MANILA, Philippines –  Efren Bino does not look like a teacher at all. This tall and lanky gentleman is soft-spoken and extremely shy who always keeps his head down.

Teacher Efren may be different from the more outgoing and confident teachers but his achievements and sacrifices in his profession have put him on top of many of his colleagues.

Thus last weekend, Teacher Efren was among the five teachers who received national recognition as honorees of The Many Faces of a Teacher. He was feted for his valuable contributions to education during the Tribute to Teachers event of the Bato Balani Foundation, Inc. in Cebu City. First, because he dared to teach on a remote island where no one dared to go and stayed. Second, he went far beyond his duty to teach. Third, he paved the way for the complete development of his school.

For 12 years, Teacher Efren served as the lone teacher in Mataas Elementary School located in the remote island municipality of Bacacay, Albay. Everyday, he would travel eight kilometers and take a 40-minute boat ride to get to the school.

When the daily commute became too difficult for him and the boat fare more expensive, Teacher Efren decided to live in the school permanently and would go home only on Saturdays. And because he was the only one in the school, besides his students, Efren naturally became the school’s principal, property custodian, and security guard.

“Ayaw ng mga teachers na maassign sa Mataas (Elementary School) kasi malayo at nag-iisa nga sila. Nung una, nanibago ako kasi pagkatapos na klase, uuwi na yung mga estudyante at ako na lang mag-isa. Malungkot,” recalls the 41-year-old teacher.

He was suprised to learn upon arrival at the school that it actually existed since 1949. It only had 22 students, one classroom, and multi-grade combination classes, from Grades 1 and 3.

“Mahirap magturo ng combination classes. Sa mga Grade 1 pupils magsisimula ka sa pinaka simula dahil hindi pa sila marunong bumasa. Yung Grade 3 naman marami nang alam. Bibigyan ko ng seatwork o exam yung Grade 3 tapos mag lelecture naman ako sa Grade 1. Kung minsan nga nagiging tatay na rin ako sa Grade 1. Pag may ayaw pumasok gagawin ko lahat para pumasok sila sa school,” shares Efren.

When a strong typhoon damaged the school, Efren held classes at the chapel for six months, and later on at a nipa hut that the parents built while waiting for the renovation of the damaged classroom as well as the construction of new ones.

FATHER FIGURE

Teacher Efren, a bachelor, also learned how to be a father to his students, eventually earning the approval, respect, and love of the community for the genuine care and concern he has showed.

He also worked on increasing enrolment, lobbying to the Department of Education supervisor of the district for additional teachers and classrooms.

When typhoon Reming struck the island, Teacher Efren helped not only the school, but also the barangay to get back on its feet by searching for sponsors and benefactors. Plan Philippines was one of the non-government organizations that helped the school through the construction of two new classrooms.

Eventually, all that Teacher Efren dreamed for his school came true. Enrolment increased, more teachers were assigned at the school, the dropout rate decreased and many students have pursued higher schooling and graduated.

“Ngayon complete elementary school na ang Mataas, tatlo na ang teachers na nagtuturo ng combination classes sa 96 students. May mga estudyante ako na nakatapos na at mga guro na ngayon. Yung iba may magandang trabaho na rin,” he happily shares.

TIME TO MOVE ON

After fulfilling his dreams for the school, Teacher Efren felt it was time to move on to another school, take care of his aging parents, and pursue his dream for himself, to take up masteral studies.

But his attachment to the school, the community and his students had made it hard and painful to leave.

“Akala nila kasi hindi ko na sila iiwan kahit kailan. Kaya nung aalis na ko, hindi ako makapagpaalam sa kanila. Hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin na maiintindihan nila. Pero kinalaunan naintindihan na rin. Sinabi ko sa kanila na kahit umalis ako dun may pagkakataon na makakatulong pa rin ako sa kanila,” says Teacher Efren who is now at the Pili Elementary School.

When he left, he brought with him the little rewards he earned from his sacrifices as a teacher, like the Grade 1 students who learned to read through his efforts, and those pupils who were able to graduate.

“Hindi mo masusukat ang kasayahan na makita mo na nakakapagbasa, nakatapos at nadevelop mo yung isang tao. At yung makita mo na masayang masaya yung magulang dahil nakapagtapos ang mga anak nila dahil sa iyo. Pero etong The Many Faces of a Teacher award ang pinakamalaking award na natanggap ko. Narealize ko na may ginawa pala akong mabuti bilang teacher at na pag may ginawa ka palang kabutihan babalik at babalik din sa iyo balang araw,” he looks back.

Indeed, Teacher Efren may not look mighty and proud but his accomplishments are great, far-reaching and larger than life.

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