#goodbyesir

When I enlisted PI 100 classes in CRS, I didn’t check the professors in the UP Prof Guide page anymore. I just enlisted those that fit my schedule and I did not pick those with just a few demand. I was so happy when I managed to get an STS class and also PI 100 because those classes really have high demand. And then that’s when I checked who my professor is.

The first thing I thought was, “Luh pwedeng pang-character sa Noli/El Fili name niya ah haha”. And then I saw some reviews saying they really learned a lot from Sir. And despite some other reviews saying he’s strict, I still felt lucky that I got his class.

Fast forward to the first day of our class. I expected him to be old but not that old. I could say he’s probably the oldest professor I had. But man, he was really funny. Though he made fun of some of my classmates, I still found his humor entertaining. He discussed his requirements: class participation, oral exam and a written final exam. But he kept on saying that we should read the whole Noli and El Fili for us to be able to love our being Filipinos. He even said we won’t read it if he didn’t threaten us so he’s going to give a grade of 5 to anyone who will not read the two novels. Idk but I felt excited to loving my being a Filipino through his class. He gave us an early dismissal that day.

Next meeting, he discussed about the Spanish colonization. I love history professors who discuss as if they were there when what they’re discussing was happening. Like they were just telling stories fresh from their memories. And Sir was one of them. I think we were dismissed 30 mins. early but I surely learned a lot from just a 1 hour discussion from him. I won’t ever forget what he said about the fact that we’re still carrying the burden of Spanish colonization up until now. 

Last Saturday, I received a text from a friend saying something like condolences because of what happened to Sir Leoncio. I was shocked as hell. I just can’t believe it. Actually, even now. 

I already learned a lot from you, Sir, even for just two sessions. And I know I would have learned a hell lot more if you were still here. But I know that He knows the perfect timing and plan for everything. So now, I’m just thinking maybe you were so happy when you met Rizal there and you’re probably having a lot of conversations with him. I bet he’s happy for all the things you’ve taught about him in the 100 years that you were teaching PI 100 (Sir said this to us huhu).