150 East Coast teachers honored by UNIFFIED

Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. and wife Eleanor (in green suit) congratulate the awardees, from left: Aristides Uy,  Marvin Cadornigara, Marietta Geraldino, Rosalinda Mayo and Pancho Bernaldez at the back.  Lumen Castaneda is at center behind Mayo.  Photo by Ria Serrano

Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. and wife Eleanor (in green suit) congratulate the awardees, from left: Aristides Uy, Marvin Cadornigara, Marietta Geraldino, Rosalinda Mayo and Pancho Bernaldez at the back. Lumen Castaneda is at center behind Mayo. Photo by Ria Serrano

By Jen Furer

“My dream is to become a teacher. Without a teacher, there’s no carpenter, doctor, nurses, engineer — and even priests. The teacher is the first person needed by every individual next to our parents. The reason why I want to be a teacher is that I want to motivate other people how to love and care for the future that lies ahead. I believe that education is the only treasure that no one can take away from us.” – ARK Scholar Class 2015

At the Advancement for Rural Kids where I am the Scholars Program Chief, I am amazed that 9 out of 10 of our ‘scholars’ want to be teachers. I guess it’s a testament that “teachers change lives.”

On Sunday, April 20th, I was privileged to attend the first anniversary of the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED) where about 150 men and women were recognized as dedicated and honorable educators. I came as one of the presenters, together with my fellow Makilala TV co-hosts Rachelle Ocampo and Cristina Pastor.

The awardees packed the NYU Palladium Hall near Union Square. The honorees were led by Rosalinda Mayo, who won the highest Gawad Lampara. Five teachers – namely Pancho Bernaldez, Marvin Cadornigara, Marietta Geraldino, Ronie Mataquel, and Aristedes Uy – were given special recognition. Each of the 150 teachers received a Gawad Lingkod trophy and certificate from Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. Among them were teaching artist for the performing arts Miguel Braganza, piano teacher Loren San Diego, and Teach for the Philippines’s Michael Vea.

In his invocation Cadornigara, a board of director of UNIFFIED NY, said, “Students are special gifts from God” to the teachers.

This touched my heart as a mother of four. My children were blessed to have been guided by teachers who motivated them to follow their dreams and believe in themselves.

Jonathon Demol, president of UNIFFIED NY, put together a video presentation that showcased UNIFFIED’s accomplishments and mission. With the accomplishments, community service and numbers in attendance, it was no surprise that they touched so many lives.

UNIFFIED’s Founding Chair, Lumen Castaneda, known throughout the community as “Tita Lumen,” brought down the house when she asked everyone in the room to proudly declare, “I am a teacher!”

“The year started with a tumultuous storm in 2014. But then the storm cleared, and at the end is a rainbow,” Castaneda said in her opening remarks, in obvious reference to a widely known rift within the teachers’ ranks. That gap has since been closed. “UNIFFIED thanks the teachers in believing in us.”

In closing, she said teachers are a unique breed, and are known to have their own style of discipline as epitomized in this statement: “Don’t reform my teaching until you have survived 45 minutes of my 9th period class.”

I was one of those who l laughed because in a very limited time I spent as a substitute teacher, I remembered feeling exhausted by the 9th period, and had appreciation for the work that teachers do because the work doesn’t end after the night period.

Congen De Leon, Jr. said that indeed, “Teaching is the most noble profession.”

“Your hard work, conscientiousness and most importantly your integrity are recognized publicly. This distinction is more notable if it’s from the peers. Only a teacher will understand the difficulties, challenges and sacrifices, experiences by another educator,” he said further.

“May the honor bestowed in you further motivate you to mold our young Filipino-American generation – not only in identity but proudly display their heritage through language and values education,” he addressed the awardees.

And to UNIFFIED, he said, “May you help propel the profile of Filipinos in mainstream society through your network, members and programs.”

Even Castaneda was surprised how well received the event, ably emceed by Ria Serrano, was. Despite some technical difficulties, such as lack of chairs and having only one working microphone with a short cable, she said the room was filled with unconditional love, unity and solidarity.

Jen Furer is a lifestyle and fitness advocate, a mother of four, an author, blogger, philanthropist, and even a television talk show host. Jen writes about her “happy simple life” for GottaLoveMom.com.

Teachers cradle their awards, from left: Loren San Diego, Miguel Braganza, Anthony Samonte, and Jonathan Demol.  Photo by Marietta Geraldino

Teachers cradle their awards, from left: Loren San Diego, Miguel Braganza, Anthony Samonte, and Jonathan Demol. Photo by Marietta Geraldino

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