Scribblory Writers Library
Your virtual library of true stories has come to this site!
Scribblory Writers Library shelters short true-to-life stories written by the memoirists of Scribblory Writers Group. This virtual library started in 2020, at the outset of COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was losing many lives, we held our pens and preserved life stories.
Are the write-ups here too few to quell the thirst of the reader in you? Head out to our old site and read some more.
Category: Education
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A Letter to Fr. Chen
Written by Alfred Pagunsan Gadayan
March 12, 2024
Dear Fr. Chen,
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. I am writing to you today to express my deep admiration and respect for you. Your life, your achievements, and your wisdom have been a source of inspiration for me.
The way you have lived your life, facing challenges with courage and grace and always staying true to your values, has taught me so much. Your stories, your experiences, and your wisdom have always left me in awe. I have learned the importance of resilience, patience, and kindness from you. Your positive outlook towards life, even in the face of adversity, has shown me the power of optimism.
Your dedication to our community is truly admirable. The way you have given back, helped others, and made a difference, has inspired me to strive to do the same. I am grateful for your guidance and support in my journey.
I am truly blessed to have you in my life. Your presence is like a beacon of light, guiding me through life's ups and downs. I am grateful for every conversation, every shared moment, and every lesson learned from you.
Thank you for being a role model, a mentor, and a friend. I hope to make you proud and carry forward your legacy of kindness, compassion, and wisdom.
With deepest respect,
Alfred
international day of education
A Tale of Teaching and Friendship
Written by AnKat
January 24, 2024
Mrs. Lacanlale, also known as Ms. Gemma, was one of our senior kindergarten teachers. She tutored me from 4th to 6th grade.
Mrs. Lacanlale is kind, creative, loving, fun, gentle, and patient.
Ms. Gemma enjoyed teaching and working with kids. Her students and tutees enjoyed their tutorial sessions, as she was good at what she did.
Ms. Gemma even organized a summer program with arts & crafts, acting, and lessons on good manners. We applied what we learned during a fine dining dinner event at The Alabang Country Club. The participants also performed a play as part of our culminating activity.
Ms. Gemma is a storyteller. I developed a love for reading from her. Although I was already a reader, she helped me gain a greater appreciation for books. I remember reading Great Expectations, Number the Stars, Anne of the Island, and The Secret Garden.
She and her family moved to Houston, Texas. During my time studying at the Houston Community College, she was working as a pre-K bilingual teacher (teaching in Spanish and English). I once accompanied her to the school and helped set up her classroom. My mom and I are close to her family, both here in The Philippines and Texas.
Ms. Gemma was one of the teachers who had a great impact on me. I admired her patience and sunny disposition with the children and her students. I hope someday I will also be a good influence on the youth just like she did.
international day of education
The Impact of an Extraordinary Teacher
Written by Alfred Pagunsan Gadayan
January 24, 2024
In Sipalay, Negros Occidental, Philippines, stood a beacon of knowledge and wisdom – Cabarrus Catholic College. It was here that I encountered an extraordinary teacher named Carmencita Tajo. Her influence was profound and her teachings were timeless.
Carmencita was a petite woman with a towering presence. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her voice, though soft, commanded attention. She was my high school teacher, but to me, she was more than that. She was a mentor, a guide, and a friend.
Every day, Carmencita would walk into the classroom with an infectious enthusiasm for learning. She taught us not just academic subjects, but life lessons as well. She emphasized the importance of responsibility, urging us to dedicate our time to studying and learning. "Knowledge is power," she would say, "and with power comes responsibility."
What made Carmencita influential were her qualities that resonated with my way of learning. She was patient, understanding, and had an uncanny ability to make complex concepts seem simple. She encouraged us to ask questions, to be curious, and to never stop learning. Her teaching style was interactive, making learning an engaging process rather than a monotonous task.
Carmencita's dedication to teaching was awe-inspiring. She would often stay back after school to help students who were struggling, never giving up on anyone. She believed in every student's potential and worked tirelessly to help us realize ours. It was her unwavering faith in us that instilled a love of learning in me.
Carmencita's influence extended beyond the classroom. She taught us to be compassionate, to respect others, and to value hard work. She was a role model, embodying the qualities she wanted us to imbibe.
In retrospect, Carmencita Tajo was not just a teacher; she was a torchbearer, illuminating the path of knowledge for us. She contributed immensely to my love of learning and shaped me into the person I am today. I owe a great deal of my success to her, and for that, I will always be grateful.
