The Woman I Admire Most
“There are spaces of sorrow only the Lord can touch.” These words often reminds me of a woman who consistently bask herself in the oasis of imperturbability despite all the trappings of her personality.
She is the woman I emulate since the moment I became her student in the year 1990. She is Mrs. Nida Toquero Orio.
I was in grade five when I met Mam Nids, as fondly called by her peers. It was also the same year that she lost her policeman husband in a vehicular accident, and left her with four sons. Young as I was then, I couldn’t hold my tears back seeing my teacher mourned for the sudden loss, without knowing then that the woman would play a really important role in my life, beyond having a teacher-student relationship.
Apart from being a grade school teacher with supersonic wit, Mam Nids is also a singer at heart. Call me an incurable dreamer but singing side by side with her is a feat I wouldn’t trade for good looks. Unluckily for me, I only get to sing with her in our church choir where she leads with an endearingly humble motivation.
Though she loves teaching the most, thereby limiting her singing exposure in the locality, she could give Regine Velasquez a run for her money. Proof of this is her countless singing engagements in various school, church and community activities. No wonder she is tagged as the ultimate songbird of the Municipality of Borbon and perhaps in the whole DepEd Division of Cebu. With her enthusiasm, perseverance and expertise, she never fails to give pride to her school Borbon Central Elem. School when her students consistently outshone all other hopefuls in every speech and singing choir competition.
Mrs. Nida T. Orio is a mother every kids would ever wish to have. We know its never easy being both a mother and father to your children, all boys at that, but she seems to have found pleasure and incomparable happiness raring her sons and grow with them socially, emotionally and spiritually. To date, her eldest Ireneo lll is years away to priesthood while Giovanni, Siegfred and the youngest Eric respectively are in college.
Perhaps even more amazing than her personality is the context within herself. With her lingering humility and disarming friendship, she never ceases to inspire me and give sound advices on living life and surviving its disparities.
Why I admire this woman?
If I have to think of people whom I give much consideration whenever I’ll make important decisions, she is one of them.
My personal life has been an open book in our locality; prone to public scrutiny. But Mam Nids often reminds me that “Criticisms are breakfast of the champions.” Though every problem that comes my way seems to be insurmountable, I hang on because I saw her cling on.
Just recently, she is the only person who genuinely rejoices with me the moment I revealed to her that “I am pregnant, I am exceptionally happy and though 27, I’m not getting married.” She even reaffirms to me the proverbial saying that “having a child is for us to be given a chance to hold the world in our hands… and for the entire universe to fit in our heart”.
I may be smeared upon by the accusing glare of some people but I stop minding because Mam Nids celebration of acceptance is more than enough for me to keep going, for know that she always has my best interest in her heart.
Mam Nids is an inspiration to all women who struggle. I never knew we’ll become good friends, but through the years the grit of one true friendship perpetuates, consequently reverberating hope to a number of people close to her. She planted wisdom in my heart, guiding me to allow the Lord’s mingling in whatever relationship I’m in.
She is a mother, a teacher and a friend rolled into one. Though she epitomizes the sterling paragon of virtue, she is one woman who chose to write the map of happiness in the ordinary parchment of simplicity.
As she is celebrating her birthday this month of March (on the 15th), I want to tell her I admire and love her so much. I’m still your student because I still am learning many things from you. Continue to be an inspiration.
Mam Nids, believe that vivacity of life still lingers even beyond 40. Happy Birthday… Happy Women’s Month!
Pero, dahil sa matinding pangangailangan ko ng trabaho, i chose not to back out from it. Siguro dahil nararamdaman niya na kahit papaano i could withstand whatever pressures i will encounter, he hired me.
