The search is over. Teresa Alvina, 82, (right), now a publishing executive, reunites with her beloved teacher Carmen Pascual, 91, after long years of searching and 63 years of separation.

MANILA, Philippines — She just wanted to say thank you. And so her search for her high school teacher began.

Eighty-two year-old publishing executive Teresa Alvina has never had a chance to say thank you for the inspired mentoring she had received from her former teacher, Mrs. Carmen Geronimo- Pascual.

Earlier, Alvina had written to Education Secretary Armin Luistro asking for assistance in finding her teacher whom she has not heard of after high school graduation 63 years ago.

DepEd National Capital Region then alerted its personnel to help find Mrs. Pascual, especially since the department has been encouraging people to express their gratitude to their teachers in celebration of Teachers’ Month from September 5 to October 5.

“For me, it is very important to be able to say thank you now. I regret that I never even bothered to get in touch with her despite the fact that we are both Quezon City residents,” shared Alvina.

She was thus elated to learn from the DepEd staff that Mrs. Pascual has been found - still up and about at 91 years old, and yes, healthy with a memory sharp enough to remember Alvina, her Home Economics student at the V. Mapa High School in Manila.

DepEd culminated yesterday,October 5, the celebration of Teachers’ Month with a World Teachers’ Day celebration.

Years before the DepEd started to propagate the idea of expressing gratitude to teachers, Alvina said she had already embarked on a personal solitary mission to locate Ms. Carmen Geronimo.

The reunion finally came to fruition over lunch hosted by the teacher at her residence. Alvina and Pascual relived the years long gone over food and laughter.

“I am so happy, I searched and I have found. Now I have more happy memories to get me through the years ahead,” Alvina expressed.

Indeed, there is a bond that the long years cannot sever or memories that long absence cannot blur. Such is the bond between teacher Carmen and student Teresa.