Star Teacher

Making the world (yes, even the world outside your classroom) a better place is completely realistic and doable—and doesn’t require a cape or tights.

“Hero” is such a big word. Often, it conjures images of muscled men in masks and costumes who can effortlessly lift trucks and cars with one hand, or swoop in to catch damsels falling from tall buildings. Other times, it makes you think of valiant, selfless, incredibly passionate historical figures who died fighting for our country’s honor and freedom: Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Ninoy Aquino. “Hero” is such a big word—too big, in fact, that it is a word we rarely associate with ourselves.

But if you start with the simple, seemingly ordinary things in your everyday life, heroism shouldn’t be alien or intimidating at all. Everyone can be a hero, and heroic acts are all around us, happening all the time—because being a hero usually just means standing up for the things you believe in and taking care of the people you love. “Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference,” author David Nicholls says in his bestselling novel, One Day. “Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion… and work hard at something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.” Everyone can truly be a hero—because being a hero usually just means being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

Your Superpower: Saving Precious Time

At some point, you’ve probably felt like 24 hours in a day is simply not enough to accomplish everything, and you’ve probably wished you can freeze time so that you can catch up with the things on your dauntingly lengthy to-do list. Yet what most people often fail to realize is that it isn’t a matter of doing everything, but a matter of knowing what to do first. Prioritize the things that are both important AND urgent; for example, at seven in the morning, while your kids are busy getting ready for school, your dinner menu and the growing pile of laundry are important but not urgent, while the coffee stain on your blouse is urgent but probably not as important as helping your son find his missing homework. At the end of the day, this twin-pack of superpowers will come in handy: forgiving yourself for the things you didn’t quite get to finish in the past 24 hours, and believing that tomorrow is always a brand new start.

 ”Being a hero just means being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.”

Your Superpower: Battling Teen Drama

One minute, your daughter is a sweet, polite, little girl who adores you, and the next thing you know, she’s moody, sulky, and doesn’t seem to want to talk to you about anything. Your kid is growing up too fast, and you often feel like you are being shut out. How do you deal? When communicating with teenagers, it’s essential to balance giving them space with letting them know that you will be there for them no matter what. It’s also a good thing to remember that disagreements are inevitable—you won’t always see eye to eye, and yes, there will be a few shouting matches and slammed doors here and there. It’s easy to lose your temper or turn into a hovering, overbearing parent, but a Super Mom will rise above her emotions and keep in mind that teen drama can often be subdued with honest conversation and firm but fair rules. As long as a teenager feels loved, appreciated, and understood, chances are she’ll grow up to be a wonderful, responsible, secure person, just like you.

Your Superpower: Zapping Gossip

The temptation to partake in office gossip is a strong one. It’s entertaining to talk about the juicy details of your co-workers’ lives (like who’s dating who, and who got pregnant out of wedlock, or who’s cheating on whom), and admittedly, there is a certain twisted pleasure that can be derived from dissecting and judging other people’s personal choices and private activities. Think about it, though—in the long run, does office gossip ever really do anyone any good? It hurts feelings, damages reputations, destroys relationships, and in the worst scenarios, causes even the most competent people to lose their jobs. So every time you feel the urge to dish out some harmful gossip or spread a hot piece of news you just overheard at the faculty room, ask yourself if it’s worth all the trouble it will eventually amount to. Take the noble route and choose to keep the information to yourself, whether or not you have confirmed its veracity. You’ll discover that staying away from gossip will not only make other people respect you more, but make YOU respect yourself more as well.

Your Superpower: X-Ray Vision

Heroes are selfless, seeing beyond their own needs and conveniences. They are also open-minded and generous with their trust, seeing beyond the surface and always giving people the benefit of the doubt. In a world that has made a habit out of being cynical and highly suspicious, it can be quite difficult to give someone a chance to prove himself. But as a teacher, you have an advantage over everyone else because you’ve had enough practice in seeing the good in someone within the four walls of your classroom; every day, you strive to bring out only the best in your students, looking beyond their mistakes and digging deeper to reveal the great potential within them. Every day, you look at them through the eyes of someone who believes in them unconditionally. The other people in your life—family members, colleagues, and friends—definitely deserve to be empowered by your unwavering faith too.

