The Dean’s Chalk vs. the Student’s T-square
When I was an engineering sophomore I took up college algebra under Dean Demetrio A. Quirino Jr. Our college algebra class was the first subject in the morning. Seated beside the wall in a corner, I was the target of pesky mosquitoes. Irked no end, I swatted these winged molesters against the wall with my T-square (drafting tool) which created a lot of noise. Dean Quirino cut short his lecture and fixed me with his penetrating eyes. “Pedrito, we are very sorry about the pesky mosquitoes, but please bear with us. The school is doing everything to make the classroom comfortable for every student.” He looked straight at me and I did the same, with guilt. The Dean holding the chalk and the student holding the T-square connected in that moment of time. I was not his favorite student but he was my favorite Dean and the best mentor I had ever encountered. He lectured in a very clear and engaging manner. I became more attentive and with my renewed effort to concentrate on the lecture, the pesky mosquitoes were soon forgotten. When Ms. Pilar, my chemistry professor, recommended that I work at the registrar’s office, she brought me first to Dean Quirino. He told me to report for work immediately. Maybe he remembered me as the student swatting mosquitoes in one of his classes, but look at him now, he was serious enough to seek work. I held Dean Quirino in great regard and esteem and was thankful enough to stay for a while in TIP and handle some subjects to teach. But I later realized that teaching was not my bowl of rice and I needed money to support my family and myself, being the only breadwinner at that time, so I simply had no choice and moved on.
Pedrito Condeno – TIP, BS Civil Engineering 1967
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