GROWING up poor in Murcia, Negros Occidental, 35-year-old high school teacher Roy Basa had always dreamed of helping his parents free their family from the shackles of poverty.
Both hacienda workers, financial constraints made it impossible for them to send all their seven children to school.
However, Roy, being the eldest, was motivated to fulfill his dreams for his family. After obtaining a high school scholarship, he graduated as class valedictorian from La Consolacion Academy in Murcia in 1998.
He was granted an academic scholarship in college, but Roy still had to juggle his studies with night shift jobs to support his other needs. After his hardwork and perseverance, he completed his degree in Education major in General Science at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in March 2001.
Although becoming a teacher was not his first choice (he was supposed to study Commerce but was convinced by his aunts to enroll in Education instead), the love and passion Roy has developed for teaching opened great opportunities for him.
This coming September 5, Dr. Roy Basa, a biology teacher (Master Teacher I) at Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) Night Class Department in Bacolod City, will be recognized as one of the 10 awardees of Metrobank Foundation Inc.’s 2016 Search for Outstanding Teachers during the awarding ceremonies at the Metrobank Plaza in Makati City.
Another recognition rites will be held on September 12 at the Malacañan Palace.
This year’s awardees, comprised of four elementary, four secondary public school teachers, and two college professors, join the roster of 346 outstanding teachers honored by the Metrobank Foundation since 1985.
Each of them will be conferred with a gold medallion, a trophy, and cash prize amounting to P500,000.
Teaching philosophy
In the course of his teaching career, Roy completed his Master of Arts in School Administration and Supervision, and Doctor of Philosophy major in Educational Management that enabled him to expand his horizons.
And his life’s experiences has apparently influenced Roy’s decision to teach in the Night Class Department, although his initial year of teaching at NOHS mentoring day students also made a mark in him, knowing that he made a difference in the life of someone who can be considered a difficult student.
Being a former working student himself, he derives fulfillment from molding students who work during the day as househelps, security guards, welders, among others and attend school at night.
Roy said he believes in giving working students hope and assurance that something beautiful awaits them after completing their education.
Teachers can make the world a better place if they consider being mentor a vocation, and not just a source of income, he added.
“I want to be remembered by my students as a passionate and committed teacher. Someone who does not just consider teaching as a profession, but a teacher who teaches by heart, by soul, and by deeds,” Roy shared.
The father of two, who is married to his high school sweetheart Rozel, said that he considers his award as a responsibility.
It is something that further ignites the flame of his passion and commitment as a teacher, he said.
Another of his contribution to the education of his students and those from other schools is the Ballpen at Iba Pa Foundation.
Through this advocacy assisted by his friends and the Metrobank Foundation itself, Roy has granted scholarships and provided school supplies to 40 students in the NOHS Night Class, and to a number of pupils in the countryside.
Roy said he is also grateful for the support of NOHS school principal Mario Amaca, who nominated him for the award, and to Night Class department head Liza Asan for her endorsement.
Ma’am Asan said, “It is a great honor and pride having an outstanding teacher, who is nationally-acclaimed for his achievement. We are very happy because he really deserves the award.”
‘Poverty not a hindrance’
Roy’s award as a Metrobank Foundation outstanding teacher also gained him recognition from the City Council of Bacolod which presented him a resolution of commendation earlier this month.
On August 31, his own hometown of Murcia, through the Municipal Council, will pass a similar resolution commending him for his achievement.
Roy said the saying, “Poverty is not a hindrance to success,” may have become a cliché, but for him it would always hold true.
As a child, his simple wish was just to be able to buy apples and Zest-O juice packs that he can share with his siblings, which he actually did after receiving his first paycheck.
After years of hardwork and prayers, and not giving up, Roy has proved that he can give his family more than that.
Indeed, what a journey for the poor boy from Barangay Lopez Jaena, Murcia who once dreamed and hoped.