Your Superpower: A Megawatt Smile

Although heroism does require a great deal of sacrifice, it doesn’t mean being a doormat or completely giving up the things you love. It doesn’t mean being unhappy, or depriving yourself, or downplaying your value as a person. If anything, it means the exact opposite—celebrating yourself, your life, and your big and small achievements in the hopes that you can serve as an inspiration to others. It’s the little things that truly count: quiet words of encouragement, a pat on the back for a job well done, and a bright, cheerful smile willingly given to a friend or a stranger. The bottom line is that heroic acts don’t have to be grand or complicated—sometimes, all you really need to do to light up the world is spread a little bit of sunshine to the people around you.

Maricel Feliciano Servo has much to look forward to as a new mom with a young career in teaching. What better way to start than with a makeover?

“I am 26 years old but I look 40,” says Maricel. She laughs it off but admits that she doesn’t have time to fix herself each day. Like most teachers, she is busy with the demands of school and a 10-month-old son named Jhomar who she proudly breastfeeds.

After Maricel completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, she went on to teach grade five Aeta students. Two years later, she decided to try it out in Manila. Now she teaches grade two students at CP. Sta. Teresa Elementary School.

A fairly new teacher, Maricel teaches the last section of 33 boys and 12 girls. Though it is not an easy section to teach, Maricel copes by giving them several activities. At the same time, if she feels she is beginning to lose her temper, she just steps out of the classroom and counts to ten. When she returns, her students are quiet and ready to behave. Even if they are a challenge to teach, she says, “Mababait sila at magaling maglinis. Maalahanin sa teacher.” They always greet her whenever they see her and are very sweet.

Currently beginning work on her masters degree in Educational Management, Maricel believes that as a new teacher, it is important to do everything to “improve my talents and my skills and to grow professionally.” At the same time, “dapat lagi kang friendly at lagi ka humble. Always keep your feet on the ground.” And listen to what the older and more experienced teachers have to say.

Maricel looks forward to the day when it will be her turn to help out new teachers and give them advice the way her more experienced co-teachers have done for her.

 Before: Maricel is always trying to find ways to get her students’ attention. Can the makeover team give her a transformation to make them stop in their tracks with awe?

The Outfit: Maricel doesn’t really bother to fix herself up. So we dressed her in clothes that weren’t only stylish but youthful as well, to celebrate her bubbly and sweet personality.

 The Hair: Because Maricel had her hair rebonded last year, she couldn’t really do much with it in terms of style. So Miss Letty gave her hair layers for more body and a fresh, young look.

The Face: Miss Letty suggests taking good care of your skin even if you’re still young. Maricel has good skin, but it is important to begin putting sun block every morning to protect it from the sun. Then a dusting of powder will keep your face fresh and oil-free.

Tip 1: A wrap dress is flattering on almost every body type. Pick a printed one (it helps camouflage bulges!) in a pretty pastel color and accessorize with a simple, classic string of pearls.

Dress from The Flower Collection. Necklace, stylist’s own.

Tip 2: Choose a pencil skirt in a neutral shade to keep your look professional, but feel free to have fun with a cheerful floral top in a sheer material. A braided belt is the ultimate outfit-saver—wear it with dresses, jeans, or a top-and-skirt combo.

Top and skirt from The Flower Collection. Belt, stylist’s own.

Tip 3: The butterfly print on this blouse is young, feminine, and definitely on-trend! Pair it with slacks or dark jeans, then amp up your outfit’s playful vibe with a bright aqua necklace.

Top and slacks from The Flower Collection. Necklace, Anagon Collection.

Stuck in a rut? Break out of the dullness with these fresh ideas!

