EVERYONE who has sat in class and who knew the answer to a teacher’s question has eagerly raised his hand and with much aplomb exclaimed, “Teacher, teacher!”—wanting to be called upon to give the right answer and thus, earn better grades. This student  call for attention and interaction is the title of a new book launched by the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) to commemorate its 50th Foundation Anniversary, on January 21, 2012 at the Anniversary Hall of the TIP Quezon City Campus along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City.
 
The book, aptly entitled Teacher Teacher: A Tribute to Teachers Everywhere, is not only a literary homage to the noble profession of teaching, it is also TIP’s way of honoring the teachers who have molded and guided generations of young minds.  The book launch marks the first of a series of special events celebrating TIP’s golden foundation anniversary.  The celebrations will be capped with the staging of the International Conference on Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (ICOBTL) on Thursday and Friday, February 16 and 17 also at the TIP QC Anniversary Hall, TIP Quezon City.

TIP was founded in 1962 by Engr. Demetrio A. Quirino Jr. with his wife Dr. Teresita U. Quirino, both of whom were classroom teachers themselves. From its humble beginnings in 1962, TIP has become a true “Filipino story of grit and determination,” in the words of TIP president, Dr. Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz. TIP today has two sprawling campuses, on P. Casal and Arlegui Streets in Manila and Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, with a total of 20,000  students enrolled in engineering and architecture, maritime education, information technology education, and Teacher Education.  
 
Put together by author and editor  and former journalist Abe Florendo, Teacher Teacher  features 30 essays written by a roster of writers who are well-known in their fields, in the media, arts, professions and vocations. They wrote about their classroom teachers, parents, relatives, friends who had influenced their lives and shaped them into who they are today.  
 
Dr. Teresita U. Quirino, who wrote the book’s Foreword, heads the impressive roster of contributing essayists. These include media notables: Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Vergel O. Santos, Rosario A. Garcellano, Thelma Sioson San Juan, Jessica Zafra, Jessica Soho, Barbara C. Gonzalez, Lourd de Veyra, and Winnie D. Velasquez.

Also included in the book are Antonio F. Moreno, SJ, Ateneo de Zamboanga University president; Reynaldo B. Vea, Mapua Institute of Technology president; Sr. Mary Pilar L. Verzosa, RGS; Press Secretary Sonny Coloma; prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; sculptor Impy Pilapil; PR practitioner Christine Joycelyn Lumawig-Buensalido; marketing and communications consultant Cynthia J. Gruet; speech instructor Jose M. Mordeno; poet and visual artist Elizabeth Lolarga; UP associate professor Grace Shangkuan Koo; cookbook author Michaela Fenix; astrologer George Sison; businesswoman Ruth Minerva G. Cruz; and Cynthia Ferrer Gubler, who wrote the book’s light-hearted epilogue.

TIP alumna Nieves C. Villamin, now a successful vineyard owner and wine producer of award-winning vintages in the U.S., gathers the recollections of her colleagues from TIP of the larger-than-life image of TIP founder Engr. Demetrio A. Quirino Jr.  TIP president Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz writes with awe and humor about her father, the TIP founder, who was her teacher in “the larger classroom of life.” TIP vice presidents Severino P.  Pader and Cynthia C. Llanes contributed their heart-warming remembrances of their teachers. TIP students Erika Kristel P. Gonzaga and Frances Joyce D. Vallejos , winners in the essay-writing contest held by TIP,  also made it to the book.