Where Faith and Motion Move as One

“MAPEH lang ‘yan.” 

”Madali lang CL.” 

“Minor Subject lang ‘yan.”

These are familiar phrases that echo throughout student conversations. While seemingly light-hearted, it truly undermines the purpose of these subjects.

Indeed, it is considered a minor subject; however, the lessons you learn from it will be a major part of your life, just as it became a major inspiration for current teachers.

As a former Seminarian, Mr. Kailoh Christopher Ligon witnessed how well his professors handled and approached his students, which inspired him to show up every day in front of each classroom to share his own knowledge on Religious Studies—wisdom in life, where praying isn’t just about following strict rules, but also practicing authentic Catholic values. 

“Teachers are heroes, and sa pagiging bayani and pagiging guro, parang due na na maging mabait tayo sa kanila dahil bitbit nila hindi lang sa loob ng paaralan.” 

Beyond the responsibilities he carries, Mr. Ligon wishes that his efforts will be met with kindness—for respect is earned; when earned, it is due. 

For Mr. Ricky Parungao, it was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Having had a difficult upbringing, Mr. Parungao found hope during his high school years. Inspired like Mr. Ligon, one of his MAPEH teachers told him that he had the potential to be one.

That statement was a huge turning point for him—as he soon realized that sports could make a difference in one’s life. 

Even when he faced countless ups and downs, his perseverance led him to graduate from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in 2014, but his mission didn’t stop there.

Mr. Parungao had a goal—he wanted to change his students’ perspective on the MAPEH subject. Through his hard-earned knowledge and unwavering passion, he helped shape his students’ character, discovering talents and overcoming insecurities—breaking the fears in their hearts. 

His heart beats—not just for himself, but for his learners, whom he continues to guide in transforming into the best version of themselves.

For Ms. Reanne Unciangco, a Christian Living (CL) teacher, an adviser, and an Ignacian Marian graduate herself, teaching has become a journey of giving and learning in return.

In a subject built not only on lessons, but on faith, values, and reflection, she has found that some of the most meaningful lessons happen outside the pages of a book.

Of everything teaching asks from her, time is what she gives most freely.

“Most of the time, I’m at school, and hindi naman lahat ng bagay tulad ng school works ay natatapos sa school, so minsan nadadala namin sa bahay,” she shared.

Yet for Ms. Unciangco, CL is more than another period on the timetable. It is a space where students are invited to look inward, look around, and find meaning in what is often overlooked.

And one of her own students once reminded her just how much a simple act of looking can reveal.

During one of her lessons, she asked her students to observe their surroundings.

One student noticed a flock of birds moving across the sky.

At a time when worries seemed to arrive before the moment itself, the sight became a reminder to pause—to live in the moment instead of worrying about the next one, and to remember that God always has something to tell us.

For Ms. Unciangco, perhaps this is what makes teaching CL beautiful. It is not a one-way exchange where knowledge simply travels from teacher to student. 

It is a meeting of lives and faith, where both leave the classroom carrying something they did not have before.

That is why she hopes her lectures aren’t the only thing that remains forever in her students’ memories. What she hopes remains is their eagerness to learn—to question, to reflect, and to find meaning even in the ordinary.

As a lifelong learner herself, she hopes her students continue to seek, discover, and grow long after they leave her classroom. More than anything, she hopes they become good, as the Lord calls them to be.

Perhaps the greatest lesson in Christian Living is not knowing where to find God, but learning to notice that He has never even left.

For Mrs. Indira Mae Inovero, family became her greatest inspiration. 

She once stepped away from teaching for eight years to focus on raising her child, eventually returning to the classroom and pursuing MAPEH and Christian Living because she was drawn to their holistic approach—subjects that nurture not only knowledge, but also the person behind the learner.

For Mrs. Inovero, her journey in education has been marked by both passion and competitiveness. 

Having previously taught kindergarten at SMCB, she now finds her greatest fulfillment not simply in winning, but in seeing her students achieve something they once worked hard for. To her, their victories become even more meaningful when she gets to celebrate those moments alongside them.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Inovero believes that education should reach beyond the classroom—even beyond memorized prayers.

“Ayoko na matuto lang ang bata, yung matututo magdasal, gano’n, pero yung maisasabuhay din nila ito,” she shared. For her, faith should not end when the prayer does. She hopes her students can carry what they learn spiritually into their everyday choices, actions, and relationships.

For Ms. Gianne Precious Cruz, teaching has always been closely tied to passion and faith.

Her love for the arts began when she was young—eventually leading her to become a kindergarten adviser, hoping to inspire her pupils through music, movement, and creativity. Her faith, meanwhile, deepened through serving others and being inspired by fellow teachers who helped strengthen her relationship with God.

But even teachers have difficult days.

There are moments when Ms. Cruz feels sick, emotionally overwhelmed, or simply not herself. Once, after sitting down during one of those moments, a pupil noticed and asked if she was okay.

Soon, other children gathered around her, unknowingly giving her the encouragement she needed. In that simple moment, she was reminded of her own belief: “Before the IQ, EQ muna.”

Beyond academics, Ms. Gianne hopes her pupils learn to socialize with gentleness and respect. She recognizes that every classroom is diverse, with children coming from different backgrounds and experiences.

“Dapat, ma-feel nila na accepted sila at equal lahat,” she shared.

More than lessons, she wants her students to enjoy learning, find happiness in what they do, and deepen their faith in God.

For Ms. Cruz, a classroom is not simply where children learn—it is where they learn to understand, accept, and care for one another.

For these teachers, teaching is more than a profession—it is a reflection of the values and experiences that shaped them.

Together, their stories reveal a common truth: a teacher’s impact is not measured only by what students remember, but by what they eventually live out.