VILMA

VILMA

When she speaks, one can determine that she has sense and depth. She exudes a certain charm and command. One already knows by the way she stands and speaks that she means business. She takes things seriously, her studies, the task given to her and also the responsibilities she performs without the teachers telling her. She leads her class pretty well in a manner well-disciplined sometimes her classmates mistaken it for authoritarianism. Yes, she has this authority which her classmates and other students don't have. She is about 20 or 21. She was old for a high school student but she's way too young to carry all the burden of her family. At a very young age she has to leave her family in the province to work as a housemaid in one of the rich families here in Metro Manila. She juggles her work with her studies and never complains. She's seldom absent in her classes and she never used her work as an excuse for not attending class. She's always prepared for class discussions, presentations, quizzes and test.
She was in my class last school year and I can't help but admire the strength and confidence of this young girl. I was impressed when her group reported. They presented their report with the appropriate visual aids, well organized like a pro teacher. The more I was surprised when she began talking. She could speak the language well with so much confidence. For the first time in my teaching career, I found one student I was looking for. One who can express herself freely without being shy but not proud.One who is not afraid to ask questions and refute ideas when needed. One who is not afraid to commit mistakes especially in grammar and one who is not afraid to be laughed at when mistakes are committed. At last, I told myself, I have found someone whom I can share my ideas with, whom I can talk about sensible things,who disagrees with my views and questions the lessons she doesn't understand, analyzes what we read in class and questions authors' views and opinion, who doesn't just say "yes Ma'am or "no Ma'am". I have found a true student.
One admirable quality she possesses is her cheerfulness. She always carries a pleasant countenance, a smile to whoever she meets and when she greets teachers, she puts her right hand to her chest and bow. Many students find this very awkward and they laughed at her, they sneered and even imitate it with mockery oblivious of their own rudeness and stupidity. Looking at her cheerful appearance, one can never recognize that this young girl is suffering deep inside. Suffering from the burden of feeding and supporting her siblings. Suffering from the pain of separation from her family. Suffering from the complexities of life. And yet, she still stands firm, steadfast and unmoved by the adversities and hardships she experiences.
I admire this young girl and I am lucky to have met her in my class. She serves as one of my inspirations especially in the performance of my job.