I am a Teacher: I am C.D.O.

By: JUNITO C. COMEROS

Master Teacher I
Cadayonan Elementary School, Southwest II District

Teaching is like carrying a torch to illuminate the lives of many.

Four years ago, I was lost in the dark. I did not care about my job. I did not think about my family.

I ignore my friends. I did not listen to my superiors. I was a happy-go-lucky teacher. Even worst, I was

into gambling. Because of that vice, I failed everyone’s trust and expectations.

That time I felt that life was like a fight. The punches, the jabs, and the hooks come in the form of

challenges, obstacles and failures. But one time, an encouraging school head told me, “I see something

special in you! You can be an excellent teacher.” I was struck with that statement. How come a superior

would tell me those words? From that very moment, I was able to see light. I went directly to the

bathroom, faced the mirror and asked: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, how can I be a better teacher at all?”

Since then, I decided to change. I realized that I want my existence to be very productive. I was hopeful to

create beautiful and meaningful scenarios with the children and people around me. I worked even after

official time and on Saturdays and Sundays. From then on, I evoked a strong pledge to show my

unwavering commitment and dedication to foster an impeccable integrity, honesty and sincerity to this

amazing mission God has given me.

Just like a fighter who suffered from a loss, I cling on to my lifelines: my family, my friends, my

colleagues, my superiors, and most of all, my God. I needed to stay on the ring to continue the fight and

learn from the past fights I had. I needed the light to motivate myself in my day-to-day activities as an

individual and as a professional. In the end, I was victorious. I was able to knock my vice out, produced

national winners, became president of a teachers’ organization, and was declared as an outstanding school

paper adviser just recently.

Just like me, Cagayan de Oro City has experience darkness also. It was when the Typhoon

Sendong adversely hit the place in 2011 and made her suffer a lot. However, after years of toiling hard and

rebuilding steadfastly, her resiliency and competence shine throughout the nation. Recently, she was

declared as 1st in rank in the resiliency category and the top 5 most competitive city in the country. Me and

her share a common denominator: competence, dedication and optimism.

To be a teacher is to carry a burning torch. It is like an action carried out by one to illuminate the

lives of many. As a teacher and as a Kagay-anon, I would always dedicate my whole self to uplift,

empower, and educate people. And it would be my greatest honor and duty to hold this torch high enough

so that the children and people around me could see and feel its light.