Prof. Mary Ann Mansing-Temprosa
A cancer survivor who continues to breathe out positive vibes to life. . .
“Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it. Attitude is a choice. A good choice is a good attitude.” This has been Prof. Mary Ann Mansing-Temprosa's guiding principle in facing life’s many challenges, most especially during her four long agonizing years of battling cancer.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, Professor Temprosa, or “Ann” to colleagues, underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy and is now on oral medication.
This true cancer survivor who heads the Elementary Department of the School of Basic Education as Principal, keeps a positive attitude, believing that always 'thinking positive”, along with perseverance and trust in the Lord, made her what she is now — simple, hardworking and fun-loving woman.
Professor Temprosa concurrently serves as Assistant Professor for Reading in the College of Education, where she started her career in teaching in 1995. She also taught English to high school students, while pursuing — and eventually obtaining — a graduate degree in education. In March 2008, she was appointed Associate Director (now Principal) of the Department she currently leads. This year marks her 17th year in the University.
Let’s get to know Ma’am Ann more outside the four walls of the classroom.
Describe yourself in three words.
Simple, hardworking and fun-loving.
What is your mantra in life?
“Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it. Attitude is a choice. A good choice is a good attitude.”
What makes you laugh/cry?
My family and friends make me laugh. I cry when they hurt my feelings.
What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?
After work, I get to have time to take a walk with my husband or with a colleague, or play badminton with friends.
Weekends, I get to have time to enjoy gardening with my husband, do sing-along with my 19-year old son and 9-year old daughter, or hangout with my family.
Sunday afternoons are always spent for the church. This is my way of expressing gratitude to God.
What is your favorite thing to do when not working?
Pottering around the house and garden.
What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
When I was in college, I usually spent my free time sharing stories with my best friends at the Amphitheatre or the Luce Auditorium lobby.
What makes you blush?
My crush and friend — rolled into one: my husband — makes me blush.
Tell us a fact about yourself?
I am a cancer victor. Positive attitude, perseverance and 100 percent trust in the Lord made me what I am now.
What’s your favorite game growing up?
Tayukok, bulan-bulan, bato-lata, and Chinese garter were our favorite games.
What is your idea of a relaxing day?
A relaxing day is a day of sleeping/resting and doing nothing or visiting a place with my family.
What is one thing people would be interested to know about you?
How I was able to move on after having been afflicted with cancer and how I have managed to live a happy life despite the very difficult experience.
What song that best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
The song “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. It tells how God works mysteriously in transforming me and making me what I am now despite the good and bad experiences. It also reminds me not to be afraid for He will always be there for me.
What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
I make the sign of the cross and thank God for giving me another day.
What’s your idea of a family?
A family can share the best and the worst of everything. A family can stand firm in faith no matter what comes their way.
