Mrs. Nenita Jaro-Macias

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.” – Anthony Robbins

Fulfillment is what this Ilongga teacher who is originally from Bacolod City exudes. Her face brightens up as she recalls the 35 years that she has served Silliman. This school year marks her culmination as she pepares for her retirement in May 2014.

Mrs. Nenita Jaro-Macias started her career as a teacher in Silliman after obtaining two undergraduate degrees from the University: Bachelor of Science in Math in 1970 and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in Math, minor in Physics in 1975.

As a neophyte teacher, her interest was in bridging the gap for those who were deficient in math. While what she was teaching in 1977 was physics, she reserved some time to cater to her passion. She would do remedial classes on Saturdays for students whose grades in math, and even in physics, were in trouble.

Recognizing how many would usually stay away from math when asked, “What's your favorite suject?” she grew a closer affinity to the subject matter and developed patience for her students, especially those in her remedial classes. And this experience allowed her to extend her services beyond the campus; she traveled around the country and helped train public and private school teachers on the rigors of math and the art of teaching it.

As a college student, Nenita was serious with her academics. She was a consistent honor student who did her best to socialize. She admits that it was only when she started to open up to more groups, became more sociable and made more friends. The organizations that she joined, among them, the Christian Youth Fellowship, provided a venue where she strengthened her faith and opened her eyes to the needs of other people.

It was greatly her experience in college that influenced her teaching ministry. She committed to a personal mission of making a difference in the lives of students in order for them to succeed and lead in their chosen fields. And she meets with her students, she reminds herself of that mission and keeps to heart a conscious drive to find where best she could incorporate the faith perspective in her lessons.

Every year that she has the chance to mingle with alumni who were once under her care as students, Nenita would take pride on what they have become. It humbles her whenever she would hear a simple “Thank you!” from them.

Asked what period in her career she could easily pinpoint as her “trophy years”, without a doubt, she shares: “1986 to 1989”. These were years when she was an adviser of the High School cheering team, the same team that won the University cheering tournament for four consecutive years. Nenita knows though that the impact of learning as evidenced by how good Christians her students have become far outweighs material representations of victory.

Nenita now looks forward to more time with her family: her husband, Eduardo, and her three children — all of whom she is proud to have claimed their respective rewards of hard work. All her children graduated from Silliman and are now professionals: her eldest son, Eduarduone, a mechanical engineer, is an associate director for Procter & Gamble in China; her middle child, Herald Dave, a  civil engineer, is a projects control manager in a Manila-based construction company; and her youngest and only girl, Mianie, is a nurse and physical therapist based in Chicago, USA. 

“The secret to successful parenthood is mainly an open communication with the kids,” said Nenita.

Aside from being a hands-on mother, she considers important in building trust with your children the respect that parents afford them and how children feel that they are being listened. She regularly communicates with her children, and is amused with how technology connects them like all of them were still under the same roof. She also finds time to travel to where they are. Whenever they are together, she would indulge them by cooking their favorite dishes: pancit molo and chicken salad.  

At 64, Nenita is happy with what she has accomplished and eager to travel frequently and have more time with her only grandchild Eli Joaquin, son Herald Dave.

Describe yourself in three words.

Simple. Cheerful. Smiling.    

What is your mantra in life?
“Be happy always.”

What makes you laugh/cry?
I easily laugh when I hear simple jokes and I cry at movies which themes center on family life. 

What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?
That would have to be in the evening when I have nothing to do. 

What do you love doing when not working?
Do household chores and cook.

What is your favorite hangout place in the University? 
High School Department 

What makes you blush?
I blush whenever my husband expresses his appreciation for me.

If you were an actor/actress, who would you be?
Susan Roces. 

Tell us a fact about yourself?
I am a typical “Ilongga.” 

What’s your favorite game growing up?
“Balay-balay” 

What is your idea of a relaxing day?
Listening to music and visiting scenic places.

What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
That I cannot say “No” to people who may need my assistance. 

What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” 

What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
Exercise.  

What’s your idea of a family? 

A family is about being together. It is enjoying each other's presence, and being generous to each other. It is also one that finds some bonding time.