As teachers, you always tell your students to dream big and do what they love to do. You urge their young minds to try new things, explore the world around them, and get creative. But there are times when even you have a hard time following suit—especially when you’re buried under papers to grade, finances to balance, tests to make, and family issues to resolve. Simply put, you feel you don’t have the time or energy to do more.

Despite all the challenges you may face each day, you can still push yourself to get into something new. All it takes is a little shove in a different direction and you’ll see the world through a fresh pair of eyes. Try these suggestions, and pretty soon, you’ll be revitalized and motivated to do anything!

1. Create an inspiration board. Cut out quotes, pictures, and illustrations from magazines or newspapers that encourage you to do better. You can even draw specific images with you in the middle of the action!
2. Go back to your roots and talk to your oldest living family member to learn about your clan’s history. The trials and triumphs of your ancestors will inspire you to see life in a new way.
3. Read your favorite book when you were a child. Seek inspiration from its simple words and colorful illustrations, and try to remember what you loved about it back then. Compare that with how you feel about it today.
4. Visit the National Museum and soak up our country’s masterpieces. Juan Luna’s Spoliarium might stir you the way it did Jose Rizal!
5. Get into a new hobby with the whole family. Who says you’re too old to learn how to swim or ride a bicycle? Being cheered on by your loved ones will compel you to do your very best.
6. Try on an outfit that’s the complete opposite of what you’d normally wear. If you always go for classic cuts, pick something trendy! If you’re the type to wear animal prints, why not go monochromatic for a change?
7. Don’t speak for one whole day. Discover how creative you can get as you communicate through other means.
8. Get a new haircut. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself! Snagging a new ‘do just might be the thing you need to gain more confidence in the classroom. (Just make sure you think things through before doing anything drastic. The cut and length should match your face shape and hair texture.)
9. Learn a new language. If your family members are all fans of Koreanovelas and K-Pop music, you could all learn how to speak Korean together! Just imagine all the time you’ll save not glancing down at the subtitles.
10. Post sticky notes with positive words such as “Yes!” or “I can!” on your desk where you can clearly see them. When something pulls you down, draw energy from these encouraging lines.
11. Wear two different socks at the same time. It might feel silly, but you’ll get a lot of laughs and surprised reactions.
12. Hide chocolate kisses for you and your family to find. Small amounts of this sweet treat will trigger the release of endorphins and make everyone instantly happy!
13. Have a gratitude list. Think of three to five random things you are thankful for at the end of each day. It doesn’t have to be something life changing. Doing this continuously will make you appreciate the finer things in life and will help you become a more optimistic, confident person.
14. Read about something you’ve always been curious about but never had the time to delve into. Pick a topic totally unrelated to the subject you teach in school.
15. Stop comparing yourself to others and just focus on honing your skills.
16. Spend 15 minutes each day in complete silence. This will help clear your mind and bring to light things that truly matter.
17. Keep a journal. Start by jotting down your biggest failures. Transform this into a positive exercise by writing down three good things that came out of each experience.
18. Make it a point to have a good laugh at least once a day. Search for hilarious videos on YouTube.com such as The Sneezing Panda, Charley Bit Me, or Potter Puppet Pals: The Mysterious Ticking Noise.
19. Reward yourself for every accomplishment. Just like a child who is rewarded for doing well on a test, you deserve prizes for your little victories!
20. Be involved in theater—be it a small school play or a grand production of a Shakespearean classic. Nothing beats the thrill of creating sets, finding props, acting onstage, and getting instantaneous reactions from the audience.
21. Cook a meal from scratch without the help of a recipe. Who knows, you just might whip up a dish that’ll become your family’s new favorite!
22. Be more vocal about your feelings. Being unafraid to express yourself brings you one step closer to controlling your emotions, claiming what you want, and turning your dreams to reality.
23. Listen to music your students like and discover why these songs speak to the youth of today. You can also crank up the volume and dance!
24. Have a change of scenery. It’s as simple as going to a park to grade papers instead of staying cooped up in your room.
25. Use your imagination and change the rules of your favorite sport. Alter the equipment, add or lessen players, and transform it into an even more fun game. When you’ve turned it into the best game ever, play it with your friends and family!
26. Find a cause. It may be something as small as segregating the trash in your neighborhood or something as major as spearheading a fundraiser for the homeless kids in your city. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something you really care about so you don’t lose momentum.
27. Start the day with a peppy song that will perk up your mood. Try “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves or “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield. It’s guaranteed to work better than a steaming cup of coffee!
28. Emulate your idol by learning about her backstory and discovering the steps she took to become successful. Before Oprah Winfrey became a billionaire host and producer, she was born into poverty and repeatedly molested as a child. By making a difference in the lives of others and helping them overcome their adversities, she eventually made a name for herself.
29. Use your favorite scents to inspire you! A whiff of citrus cologne or that yummy slice of cinnamon apple pie can instantly lift your spirit. The key is to find the aroma that triggers your happy mood.
30. Start small. You can’t climb a mountain if you don’t take the first step up. If you have dreams of becoming the school principal, draw up a five or 10-year plan mapping out what you’ll do to make this dream come true. Feel free to include seemingly impossible dreams (such as winning the Nobel Prize in Literature) and come up with concrete ways on how to achieve them (like writing a compelling story about the state of Philippine education).
31. Challenge yourself to see the good in everyone and every situation. Do it for a day, a week, a month, then an entire year.

