Gentle and shy in social life, Mia transforms into the elegant teacher who takes command of her class. As soon as she steps onto the platform of her classroom, her demeanor evolves from the quiet and timid lady to that of a leader who leaves no room for doubt about who’s in charge.
With an English degree from Ateneo and a master’s in Psychology from the Assumption Graduate School, Mia Tambunting is the classic beauty with brains. She pauses here to reflect on her parents, airplane rides and being at peace with herself.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I love National Book Store. I buy more pens, school supplies and envelopes than I need.
Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?
When I am really troubled, the words "Thy will be done" help me.
How do you resolve your conflicts?
I learn to accept and to live with many problems that I cannot solve.
Which living person do you admire most?
I admire parents in general and my parents, Jesus and Margarita, in particular. Parenting is not an easy task, full of conflict of values versus material concerns.
What is your passion?
I have always liked Philippine literature. I focus on short stories, plays and essays.
What book influenced your life?
Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir is an autobiography about a woman and her family who were imprisoned in Morocco for 20 years. Their creativity in maintaining their sanity helped them transcend what was happening to them.
Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?
Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice who gets the man of her dreams and Nora from A Doll’s House who stands up for what she believes in even if she has to leave the man she loves.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Nervousness, especially when I get on an airplane.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I would rather have someone who is brutally frank than a hypocrite.
What is your current state of mind?
Relaxed, since we just began the school term.
What film influenced your life?
Gandhi taught me courage. He gave me the determination to do what it is I have set out to do.
Which historical character would you like to have been?
Joan of Arc. She was courageous. She never planned to lead an army but she did it well because she had a lot of faith.
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
Family vacations. My parents and I travel once a year with my two brothers and a sister during Holy Week. Last year we went to Australia.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
At the end of every semester, when I check the final exams, I am happy when I find that students have learned something from me.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
When there is no hope and no one to turn to.
What is your favorite occupation?
Teaching, though not necessarily in academe. I also enjoy training and giving seminars in confidence building.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Treating others with respect.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Recognizing the dignity in others.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being at peace with oneself.