Last Friday, I went to a symposium in the Case Study Room. It was Greek Week (Philosophy Week) and they were going to talk about Syposium. It was led by none other than the legend of the Philosophy department, Fr. Roque Ferriols, S.J.
He's already 81 this year and he has never stopped teaching Philosophy (in Filipino). I think it just transcends passion. It's already love.
It was he that made me like Philosophy. Yes, he was the teacher who humiliated me in front of the class, threatening me not to take the Final Oral Exams and just get an F in his class. The week before finals, we had a "mock orals". I didn't study for Philo yet because my Theology oral exams would come first. So I absolutely don't know what I was supposed to say... I was in near-tears that time...
And he was the one who made me work harder than ever before and got that friggin A in his orals! And made me love the subject.
He went in with Dr. Garcia and everyone was hush-hush. The atmosphere was tense. Something akin to an overwhelming sensation. I feel reduced. I feel nothing. We all stared at awe at this very old man, wearing a simple button-down shirt, islander slippers and jeans. He looked fragile and was walking with difficulty. But he commanded respect.
He talked about "meron" (note: this is different from "being"). We were all staring at him. The words that came out from his mouth were simple. His structure was simple but it meant so deep. It struck us. It struck me.
Ang kagandahan ay puno ng merong sumisinag. Na siyang lumalampas sa abot-tanaw na meron... and stuff like that!
I even recorded his lecture! And after, I was able have my picture taken with him. I'm the luckiest person! I felt so happy and elated. Like floating, but funnier.
He's really a legend that I admire. He's one of the few professors that I admire, respect and adore!
I'm really glad that I became his student for one whole year. Something that Ateneans treat as a privilege and an honor.
2 comments:
Nice to know that Fr. Ferriols is still around and talking about meron. I remember how he used to come out of his classroom at Faura and curse at us for making too much noise. Hmm, fun memories...
I do get confused whenever his students say that meron and being are different. I don't get it. What's the freaking difference?
I once attempted to find out the answer by sneaking into one of his classes. Unfortunately, I fell asleep halfway through.
Maybe you can enlighten me, heh.
hi,
would you be kind enough to upload your recording of padre's lecture on the symposium?
tanda ng lumipas at ng di lilipas... =)
thanks for the post.
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