Ms. Gladys C. Drilon
“Witnessing and being part of a child’s progress each and every day is the most rewarding thing that a teacher could ever have. And that’s happening to me in Silliman University Elementary School (SUES),” said Ms. Gladys C. Drilon, who shares that the institution along with the people here helped her in so many ways.
When Gladys graduated from college with a Bachelor of Elementary Education major in General Education degree from Silliman, she did not intend to apply to any job because she wanted to relax for a while. “But right after graduation, my batchmates were already busy applying and looking for jobs. Then I felt the need of doing it as well. So, I applied in SUES. Weeks have passed and I got no response,” she said.
What happened next was something Gladys considered as the most tragic event of her life. Lesley, her older sister and little brother, Alvin, met an accident and passed away. “My world stopped and collapsed; and my heart was smashed into pieces. I ignored and forgot everything.”
Months have passed, and Gladys received a call from the SUES Office, asking if she was still interested to work for them.
“I could hardly compose a reply to them since was I still not in the right mind at that moment. I almost turned down their offer because I was still in pain and had a hard time bouncing back in my life back then. I wanted to grieve for the longest time and stay alone. But then I remembered Liling’s (my sister Lesley’s nickname) words for me, ‘Lang (my nickname), if you’ll be accepted in Silliman, grab that opportunity. Don’t waste it. Getting a job is never an easy thing. We don’t have much time to relax because if we do, somebody else would take away our chance to have one. It’s for your own good and for your own growth.’ Deep inside my heart, I know that Liling and Binbin (my brother Alvin’s nickname) would want me to be happy and having a job is part of that.”
Gladys gratefully accepted the job offer, and true enough, it helped her cope with the pain of loss and longing. “I kept myself busy to be pulled away from sadness. I engaged in good conversations with my workmates and spent time with them to keep myself away from loneliness. I focused my energy and attention to my students to forget the pain. Little did I know, I am surviving amidst all the hurt inside of me. Then I came to realize that maybe this opportunity given to me is a blessing in disguise from the Person up there.”
Aside from teaching, Gladys is passionate about dancing. She is a member of the Kahayag Dance Company, which represented the Philippines and bagged the top prize in the 2015 International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Cultural Dance Festival in South Korea.
Gladys shares how her background in the performing arts helped in her teaching craft:
“Dance can help increase your self-esteem and confidence. It can also develop your communication skills. These traits are essential things needed when teaching. Another thing is that, as a cultural performer, I get the chance to share to the pupils our culture through dance. I believe that this is effective because kids love to move, perform and learn. As a result they are able to appreciate and value our own heritage, which is a very important aspect in their development as a holistic individual as what Silliman aims to give.”
Describe yourself in three words.
Artistic. Cheerful. Outspoken.
What is your motto in life?
“Live life to the fullest”
I’ve learned that God has blessed us with only one life. We’ll never know what’s going to happen in the next few hours of our lives. If you won’t use it wisely and preciously, regrets may haunt us. So better yet make each moment count to live your life to the fullest.
What makes you laugh?
There are lot of things that make me laugh. But most of the time, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud whenever I hear funny jokes from my friends and whenever they do crazy things and sometimes make funny faces.
What makes you cry?
I am certain that whenever I see old photos of my beloved siblings who passed away or whenever I think of our memories together, my heart feels like tearing apart. All I can do is cry.
What’s your favorite time of the day and why?
When the clock stikes 5 in the afternoon. That’s the end of my shift in a day. I love this time because right after 5 o’clock in the afternoon, my “me time” starts. I get the chance to meet and have a little chit-chat time with my friends. Eat heavy dinner. Attending dance practices/rehearsals, of course, is one of my favorites. a long day of work.
What’s your favorite day of the week and why?
Saturday! I love Saturdays because I could have a date with my bed and sleep all day.
What do you love doing when not working?
Aside from taking photos of myself (JOKE, hahaha), well, dancing it is!
What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
When I was still in college, my friends and I usually love to “tambay” at Oriental Hall Student Lounge. There’s free wifi, and it’s air conditioned, and we love the couch there. Hahaha.
What makes you blush?
Blush on. Chos! Haha. Perhaps if someone will say an overwhelming compliment to me. Haha.
If you were an actor, who would you be?
This may sound corny but I’ve always wanted to be an action star. So if given the chance, I would want to be like Tris of the Divergent Series. I just love her role.
Tell us a fact about yourself.
I don’t get fat. 😐
What’s your favorite game growing up?
My siblings and I used to love playing “Piyunganay” and “Chakay.” Haha.
What is your idea of a relaxing day?
My idea of relaxing is soaking in a bathtub full of warm water. I’ve tried this for the first time when we were still in Tainan City, Taiwan and I instantly got addicted to it. So I did it almost everyday during our stay there. I love it so much because it makes my body calm and relax.
What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
I guess they’d be interested to know/see how I dance and perform.
What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
“THROUGH THE RAIN.” This song definitely describes me and my life right now.
What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
Check the time to know if I’m late or not. Haha! I seriously do that even during weekends. Because there are times that I tend to forget what day of the week it is. Haha!
What’s your idea of a family?
A family eats meals together, never fails to show care and appreciation. A family always accepts each member in the family for who they are and a family will always be there for you every time and accepts you for your failures and mistakes.
At this point of your life, what for you is your life’s mission?
Helping my two other brothers finish schooling and seeing them become successful in life is my life’s mission as of this time.
How would you like to be remembered as a teacher?
I would want to be remembered as a dance enthusiast-teacher who loves to share her craft in teaching and dancing in any way.
