Dear Teacher,

It is a tradition of mine to write a letter every Teachers' Month Celebration. I find it amusing to express
how thankful I am being handled by amazing and loving teachers. This year would be a little bit different
(I think), other than this letter would probably going to be the longest letter I wrote in my years of
"letter-writing" tradition. This letter would also be the most memorable for me for many valid reasons.

You, Ma'ams and Sirs are probably one of the most, perhaps the most amazing people I had cross my
path with in my 15 years of existence. You are not only selfless givers but also you all are the mentors of
your own life. For sure that the definition of your work is greater than what you teach nor what you
make us do, it's the effort and love that differs an educator from a teacher.

Let me start this thanks giving facade of a work with a quote of William Butler Yeats that goes this way:
"Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire". Deep right? I also learned that from
you.

You are not educating us through the techniques you say on how to solve a math problem nor what you
read on an English lesson. You are educating us through what you express in those techniques, on how
your express yourself on those reading materials. The labyrinth of your teachings are more than what
our minds could be, but because you teach us how to find that path, we are now on that path.

It's funny to see that when I was a child I don't really believe that teachers are my second parent since
my mother is a teacher already. I would ponder real hard why the quote was overly used by my grade
school Ma'ams and Sirs. I believed back then that a parent is someone you came out from, that gave you
birth but I realized that my perception was false and a thousand miles off. To think of it, you, teachers
are truly our second parents; other than you teaching us, you also take care of us, help us with our
problems, and talk to us when we need someone to talk to too. I really appreciate that.

But you know Ma'ams and Sirs, I only have recently realized that teachers are one of the most
underrated professions. You are way more than just educators standing up in front and talk about a
certain topic for an hour or two, you are more than that. And I'm so disappointed to see that the burden
you carry is not really seen by many.

I have a front seat view on what burden teachers go through. Those late nights of preparing their
lessons for the other day, those early morning to provide what's needed on their own family and those
hot afternoons where they walk a long path just to educate many people. And to see that people don't
really appreciate their efforts just changes my moods. I mean, how can they not see your worth? How
can they not peak their approval?

Sorry Ma'am and Sir, I was just carried away by a bit.

But even though some may not see your worth, take me for granted that I will be forever grateful that I
was guided by educators that have this amazing vision for me and my classmates.
The bond that we had through the years is surely unforgettable. Those laughters that you shared during
class, those fighting spirit that you show during contets, those hardwork that you put in to those who
are behind a lesson, those traits are what really makes me proud to say that I was handled by a teacher.

I still remember those times when a teacher said to me: "Bho, kaya mo yan, aram namong maurag ka na
(Bho you can to this, we know that you can), you have to write because you want to write, not because
you are forced to". That sentence uttered in my head until today, thank you, because of that quote I am
inspired to continue writing and inspiring other people.

Now Ma'am and Sir, I would like to end this short letter of gratitude with a quote from Malala Yousafzai
that goes this way:

"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world"

I believe in you my dear teachers that with every lesson you tell, every story you spoke, every math
problem you solve, every theory you evoke, you will always be a mother and a father that we would
never forget. We may not come from you physically but our minds have been molded by your amazing
love and support.

Thank you, Teacher. Thank you so much, I know that it is not enough to show how greatful I am being
handled and being thought and being touched by amazing people like you. Please continue to inspire
other just like how you inspired me to keep going.

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Love,

John Edward Sabeniano

PS. I'm not really that sweet kind of guy, hehe but I wish that I made you day special with this. Thank you
again <3