THE ATENEO Schools Parents Council (ASPAC) honored three Ateneo faculty members for their exemplary work and achievements on March 2 at the fifth floor of the New Rizal Library.
ASPAC is the official association of parents and designated guardians of the undergraduate students of the Loyola Schools.
The honorees were Ateneo Biological Organization (BOx) Moderator Ronald Cruz, MSC, Theology Instructor Michael Liberatore, PhD, and Environmental Science Lecturer Deborah Villa.
They received Most Outstanding Moderator, Most Outstanding Full Time Teacher, and Most Outstanding Part Time Teacher, respectively.
The winners received a cash prize, a sculpture made by architect Ramon Orlina, and a plaque of recognition.
In an interview with ASPAC President Alejandro Tan, MD, Tan said that the awards were based on nominations from members of the Ateneo community and student evaluation, among others.
A friend to many
According to life sciences senior Kirk Amandoron, who nominated Cruz, Cruz not only has an impressive academic track record but has also engaged in a number of extracurricular activities during his college stay in the Ateneo.
Amandoron praised Cruz for his ability to “stay on top of things” and allowing the executive board of BOx to make and learn from their mistakes.
Moreover, he said that beyond his being a teacher and moderator, Cruz is “also a friend to many, and undoubtedly, has touched uncountable lives.”
Cruz said that he considers the recognition an honor because he believes in the importance of student organizations in the formation of Ateneans.
According to him, student groups present “avenues for creativity, self-exploration, self-expression, friendships,” and the development of holistic individuals.
Cruz said that organization moderators are more than liaisons between the group and home departments, something which many people don’t notice.
“Regardless of how long I serve as moderator, I’m absolutely certain that BOx will continue to be a family for our majors and all those who love to celebrate the life around us, and to be an integral part of the university’s aspiration to produce men and women for others,” he added.
The storyteller
Severino Salmo III, PhD, chair of the Environmental Science Department, explained that Villa asked to be hired as a part-time lecturer in order for her to continue “writing and editing work with development projects.”
According to Salmo, Villa began teaching part-time at the Ateneo in November 2000 and, as “a staunch advocate of the environment,” has since worked for various organizations on projects covering topics such as disaster risk reduction and climate change.
“[Our youth] must be made aware, must be able to appreciate and be concerned for nature,” said Villa.
She explained that she had to learn how to effectively communicate environmental issues to her students — most of whom preoccupied with fashion trends and new gadgets — through stories.
Villa said, “My hope is that even just one of these stories touch a nerve, and if only one student leaves my class thinking about the environment, then I was successful.”
The “first batch professor”
According to Theology Department Assistant Instructor Stephanie Puen, although she was the first to nominate Liberatore, there were many in the department who seconded the nomination.
She added that Liberatore is what students describe as a “first batch professor,” referring to the online enlistment that students must undergo in order to be part of a classes.
“If you’re not part of the first batch, you don’t stand a chance getting a slot in his class,” Puen said.
She cited Liberatore’s exemplary performance in research, instruction, and university outreach and service as basis for her nominating him as Most Outstanding Full Time Teacher.
Liberatore, however, attributed the opportunities he received and his success as a teacher to the people around him–his students and, most especially, his wife.
“Beyond the legends that I teach with in the department, I think I was also uncomfortable being recognized as I’m not even the most outstanding teacher in my own home,” he said.
Liberatore said that he did not choose to teach, rather, “teaching has chosen me.”
“I consider the opportunity to teach a gift that I honor everyday,” he added.
Awarding teachers
Vice President for the Loyola Schools John Paul Vergara thanked ASPAC for recognizing the hard work and commitment of the faculty members.
“I always say that the ASPAC Outstanding Teacher or Outstanding Moderator Award is something very close to a teacher’s heart because it comes from the parents of our students,” he said.
“It’s like a special seal of approval from you,” he added.
University President Jose Villarin, SJ added that “one of the most difficult people to grade are teachers.”
Tan hopes that there will be more participation from both students and teachers in the coming years.
“We parents are only volunteers. We’re here just to assist, to help,” Tan said. “This is a very good award, sort of activity. There’s an interaction between [the] students, the teachers and parents.”
Vergara added that he hopes the search for outstanding teachers will continue for many years to come, and that more faculty members deserve to be recognized.
