Patricians and Barbarians

Early in my university life, a friend of mine from high school joked that you could always tell where students from our high school would be in any given university: "Look for the most talkative speaker who has misguided but passionate opinions." Being more reserved public speaker ourselves, we laughed and laughed and laughed.

that was a Gabriel Okara reference, by the way.

Anyway. I'm not much for interacting on the internet, so I haven't really been checking in on the populace of our high school. But, reading about Sister Mary Satan, I couldn't help but think back on Ms. Dehesa/Mrs. Isidro.

Why? Because she's quintessential kulasa, and she knew all our tricks and trademarks because she was one of us. We browsed through her yearbook (available at the library! see your teachers' hairstyle in the age of hairspray!) to see what was written about her, and loved the fact that in high school, she was "small enough to still have her feet dangling from her chair". But, according to both her and the teachers she's had, she's a riot. In every sense of the term.

interesting side note, before I continue this "talk" on Ms. Dehesa: back when she and Mr. Isidro were still simply dating, our dear History teacher struggled to have a serious discussion on I think was the Medieval Era. Why? Because some of the groups of the time were "Patricians" and "Barbarians". *snicker* Such a patient, patient man. We love you, Mr. Isidro!

Going back. Some of Ms. Dehesa's (I insist on calling her thus because Mrs. Isidro indicates the more serious aspect of the woman) anecdotes include:

1. Why we should never fake the headache/stomachache and go to the clinic regularly. Because as a student, she did it so often that she once forgot what her last "excuse" was, and claimed to have a stomachache while holding her hand to her head.

2. Ms. Cabral -- She of Noli and El Fili terrorism -- was her Filipino teacher as well at one point. Ms.Dehesa, seated in the back row with her friends, were all discussing among themselves, clearly not listening, when Ms. Cabral thundered out: "Dehesa! Anong pinag-uusapan n'yo dyan? (what are you discussing over there?)"
And our dear girl's reply? "Miss, kasi sabi nya... tapos, sinagot ni ____ ng... Tapos... (Miss, because Girl 1 said... and then Girl 2 answered... and then...)" An answer, you can imagine, that caused Ms.Cabral to retreat, and demand for her to stop.

3. The many ways of cheating -- some which we've never heard ourselves. The tissue box, the revised Morse Code, the fake sneeze/cough... She claims to have been there, and done it.

But one of my favorites is when her Religion teacher looked at her one day and said: "You'll make a good nun."
Imagine the violent reaction.
And then, she revealed to us (it was the last day of our regular classes, and she wanted "a breather" before our finals), she almost considered it:

"Puwede (Maybe). If they (the convent) allow beer. And chocolates. And fewer prayers. And my friends can stay there also. And I can go out anytime. May TV ba (Is there a TV)? And they have to allow boys..."

Well, she's married now. With kids. I don't know their names, but I'm glad Ms.Dehesa/Mrs.Isidro has spawned and would therefore have her wicked sense of humor continue into the next generation.

I hope she's not too much into the taking herself seriously. I think she's vice-principal now, and if she's Ms. Seriousness, I think it's wrong.


somewhat creepy post script: one of my close friends from grade school and friend from high school is now a teacher in the high school. she's a good person, and i'm sure a great teacher, but... hmmmn.