Ninang Menchu

"Actually, I am your Class Adviser.", Mrs Carmen Morales told our class after being introduced as our General Chemistry Laboratory Teacher. To which we responded with a round of applause. Ma'am Menchu or Mamu, as she was fondly called, was a tutor who would put any student at ease. When she saw how badly our class did in our titration experiment, she devoted some time to understand where we were at and gave us a chance to improve our work. Indeed, we did it well the second time!

Regarded by our class as a mother, we surprised her by giving her a cake on her birthday. She was quite absorbed then on her desk in the lab when Bubong Antonio (one of my classmates) approached her, saying "Ma'am, happy birthday!" and handed her the cake. She screamed when she saw the cake! She didn't keep the cake for herself; she shared it with us.

Although she only taught us in first year, I would greet her every time I meet her in the corridor. During my graduation, she was one of the teachers who congratulated me.

In November 1997, a year and a semester after graduating, we met again as colleagues. On my first day, I bumped into her while on my way to the faculty room. She was going to a lesson with Mr Ramil Layco (RIP), another former teacher. She asked Mr Layco to go ahead so she could speak to me. Looking at her eyes, I saw how happy she was to see me. We co-taught Biochemistry Lab that semester.  Like when I started as a student, she put me at ease once more as I started to teach in the University. She shared me her notes in General, Organic, Bio-Organic, and Biochemistry. When I started my graduate studies in Chemistry Education, I wanted her to be my thesis adviser since that was her specialization. However, this did not materialize.

She was fun to be with. During my first Christmas Party in the faculty, we both sang Bituing Marikit, however we were not able to finish the song because of the laughter and giggle from the audience and from both of us. During one of the Faculty Club's get-together, we were dance partners in Todo Todo Cha-cha. We finished the dance this time!

Apart from social events at work, we also served together in some of the Masses in the UST Chapel - as part of the choir or as lectors/commentators.

Because of my high regard for and closeness with her, Nidz and I asked Ma'am Menchu to be one of the principal sponsors in our wedding. She graciously accepted it. Even when I migrated to the UK, I kept in touch with Ninang Menchu. "Don't despair", were her words of encouragement when I told her the difficulties I encountered during my first months abroad looking for a job. I took that to heart and persevered. If I am not mistaken, she was one of the first people I informed when I finally got a job. In our conversations via Messenger, I would tell her my experiences in teaching in the UK and how I admire her time management skills during experiments. She expressed satisfaction that I am still teaching. 

Despite her illness, she told me that she has "put everything in God's hands". 

Our last conversation was on December 23, when she thanked me for the e-card I sent her and wished me a Merry Christmas. I was shocked to learn that she has passed away so suddenly on January 7.

Two of the lessons in life that she taught me on separate occasions are: (1) At the end of our lives, we will make an accounting before God; and, bearing this in mind, we should  (2) Aspire for the reward that only God could give.

Ninang Menchu, thank you for being a loving godmother, friend, colleague, and teacher. Your maternal care, warmth, laughter, generosity, wisdom, and zest for life will be deeply missed. You entrusted everything to God. May you now enjoy the reward of eternal happiness, healing, and peace which only He could give. We love you!

Dean Forever

September 5, 2001. At the UST Medicine Cinematorium,  students and alumni showcased their talents in dance, poetry, and music through Retro Ciencia (a variety show to celebrate the UST College of Science's Diamond Jubilee).    When Gari De Guzman introduced the next performer, Beverly Salviejo (his co-emcee) became intrigued with this performer's title. So she asked Gari what does the title Dean Emeritus mean.  Gari repeatedly uttered "Dean Forever".  That performer was no other than Prof. Carmen G. Kanapi, first lady Dean of the College of Science.  She played the accordion to the audience's delight!

The first Filipino geneticist, Prof. Kanapi rose from the ranks served as Chairman of the Biological Sciences Department, Assistant Dean of the College, Dean of the Graduate School, finally Dean of the College of Science. She held this post for 13 years.

When I was a freshmen in UST, part of our orientation was a talk by the Dean.  These words of her stuck to my mind: "This is the College of Science. This is not the College of Hairdressing and Dressmaking". Indeed, under her watch the College has been accredited and re-accredited.  The faculty profile in terms of Masters and Doctorates was also robust.  I recall, when I was already teaching in UST, listening to a conversation between Prof. Fortunato Sevilla (one of Ma'am Kanapi's successors) and other colleagues.  Sir Fortune conceded that had Ma'am Kanapi didn't push faculty members to pursue postgraduate degrees, people would just lose steam. In another conversation, Assoc. Prof. Carmen Morales told me how this dean would touch base with her, checking how she is progressing with her Master's.

Ma'am Kanapi comes across as a strict leader. Someone who calls a spade a spade.  She believes that if you are transparent with your dealings then you would be out of trouble.  A papal awardee, she would be often seen attending daily Mass or just paying a visit before the Blessed Sacrament at the UST Chapel.  When she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, I was amazed at how she conducted herself.  She could still smile amidst the trials.  Thank God, she survived and was seen in good spirits during the variety show for Science Week in 1995.

When she retired in 1996, the University accorded her with the title of Dean Emeritus.  In spite stepping down from the deanship, Ma'am Kanapi was seen engaged with teaching, research, and most especially with her project Environmental Education for All.   I once sent her some clippings for her project.  Unexpectedly, she phoned up the Chemistry Faculty Room to speak to me. Unfortunately, I wasn't around so she asked a colleague to relay her thanks to me.

A few months before I left UST, I saw her outside the Main Building and greeted her. She greeted me back.  I then noticed that she was walking on the same direction as mine. As it was drizzling I opened my umbrella and offered a shade for her. She obliged.  I started to have a chat with her, asking how was her trip to the US (I learned she was abroad which was why she was unable to attend the graduation ceremonies a few months previously.). She said that it was rainy and the only place they could visit was a museum. Had the weather been fine, she would have loved to go to the park and marvel at plants, flowers, etc.  From that brief conversation, I saw a different Dean Kanapi, not someone who is on a pedestal, but someone who is an equal. Someone who is truly tao.

I may not have been her student, but I learned a lot from her example and inspiring words.  We call that in Education as the hidden curriculum.

Happy 88th birthday, Ma'am Kanapi!  Your legacy lives on at the College of Science. Indeed, your deanship goes on and on. May God continuously bless you more and more! We love you!