I recently had the privilege of attending a birthday and retirement celebration for my mentor at the university, which prompted a flood of memories and reflections on the invaluable lessons I learned from this remarkable person.
As I looked back, I couldn't help but realize how quickly time passes. There I was, once a college student striving to reconcile my reality with my dreams. I had always envisioned myself becoming a journalist, but somehow, life led me down the path of engineering. Yet, I didn’t give up on my passion for writing. To stay connected to that dream, I joined the school publication.
With just a bit of experience from high school and a stroke of luck, I found myself representing the university in school paper writing competitions. For five consecutive years, I was part of the school publication under the guidance of our adviser, Dr. Eden.
During those five years, I got to know Dr. Eden on a deeper level. I observed her as a mentor, an adviser, and a woman passionate about her work. I heard countless stories from my peers about her class being “terrifying,” but I never experienced that fear. Instead, I saw someone who was fiercely dedicated to us, always looking out for our well-being. She was like a mother to us, never letting us down and always providing the guidance we needed, not just in journalism, but in life.
Two lessons, in particular, stand out to me—lessons that continue to shape my life today:
The Lesson on Humility:
I was just a freshman when I first represented the university in regional and Luzon-wide competitions. Achieving such success early on could have easily led to a sense of pride. But Dr. Eden always kept me grounded. She would often remind me, "There will always be someone better than you." And sure enough, year after year, fresh talent emerged. This reminder taught me the importance of staying humble and grounded. Even today, whenever I am invited to speak to students, I make sure to share this lesson: pride has no place in a journey of constant growth and learning.
The Lesson of "Do Not Wash Your Dirty Linen in Public":
One day, Dr. Eden shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me throughout my life. While it was originally about our roles in the school paper, this lesson extended far beyond that. She told us, “Do not wash your dirty linen in public.” In today’s world, with the rise of social media, this message is even more relevant. Social media is a powerful tool that can either build or destroy a reputation. It is so easy to air grievances and emotions publicly, but there is wisdom in choosing not to. When it comes to family or personal matters, airing dirty laundry in public can do more harm than good. We should always resolve conflicts privately and protect our most precious relationships, especially with family. After all, family is irreplaceable, and when the world fades, they remain.
While there are many other lessons Dr. Eden taught me, these two stand out as pillars of wisdom that continue to influence how I navigate life today.
In life, we meet many people—some come and go, but the ones who leave a lasting impact are those who help shape us into who we are. I am forever grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Eden, whose lessons transcend the classroom and continue to guide me as I move forward in my personal and professional life.
