Legends Never Die: A Tribute to the Legendary Mathematics Teacher of MGABMSAT

Photo was taken in Ma'am Imelda Bautista's facebook account.

On May 6, another light has been extinguished. The sad news of the passing of the legendary MGABMSAT highschool Mathematics teacher, Ma'am Imelda Baustista, whom we fondly call Ma'am Mel has greatly devastated us. Upon hearing the unfortunate news, memories and thoughts raced through my head. I tried remembering the last time I saw her and what was our discussion about before we parted, but oddly enough, I could not remember any of those things. I graduated from high school for more than a decade now and I regret not having the chance to pay a visit to the place I once called my second home. Instead, I was suddenly reminded of the x and y axes. These brought me back to my memory 12 years ago, where I could clearly see myself sitting on the 3rd row surrounded by my then closed friends, Mae Ann Calban, Kristine Aquino, Janice Julian, Reylyn Calban and at the back were my male friends Kenneth Aquino and Kuya Erad while we were intently listening to an ongoing discussion about coordinate graphing. Then, it occurred to me that all of my distinct memories about Ma'am Mel were not those small talks that we shared, but rather those impressive and well versed Mathematics lectures that we had way back in high school.

Numbers were probably not my cup of tea during my younger years due to a personal stereotype I had subconsciously fostered in my mind, so I had this immense agitation I feel everytime I'm confronted with numerical figures. However, as I vividly remember, there was never a time I felt inferior nor anxious in Ma'am Mel's classes. She was the type of teacher who would patiently stand beside you and guide you as you slowly solve the given equation. She never got tired explaining the methods on how to get the value of x in a way that students like me can understand clearly. She was a great teacher who inspired her students to never hesitate to ask questions. I grew up and was educated in a time where computer, internet and other electronic learning devices were not widely utilized in many provincial schools, but circumstances like these did not preclude Ma'am Mel to fulfill her duty as a teacher to her students. She was the mother of all creativity with her ingenious life hacks in the class. She used her infamous chalk tied with a red string to draw a perfect circle during our Algebra classes. It was so difficult to understand the process for Math noobs like me but she never gave up. Instead, she made me believe that I can overcome things, that I thought were complicated, long as I put my heart into it. She was an attentive teacher who sees and brings out the best of her students.

It was the month of August in 2006, our school was preparing for the incoming Math and Science regional academic competition. The faculty was so busy that students like me had so much time to spend playing around. After all I was just a regular high school student who did not want to be troubled by such things. However, I was surprised and scared at the same time when I was abruptly called in the office thinking I probably did something wrong. As it turned out, Ma'am Mel wanted to ask me to join the roster of the chosen students to participate in the said event. I was flabbergasted with the idea that I had to compete with other students who eat Mathematics equations as their breakfast, lunch and dinner while I still couldn't understand why we need to find x in those Mathematics equations. I even laughed at the invitation of my own teacher believing that perhaps my parents had threatened her. You see, at that time, being included in the list of students who excelled academically in your school is probably the biggest achievement our parents can be proud of. However, Ma'am Mel assured me that she would help me in every step of the way because she saw potentials hidden behind my low self esteem.  I looked at the eyes of Ma'am Mel and all I could see was the sincerity to every words she said and her determination to unlock my possibilities . At that moment, all I could think of was how amazing she was. Right then, I finally understood the significance of finding the value of x. As a teacher, it is now my mission to continue looking and solving for the x and y equation. To find the value of x, I must not only teach my students but also inspire them to be the best person they can be.

To Ma'am Mel, you may have left us all physically in this material world but in our hearts you will always be our timeless icon who will continuously guide us to the path of  respectable life with all your perpetual and precious life lessons. We thank you for the passion and care you have shown us during our time as your students. We give you our eternal gratitude for sharing us your knowledge. As the saying goes: "Legends never die."