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Feature: (Goodbye and) Thank you, Professor Tandoc

10/27/2016 09:19:00 PM Media Center 1 Comments



We treat our school as our second home because we spend most of our time in it, devoting almost eight hours inside the campus. In it, we also have our second mothers and fathers—our teachers who play the roles of our parents when we are in school. Without them, we will not be able to learn what we need for the “real” world.

Last October 9, 2016, one of our beloved second parents, Prof. Violeta P. Tandoc, an English teacher at UPIS for 28 years, passed away at the age of 69. Join us as we remember her for who she was: a loving teacher and mother and a good friend and colleague.

Prof. Tandoc to her students or Ma’am Volet to her colleagues is one of the reasons why the UPIS students love the English subject. She is also one of the reasons why the students and the teachers are passionate about their work. Somehow, she touched their lives in different ways.

“Parang mga anak o apo na turing niya sa amin kasi sobrang mag-alaga si Ma’am,” Danna Sumalabe, who was one of Ma’am Tandoc’s 4-Patani advisees in AY 2009-2010, reminisces.

Her students describe her as very generous, kind, and loving. According to them, Ma’am Tandoc did not treat them simply as students; she treated them like her own children. How? Not only by teaching them how to use verbs and adjectives, but also how to deal with and solve their problems. She gave tips and advice on how to improve class presentations and individual performances. She always encouraged her students to do well in class.

“Kapag may problem ka sa English, siya agad ‘yung lalapit sayo para gumawa ng paraan,” says Jaja Ledesma, who was one of Ma’am Tandoc’s students in 4-Sitaw.

To add to that, she was a very hands-on adviser. She made sure that her class would get the first place. She helped them during the practices and gave suggestions on how to improve the performance, and a lot more.

When one student struggled to finish the test and drew all over the paper instead of answering it, Ma’am Tandoc saw the paper with his drawings and complimented him.

“…Sabi niya ang galing ko raw mag-drawing tapos ipagpatuloy ko hanggang college at i-try ko raw yung Fine Arts,” shares Angelo Cinco who was also a member of 4-Sitaw.

She knew that each student has his or her own skills and she encouraged their development.

Ma’am Tandoc’s motherly care extended to her colleagues as well.

Prof. Cathy Atordido who first worked with Ma’am Tandoc in 2006 says that she gave guidance and advice not just on being teachers and advisers but also shared life lessons on marriage and building a family.

Aside from this, she was a good friend to have a nice chat with. She shared stories about the books that she wanted to read, chamber theatre pieces, suggestions on the activities that may be used in class, the recipes that she wanted to cook and a lot more.

ONE LAST SMILE. One of Professor Tandoc's many interests outside work is gardening.
Photo credit: Reggy Tandoc

“Masayahin si Ma’am. Kahit nakakapagod ang trabaho at kahit maraming ginawa, lagi siyang nakangiti at positive,” Ma’am Cathy adds.

Even if their work was very tiring, the smile on her face never faded. She easily got along with others, and they were grateful for all the things that Ma’am Volet has taught them.

Prof. Melanie Donkor, who was one of her closest friends, described her as a sister. She had plenty of stories to tell, with 24 hours not being enough for all her stories.

“I would listen to her… she talks a lot,” Ma’am Donkor says fondly as she remembers Ma’am Tandoc.

After battling illness and an accident, she was still able to overcome challenges in her life. She never gave up and always made sure that those challenges would not bring her down. She always stood up after falling, and made sure that everything will be alright.

“She’s a tough woman; she did not give up so easily,” Ma’am Donkor adds with tears in her eyes.

It is sad to imagine that the new students and teachers were not able to meet a great teacher, friend, and mother like Ma’am Tandoc. And for the people that were able to meet her, the stories, lessons, and memories will always remain in their hearts.

For one last time, goodbye and thank you, Professor Tandoc. // by Zach Jugo

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