COMMUNITIES

Ariels of the Spirit
Interview by Zarah Grace Calimag - Gagatiga

Posted Wednesday, 09-Mar-2005 4:51 PM

     Fr. Alberto Ampil S.J. once compared the Pineau-Clifford Award to ariels of the spirit. An ariel is a force or an entity that embodies inspiration or genius. Fr. Pineau and Fr. Clifford must be the epitome of inspiration and genius to those whom they have taught and loved because years after their demise, they are still remembered with reverence. Each year, fond memories of these two Jesuit formators resurface as the Xavier community honors its most outstanding teachers. What a way to achieve immortality!

     As we all await the announcement of this year’s Pineau-Clifford award, allow me to share with you a rare interview with one of the many ariels of the spirit in our midst. Ms. Rosel Valenzuela, Jesuit lay partner and a true disciple of culture and the arts, lent her time and her thoughts on teaching, on the award itself, on life, and retirement.

Years after, what has the Pineau-Clifford award meant to you? Is there any difference from the time you were in Xavier and now that you have retired?

     No difference at all. Year after year was a challenge to do better. The quest for excellence; doing one’s best; reaching out should be in us whether IN or OUT of Xavier. Now that I’ve retired, I feel I’m just warming up for new challenging experiences ahead.

Who were the people instrumental to your success as a teacher in Xavier School?

     I’ll forever be grateful to the Jesuits, to Fr. Zuloaga and Mrs. Jenny Go, our first mentors; and to all the significant others who make up Xavier School then and now.

How would you want to be remembered by your Xavier friends?

     Crazy , hahahahaha! Friends know I am uncomplicated.

Kindly describe the life of a retiree?

     Undoing, I found out, is not overnight. I still have a bit of frenzied pacing. I thought I’d slow down a bit. To start , I walk (15 mins, leisurely) to church every morning. Good for the body and the spirit. Along the way, I make myself consciously aware that today, "I’ll go placidly amidst the noise and haste…" I paint for Kasibulan (women artists) or do Chinese paintings – also good for the spirit. There are two exhibits in March – Digiwata – artists using new technology (I learned from the media center stint at XS) at UP Film Center and another one at CCP , a celebration of the Feminist Movement (ako kunyari lang, hahaha). I do the monthly cover designs of a magazine .

     This February , I was invited to handle one workshop in PAEA’s Art Convention. In between, I play games , or go MRT rides with Miggy and Yappy (grandsons) the joy of my life , plan projects with them like crafting a dream house out of a big box. I garden a lot, I cook some, read , siesta whenever I feel like it. I continue to keep myself abreast with the latest in Art Education through the Artsednet and share new learning with whoever I thought would need them. Just recently , I was invited by DECS to train as evaluator of MAPE textbooks .

What were the top 3 highlights of your teaching career?

     Now, how come I could not decide on the three? What I want to say is, the
experiences that meant most to me were the times when I realized I had been moved - the little moments I knew I made connections - with myself, with a student , a co-teacher or something for the environment.

Did you ever get the chance of working with Fr. Pineau or Fr. Clifford? If yes, how were they like?

     Very little with Fr. Clifford. He was one of those who interviewed me when I came in Xavier. He was known as the English expert.

     Ah, but Fr. Pineau, what a character. He was a good, good friend.
He had always something for me to illustrate either for his classroom visual aids or illustrations for a write up. His Open Sesame book was our biggest project. There were days, he’d be so makulit , I’d cover when I see him coming then tell him later- and he’d just have this wide smile and would say ‘naughty girl!’. He loved the month of March because this is when the narra trees are in full bloom. He’d come down to the garden where the huge narra tree is (go and see for yourself – it must be starting to bloom) and I remember him saying “ah, so this is where the fragrance is coming from. . Come, come, join me.”. And together, we’d just stand there in silence and would watch the soft shower of golden petals cover the grounds.

While teaching in Xavier, who did you consider as ‘role models’?

     They say that we’re really made up of people who’ve touched our lives and if you see some good in me it must be the good rubbed on from these role models You’ll not miss them because they just shine through .

Among the many students you had, who made a lasting impression and why?

     Who will not be impressed by our young Jesuits we’re all so proud of. Top in the list is Fr. Johnny Go, there is Fr. Daniel Huang, Fr. Peter Pojol, and Fr. Aristotle Dy .Then Dr. Kevin Huang, Dr. Edward Wang , Salvador Abesamis , Clifford Chua, Jose Tesoro, Howard Chua Unsu (my first gifted student in Art)…. I could go on and on with the list…..all pushed boundaries during their time. But then there were also the pasaways – one group that called themselves FIG – tagbangers in the making . I still kept a journal – a compilation of notes from them . I thought they were a bunch of creative spirits. And they certainly can put this to good use. Wherever they are, I hope the spirit lives on.

     Ms. Rosel Valenzuela is still very much a part of the Xavier community. She was recently named as a committee member in charge of the Golden Jubillee Celebration Steering Committee of Xavier School. She was a recipient of the Pineau-Clifford Award Most Outstanding Teacher in 1990.

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