We asked industry practitioners-cum-teachers three questions and got answers which register highly in the do-good scale. We don’t know how they find the time but they do. It’s safe to say they don’t do it for the money because in this country, teachers are paid pennies. They start on it for many different reasons but they stay for a common cause – to give back and to inspire.
1.What’s your reason for becoming a teacher?
2.What do you want to impart to your students within and beyond the subject that you’re teaching?
3.Which one of your students/group of students are you most proud of and why?
Ricky Gonzales
Creative Partner
Over the Moon Communications
Special lecturer
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1. A quote says, “When you teach a batch, you’re teaching a generation.” I pursued teaching, advertising to be specific, because I want this industry to live longer. So I also encourage my students to consider teaching advertising when they reach my age.
2. Advertising as a subject is absolutely exciting, totally stimulating and truly empowering but advertising as a career is absolutely cruel, totally painful and truly stressful. You have to love it that much to stay in it.
3. A number of my former students are now doing good in advertising, digital, activation, media, and production.
Sockie Fernandez
Freelance Director, President of a Content Creation Company
Lecturer
St. Scholastica’s College, Manila
1. I teach because I enjoy sharing what I know and inspiring people to be what they want to be. I teach because I enjoy being with young people and knowing how they feel and think. I teach because I feel that in some shape and form I am doing my part in planting seeds in the heart and minds of young people who will soon be leaders in our country. By this I feel I am doing my part.
2. I am very practical in my sharing. What I try to do is to ‘inspire’ my student to love what they do. I constantly tell them that I cannot teach them everything. I would rather inspire them to seek out knowledge on their own.
3. There is no one or group that I can say I am most proud of. Whenever I go to meetings, I somehow will meet a former student. Most of them are doing very, very well. This I am proud of.
Myke Celis
Brand Marketing Head, Caffe Bene Philippines, Managing Director, Percx Advertising (events and casting agency)
Part-time Lecturer
De La Salle University-Manila
1. It’s my way of paying it forward. To be able to inspire others and make a difference in their lives is such a rewarding experience. Makes me feel more “human” when not wearing my brand marketing/advertising hat. Haha!
2. It’s ok to fail, but it’s not ok to give up. Just give your best always. Your passion will take you places. Go for it and don’t give a damn about what others say. Never compromise your integrity.
3. I am proud of all my students. I always remind them that whatever happens, and whatever they become, I will always be their #1 fan. Love your own, right?
Jinggay Gallardo
President, Pilot Consulting, Inc.
Part-time Lecturer
Ateneo de Manila University
1. I started teaching when my only daughter went off to college in the US. Initially, it was just to fill the time. Today, it’s really to give back to my alma mater.
2. What I think I bring to the classroom is a practitioner’s experience, so that the textbook comes alive. I also like to impart soft skills related to professionalism, ethical behavior, and social awareness.
3. A group who won the Best Marketing Plan for the semester, and went on to represent the school and the country in later competitions. There was another group which came in second in terms of sales in the entrepreneurship program. What was impressive about them is how they were able to climb up from a low ranking, pivot around their challenges, and continue to operate their business profitably after graduation.
Third Domingo
CEO/President/Creative Director, IdeasxMachina
Guest Lecturer
University of Asia & the Pacific
1. I wanted to supplement my salary as a copywriter back in 2003. But you quickly realize that the old saying: “Teaching is the noblest profession” is absolutely true. I was lucky enough to have been able to study at good schools with good teachers; and later in life I had good mentors in the ad industry. Becoming a teacher was my way of counting my blessings and giving back.
2. Brilliance is demanded, but hard work is mandatory. I always say this because I truly believe that you cannot be brilliant at anything if you don’t work at it first.
3. I’m most proud of the independent ones. The ones who have gone on to become leaders and teachers of the generation that follows them. I like to think that I was able to inspire them.
Marie Anne Los Banos
Correspondent/Political Beat Reporter
TV5 News
Lecturer II
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Basically paying it forward, my way of thanking UP for helping me to be where I am now. This is also among my ways of thanking God for leading me to my dream job. Also, this is my breath of fresh air. It’s a nice feeling conversing with students who are full of idealism and dreams.
I just want my students to know the realities of the broadcast news industry, that this is not all fame and glamour. This 101% hard work and that building your credibility is not all about winging your report, it’s bringing the truth in every news report we produce.
I’m proud of all of them, whatever path they take whether it be broadcast news, advertising or PR. It’s an honor for me to be part of their academic life.
This article was first published in the November-December 2015 issue of adobo magazine.