And so, the story of Carmencita Tajo, the remarkable teacher from Cabarrus Catholic College, lives on in the hearts of her students, continuing to inspire and guide us, just as she did all those years ago.
international day of education
From Insecurity to Intelligence
Written by Nichelle Dizon
January 24, 2024
I have an insecurity.
A deep one. It's still present today. There are days when it's like a thief trying to rob my joy, and some days I just feel confident, like a supermodel slaying the runway.
It's my IQ. I always compare myself to others who are more intelligent than me, thinking that I will never get ahead in life. I always feel small when I don't understand something right away. I would hate myself whenever I think about being the youngest in the family and not being as intelligent as my sibling. And what haunts me is that, as I go through life, what will happen to me, God, if I am like this?
But then again, I can’t live forever with my drama and this sad state. I've got to grind. I've got to live in the best way that I can. I’ve got to help myself.
One memory that has been etched in me is when I was in grade 5. I was 11 years old back then, and our Sibika (history class) teacher said that we would be having an exam the following day, so we needed to study. One thing I noticed was that she kept on repeating these words:
"You don't need to memorize. Just read your books."
"You don't need to memorize. Just read your books."
"You don't need to memorize. Just read your books."
​
So the thought of it played in my head.
"You don't need to memorize. Just read your books."
I don't need to memorize. How is that possible? How could I remember if I don't memorize? What she said made me curious, and I obeyed. When I went home and started studying, I just read what needed to be read and then closed the book.
The following day came, and we had our exam. I got 47/50. Three mistakes. I was in awe. It is indeed possible that I could get a high score without memorizing! I'm intelligent. I'm a genius.
I forgot the name of my teacher, but I will never forget this memory that she has endowed on me. That whenever I feel sad about having a lower IQ and fewer achievements in life, I could go back to that 11-year-old me. I still wonder how she did it. It’s the same body and soul speaking now. I will always remember the firm look on my teacher's face, her short black hair, round-figured body, and small stature. She allowed a child like me to discover her inner and untapped intelligence, and I'm holding on to this memory, knowing that somewhere inside of me is a huge load of intelligence ready to burst when it's needed.
And because of that, I continue to be curious about learning new things, reading books, and testing if I remember what I’ve read. I’ve made a commitment to myself and to the universe that learning and educating myself never stops, and I'm going to make an impact in this world.
International mentoring day
A Mirror Reflected: Reflections on Growth in the Light of Mentorship
Written by Alfred Pagunsan Gadayan
January 17, 2024
Dearest Ma’am Thelma,
As I sit here, pen in hand, a kaleidoscope of memories swirls in my mind. Each scene is painted by the colors of our mentorship journey. From the nervous anticipation of our first meeting to the bittersweet warmth of our last, I've embarked on a transformative voyage alongside you, one that has irrevocably altered the landscape of my being.
Remember that hesitant, wide-eyed mentee who walked into your office, clutching a bag of dreams and insecurities in equal measure? That was me. Eager, yes, but unsure of my footing, lost in the labyrinthine paths of writing. Your welcoming smile, the twinkle in your eyes – it was a lighthouse in the fog, guiding me towards uncharted territories.
Our sessions were tapestries woven with insights, challenges, and unwavering support. You weren't just a mentor; you were a mirror, reflecting not only my strengths but also the blurry edges of my potential. Those moments I fumbled, tripped, and questioned – you held my hand, steadied my gaze, and whispered, "Look again, deeper." And within that abyss of self-doubt, I began to see glimmers of the person I could become.
One poignant memory, etched in my heart, is when you told me to master my vocabulary. Here, you simply smiled and grinned but left me astonished. In that moment, the scales fell from my eyes, and I saw my path with a newfound clarity. The fear metamorphosed into determination, the confusion into resolve. I became, in many ways, the architect of my own future, empowered by the tools and the confidence you had imbued in me.
Looking back, the impact of our mentorship resonates on multiple levels. My writing skills and poetic ability sharpened under your tutelage, a budding writer conquered with your unwavering belief. But beyond the tangible achievements, it's the transformation within that truly astounds me. You instilled in me a humility and being polite that serves as my compass, guiding me through life's unexpected turns.
As I step away from the haven of your guidance, I do so with a heart brimming with gratitude. You didn't just mentor me, but also you nurtured me, challenged me, and ultimately, liberated me to find my own voice, my own wings.
