TIP pays tribute to teachers, teaching profession

MANILA, Philippines - The Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) launched a commemorative publication that resonates this empowerment on Jan. 21, 2012 at the Anniversary Hall of the TIP Quezon City Campus along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City.

The book, aptly entitled Teacher Teacher: A Tribute to Teachers Everywhere, is not only a literary homage to the noble profession of teaching, it is also TIP’s way of honoring the teachers who have molded generations of young minds into becoming better individuals.

TIP was founded in 1962 by Engr. Demetrio Quirino Jr. and co-founded by his wife Dr. Teresita Quirino, both of whom were classroom teachers themselves. From its humble beginnings in 1962, TIP has become a true Filipino success story of grit and determination, now punctuating its golden anniversary with this book that is a sterling tribute to teachers.

Brought together by renowned editorial consultant Abe Florendo, Teacher Teacher features 30 essays about 30 different teachers who are not just mere mentors but who are also parents, friends, or people with real life professions such as a member of the clergy and an engineer. They are special people who have touched the lives of some of the country’s most influential literary professionals, writers, artists, and teachers.

Dr. Teresita Quirino, who wrote the book’s Foreword, heads an impressive roster of contributing essayists. Among those who also looked back and contributed their stories about their own unforgettable and influential mentors are noted journalists Jessica Soho, Thelma Sioson San Juan, Rosario Garcellano, Barbara Gonzales, Jose Dalisay Jr., Jessica Zafra, Vergel Santos, and Lourd de Veyra; Antonio Moreno, SJ, Ateneo de Zamboanga University president; Reynaldo Vea, Mapua Institute of Technology president; Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS; Press Secretary Sonny Coloma; prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; sculptor Impy Pilapil; PR practitioner Christine Joycelyn Lumawig-Buensalido; marketing consultant Cynthia Gruet; entrepreneur Jose Mordeno; poet and visual artist Elizabeth Lolarga; UP Associate Professor Grace Shangkuan Koo; cookbook author Michaela Fenix; astrologer George Sison; businesswoman Ruth Minerva Cruz; publisher Winnie Velasquez and Cynthia Ferrer Gubler, who wrote the book’s light-hearted epilogue.

TIP alumna Nieves Villamin, now a successful vineyard owner and wine producer in the US, also gathers the recollections of her colleagues from TIP of the larger-than-life image of Engr. Demetrio Quirino Jr. Members of the TIP management, president Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz, vice presidents Severino Pader and Cynthia Llanes, also contributed their essays; while entries of TIP students Erika Kristel Gonzaga and Frances Joyce Vallejos who won in the TIP essay-writing contest were also included in the book.