Dancing with Ms. Zafra
November 12, 2006 | 12:00am
My dear classmate Teesa Alzate Daluz of batch ’79 wrote me an update about an ultra memorable event held recently in honor of one of our favorite teachers. Though I was so sorry to have missed it (due to my bout with dengue fever), I was overjoyed to hear that it was a resounding success. Makes me proud to be an Assumption girl. I would like to share her letter with you.
Dear Michelle,
One usually trembles at the sight of a former teacher —— especially the ones we remember as having given us stern looks. This is not the case with our dear Lulu Zafra who taught PE in Assumption for 28 years. Evidence of this was the fundraiser we had for her last Oct. 20 at the Urdaneta Clubhouse. Representatives from 15 batches of Assumption High School, spearheaded by Dorcie Guingona (batch ’78) and Bubu Andres (batch ’88), worked hard to make the evening a night to remember. Our school president, Sister Gertrude, exclaimed that "it was the biggest hen party she ever attended!"
Starting with batch ’76, generations of Assumption girls came together for a night of dancing and dining as they generously bid on the auction items. In the words of Carmella Gana (batch ’86) ... seeing different batches come together for a cause was just AWESOME! We savored the delicious meal catered by Jill Ignacio-Busuego (batch ’87) of Delicioso and the bar drinks of sponsors Marissa Concepcion (batch ’79) and Malou Gamboa (batch ’86) as we renewed old friendships and made new ones. Chona Gana (batch ’78) commented that she felt God’s overflowing love everywhere that night.
Malou Gamboa and Gia Zosa-Narciso (batch ’88) were our emcees for the evening. They started the ball rolling with a hilarious ice breaker. Four ladies, who claim to have maintained the same waistline and haircolor as they did in high school, won free drinks. Bambi Huab (batch ’92) prepared the AVP depicting the many years of Ms. Zafra in Assumption. Thanks to her dance classes, we had a grand time moving to the disco beat of the ’80s and ’90s. Dorcie Guingona ecstatically expressed, "It was ZAFRA MAGIC we experienced that night!"
It was so funny to witness older batches snatching tent cards of younger batches during photo ops as Marivic Lopa Silva (batch ’78) clicked away all the evidence on her camera. She claims. "The whole event left a good feeling in the heart, something wonderful to bring home."
Petite Pahati (batch ’80) is right in saying, "We simply wanted to help someone we all cared about, and in return, the event gave everyone who came a sense of pure joy. Kudos to the organizers, sponsors, donors and all who attended! I am sure that our beloved Mother Foundress, Blessed Marie Eugenie is smiling proudly at us from heaven." As Bubu Andres so aptly put it, "The event’s success shows that the assumption Spirit is truly beyond compare."
Salve Regina!
Love,
Teesa
P.S. I would also like to share a copy of Ms. Zafra’s thank you speech below. I must tell you, there was not a dry eye left in the room that night. She got a standing ovation.
I chose to be a teacher. Not a grand idea but there was this voice that made me decide to choose that profession. If nuns and priests have their calling, teaching might be my calling. There have been a few people who tried to persuade me to change my mind but the urge to teach was very strong.
So I followed my heart and became a teacher. God led me to Assumption. I could have easily decided to go to another school where my four sons could benefit from my privileges but there was this voice again that told me to stay. So I listened to it again defying common sense.
Years passed and I taught a lot of children. I taught them as usual —— what was stated in my lesson plan, what my coordinator required me to deliver.
I retired and went on with my life and my students went on with theirs. I read about them in newspapers, in the celebrity page —— getting married to this man, being successful in their careers, attending a sosyalan, and so on. I saw some in the malls doing the grocery, malling with their family. I saw some in Assumption where my granddaughter now studies, talking to new teachers about their child’s performance. I saw my students everywhere. Some would approach me and say "Hi at bonus na yung i-beso ako and give me a hug. Some would not recognize me. But I have always been proud of every student I taught. I would share fond memories with my daughters in law and friends about my dear students.
And so I am the retired teacher – forgotten, sometimes remembered – stayed at home, took care of my grandchildren, and I looked for other things to do. I am a servant leader of the Handmaids of the Lord for six years now. It keeps me busy too.
My condition worsened and with it my finances. Every centavo from my retirement pay was gone due to my medicines. A little help from here and there made me survive. Until the help became lesser and lesser.
Until one day, you came knocking on my door. You who I taught decades back. You gave me medicines, food, financial help, and hope. You remembered me – your teacher who taught you as usual.
Today, you again surprised me with this auction and dinner to raise funds for me. You spent your time and money to come up with this event despite your hectic schedule. You sacrificed for me. You thought of my welfare rather than yours. You shared your blessings with me. You made me very happy and very proud. You gave me hope. You helped me realize that I was made to teach – this is my purpose – this is my contribution to society.
Thank you is not enough for all you have given me. I will never be able to repay your goodness. I will always be thankful for your help and thank God for constantly giving me all of you. Thank you Bubu Andres and Dorcie Guingona. Thank you to everyone who shared their blessings. Thank you for your calls. Thank you for your visits. Thank you for the medicines. Thank you for the financial help. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for extending my life.
Thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless you all. Good night.* * *
Dear Michelle,
One usually trembles at the sight of a former teacher —— especially the ones we remember as having given us stern looks. This is not the case with our dear Lulu Zafra who taught PE in Assumption for 28 years. Evidence of this was the fundraiser we had for her last Oct. 20 at the Urdaneta Clubhouse. Representatives from 15 batches of Assumption High School, spearheaded by Dorcie Guingona (batch ’78) and Bubu Andres (batch ’88), worked hard to make the evening a night to remember. Our school president, Sister Gertrude, exclaimed that "it was the biggest hen party she ever attended!"
Starting with batch ’76, generations of Assumption girls came together for a night of dancing and dining as they generously bid on the auction items. In the words of Carmella Gana (batch ’86) ... seeing different batches come together for a cause was just AWESOME! We savored the delicious meal catered by Jill Ignacio-Busuego (batch ’87) of Delicioso and the bar drinks of sponsors Marissa Concepcion (batch ’79) and Malou Gamboa (batch ’86) as we renewed old friendships and made new ones. Chona Gana (batch ’78) commented that she felt God’s overflowing love everywhere that night.
Malou Gamboa and Gia Zosa-Narciso (batch ’88) were our emcees for the evening. They started the ball rolling with a hilarious ice breaker. Four ladies, who claim to have maintained the same waistline and haircolor as they did in high school, won free drinks. Bambi Huab (batch ’92) prepared the AVP depicting the many years of Ms. Zafra in Assumption. Thanks to her dance classes, we had a grand time moving to the disco beat of the ’80s and ’90s. Dorcie Guingona ecstatically expressed, "It was ZAFRA MAGIC we experienced that night!"
It was so funny to witness older batches snatching tent cards of younger batches during photo ops as Marivic Lopa Silva (batch ’78) clicked away all the evidence on her camera. She claims. "The whole event left a good feeling in the heart, something wonderful to bring home."
Petite Pahati (batch ’80) is right in saying, "We simply wanted to help someone we all cared about, and in return, the event gave everyone who came a sense of pure joy. Kudos to the organizers, sponsors, donors and all who attended! I am sure that our beloved Mother Foundress, Blessed Marie Eugenie is smiling proudly at us from heaven." As Bubu Andres so aptly put it, "The event’s success shows that the assumption Spirit is truly beyond compare."
Salve Regina!
Love,
Teesa
P.S. I would also like to share a copy of Ms. Zafra’s thank you speech below. I must tell you, there was not a dry eye left in the room that night. She got a standing ovation.
I chose to be a teacher. Not a grand idea but there was this voice that made me decide to choose that profession. If nuns and priests have their calling, teaching might be my calling. There have been a few people who tried to persuade me to change my mind but the urge to teach was very strong.
So I followed my heart and became a teacher. God led me to Assumption. I could have easily decided to go to another school where my four sons could benefit from my privileges but there was this voice again that told me to stay. So I listened to it again defying common sense.
Years passed and I taught a lot of children. I taught them as usual —— what was stated in my lesson plan, what my coordinator required me to deliver.
I retired and went on with my life and my students went on with theirs. I read about them in newspapers, in the celebrity page —— getting married to this man, being successful in their careers, attending a sosyalan, and so on. I saw some in the malls doing the grocery, malling with their family. I saw some in Assumption where my granddaughter now studies, talking to new teachers about their child’s performance. I saw my students everywhere. Some would approach me and say "Hi at bonus na yung i-beso ako and give me a hug. Some would not recognize me. But I have always been proud of every student I taught. I would share fond memories with my daughters in law and friends about my dear students.
And so I am the retired teacher – forgotten, sometimes remembered – stayed at home, took care of my grandchildren, and I looked for other things to do. I am a servant leader of the Handmaids of the Lord for six years now. It keeps me busy too.
My condition worsened and with it my finances. Every centavo from my retirement pay was gone due to my medicines. A little help from here and there made me survive. Until the help became lesser and lesser.
Until one day, you came knocking on my door. You who I taught decades back. You gave me medicines, food, financial help, and hope. You remembered me – your teacher who taught you as usual.
Today, you again surprised me with this auction and dinner to raise funds for me. You spent your time and money to come up with this event despite your hectic schedule. You sacrificed for me. You thought of my welfare rather than yours. You shared your blessings with me. You made me very happy and very proud. You gave me hope. You helped me realize that I was made to teach – this is my purpose – this is my contribution to society.
Thank you is not enough for all you have given me. I will never be able to repay your goodness. I will always be thankful for your help and thank God for constantly giving me all of you. Thank you Bubu Andres and Dorcie Guingona. Thank you to everyone who shared their blessings. Thank you for your calls. Thank you for your visits. Thank you for the medicines. Thank you for the financial help. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for extending my life.
Thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless you all. Good night.
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