Rowena Maynes Garcia, Teacher III in Baguio City National High School, believes that love and skills work together to produce a masterpiece. Having her share of hardships and joys in life, she keeps this philosophy in mind makes people around her – especially her learners – love learning and live life.

“Maganda po magturo si Ma’am Whengkie, sakto sa time. Naituturo niya nang husto ang lesson. Isa siyang ehemplo. Pangarap ko maging teacher dahil siya ang idol ko. Tinuturuan kaming maging positive sa aming dreams. Inspiring ang kaniyang mga kuwento, tula at kanta,” Grade 7 learner Jannica Campos Yassan shared.

Teacher Whengkie loves telling stories she created to her students, reciting poems she wrote, and singing songs she composed. For her students, these skills make her an incredible science teacher.

She begins her classes by singing songs to set the mood and to make her learners feel that science is a subject one should not fear. Then, she tells stories related to the topics she discusses.

If her learners get involved in dishonesty, Teacher Whengkie gently reprimands them by reciting her poem, “Iba’t-ibang Mukha ng Tagumpay,” which allows them to realize their wrongdoing and learn the value of honesty.

“She is an angel who came to our lives  to educate every student she would meet and inculcate in our minds that we should not only be academically competent  but also spiritually active,” wrote her former learners of Ednas School in Dagupan,in their yearbook.

“As a teacher, she is a wonder woman, well-organized, jolly, and energetic. As a friend, she is loyal and can keep secrets,” Teacher Sharon Lyn Sindayen enthused.

Teaching is Teacher Whengkie’s destiny but it was not her first choice. She wanted to be a carpenter but her childhood adventures led her to become a teacher. She also shared how she would gather her playmates in front of a wall in their house and teach them the alphabet using charcoal. They would dance and sing, and her leadership qualities positively influences people.

Teachers Margarita Martin and Judith Costales could not agree more: “Buhay na buhay sa lahat ng pagkakataon ang pagiging considerate ni Teacher Whengkie.” Lahat ng magagandang katangian ay nasa kanya – active, mabuting leader, and  approachable.”

In 1999, Teacher Whengkie graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education major in General Science from St. Louis University. She became a CHED scholar because she was in the Dean’s List. The stipend and the tuition discount sustained her in college.

“One of the happiest moments of my life was when my dream came true, ang maging teacher. I am the fourth of six siblings and I am the only one who finished a degree, thanks to my sister Irene who saw my determination and loaned the needed to register at St. Louis. I did not waste the opportunity. Life was hard, we were poor,” Teacher Whengkie shared.

Teacher Whengkie is a masterpiece whose love and skills work together. She continues singing songs, writing and reciting poems, and telling stories that bring positive impact to her learners and colleagues. She truly loves learning and lives life to the fullest.

“It was sheer sipag at tiyaga. Nakakamit ang tagumpay hindi lamang sa katalinuhan kundi sa iyong pagpupursigi at pag-priority sa pagtulong sa pamilya na maiahon sa kahirapan,” she concluded.

END

By: Melvin C. Magsanoc
Teacher III
Baguio City Division
Cordillera Administrative Region