by Angeline P. Dinoro
Ms Robie P. Brizal, a candidate for Masteral Degree in Science Education major in Elementary Mathematics will be marching with pride and honor on the occasion of the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology 10th Mid-Academic Year Graduation on January 23, 2019 at the IIT Gymnasium.
Ms. Brizal started the masters program barely two months right after she was released as one of the hostages on October 4, 2017. When asked about her decision to enrol in the program, tears were egested calmly as she recalled her unforgettable ordeal. She shared with all the grains of immaculate honesty:
“That was the time that I felt, I have to stand on my feet; I have to continue teaching; I have to forget the piercing scars in my heart…I have to live.”
Recalling the grim and horrendous memory of Marawi siege that had plagued our nation with such severity for five months (May 23-October 2017) awakens the terror that once has gripped the hearts of Filipinos. Despite such cold grip, Filipinos were able to surpass just like Ms. Brizal, who accounted triumphantly her feat to move on after the siege.
“I was asked then,to go back to teaching. In my mind, I couldn’t make it since I was afraid that I might mercilessly dispense the repercussion of my anger to my students: such would be unfair. That was the moment I realized, I was not ready to teach yet.”
Consequently, Ms. Brizal was awarded of a scholarship by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute under program (http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news-archive/285-dost-sei-awards-207-scholarships-under-bangon-marawi-program)Bangon Marawi which catered to the displaced teachers caused by the siege.
In the quest for teaching-learning responsive to the demands of time, Ms. Brizal has successfully completed her thesis, “Students Interactions in an Open Approach Mathematics Classroom” under the advisorship of Dr. Amelia T. Buan, dean of the College of Education.
Once a dedicated teacher of the Dansalan College Foundation Incorporated in Marawi City since June 2013 up to May 2017, Ms. Brizal hails from Janiuay, IloiIo who finished the degree Bachelor of Elementary Education in General Education. When asked how she battles life, she quipped, “Be prayerful, even though you don’t need anything. God means life. Be positive-even in the most difficult situation.”