This journey, Ma’am Thelma, wasn't just about navigating the intricacies of writing. It was about navigating the labyrinth within myself. And with your torch held high, I found my way, ready to illuminate the path for others.
Thank you, from the depths of my being, for being the mirror that reflected my potential and the lighthouse that guided me home.
With the warmest regards,
Santi
International mentoring day
Cultivating Wisdom: Lessons from My Lolo's Lifelong Learning Journey
Written by Vergie M. Manligas
January 17, 2024
"Can you look up this word for me?" Lolo showed me a word in the book he was reading.
I stood up and grabbed the dictionary from the top of my desk. I read the meaning out loud. He nodded, and I closed the book, thinking that was it.
"Can you write it down?" He handed me a yellow sticky note and a red pen.
Confused, I grabbed the paper and pen and wrote down the word and its meaning.
Bestow.
This is the word that Lolo asked me to look up, read aloud, and write down. I was in elementary school then, and up until now, I couldn't erase the word from my head. It's like it's glued in my memory.
“If you want to widen your vocabulary, you have to read and read a lot. And if there's an unfamiliar word, look it up in the dictionary (the internet did not exist at the time). Read it aloud so you could hear the sound of your voice and hear the words coming out of your mouth and write it down so it will stick to your memory.”
This is how Lolo taught me to expand my knowledge and remember words.
I consider my grandfather, or Lolo as I call him, my life mentor. He had taught me many things. Even now, whenever I feel lost in life, I ask myself, What would Lolo do? It's as if he is still there to guide me with his wisdom and words.
Lolo never stopped learning. Until he couldn't get up from his bed, he would ask for a book to read. His memory remained sharp.
For him, it is never too late, and you are never too old to learn.
I pray I get half of his gusto for learning, so I could widen my knowledge more.
I was glad that the last book he held was the book I authored, A Silver Lining, which was his and Lola's life story.
Indeed, no one is too old to learn something new.
I am lucky to have a Lolo who guided me in life, to have a mentor I could look up to. I want to remember the values he taught me, and I plan to share those values to my children—and to everyone through my storytelling.
Aspiring to Ignite Minds: My Goals and Dreams for 2024 as a University Instructor
Written by Alfred Pagunsan Gadayan
January 8, 2024
As 2024 unfolds, I see myself standing before my students, not just as an instructor, but as their guide in their intellectual journeys. This year, my aspirations, dreams, and goals intertwine into a tapestry woven with the threads of passion, growth, and impact.
Aspiration: To Inspire Lifelong Learners: I dream of classrooms that buzz with curiosity, where students aren't afraid to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and delve deeper. I want to ignite a love for learning that extends far beyond the confines of my courses, empowering them to become lifelong seekers of knowledge.
Dream: To Foster Inclusive Excellence: I envision a classroom that celebrates diversity, where every student feels valued and their unique perspectives are welcomed. I aim to create a learning environment that fosters inclusivity, allowing every individual to thrive and reach their full potential.
Goal: To Embrace Innovation in Teaching: As technology evolves, I strive to integrate innovative tools and methodologies into my teaching. This year, I plan to experiment with flipped classrooms, online resources, and collaborative learning strategies to keep my students engaged and actively participating.
Aspiration: To Be a Beacon of Mentorship: Beyond imparting knowledge, I aspire to become a mentor who supports and guides my students. I want to create a safe space where they can discuss their academic journey, personal challenges, and career aspirations, offering them encouragement and insightful advice.
Dream: To Contribute to My Field: I am not just an instructor; I am also a scholar with a passion for research. This year, I dream of contributing to my field by publishing my work, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues. By sharing my knowledge, I hope to advance my discipline and inspire future generations of researchers.
Goal: To Cultivate a Growth Mindset: I believe in continuous learning, both for myself and my students. This year, I am committed to expanding my knowledge base, attending workshops, and seeking feedback from students and colleagues. By embracing a growth mindset, I can continually improve my teaching methods and better serve my students.
Aspiration: To Leave a Lasting Impact: As I stand before my students, I hope to leave a lasting impact on their lives. I dream of being remembered not just as an instructor, but as a mentor, an inspiration, and a catalyst for their intellectual growth.
These are just some of the aspirations, dreams, and goals that fuel my passion as a university instructor in 2024. It is a privilege to stand before young minds brimming with potential, and I am determined to play my part in shaping their futures, one inspired lesson at a time.