A Special Homage to Mrs. Marina Ugalino Ponce

by Jonathan T. Tolentino
(as published 3 years ago in MVP)

Besides our dearly loved parents, we are greatly beholden or indebted to our teachers.  Not only do they have an arduous task in educating students, particularly the poor learners (I was a member of this exclusive group), our instructors also, in some measure or degree, are responsible in shaping our future leaders as well as the conformist, reliable, and productive citizens of our country.  Thus, our educators, in my view, are worthy of high regard or true homage.

Mrs. Marina Ugalino Ponce is a retired, noteworthy teacher to whom I am indebted in so many ways.  Therefore, it is a joy for me to write a concise or brief account of her luminous academic career, and so forth.

Mrs Ponce and her late loving husband

Mrs. Ponce received the traditional training and education of Bachelor of Science in Education from St. Paul's College, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and held eminent positions at Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary prior to her tenure at St. William's Institute as an educator.

 Mrs. Ponce's academic credentials were truly remarkable; she taught, among other wide-range of subjects, Chemistry, Pilipino, and English.  And during the time that she was imparting her knowledge of sundry courses to her students at SWI, she had an excellent reputation: everyone spoke very highly of her.

In 1979, Mrs. Ponce's academic profession came to an end.  Since she was brought up in a country and culture that values family, she, along with her comely children, immigrated to the U.S.A. (to join her husband) where she devoted herself to being a housewife, mother, and grandmother.

I have to digress and jog down to Memory Lane via Tolentino Boulevard, since the succeeding narratives occurred several decades ago (Smile).

Mrs. Marina Ponce was my high school teacher at St. William's Institute.  In my opinion, she exemplified a model, virtuous teacher.  Not only did she recognize no differences of the caste or social standings of her students, she also instilled in us the significance of a good education.  Thus, I cherished the extent of time I spent studying under her direction.

Mrs. Ponce is also a good friend of my family.  And it was an utter delight for me to see her at family and social gatherings.  That is, to behold her elegant manner brought back pleasant memories of my adolescent years attending classes at St. William's.

One of Mrs. Ponce's attributes that I admired the most was her compassionate and solicitous disposition towards her former students.  This was attested anew when she wrote a letter of support on my behalf while I was on trial in a court of law.

How can I express my pleasure to this remarkable teacher?  With utmost respect and admiration, my gratitude transcends all bounds.

Epilogue

With all due respect to the other docents, and in the event that the SWI previous students have a divergent point of view, we can arguably call Mrs. Marina Ugalino Ponce "a teacher par excellence."

I trust that Mrs. Ponce's former students will spare a moment to express, through this Web site, their sense of gratitude and best wishes to our beloved teacher.

Thank you.  May the Lord Jesus, the magnanimous bestowal of spiritual gifts and good fortune, richly bless us all.