THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
“What was the most important lesson you learned from your teachers?”
That is the question I usually get from the organizers of the several events that take place during the celebration of National Teachers’ Month and World Teachers’ Day. I realized it is important for our teachers to hear public servants like me share that most valuable lesson and explain how it helped me fulfill my role and mission in an elective post.
In the past years, I have spoken about some of these important learnings. I have pointed out that the ones that made a real impact were not the big topics discussed in classroom subjects. They usually come from the little things they tell us, show us, or ask us to do.
I have shared some of these valuable lessons I learned from my teachers in past columns. Here are some of them.
First, “shut up and listen.”
Second, “finished or not finished, pass your paper.”
Both formed part of one’s preparation for a career in public service. The first one reminds us that a vital part of a public servant’s duties is listening to one’s constituents, understanding their aspirations, and paying attention to and addressing both complaints and concerns.
The second is a reminder to a public servant that he serves an impatient public. An elective post is only good for a fixed number of years. Within that short period, one must “finish the test.” A public servant needs to deliver maximum results within that brief period. At the end of a term, the “paper” has to be passed, whether one is done with the test or not.
This year, I shared one more valuable lesson taught by teachers.
They taught us to “raise your hand.”
Raising one’s hand is a sacred classroom ritual. Our teachers encouraged us to “raise your hand” on two occasions.
“Raise your hand” when you know the answer to a question asked.
“Raise your hand” when you want to volunteer for a task, an assignment, or a role.
Raising one’s hand in the classroom was a frightening moment. Scary, because you might be called and be unable to give the correct answer. Scary, because you might fail to live up to the task for which a volunteer is being called.
That was also a moment of courage. You overcome the fear, boldly raise your hand, and wait for your teacher’s eyes to meet yours and hear your name called. You disregard the possible outcome of that act of courage. You know that, at that moment, you are standing up to be counted.
That has been the story of my life. With a degree in medicine, I raised my hand and asked to be allowed to serve in various public service posts. On several occasions, my name was called by government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Laguna Lake Development Authority. After that, I raised my hand to offer my answer to the concerns of the people of Rizal Province and Antipolo City.
That lesson from my teachers proved to be a profound one. I realized that every time I raised my hand in the classroom, I was merely offering my teacher a choice – she may opt to call me or to ignore me. The choice was entirely in her hands.
There were only two things under my control: To raise my hand and to be prepared to be called.
I remember asking myself this question: What would it take for me to be called by my teacher when I raise my hand, either to volunteer for a task or to answer a question. Looking back, I realized that the teacher’s vote would go to the one who possess these three qualifications.
First, the best prepared. Second, the most qualified. Third, the one who shows the most eagerness.
Last week, I filed my certificate of candidacy for re-election to the mayoralty post of the City of Antipolo.
I did so without fanfare, with just a lawyer friend accompanying me to the local Comelec office. There were no banners, no bands, no supporters, and no photo ops.
It was done that way because filing one’s candidacy, for me, is a sacred moment when one realizes he is raising his hand once more, and offering oneself for a gargantuan task. It was a moment for reflection and recommitment rather than for celebration.
I am pleased to share these insights with the many young people who have filed their certificates of candidacy for elective posts in the coming 2025 elections.
Congratulations and thank you for raising your hand, and for standing up to be counted. Keep in mind that the power of choice resides in the voters. What's are within your control are the three things our teachers look for from the one whom they will select for a role or a task: preparation, qualification, and eagerness.
(The author is the mayor of Antipolo City, the former Rizal governor, DENR assistant secretary and LLDA general manager. Email: [email protected])