A dedicated teacher, daughter, and sister, Norlyn Gregorio gets the ultimate pampering experience!

Photos by Arturo Nepomuceno
Styling by Martina Bautista
Hair and Makeup by Letty Lacambra and Fe Cuanan of Salon Paradisus
Outfits from Ensembles, Freeway, Rare Finds, and LINC (L In Style Necklace Collection)

Family played a crucial role in shaping the life of Teacher Norlyn Gregorio. Though she wanted to become a nurse, her mother persuaded her to follow in the footsteps of her cousins who were educators. Norlyn graduated from Bulacan State University in 2001 with a degree in Secondary Education, major in PE, Health, and Music.

After graduation, Norlyn volunteered as a Special Education teacher for Akapin Foundation in Malolos.  Special children are close to her heart because her brother was born with cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

Norlyn then taught at a regular school but her heart pulled her back to Special Education. She joined Norfil Foundation, where she became a dedicated community-based SPED teacher for three years.

“We catered to children with physical and mental disabilities,” she says.  “Aside from teaching the students, we’d give trainings to parents, teachers, and the community.”

To teach her blind and deaf students, Norlyn learned Braille and sign language. She admits it could be frustrating as some of her students would have very slow progress. But the biggest reward was the fact that her work allowed her to help her family understand her brother better.

Today, Norlyn is a full-time staff of Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, where she works as the Principals’ Lead Program coordinator. Being in SAS made her realize that teachers really need to help students make a habit of reading, as this will allow them to widen their knowledge and learn about different cultures.

In all her years of teaching and working at SAS, Norlyn has learned that patience, endurance, and flexibility are the keys to a successful career.  This year, she plans to finish her MA in Education, major in Curriculum and Instruction at Bulacan State University. After that, she looks forward to teaching again. But for now, perhaps you will meet her at the next PLP Conference as she helps SAS build a nation of better readers and excellent educators.

The Outfit: Norlyn came to the shoot in a pair of jeans, a collared shirt, and sneakers.  Her outfit was very basic, so we decided to put her in bright colors and prints to liven up her look.

The Hair: Norlyn had her naturally curly hair relaxed, which caused it to become dry and coarse. Miss Letty snipped off the treated ends and gave her a shorter ‘do to make her hair feel light and healthy again.

The Look: Norlyn has acidic skin, which means makeup has a tendency to melt quite easily on her face, so Miss Letty applied yellow-based powder to help the makeup stay on. She applied glossy eye shadow to make her pretty eyes stand out, and lipstick with a glossy, pinkish hue to brighten her smile.

