Touching lives, training teachers, shaping the nation

12A Pearl of the Orient Tower Condominium, 1240 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila, how will I forget this place? It served as a nursery… a home. True to its name, it’s a house of treasure. I found not just one pearl but a set of them – the pearl of wisdom, the pearl of courage, the pearl of hope, and the pearls of every virtue. Yes, it was once a home, that after the first Saturday of the two-day seminar-workshop I underwent with FUSE Inc. when I participated in the 16 training hours for English CONSTEC VCDs and Teaching Support Materials (TSMs), I just didn’t want the feeling of going away from the place. In fact, I was in nostalgia when we were separated. I wanted more stays. I wanted to return soon. I simply wanted home.

Equipped. Rejuvenated. Overwhelmed. These are what I exactly experienced during the said seminar-workshop. The moment I set my foot at FUSE, I was captured by the state-of-the-art facilities. The cozy halls where we had our opening program and trainings were truly conducive for learning. Also, the wonderful people working in it were inspiring. I keenly observed how they moved and worked. They were undeniably amazing! Along the hallways, I saw the pictures of some notable people behind FUSE. As far as I remember, there I saw the chair of the training committee, Ms. Evelina M. Vivencio, Ph D., Mr. Salvador H. Escudero III, the president, Mr. Lucio C. Tan, the benevolent man who donated the VCDs and TSMs, and former Senator Edgardo J. Angara who funded the projects on CONSTEL Science and English, the telecourses for Science and English Teachers, as approved in the General Appropriations Act of 1994 and 1996 respectively. Each of these people reflected the extension of God’s hand. But the most significant thing to note about my very first encounter with the foundation was when it changed the route of my teaching career. It gave me an unforgettable u-turn that suddenly shifted me back to my utmost passion - teaching. I was reminded of my profound desire to see children sitting calmly and attentively listening to me as I mold them into well-rounded individuals - those who take responsibilities, stand for righteousness, and care enough for the family, the country, and the environment. It gave a spark to the candle of my vocation. Until I found my self deeply falling in love to education and to teaching which I know God has bestowed upon and has entrusted me. Its fervor fell afresh on me. The TSMs, the VCDs, the hand-outs, the FUSE founders, the speakers, the cooperating agencies and its supporters… all of them radiate a rainbow of colors that brought impact to my life. They caused me to teach to the best of my ability, but this time, in full battle gear. FUSE paved the way to my career’s greater heights. Its heartbeat and compassion I felt and experienced. Its mission and vision I highly regarded of.

After the seminar-workshop, the time I reported to workplace, the Bataan School of Fisheries, I couldn’t help but share the good news of having the VCDs and the TSMs for I know all the English teachers in our department would be profiting a lot.

Founded by Dr. Lucio C. Tan on December 1, 1994, FUSE seeks to improve the skills in English, Science and Mathematics teachers. Its programs include regular teacher training workshops; a post-graduate scholarship program for Science and Engineering teachers; production and distribution of telecourses in English, Elementary Science, Chemistry, Physics and Math; and a host of other educational programs in partnership with government and private learning institutions.