Mr Oderico Garcia

By Vic A


As a tribute to Mr Oderico Garcia, I am re-posting the first feature article we posted on the inaugural issue of MVP.  Last week, Mr Garcia joined his Creator and I know that I speak for everyone who has known him, that he will be greatly missed.  

Mr O some time in 2007

If there is one teacher who is most widely known especially among SWI alumni, I would put my money on Mr. Oderico Dario Garcia or Mr O, as he is more popularly referred to.  His teaching stint spans over four decades and it’s not uncommon to hear that parents of Mr O’s younger students were also his students in earlier teaching years.

When we think about noteworthy Magsingalenos, we almost always look outwardly.  We tend to look for those who moved out of our small town and made it big elsewhere.  We sometimes forget the people who decided to stay back and help in the noble job of community building.  I must admit, even I, am as guilty as sin when it comes to top-of-mind awareness about the great achievements and contributions of many people who have chosen to stay put in Magsingal.

Think about the countless teachers who continue to mould the minds of our children and guide them through their formative and restless years.  Our teachers have always been there, inspiring our children to become their best.  To me, they are the true unsung heroes.

Mr O is one of those teachers who dedicated his life in educating the children of Magsingal.  If he wanted to, I am sure he could have left Magsingal to earn top money in the big cities.  He definitely has the ability and the bandwidth to succeed in the big league so to speak.  But he opted to devote his expertise to the local children.

If I can use an analogy, having Mr O in Magsingal as an educator, is like studying in a good Manila school at Magsingal prices.  I remember Mr O as a very well-rounded and knowledgeable teacher relative to his peers.  This is not a put-down on the other teachers but it’s a recognition of the extraordinary breadth and depth of his wisdom and experience.  He had this cunning ability to impart knowledge with authority – a conviction that draws you to listen and take in his teachings.  To the keen learner, he was the consummate educator worthy of respect and emulation.

One of the fond memories many of us have of Mr O is him wearing this dark eye glasses to class.  We actually didn’t know how his eyes looked like while we were students in SWI.   He used this dark eye glasses as a tool to check on students who are not listening to his lectures.  Without you realizing it, he could actually see you from the periphery of his eyes.  You will realize it only when your attention has been called.

At his age, Mr. O still has a great sense of humour.  When we visited him last year at the occasion of the SWI Global Reunion, my sister Nitz (Benita) jokingly teased him about his changing skin colour.  My sister said, “Apay Sir nakapudpudaw kayo metten?”.  With a quick repartee and a smirk on his face, he quipped, “Wen, pudaw ti nganngani matayen a.”  And we all chuckled.

There is no doubt that Mr. O has high hopes for Magsingal.  When asked what his wish for our town is, he was quick to say that he longs for the municipality to finally become a first class town.  As for his thousands of students, he wants to be remembered for many years as a Prefect of Disciple and as a teacher in St. William’s Institute.

Today, he may now need his wheel chair to move around but don’t let that fool you.  He still has a sharp mind.  He still remembered my name despite not having seen me for so many years.  Next time you are in town, make a pit stop at Mr & Mrs O’s house and refuel your soul!

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Mr Oderico Garcia’s brief resume
Compiled by Starlet Udani-Tapanan


Wife:  Librada Rojo Garcia
Kids:  Mary Ruth
          Marie Antoinette
          Marija Concepcion
Education:
          Elementary - Magsingal North Central 
          Secondary - Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary (Vigan)
          Tertiary/Collegiate - Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (Vigan)
                (Classical Course - AB-BSE)
          Graduate Studies - Ateneo de Manila University
          (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Teaching Experiences:
           S.Y. 1955-1956 - St. Joseph Institute, Candon
           S.Y.  1957-1997 - St. William's Institute, Magsingal
           S.Y.  1997-1998 - retired as a private school teacher