MANILA -- The sun was about to set when the streets of Pozorrubio turned restless on Friday. Everyone was busy finishing work because tomorrow will be a rest day.

While hundreds of people rushed to their homes, Krystal, a Grade 10 pupil, decided to visit her math teacher who will give her a free tutorial.

As Krystal pressed the buzzer of the huge metal gate, almost a dozen dogs barked in unison. A minute later, the dogs turned silent as the door opened.

"Good afternoon, Madam Desamito," she said as an old woman opened the door.

The old woman led Krystal to her spacious backyard, where a well-ventilated dining hall stood under a tree.

"Shoo! Shoo!" she told her dogs.

Krystal carefully placed her backpack on a table at the center of the room. The old woman pulled the chalk board closer. Then, the tutorial started.

***

Leticia Fernandez Desamito, "Madam Desamito" as her students call her, is a 76-year-old retired mathematics and natural science professor.

Born in June 1939, she was six years old when the war ended.

The second among five children, Desamito grew up with everything she needed. Her father was a school principal, while her mother was a home economics teacher.

After her high school graduation, Dasamito's parents sent her to the University of the Philippines Diliman to study chemical engineering. Four years later, she transferred to Mapua Institute of Technology, where she finished her undergraduate degree.

At that time, her brother Julio, who would soon become a Comelec commissioner, was already reviewing for the Bar exam.

An unexpected gift

When she got her diploma, a friend offered her a teaching position at La Salette College in Isabela. Her eagerness to receive her first paycheck encouraged her to accept the job even though she was not yet licensed to teach.

"Natanggap ako agad, kasi alam mo naman noon, ang teacher sa math at science ay talagang kulang, eh chemical engineering graduate naman ako. So they hired me without a second thought," she told ABS-CBN News.

According to Desamito, she enjoyed teaching in La Salette because it was close to a seminary, where she can go to church and enjoy discussions with seminarians.

During that time, she even considered entering a convent to become a nun.

"Doon nga ako muntik nang magmadre. Noong high school palang gusto ko na talagang mag-madre. Pina-apply pa nga akong mag-madre, hindi ko ulit sinabi sa magulang ko. Natanggap na nga ako, nakapasok na ako sa kumbento," she said.

Although she did not become a nun, Desamito remained unmarried. It was a deliberate decision she made when her brother's wife died.

As the second eldest, she volunteered to help in supporting her nephews and nieces.

"Maybe it's God's will din na hindi na ako nagtuloy sa pagma-madre. I chose it because of my brother, who has children to feed," she said.

Serving her alma matter

After four years, Desamito decided to return to Pozorrubio to be closer to her family. She applied as a high school teacher in her alma mater Pozorrubio High School (now Benigno V. Aldana Natoinal High School), where she immediately got hired.

"Noong na-observe ako during our teaching demo, very happy naman ang principal. Sinabi niya nga agad sa office, 'I got a very good teacher,'" she recalled. "Kasi alam mo, math teacher ako eh. Ang examples ko noong nag-demo ako ay 'yong mahihirap. Eh history major siya. So, wala siyang alam sa math."

By the time her father asked her to resign and teach in a university, Desamito was already completing her Master's degree. According to her, no one in her family knew that she was enrolled in a graduate degree.

"I am not very showy. I just keep my achievements to myself," she said.

A passionate professor

When she finished her Master's degree, the president of the university immediately offered her a teaching position.

"At that time, istrikto rin ang education department. Gusto nila ang university kailangan ang mga teachers ay may master's degree. Kaya pag-graduate ko, pinapunta agad ako sa office ng president. Then, they hired me without even asking for my application letter," she said.

Desamito enjoyed molding the minds of future professionals at the university. While teaching, she also was also completing her doctorate degree.

Thus, in no time, she was promoted as the head of the department of mathematics and natural sciences-- a position she held until she retired.

According to Desamito, she was not yet ready to retire when the university administrator told her that it was about time she enjoys life away from teaching.

"I went to the school president to tell him that I am not yet prepared to retire in teaching. I can be a retired teacher, but not a retired educator," she said.

"So, I asked him to extend my service. Hindi pa naman ako uugod-ugod maglakad. Then, he accepted me for another 5 years. But 'yung bagong administration gusto nila lahat ng teachers ay bata. Dahil ang bata, they can remove anytime. Unlike mga tulad naming beterano na. Kaya kami inalis," she added.

After teaching for another five years, Desamito finally said goodbye to the university she served for 40 years. She found refuge in her former students who became successful nurses, accountants, engineers, and teachers.

"I find happiness to see them become the persons they dreamed to be. Minsan nga, napapa-iyak ako kapag naiisip ko na malayo na ang narating nila," she said.

A second chance

Immediately after her retirement, Desamito's eldest nephew Engineer Joel Desamito recommended her to the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (LIHM) sisters of the newly opened Mary Help of Christians Boarding School.

