Getting to Know Sir Japs:

Everyday at 4 am, he gets up to commute to work all the way from Bulacan to Manila. Sir Ferdinand Japon, better known as “Sir Japs,” is unlike any teacher you’ve met. With his graying hair and words of wisdom, he is what every Benedictine Educator should aspire to be.

Sir Japs was inspired to teach by his very own Filipino teacher in high school because of how he identified with the issues plaguing the societies of Jose Rizal's “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.” He too wanted to experience new discoveries, new ways of thinking, and new information through teaching.

Social transformation has always been a big deal for Sir Japs. It has always been a passion of his to give back to the less fortunate and be of service to them. That’s why when he learned about SSC’s vision and mission, it caught his attention and he decided to apply.

Since then, he has been teaching in SSC-Manila for exactly 28 years and has learned to embrace all the values, traditions, and lessons that SSC offers to their students. And just this year, Sir Japs won the Outstanding Benedictine Educator award that was given during the Teacher’s Day celebration. 28 years of loyal service, hardwork and students whose lives have changed since they’ve met Sir Japs.

Every year, he teaches a new group of students with different but vibrant personalities, skills, and interests. Meeting people from different backgrounds has helped him become more understanding. It continues to remind him why he wanted to teach in the first place: to be able to touch other people’s lives, and have their stories inspire his life in return.

For Sir Japs, he considers it a big reward when his students open up about their problems and ask for his advice. It is a big deal if the student trusts his judgement because it is like they are really letting him into their lives.

“It is important that you have an authentic relationship with your students. I try my best to simply relate with my students’ problems and understand whatever they may or may not be going through.”

As for his own frustrations in teaching, he claims to not have any because he chooses to embrace all the challenges that God lets him face with his job. “I choose to see Christ in others while trying to live out the Gospel values,” Sir Japs explained.

For the past years, Sir Japs has touched the lives of countless students through his teachings. If there is one thing he would want all his students to remember, it’s this:

“There is no such thing as a bad person. Everybody has goodness in them, there are just times when people still have to find it in order to embrace it. Which is where you come in. Be the person who brings out the best in others, encourage them to choose goodness and pray that they listen to you.”