The document discusses a student's experience with a strict but caring teacher, Ms. Caroline Mones-Muncal. As a new college student, the narrator was warned about how strict and demanding Ms. Mones-Muncal was. However, when struggling with school and his leadership of a struggling student organization, Ms. Mones-Muncal took the time to speak with him privately. She consoled him as he cried and encouraged him to prioritize his studies over saving the organization. This meaningful conversation changed his perspective of Ms. Mones-Muncal and of teaching. He learned to see past a teacher's strict exterior to the caring person within.

1. Life’s Lessons to Live By, Not Facts
Life’s Lessons Learned from Ms. Caroline Mones-Muncal Page 1
“WHEN YOU LAUGH, THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU
BUT WHEN YOU CRY, YOU CRY ALONE.”
When I was in college, every time I hear her name, people would say:
“Ah si Ma’am ba? Napaka-istrikto nun!”
“Napakababa niyang magbigay ng grade. Good luck!”
“Humanda ka ‘pag siya ang naging teacher mo! Wag kang magpapa-late”
“Kapag may project kayo, ipasa mo agad!”
“Wag kang a-absent”
“Magda-drop na ako sa English 105. Natatakot ako ka yMa’am.”
“Napaka-istrikto niya. Parang hindi ako papasa”.
These remarks frightened me because she was my teacher in English 100 that time. She
was strict, yes. She gave us difficult exams, yes. She was never late and expects us to do the
same, yes. As a student, we must abide by the rules, yes. And we really have to study,
unfortunately and fortunately, (beat the drum thrice) YES!
When I became an Eduk student (specializing in English), I met her again. My fears of
having her as a teacher again grew more. This time, I cannot abide by her rules because I have
other obligations other than studying. I was a newly elected president of a dying organization at
that time. Although I was only more than two months member, I was elected right away to lead a
handful of members. The organization was dying. It almost died, almost! I am not a good leader
but I have to try my best. As a new leader, I was expected to revive it, or so I think.
To revive the organization, we must solve the financial crisis and we must recruit new
members. We did the latter. We succeeded, I guess. However, the former requires a lot of
sacrifice and patience. And so, I signed (without thinking twice) a contract worth 1.9 million
with the producer of Ang Guro Musical Play starring Ms. Marquez of GMA 7.
After signing the contract, the organization had to endorse the musical play to different
educational institutions in Nueva Ecija. However, only few members of the organization were

2. Life’s Lessons to Live By, Not Facts
Life’s Lessons Learned from Ms. Caroline Mones-Muncal Page 2
willing to help which forced me to sacrifice my classes. Even those members whose neighbor is
a principal did not even try to endorse the play. Even those whose parent is a teacher did not ask
me how they can help.They were just texting me asking for updates of the program’s success. I
was sad and angry which made me decide to do things on my own. That was the moment when I
started facing problems in my classes. I even told myself that if I have to drop any of my
subjects, I will drop it.
When I was at the verge of falling down, one of my seven (if I am not mistaken) teachers
approached me. She called me outside then led me to a park at the back of the classrooms. She
asked why I was absent for the pass few meetings. I was about to lie. I had no intention to tell her
the truth. I was afraid. I don’t know what to say. She looked at me. She stared at me. I was sitting
and she was standing. I was at the point of lying to her but her voice was so powerful. It was so
strong, so motherly, so caring, so loving. When I looked at her, I started telling her the truth—
everything. I don’t know but I felt I had to. I admitted it was my fault.
She was silent for a moment. Then she asked me if I had dreams. Yes, I replied. She
reminded me about the dreams of my parents for me. I started crying. I told myself that I had big
dreams. Silently, I reminded myself that I no longer want to suffer how unfair life is. I did not
speak for a while. I was listening to her. My tears started falling down from my eyes again. Then
(if I am not mistaken) I saw crystal balls falling down from her eyes too. I wanted to hug her as if
she was my mother but I didn’t. When I was still sobbing, she said,
“Marvin, anak, when you laugh, the world laughs with you…
But when you cry, you cry alone.”
It echoed in my mind and I sobbed even more. She further explained that I had to
prioritize my studies. I have to make sure that I will not break my parents’ heart. I have to secure
my future first before trying to be a hero--for others. I have to be good to myself first before
being good to others who will not value my sacrifices in the end when I fail. Yes, it’s hard to
pursue something big when you’ll sacrifice something bigger. And it’s even harder to give up
something when you know it is the reason why you are in that place.

3. Life’s Lessons to Live By, Not Facts
Life’s Lessons Learned from Ms. Caroline Mones-Muncal Page 3
After that fateful day, I decided not to drop any of my subjects. Most of all, I resigned as
a president of the organization. I got low grades that semester but I started once again. I did the
biggest mistake in my life but I learned a lot from it.It happened for a greater good.
After that very significant encounter with my teacher, when I hear people talking about
her firmness in the class, I just smile. I know that deep inside her strictness resides a caring and
loving mother. She is ONE of the teachers who wishes to see the better things, if not the best,in
her children—her students. The way I see her as a teacher totally changed.The way I perceived
teaching changed. The way I see teachers WITHOUT an M.A. or M.S. degree changed.
Importantly, the way I see myself in the future changed. And I will always remember the only
teacher who talked to an ordinary student when he was about to lose everything he was dreaming
for. I hope she will be my teacher once again and yours too. She is a living heroine—a modern
one.
As Jeff Goins said, “Some heroes fly beneath the radar. They aren’t celebrities and you
won’t see them on the conference main stage. But they give of themselves for the greater good.
They act nobly. Their lives inspire.”
Oh, did I forget to tell her name?—I was talking about NANAY CAROL (Caroline
Mones-Muncal) at the College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon State University.
A real heroine!