"I was very happy when they accepted me. Kasi dito sa bahay, kapag nakalinis ka na, wala ka nang ginagawa, maisip mo pa kung kailan ka mamamatay. Kaya, magtuturo na lang ako. May matutulungan pa ako," she said.

When she got accepted, Desamito refused to discuss her salary with the school's administrators. Money was no longer an issue. She got her retirement fee and was receiving a monthly pension.

Her nephews and nieces were also sending her money for food and house maintenance.

"When I got in, all I wanted was to teach and not to earn money. I have been earning money all my life. Maybe it was time to give back," she said.

So, with a humble honorarium, Desamito handled classes in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Even though she no longer has the vigor of a young teacher, she assured her students that she had the sharp mind of a passionate educator.

"Magaling po siyang magturo kasi kino-compute pa lang namin sa calculator, siya na-solve na niya sa blackboard. Ang galing niya kasi ang bilis niyang naso-solve," Krystal said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. "Parang kabisado niya lahat ng gagawin, minsan hindi na po siya gumagamit ng libro. Nasa isip na niya lahat."

A fulfilling career

Desamito believes that the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing her students learning something new. She also feels fulfilled when her students approach her to ask questions.

"That means they listened and they tried to understand. When the students ask me questions, I feel happy because that means they want to learn more," she said.

She added that she also feels humbled when her former students greet her when they bump into her at the church, grocery, or even on the street.

"Pinaka-rewarding na part ay iyong marami akong natuturuan. Lalo kapag naglalakad ka sa kalsada, tapos sasabihin ng naging estudyante mo, 'Hi, Madam! Teacher po kita.'" she said. "Kahit saan ka pumunta, maraming makakakilala sayong estudyante mo noon. And I am very happy kasi nare-realize ko na marami na pala akong naturuan."

According to Desamito, the main reason why she never gets tired of teaching is because she wants to enrich the knowledge of the young generation. She believes that ignorance is the "deadliest thing in this world."

"Minsan, naawa ako sa mga estudyante na kulang pa sa kaalaman. At this age, siguro mayroon na akong alam na hindi pa naituro sa kanila ng mga batang teachers. Kaya sana, maituro ko rin 'yong mga nabasa ko noon at mga na-experience ko," she said.

Inspiration

Desamito has also touched the lives of her colleagues. One of them is Tracy Ann Ferrer, who describes Desamito as a passionate and organized teacher.

"Marami kang matutunan sa kanya kasi siya iyung teacher na maayos, organized magturo. May plano siyang ituro at talagang sinusunod niya 'yong plano," Ferrer said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Apart from being a great teacher, Ferrer also likens Desamito to a mother, who always gives advice.

"Maituturing ko siyang nanay. Yes, nanay talaga. Kasi siya 'yung aalagaan ka niya. Ituturing ka niya hindi bilang co-worker, more than that," she said. "Halimbawa, kung kailangan mo ng advice, sasabihin niya sa 'yo kung ano 'yung mga dapat mong gawin sa buhay."

According to her, she is inspired by Desamito's passion to continue sharing knowledge amid the challenges teachers face in their profession. She also wants to follow Desamito's footsteps.

"Sana, sana magawa ko 'yon. 'Yong pagiging teacher ko kasi, mahirap talaga lalo sa early times ng teacher. Sana kahit papano, maibigay ko pa rin 'yong binibigay ni Ma'am Desamito sa mga bata," she said.

Asked about the best lesson she learned from Desamito, Ferrer said: "Bigyan mo ng halaga kung ano 'yong ibinibigay mo, hindi lang para sa sarili mo, kundi para sa mga bata. Kumbaga ang titignan mo talaga ay 'yong maituturo mo sa mga bata. Kasi ikaw na teacher, hindi ka lang nagi-impart ng knowledge. Tina-touch mo rin kasi 'yong buhay nila," she said.

Undying love to teach

Desamito said she is planning to retire when she reaches the age 80.

"Basta malakas pa ako, kahit hindi four years. Kahit mag-extend pa ako. At basta gusto pa ako ng mga estudyante ko, itutuloy ko pa ang pagtuturo. A real educator never stops teaching," she said.

Asked about her advice to young teachers, Desamito said: "Sa mga bagong teacher, dapat magturo silang mabuti. They should teach what their students deserve to learn. Kung walang-wala ang studenyante, at mayroon sila, they should share kahit kaunti."

"Kahit kokonti ang sweldo sa teaching, ituloy pa rin nila ang pagtuturo. They should be happy in knowing that each time they wake up and go to the school, they are changing the lives of their students," she added.

***

After the tutorial, Krystal closed her book and erased the long equations on the chalk board.

She is now more confident in solving complex mathematical problems at school. Besides, she can always visit her favorite math teacher.

"Goodbye, Madam. Thank you po. God bless you," she told her teacher before leaving.