On my first year of teaching, I had two special students from two different sections. They are special not because they are bright, but because are both selfless.

                One time I noticed that student A (male) was sleeping. I asked him, “Why are you sleeping in my subject, hijo?” He replied, “Ma’am, I am very sorry but I couldn’t help it. I went out fishing with my father at 12 midnight and we reached home at 4 am.” I was thankful I approached him in a very soft voice because I would have been ashamed of myself if not.

                A week after, student B (female) can’t also control her sleepiness so I asked her, again, in a soft voice. “Hija, why do you look so sleepy?” She replied, “Ma’am, I am really sorry but I work in a bakery from 6 pm to am. I have no sleep yet.”

                Upon hearing the words of those students, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. They really want to study, yet they have to work at such a very young age.

                My two special students had graduated in high school last 2012 but still I could not forget them. I wonder where they are now or whether they have continued their college education or not.

                Students come and go, but we really find some special, some selfless young ones.

                Just as what Kobo Abe said, “Year after year students tumble along like the waters of a river. They flow away, and only the teacher is left behind, like some deeply buried rock at the bottom of the current.”
                Amen to that..

By: Gina R. Bagtas |T-II | Limay National High School