Embedded Files
REVVED WITH WILL. Efren Cabotage, NNCHS teacher featured on different media sites, willingly engages his time and effort in enrolling students online who come for his aid at Cadacad, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, June 13.
Making things possible: No gadgets and signal, no problem
by Ricadel S. CerenoMaking things possible: No gadgets and signal, no problem
Efren Cabotage, a Mathematics teacher of Narvacan National Central High School, proves that anyone can be an instant hero out of passion and determination.
In this COVID-19 era, normalizing everything too soon, particularly in education, is next to impossible so adjustments have to be made. Two of such are (1) enrollment process which is being done online; (2) joining Webinars initiated by DepEd and different publishing houses.
For less fortunate students, online enrollment is a Gordian Knot but with Cabotage, it's a no-gadget-no-wifi-no-problem course of action for he took the vigor to help students in his Barangay who aren't equipped with gadgets and wifi.
Cabotage said that he has to print first the enrollment forms to be given to the parents/guardians. After filling up the forms, they have to return them back to him observing, of course, physical distancing.
Also, Cabotage mentioned that he has been in a situation like that-- struggling but badly wanting to continue his education. So, without a second thought, he decided to help those students who are once like him.
Due to his eagerness in extending a hand, he repeatedly spent money for his pocket wifi's load. He has no issue with that but locating for a perfect spot to catch a strong connectivity is another story because Cadacad, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, his den, commonly experiences signal problem caused by its geographical location. However, his determination to help pushed him to exhaust all means in solving the problem.
At first, locating for a good signal site was too adventurous. He had to climb a mountain, spend hours there, depending on how long the battery life of his laptop and pocket wifi last, to enroll students online. In addition, he narrated that he is also doing this during webinars because having no signal is not an excuse to slack off.
After some time, he luckily found a good signal spot easier than climbing a mountain so he settled there to help students or parents coming for his assistance.
As of now, he already enrolled more than 40 students from nearby Barangays and his own. He also said that he is still being readily available for more.
"They just have to study hard and consider their parents' sacrifices. They have to do their best to graduate. I've been there, on that kind of situation, so I'll be there, to make that situation lighter", Cabotage said in an interview proving that he did what he did, not because it's his duty as a teacher but because he knows exactly how it feels to be in their shoes. "Kung kinaya ko, kakayanin rin nila" (If i survived, they will survive too), he added.
Furthermore, Cabotage's heroic story has been heard across the nation via multiple facebook shares and other articles featuring him, published on different national media platforms such as Philippine Star, ABS-CBN news, and News5 Features.
When asked about his reactions on many positive comments from various people, the said teacher humbly accepted them and exclaimed, "Being a teacher, you need to sacrifice for the learners. The situation is challenging, and we need to adjust and adapt to the changes. If we keep on complaining, nothing will happen."
Photo credits: Efren Cabotage
In this COVID-19 era, normalizing everything too soon, particularly in education, is next to impossible so adjustments have to be made. Two of such are (1) enrollment process which is being done online; (2) joining Webinars initiated by DepEd and different publishing houses.
For less fortunate students, online enrollment is a Gordian Knot but with Cabotage, it's a no-gadget-no-wifi-no-problem course of action for he took the vigor to help students in his Barangay who aren't equipped with gadgets and wifi.
Cabotage said that he has to print first the enrollment forms to be given to the parents/guardians. After filling up the forms, they have to return them back to him observing, of course, physical distancing.
Also, Cabotage mentioned that he has been in a situation like that-- struggling but badly wanting to continue his education. So, without a second thought, he decided to help those students who are once like him.
Due to his eagerness in extending a hand, he repeatedly spent money for his pocket wifi's load. He has no issue with that but locating for a perfect spot to catch a strong connectivity is another story because Cadacad, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, his den, commonly experiences signal problem caused by its geographical location. However, his determination to help pushed him to exhaust all means in solving the problem.
At first, locating for a good signal site was too adventurous. He had to climb a mountain, spend hours there, depending on how long the battery life of his laptop and pocket wifi last, to enroll students online. In addition, he narrated that he is also doing this during webinars because having no signal is not an excuse to slack off.
After some time, he luckily found a good signal spot easier than climbing a mountain so he settled there to help students or parents coming for his assistance.
As of now, he already enrolled more than 40 students from nearby Barangays and his own. He also said that he is still being readily available for more.
"They just have to study hard and consider their parents' sacrifices. They have to do their best to graduate. I've been there, on that kind of situation, so I'll be there, to make that situation lighter", Cabotage said in an interview proving that he did what he did, not because it's his duty as a teacher but because he knows exactly how it feels to be in their shoes. "Kung kinaya ko, kakayanin rin nila" (If i survived, they will survive too), he added.
Furthermore, Cabotage's heroic story has been heard across the nation via multiple facebook shares and other articles featuring him, published on different national media platforms such as Philippine Star, ABS-CBN news, and News5 Features.
When asked about his reactions on many positive comments from various people, the said teacher humbly accepted them and exclaimed, "Being a teacher, you need to sacrifice for the learners. The situation is challenging, and we need to adjust and adapt to the changes. If we keep on complaining, nothing will happen."
Photo credits: Efren Cabotage
Page updated
Report abuse