September 23, 2026

By Don Raphael G. Bautista

“Uy, si Mrs. Angeles…”

“Huwag na diyan, baka mapagalitan pa tayo…”

For many Lourdesians, the mere mention of Mrs. Angeles’ name instantly brings to mind words like discipline, strictness, lectures, and that familiar feeling of wondering whether you have done something wrong. But behind that strict image is a side of Mrs. Berlita Angeles that many students may not always get to see. Known simply as Mrs. Angeles to her colleagues, she is not here just to “Teach You a Lesson,” but also to show us the brighter side of her life.

We may know her as the Assistant Principal for Discipline (APD) of the Junior High School. But outside her role as APD, Mrs. Angeles is a very jolly, energetic, and outgoing person.

“Outside of work, talaga ako yung isa sa malakas tumawa, mahilig lumabas, makipag-meet-up with friends. I value friendship and family kasi,” Mrs. Angeles shared.

She also makes time to stay active. Pickleball is one sport she has recently taken an interest in, inspired by her colleagues, Mr. Arnel Manuel and Ms. Mara Cruz, whom she sees playing the sport. For Mrs. Angeles, staying active is important, especially as she continues to embrace an active lifestyle. When she is not trying out a new sport, she can also be found relaxing with Netflix, particularly K-dramas. Her most recent watch? Teach You a Lesson.

After 36 years in our beloved institution, Mrs. Angeles has certainly seen it all. From disciplinary cases and constant reminders to the most unexpected excuses, her role has remained the same: to help mold Lourdesians into men of character and excellence. Some stories from her years as APD can be serious, while others are simply too ridiculous not to remember.

Still, even when students test her patience, Mrs. Angeles believes that giving up is never an option. “Bawal sumuko because this is our role as the APD,” she said. After all, her role is not simply to point out mistakes, but to help Lourdesians become better versions of themselves. And sometimes, the cases that test her patience also give her something to laugh about.

One of the most memorable? Tardiness.

“Una sa lahat, tardy. Ms, ang haba po kasi ng pila sa elevator eh.”

“Heto isa pa, tardy rin. Nakalimutan po kasi akong ihatid ng dad ko, natutulog po kasi ako sa likod ng van, eh ang naalala lang po niyang ihatid is yung sister ko sa St. Paul.”

Whether true or not, these excuses have stayed with Mrs. Angeles throughout her years as APD. Yet behind the humor are challenges that are not always easy to handle. This school year alone, she has already encountered around ten disciplinary cases in the first quarter. With students, teachers, and parents all part of the conversations, the responsibility can be stressful, especially as she approaches retirement. Still, she continues to give reminders during the General Assembly, hoping to address problems before they even begin.

For Mrs. Angeles, discipline is more than simply giving consequences. She believes in a restorative approach, one that allows students to understand their actions, learn from their mistakes, and make better choices moving forward.

Perhaps this mindset can be traced back to her own childhood. When asked about a lesson from her younger years that she still carries today, Mrs. Angeles recalled how her parents taught her responsibility through simple household chores.

“Bata pa lang kami, tinuruan na kami sa mga gawaing bahay. Paglalaba, pagsasaing ng bigas, minsan nga ginagawa pa namin ’tong games,” she explained.

Those simple responsibilities helped her grow into the independent person she is today, and it is a lesson she hopes the current generation can also learn. For Mrs. Angeles, responsibility should not simply be taught through words. It should be practiced early and carried into the way students handle themselves, both in school and beyond it.

Years after graduating from LSM, she hopes students will remember more than just the strict APD who gave reminders and lectures. She hopes they will remember that behind every correction was someone who cared enough to explain why it happened and encourage them not to make the same mistake again. As strict as she may be, there is always a softer side to Mrs. Angeles, one that values friendship, family, laughter, and the Lourdesians she has spent decades guiding.

So, the next time you see Mrs. Angeles, maybe there is more to the story than just “baka mapagalitan tayo.” Behind the strict APD is someone lively and warm, someone who values the people around her, and most importantly, someone willing to take on the role of a mother figure to the students she guides.

After 36 years of shaping countless Lourdesians, perhaps that is the biggest lesson Mrs. Angeles hopes to leave behind: discipline does not always come from punishment. Sometimes, it comes from someone who cares enough to remind you that you can do better.