough to talk about all the shenanigans.

So, to sum up today, I'll also use an F word.

FANTASTIC!

From "in the classroom" to "In the industry"

There's a brimming feeling of pride whenever my former students succeed in the advertising industry.

It's the same feeling of pride that I felt last Thursday after running into Therease.

She's one of my former students in SSC. Even back then, it was easy to see that she'd succeed in the industry. She's very articulate, organised, strategic and decisive. These are qualities that you need as an ad agency person, and these are the qualities why she's continuing to succeed in the industry.

Moments like these make teaching much more rewarding.

Full SSCircle

On today's GA for the Mass Comm department, we had a pleasantly surprising realisation.

Five of the newer faculty members of the department are our former students.

The five young ladies in the middle - Iya, Josche, Vanie, Jaimee and Dani - are all graduates of the Mass Comm program of SSC. And they all chose to go back to pay it forward by teaching the next generation of SSC students.

It was a proud moment for Chally, Becky and me.

It was also a "gosh, I'm old!" moment.

Getting schooled

And just like that, summer vacay is over!

Call me a nerd, but I'm super psyched to go back to school. 

Then again, I'm the teacher and not the student. So, I'm just hoping that my students will feel the same.

School. Mates.

It was super random if you think about it.

Out of the blue, Prichy contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in teaching Copywriting at St. Scholastica’s College. They were in urgent need of a teacher, and she thought my credentials merited me to teach.

First, my advertising career started as a copywriter. Second, my office was just a stone throw’s away from SSC. Third, my academic background fulfilled all their requirements.

Needless to say, my answer was “yes.”

Almost 2 decades later, I’m still teaching.

Because teaching has given me so much more in return. I’ve learned from my students as much as they learn from me. I’ve been inspired by the next generation of advertising practitioners as much as i’ve Inspired them. Teaching has helped me continuously fuel my passion for advertising.

And of course, i’ve made wonderful friends of long standing. From co-teachers, we’ve become great mates. Just like the 3 of us.

This is just 3 of many. And 3 of the many reasons why I discovered school.

Quiet Time

One of the perks of going to school early is that the faculty is very empty, serene and quiet.

Then again, it's a Saturday and there are only a very few teachers here on that day.

It's safe to say that on Saturdays, it's quiet time all the time.

SSC = Super Swag Canteen

Just as it's been 4 years since my last face-to-face class in SSC, it's been 4 years since my last visit to the school canteen.

And my gosh, our canteen definitely had a glow up!

Sent Mark a photo of the canteen and he says it looks like a Starbucks. And he's right.

Looks like I'll be hanging out at the canteen more often on Saturdays.

Hi School!

After 3 years of online teaching, it's finally go back to SSC for face-to-face classes!

It felt like the 1st day of school all-over again. So, it was fun and novel to retrace the steps that I used to take before 2020 came along.

From the LRT rides to school...

By the way, the LRT has a "Mahogany" moment inside...

These lines were a weekly part of my life which is fun to do again.

These halls which would still be quiet when I'd arrive since I'd be one of  the first people there...

To this classic painting that I'd always stop in front of...

To the high school building, and the mango tree that was recently uprooted.

Yup, it's great to be back in school!

Abi there

For a teacher, one of the greatest joys is seeing your student thrive and succeed in the professional world.

That's exactly how I felt after having dinner with one of my former students, all the way in Seoul!

Abi was one of my Advertising students in SSC. After graduation, she pursued a career in Advertising Media, working for A-list media companies like Starcomm.

Eventually, she spread her wings further and took on an overseas posting in BKK. There, she continued to impress her bosses until they offered her another posting in Seoul.  Knowing she was there, meeting up with her was one of the items on my agenda for this trip. 

Listening to her story reminded me so much of myself during my younger days. (Albeit I was older than her when the expat life beckoned.) This made for great conversation while waiting for our Chicken Galbi to cook.

Knowing her as a student and hearing how she is now, I'm sure this is just the start of a very successful career in Advertising for her. Whether it's here or there or anywhere.

Comm-patriots

When the 3 of us first met as block mates at the UP College of Mass Communications, we were all wide-eyed teenagers who were raring to embrace what college life has to offer.

Through we came from very different backgrounds, Prichy, Wowie and I became fast and close friends. 

It's a friendship that lasted decades. Even if we moved to different cities and different countries, our paths would always cross and we'd always find ourselves together.

One place where our paths crossed again was another Mass Communications experience. The 3 of us became teachers at St. Scholastica's College - Department of Mass Communications. Being co-faculty members made it so much fun and enriching to teach.

And almost 3 decades since we graduated, we're now back in Plaridel Hall to visit Wowie. She's now the Associate Dean of the College! The same college where we met as wide-eyed teenagers.

Even though it's been decades, being back with these 2 makes me feel like  freshman all over again.

A Class Act

And boom! The 1st semester of school has begun!

It's great to be reunited with my students last semester, especially after it felt like our semester ended abruptly.

Glad to see you again, class. Just like last semester, let's make this semester fun again!