We all have our share of challenges and difficulties, but each of us also has the ability to overcome them. Read on for some tips on how to deal with adversity.

We do so many things to keep our bodies strong and our resistance to diseases high. We drink vitamins, go to the gym, watch what we eat, avoid smoking and alcohol, and try to get enough sleep. More than that though, we should be focusing on our inner strength, and the best way to do that is to work on building our resilience.

What is resilience?

Simply put, it’s the ability to “bounce back” after stressful, difficult, or even traumatic events. However, it should not be seen as a “superpower” as people commonly demonstrate the ability to be resilient. In fact, Filipinos seem to be a very resilient people. Think of all the typhoons, earthquakes, and other calamities that Filipinos have gone through. I’m sure that while you were watching those unfold in the news, you would have glimpsed more than a dozen people still smiling or even waving for the cameras. But we also shouldn’t see resilience as a trait that some people have and others don’t. It’s actually a combination of behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop. Different strategies may work for different people because ultimately, it is a personal journey. You may try any or all of the following:

1. Cultivate relationships Having caring, supportive relationships within your family as well as your other families (work, school, church, etc.) will definitely bolster your resilience as it constantly makes you feel loved, reassured, and encouraged. So go ahead and set that date with your old high school or college friends. Reach out to your family and co-workers. You will not only be boosting your own resilience, you will be helping them as well.
2. See Crises As Challenges Stress and problems are a given in everyday life. They may be small or not so small but the key is not to think of them as “make or break” or insurmountable problems. In the same way, you shouldn’t run away from them either, thinking that they will diminish whatever resilience you’ve already built. Try and fine-tune your mind into thinking of them as challenges or little puzzles that you have to figure out to exercise your resilience muscles, because in the end, aren’t they just that anyway?
3. Sort Through Your Goals And Challenges We are just so immersed in the challenges we face or the goals we want to attain that we can no longer differentiate between those that can still be and those that can never be. Once you feel like you’ve hit that brick wall a couple of times, step back and reassess the situation. Sometimes having the courage to accept that certain circumstances cannot be changed is all you need to grow, to finally be able to move on, and to work on those you can still alter.
4. Look At “Loss” As An Opportunity For Self-discovery When you “lose” something as a result of a problem, stressful event, or tragedy, may it be a thing, a loved one, or your confidence, focusing on what you gained or learned about yourself from such an event will actually make you more resilient in the end. I’m sure you have experienced it at least once—although still feeling shaky and vulnerable, you feel stronger, with a stronger connection to God, and a renewed appreciation for all things.
5. Know That You Can Do It Believing that you can handle anything that may be thrown at you is more than half the battle. You can do this by keeping things in perspective and always, always, always expecting that good things will happen to you. It’s really not about erasing all your fears but more about focusing on what fantastic things you want to materialize.
6. Continue Taking Care Of Yourself Never take yourself for granted. Relax and enjoy yourself. Some people also find it helpful to work on their faith, i.e., believing that we have a God that looks after us all the time and will never let us down. Take care of your mind by keeping it sharp, take care of your body by keeping it healthy, and take care of your spirit by keeping it strong. It is only with a mind-body-spirit that is ready that one can best deal with events that require resilience.

A full time teacher-librarian, Lyneve de Guzman knows the value of a break and a well-deserved treat!

PHOTOS BY Monica Barretto
STYLING BY Marla Miniano
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY Letty Lacambra and Fe Cuanan of Salon Paradisus
OUTFITS FROM Freeway and Anagon Collection

Yyneve de Guzman is a product of public schools in Bicol. When she was a child, she loved pretending to be a teacher. Her grandmothers, who were also teachers, inspired her to get into the profession.

Having a passion for travel and adventure, Lyneve went to Manila after graduating from the Bicol University College of Education. She landed a job in Kalawaan Elementary School in Pasig, where she became a grantee of Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation and the HSBC READiscovery Center.

