What do you remember most about your teachers?

Growing up, we have come to look up to our teachers with so much respect. Being with them almost every day in school made them the most influential persons in our lives — next to our parents, of course. As they were very much a part of our world, whether or not we loved or hated them, we cannot deny that we owe them — whoever we are, and wherever we ended up today. 

With all that they have shared with us, it is fitting that we give honor to them this month — National Teachers Month, Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 — not only through thoughts but also by giving them a call or sending them a text to say thank you for all the lessons they have taught us. 

Milo Naval, furniture designer

My stylish “History of Architecture” teacher was my favorite. She’d be wearing something Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic, etc. whenever she’d discuss these styles. She was very interesting that way, so she made an impact.

Dr. Joven Cuanang

My favorite teacher in medical school taught me how to listen carefully to the compliments of patients, to carefully observe their behavior, and be thorough in doing a physical examination for me to be able to arrive at a correct diagnosis. The interaction with the patient is a valuable experience that makes me more fulfilled in my profession as a doctor.

Butch Albert, founder, iSportlife Fila Inc., chairman AGD Inc., philanthropist

I spent my high school life at the International School of Brussels. The teacher I remember most was from my Spanish class — she had a speech impediment. Whenever someone would laugh at her lisp she would penalize their work harshly.

Megan Young, 2013 Miss World, actress

When I was growing up in Subic, one of the most unforgettable lessons I learned from my teacher was that learning should not be limited to the confines of the classroom. And that encouraged me on my own journey to discover things on my own.

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano

My God, all my teachers learned a lesson from me because of my naughtiness.

Sheila B. Romero, CEO, Oracle Hotel and Residences

Our trigonometry teacher was the epitome of “small but terrible.” Everybody was afraid of senior year because Ms. O was known to flunk a lot of people. She would wear chunky platform shoes, a thick belt on her short skirt from the ‘50s and a vintage ruffled top. She used a stick and her black glasses accentuated her sharp nose — just to complete the terror look. We all would become nervous as she randomly called a name and you would stand until you answered correctly. Her exams were so difficult that I would miss lunch just to attend group studies.

She made me study harder and come to class always prepared. In hindsight, was she really a terror teacher or were we just too lazy to study? Come to think of it, what is the relevance of sine, cosine and tangent these days? 

John Arcilla, actor

One of the most liberating lessons I learned in school was never to believe everything you read or hear. Our history books, for one, aren’t always accurate in their depiction of our so-called heroes. And even science, despite its penchant for logic, always undergoes a paradigm shift every so often. It sounds ironic, but the more you learn, the more you actually “unlearn.”

Jiggy Cruz

The teacher I remember most was my Grade 7 moderator, Mr. Roy Roldan. It was that year when I felt that the class I was part of was united 100 percent. He was inspiring and genuine. He was like a big brother to all of us. He was our Mr. Keating (“O Captain My Captain!”). I still keep in touch with him up to this very day. He was the best!

Gina Lopez

My favorite high school teacher was Miss Barrera, my literature teacher at Assumption. She put her heart in her job and one could feel it. Her passion was inspiring. My favorite college teacher was Professor Ed Morato who taught me at Asian Institute of Management where I got my master’s in Development Management. His intuitive insightfulness, his out-of-the-box thinking, his thoughtful creativity stays with me until this day.

Iya Villania, TV host

Growing up in Sydney, I remember one of my favorite teachers very well, because she always had a wonderful air about her. She was very motherly and very doting to all of us. Through her, I learned the truth behind the maxim, “Teach by example.” For me, her biggest lesson was that the more important things in life, such as character, humility and integrity, aren’t always found in books.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi

I studied in a public elementary school, Muntinlupa Elementary School until Grade 3, and my favorite teacher was Mrs. Erlinda Alvarez, the mother of former Customs commissioner Bert Alvarez. In my high school days, I transferred to a private high school in San Pedro, Laguna — Lakeshore High School — and my favorite teacher was Mrs. Edith N. Lodovico. I never had a terror teacher because I was “teacher’s pet.” My routine then was school to house (and vice versa). I was very attentive in school; my pastime was helping my family in the market, we had a meat stall during that time. I had good relations with my past teachers, and always attend school reunions. In fact I am still invited during graduation in both schools. Just recently I was invited by Lakeshore alumni to be the keynote speaker and I was so happy to meet my old teachers.