Labor of love: Kibungan teacher conquers the mountain of trials
Manila Bulletin
|May 1, 2025
Sheltered in the thick layers of Cordillera mountains, where touching the clouds is never a figment of imagination, one teacher serves the true purpose of his noble profession.
Up in a rustic town northwest of the province of Benguet, Martes Calasan has an intense desire of helping young writers become the beacons of hope and the truth-tellers of the future, with nothing dividing him and his burning passion from discovering potentials and reaching the sky full of dreams.
Calasan was born in a small barrio in Kibungan and has since lived his years in the highlands. His father died when he was five and could barely understand the things happening around. His mother, meanwhile, works as a helper at a garden in La Trinidad, a two to three hours commute from their house.
"I was shy because my schoolmates were well-provided," admitted Calasan, now 44 years old. "I stayed with my lola (grandmother) because my mother will just be coming home during Christmas break or when she joined my school programs."
This story is from the May 1, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
Pope blasts 'irrationality' of military deterrence in first annual peace message
Pope Leo XIV insisted Thursday that peace was not only possible but necessary, as he blasted the \"irrationality\" of nuclear deterrence and the weaponization of faith in modern political discourse.
2 mins
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Marcos to forego holidays; will scrutinize 2026 budget
Despite the limited time, Malacañang said President Marcos will thoroughly review the 2026 national budget.
1 min
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Apink’s Bomi to marry music producer
K-pop girl group Apink member Bomi announced that she is getting married to her longtime boyfriend after nine years of being together.
2 mins
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Eala savors tennis triumph
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala took pride in singing the national anthem while standing on the podium after finally winning a gold medal for Team Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday, Dec. 18.
1 min
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Yuchengco firm buys out partner
Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corp. is moving toward near-total control of its wind business by raising its stake in PetroWind Energy Inc. to 90 percent.
1 min
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Universal Social Pension: Helping senior citizens age with dignity
In Filipino culture, caring for elders is not merely a social obligation—it is a moral one.
2 mins
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Quezon town urges repair of deep potholes in major intersection
This town has urged the immediate repair of an intersection here pockmarked with potholes that has been compared to craters in the Moon.
1 min
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Mindanao not a terror hotspot – MinDA chair
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman Secretary Leo Magno has debunked sweeping claims labeling Mindanao anew as terrorism hotspot amid reports that the father-and-son duo behind the Bondi Beach shooting rampage in Sydney, Australia briefly stayed here last November.
2 mins
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Rabin Angeles, Angela Muji rate their level of friendship
Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji eagerly discussed their preparations for their much-awaited first movie together, \"A Werewolf Boy,\" scheduled for release on Jan. 14, 2026.
3 mins
December 20, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Without Mother Mary, there's no Christmas
On the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, we ponder the mystery of Christ's incarnation (becoming human).
2 mins
December 20, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size

