means developing student-centered learning where their excellence can be harnessed more. They get to learn more and better when lessons are done the way their generation understands it. The old “banking” method of teaching, where all information is taught to them, dumped like blocks of information without fully knowing whether the students learn or not, does not work anymore. Art is involved in teaching. And, in my case, art means being creative in the room. The teacher is an actor.
Last year, when I discussed Darna as part of Philippine Pop Culture in an online class for Business Administration students, Marian Rivera popped up in my class, with Dingdong Dantes doing a cameo because he was setting up the computer for his beautiful wife. My students were thrilled. They learned more about Darna from Marian herself, who starred in GMA’s teleserye rendition of Darna.
I always show up in class — rain or shine, with or without the threat of vog from the distant Taal Volcano. Even if it means teaching the Gen Z from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. I always show up in class. Add festival to the title. For food, friendship and fortune are a festival on a roll. When joy is shared among friends in...