Once she completed her training, Lyneve became a full time teacher-librarian—a job she has enjoyed for the past seven years. Currently, she teaches English and science to grade five students. She says, “I’m strict inside the classroom, but outside I’m like their ka-barkada.”

As a teacher-librarian, Lyneve takes care of the SAS-HSBC READiscovery Center. She assists students when they want to borrow books, conducts storytelling sessions, and trains some students to be storytellers who compete with other schools in their division. At the end of the year, she gives recognition to the “Storyteller of the Year.”

Aside from her duties as a teacher, Lyneve is also president of the school faculty. She is the youngest teacher to ever hold such a distinguished position! As faculty president, she takes care of her fellow teachers and makes sure their needs are met. She is also business manager of the Federation of Pasig Public School Teachers, and a group facilitator of Sa Aklat Sisikat.

Lyneve manages to juggle all her activities with proper scheduling and time management. During her free time, Lyneve loves to read and surf the Net. She is also into fashion. She says, “I am known as the chic or kikay teacher. I love accessorizing and wearing makeup. It’s not about pleasing other people, but about pleasing myself.”

This confident and well-rounded teacher certainly knows how to take care of herself and the people around her.

The Outfit: Teacher Lyneve arrived at the shoot wearing a light blue collared shirt, dark jeans, black pumps, and lots of colorful accessories. With her slim frame and effortless style, she can easily pull off young, trendy items paired with more classic pieces.
The Hair: The last time she had short hair was in 2003, but she allowed Miss Letty to chop off her locks because she wanted something that was easy to manage. “I gave her a bob with soft bangs,” Miss Letty says. “It’s a low-maintenance cut, so it’s perfect for her busy schedule.”
The Look: Miss Letty applied facial moisturizer and liquid foundation to give Lyneve’s face a dewy finish. She used a smoky eyeliner to highlight her eyes, then finished with shimmery pink blush and pink glossy lips to keep the look fresh and pretty.

As you go through your day, try these simple exercises to make your body fitter, stronger, and more energized!

Being a teacher means you put others before yourself most of the time. When your health suffers, so will your students and lessons. If you feel run down by mid-afternoon, it’s definitely time to shake up your schedule. Regular exercise improves blood circulation, which means you’ll have more energy throughout the day. It not only gives you more pep, it also strengthens your overall immunity and resistance to acute sickness such as a cold and the flu. No matter how busy you are, making time for exercise is great for you in the long haul.

1. Brisk walking

You may not have time to do this all in one go, but between walking to classes and climbing stairs, all you have to do is speed things up. Instead of walking leisurely, consciously try to add a little spring to your step and aim to reach your destination quickly. Instead of walking at a tired panda’s pace, try picturing yourself as a little girl raring to get to the playground. The goal is to accelerate your heartbeat, which pumps more blood around your body, releases endorphins, and keeps you alert.

Step it up with: Running

Go for a jog before heading to school. Early morning is the perfect time because there are few cars on the road, and it won’t be too hot! Make sure to use the proper shoes (comfy, well-cushioned, and not too tight with firm soles) and go for a quick 15 to 30 minute run. Start with a brisk three-minute walk, run for 15 to 20 minutes, then walk again for five minutes to cool down.

2. Morning Stretches

Just a few minutes of stretching will help establish calm and balance throughout your day. If done early in the morning, you’ll surely feel the difference after a while. You can get your students in on it, too!

Three Simple Stretches:

• Head rotations Rotate your head a full circle clockwise for ten seconds, then counter clockwise for another ten seconds.
• Waist side swings Standing with your feet apart, parallel to your shoulders,swing your torso from side to side, facing left then right. Let your arms flap freely, and let your hips lead your body through the swings.
• Lunges Bend your right leg forward, and your left leg back. Your right leg should be between your two arms, with your chest touching your thigh. You can try bending your back leg or you can hold this position for five breaths, then switch sides. Do three to five repetitions.

