For my Rizal subject last semester, I was assigned to denigrate Rizal with Renato Constantino’s article, Veneration Without Understading. Upon reading the article, I stumbled upon this section wherein Constantino criticized the role of heroes on our nation’s history.
It didn’t create much impact in me until today. When it finally sinked in that college days are finally over, I remembered the article and what it said about the role of heroes. Well in my case, my unsung heroes.
…Rizal served his people by consciously articulating the unconscious course of events. He saw more clearly than his contemporaries and felt with more intensity the problems of his country…He was the first Filipino but he was only a limited Filipino, the ilustrado Filipino who fought for national unity but feared the Revolution and loved his mother country, yes, but in his own ilustrado way….
I remember being sad because one of the best professor in UPV has decided to seek greener pastures abroad. She has been one of the people whom I look up to, and also my source of inspiration everytime doubts regarding my capacity and the career path i have chosen are flooding me. I fondly remember her pep talks which she selflessly gives everytime we need it – freshpersons’ orientation, JPIA events, or simply when the need arises. She seems to be able to pick up the right words and put them together so beautifully that it manages to uplift every listener’s spirit and erase all the questions that were starting to set in. She was empowered by love and idealism for the university and for the country, and with that she has touched the lives of so many people without her knowing.
…But he is not a hero in the sense that he could have stopped and altered the course of events…Without Rizal there would have developed other talents…That Rizal possessed a particular talent which influenced the style of the period was accidental…If there had been no Rizal, another type of talent would have appeared who might have given a different style to the historic struggle..
“Naku ma’am, ano na lang kaya ang mangyayari sa UPV pagwala ka na?”
“UPV has long been standing before I was even born, and it will stand still after my death. So don’t ask me what will happen to UPV because my presence would not be prejudicial to its existence.”
These were her lines which made me remeber this article. Though I wanted to make a reply, I opted not to because I know there is no way that I can make her change her mind.
Sad but true, her words made me reminisce my 5-year journey in the university which is nearly at its end. Without her, 5 years in the Accountancy program would still have been the same – with deadlines and exams all trying to fit into your schedule and filling up some weeks. It must have been the same journey with unforgiving teahcers, terror professors, and even incompetent ones. And just like any average accountancy student, from time to time, I would still have asked myself if I have chosen the right decision to enroll in the course. I would still have joined in the same organizations and become one of the active student leaders of my time. My set of friends would probably be the same, and i would have remained the same class clown ready with the best punchlines for every situation.
It may have been the same even without her.
When you look at the whole picture of my college life, my professor would only represent a spec in the canvas. A dot in the whole lot, maybe, but this dot has become one of the most significant forces in my journey. It was a long ride, but it was easier because of her. It was more memorable, fun, and challenging yet substantial and full of learnings at the same time. This dot, yes, has made all the difference.
I stand in the ground opposite of where Renato Constantino stands. Because a hero, though accidental most of the time, is never insignificant in a nation’s history - in our history for that matter. A man may have not have caused change in the way events turned out, but his power to touch the lives of many and to be of great inspiration is way better than to have provoked such change. An inspiration planted in one’s heart, coupled by the right idealism, is by far the best way of catalyzing change. Change does not start in an instant nor in a people; rather, it starts as a tiny flame in one’s heart, kindled by passion, which urges him to create change in himself in the hopes of changing the society.
The next set of aspiring accountants would enroll at the university next semester. We may not have the same tuition fee rates, but I’m sure that they will have the same hell weeks flooded by deadlines and exams. They will have to endure the same sleepless nights studying for the exams and experience being awake for 36 hours just to finish a paper. They will hate the same unreasonable and despicable teachers and back bite them every after class. They might join in the same organizations that have once added some hues to our already colorful life. They might have the same journey.
But then again, maybe not. They will not have her for their freshmen orientation pep talk, making them less proud to be a part of a premier university. They will not have her as organization adviser, which leaves them to other professors who don’t really care about student organizations after all. She would not be there to pat the backs of those who are losing hope in the battle for the retention policy, and her words of great wisdom would not be heard anymore by those who are in doubt even with their own abilities. Most especially, when everyone questions their passing the board exam, even they themselves, she will not be there to offer the same video presentation of songs and inspiring stories of average people who have succeeded. When clouded by the many distractions faced by one CPA board reviewee, she would not be there to tell you “FOCUS!” and make you realize by asking you that unending question, “WHAT CONSUMES YOU?”
These little details may be skipped when I tell you the story of my college life, but these same little details were my stepping stones to the finish line. They made me want to continue fighting in the battle, they made me survive, and they brought me to victory.
Thank you so much MA’AM MARIEL!
We will miss you!!!
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