3. Strength Training

Store-bought dumbbells are optional. You can choose to simply fill a mineral water bottle with water (the 2L Absolute bottles are perfect, because they have an ergonometric hand grip). Be sure to check if it’s too heavy for you, else you strain yourself. Do simple arm curls at 15 reps once a week.

Step it up With: Crunches

Crunches may hurt your back if not done properly. The trick is not to come all the way up. Keep looking at the ceiling, and raise your upper body only until your chin is parallel to your chest. Do 10 to 20 reps, and keep adding more every two months.

4. Midday Stretches

Finding time to work out can be tricky, but these quick fixes can be done anywhere—even the faculty room! These exercises are meant to get your blood circulating and your energy up, to keep you pumped for your next class.

Toe touches Stand with your feet hip width apart, and reach your right hand to your left foot, making sure your legs are straight, then count 1-2-3. Stand straight up again and reach your left hand to your right foot then do three counts. Repeat five times.

Step jumps Keep your feet together, then jump on a step (a staircase or a classroom platform will do). Jump back down, with your feet still together. Do this five times if you feel out of breath, if not, do this up to 15 times.

Ski hops With your hands on your waist and your feet together, jump from side to side. Make sure you land with your knees bent. Try jumping wide distances side to side, about two to three feet, and squat lower as you go along. Do this 10 to 15 times.

5. Walking Meetings

Discussing lessons with fellow teachers, implementing new rules from the guidance counselor—teachers all have meetings they have to attend. Next time, instead of sitting on a long desk to talk about matters, invite your colleague to take a stroll around the school campus while discussing your subject matter. Not only will the fresh air and constant environmental stimulation keep you alert, you get in a few minutes of cardio from what would have been a long dreary afternoon at the faculty room.

A first ever in the history of Star Teacher makeovers, we give a male teacher the VIP treatment!

Photos by Monica Barretto
Styling by Marla Miniano
Grooming by Letty Lacambra and Fe Cuanan of Salon Paradisus
Outfits from Solo and Anagon Collection

Rodel Fabian Alfonso is a native of Pampanga. He studied Elementary Education at Holy Angel University in Angeles City and completed his MAED Educational Management in Pampanga Agricultural College. “Bunso ako, kaya naging kahiligan ko ang mga bata,” shares Rodel, who wanted to become a teacher ever since he was a child.

After graduation, he taught for a while in a private school. Then, he tried working as a call center agent in Clark. “I wanted to explore other options,” he says. “Working there was a good experience, but it became boring after a while.” After a few months, Rodel realized that his heart was in teaching. “I can express myself better through teaching. It’s stressful, but enjoyable.”

Today, he teaches science to grade five and six students at Pampanga Elementary School, where he has been teaching for the past seven years. He is also the district coordinator for Physical Education. His task is to organize games, such as athletics, volleyball, badminton, chess, and table tennis, for the Palarong Pambansa in the elementary level.

Apart from all his tasks in school, Rodel is also a loving husband and dad to four-year old Borris and one-year-old Rohan. His wife Rhoda is also a teacher and they’re expecting another baby soon!

Rodel says taking care of his students in school and kids at home are quite similar. “The love I give to my kids is the same as the love I give my students,” he shares. “When I was a new teacher, the kids were afraid of me. Hindi kasi ako palangiti kaya tingin nila sa akin masungit na matapang.” But now, he has learned to loosen up a little as he believes that student-teacher interaction is very important. “There are times when I have to discipline the kids and other times when I’m just like a kuya to them.”

The Outfit: Rodel arrived from Pampanga wearing a dark blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and gray sneakers. We wanted to give this hard-working dad a look that was younger and more fun.
The Hair: Rodel’s hair was flat and limp—he didn’t know how to fix it because school policy prohibits teachers from putting too much styling product in their hair and looking “punk.” Miss Letty gave him a shorter, edgier cut that still looks neat and decent. “I made his hair easier to manage,” she says. “After taking a shower, he just needs to apply wax and he’s good to go.”

Flaunt your figure with these foolproof tips on how to dress for your body type!

Body Type: PEAR SHAPED
DESCRIPTION: If you possess the shape of this bottom-heavy fruit, you probably often complain about your heavy hips or big thighs, which have generous proportions compared to your slim upper body.
YOUR GOAL: Create a balanced figure by choosing pieces that draw attention to your upper half, and minimize the width of your hips and thighs. You also want to create waist definition.
HOW TO WORK IT: Go for tops with wider necklines, such as those with boat-neck and scoop-neck styles; they widen your shoulder area and help counterbalance the fullness of your hips and thighs.

• Putting on a jacket with a cinched waist and a longer style that ends past the widest point of your thighs, or wearing a shirt with a belt is another great way to create a proportioned figure and put the focus on your waist.
• Avoid full or shapeless skirts. Choose a fitted piece that tapers slightly at the hem, to make you look long and lean.
• Avoid pants that have a narrow hem, like skinny jeans. Instead, camouflage heavy hips and thighs with boot-cut styles or a style that falls straight from the hips. Additionally, create a lean look by going for bottoms with vertical lines and designs, such as pinstriped patterns, vertical seams or vertically arranged details, like buttons or zippers.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: Most pears have small waists—embrace that! Because you have a slim neck, slender shoulders, and a just-right bust size, you’ll be able to wear delicate and feminine tops easily without looking too revealing.

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Overcoming obstacles is easy when you look good and think positive!

Photos by Patrick Martires
Text by Angel Constantino
Styling by Katrina Dy
Hair and makeup by Letty Lacambra and Fe Cuanan of Salon Paradisus
Clothes from The Flower Collection, She, and SM Department Store
Accessories from Benjie Angeles and Anagon Collection

Before she became a teacher, Imelda Ebarle Galleon, or “Mel” as she likes to be called, studied Midwifery. Her first challenge was looking for work. “When I got married, I wanted to be employed but the government wouldn’t accept me if I didn’t graduate from a four-year course,” she says. “So I decided to study Elementary Education. When I passed the board exam, I was hired.”

Teacher Mel is from the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental. Her first job was in a private school, teaching nursery and grade two. After that, she was hired in a public school, Sta. Cruz Elementary School, where she handled grade five students.

After several years, she switched to grade two because she wanted to experience teaching the primary levels. “I wanted to focus on my own pupils, since I’m teaching all subjects in grade two,” she says.

Mel believes teaching grade two students is challenging yet enjoyable as she encounters pupils with different behaviors and family backgrounds. “I come from a barrio school and most of my grade two students did not experience nursery, kinder, and grade one. Those who go directly to grade two can’t even read yet. I have pupils from ages nine to 13 years old. Some of their parents are very busy, while others are very poor.”

Despite the challenges, Mel gives one hundred percent when it comes to her students. What she loves most about her job is how she can influence and touch their lives. “I’m satisfied because they learn the way I teach them.” She also knows that a good teacher cannot do everything alone. That’s why she enlists the help of their parents as well as her honor students.

At the time of the makeover, it was Mel’s first time to visit Manila to attend a SAS workshop. She says, “It’s such a privilege to come to Manila and get a makeover. I never dreamt of coming here since I have four kids to take care of but God let it happen.”

With her strong faith and passion for work, Mel assures other teachers that they too can overcome any challenge. Though she may not be financially rich, she says, “What makes me rich are the children whose lives I touch through teaching. They will take those lessons with them as they grow up.”

The Outfit: Mel came to the shoot dressed in a black top and dark jeans. Though her ensemble was safe, Mel needed something to spice up her look. We decided to introduce her to bright hues and flattering prints for a more feminine style.
The Hair: Mel’s hair is thick and unruly. To make it more manageable, Letty Lacambra, senior stylist at Salon Paradisus, added face-framing layers that lessened the unwanted volume of her locks.
The Look: For acidic skin like Mel’s, Letty recommends using a yellow-based foundation to even skin tone and conceal freckles and other blemishes.