[Feature] Passing the Torch: How Mentorship and Support Draw Teachers Back to the Philippines’ Last-Mile Schools

A laptop, a TV, a printer — for many city dwellers, these are everyday essentials. In schools, they are basic tools used routinely for teaching and learning. Electricity is a given: plug in a device, flip a switch, and the lights come on.

One Meralco Foundation president, Jeffrey O. Tarayao, shares a candid moment with the teachers during a school electrification program. (Photos: One Meralco Foundation)

But in last-mile schools, electricity is a rare privilege.

For students and teachers in these remote areas, multimedia equipment is virtually non-existent. Lessons are taught with chalk, blackboards, and paper — humble tools that, while noble, limit the ability to spark creativity and innovation.

And yet, despite these challenges, educators in these underserved public schools continue to show up, driven by purpose, resilience, and heart.

It’s remarkable — even heroic — how they persevere to help their students gain equal footing with their urban counterparts.

What fuels their dedication? For many, it is the act of giving back — a return to their roots, to the very schools that shaped them, and to the teachers who became their “second parents.”

These are educators whose love and devotion paved the way for generations.

This World Teachers’ Day, the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led One Meralco Foundation (OMF) shines a light on Analyn Miñao and Jonel Elnar — teachers whose stories remind us that even in the most remote corners of the country, hope and excellence still thrive.

“Teachers returning to their roots is a unique heroic act that inspires the many young students in these last-mile schools. We honor them by committing to ensure that educators who answer this call are supported with the resources they need — like electrification — to keep spreading light and hope for the next generation,” said One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao.

Echoes from a Second-Grade Classroom

For Analyn Miñao, who grew up in Punta Baja, Rizal, Palawan, inspiration came from a teacher she had for just one school year. Her second-grade teacher, Sabina Lugo Lorenzo, became her earliest mentor — teaching her cursive writing and English.

Analyn Miñao from Rizal, Palawan, returned to the community to teach indigenous Palaw‘an children in Calupisan Elementary School, driven by the inspiration from her former teacher.

With no electricity and no access to other sources of information in their remote community, the young Analyn clung to her teacher’s words of wisdom as guidance. She carried one reminder close to heart: “Kapag ikaw ay inutusan, dapat ito ay sundin mo nang may paggalang, na may kasamang ngiti sa mga labi at hindi nang may pagsimangot at pagdadabog.”

Her parents, both unable to finish elementary school, urged her to study hard and rise from poverty — advice she followed with a smile.

To help her family, she sold banana cue at school to buy pencils and paper for her lessons.

Now the only college graduate in her family, Analyn has returned to teach kindergarten at Calupisan Elementary School, located in the remote mountains of Rizal, some 200 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City.

Inspired by her beloved Ma’am Lorenzo, she echoes her teacher’s lessons to her own young students — many of them indigenous Palaw’an children who walk two hours to school and often lack basic supplies.

Though the absence of electricity and equipment hampers learning, Analyn finds fulfillment in her students’ small victories.

“Lubos na kasiyahan ang nararamdaman ko tuwing nakikita kong dahan-dahan silang natututo... Napapangiti ako dahil nakikitaan ko sila ng kumpiyansa sa kanilang kakayahan, lalo na kung meron nang marunong magbasa sa kanila ng mga salita.”

[“I feel immense joy whenever I see them slowly learning... I can’t help but smile because I see confidence growing in their abilities, especially when one of them is already able to read words.”]

Potential Found in a Young Island Student

Jonel Elnar calls the islands of Calaguas in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, his home. His alma mater, Eugenia M. Quintela Memorial High School, became his second home — and now, years later, his workplace.

Jonel Elnar is now a teacher in his alma mater, Eugenia M. Quintela Memorial High School in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, inspiring a new generation of empowered students.

He credits two teachers for igniting his passion for education: Eunice Elep, who taught him English, and Michelle Orsolino, who taught Science and honed his communication skills.

They instilled confidence in him, urging him to join storytelling contests and excel in science quiz bees.

“Tumatak sa isip ko ang sabi nila na mag-aral kami nang mabuti para maging maayos ang aming buhay at makawala sa kahirapan,” he recalled.

[“What stuck in my mind was when they told us to study hard so that we could live a better life and break free from poverty,” he recalled.]

Inspired, Jonel left the island to pursue a degree in education on the mainland. Seeing a computer for the first time opened his eyes to how limited his learning experience had been — and affirmed his decision to return home as a teacher.

“Na-realize ko po na kahit sino ay may kakayahang maging guro, pero hindi lahat ay kayang maging guro sa island schools,” he said.

“Maraming kakulangan sa facilities at mahirap ang pagtawid, pero matututo ka na pagbutihin at mahalin ang trabaho mo dahil makikita mo ang tiyaga ng mga mag-aaral mo.”

[“I realized that anyone can have the ability to be a teacher, but not everyone can be a teacher in island schools,” he said.

“There are many shortcomings in the facilities, and the crossing is difficult, but you will learn to do your best and love your work because you see the perseverance of your students.”]

Now fondly called Sir Jones by his students, he finds joy in seeing his former pupils follow in his footsteps.

“Masaya po sa pakiramdam kapag ‘yung mga students ko noon ay nagme-message sa akin na ‘Sir, I’m taking education po,’ lalo na kapag English major, at sinasabing na-inspire sila sa akin.”

[“It feels so fulfilling when my former students message me saying, ‘Sir, I’m taking up education,’ especially when they choose to major in English, and tell me that they were inspired by me.”]

Re-energizing Education for a Brighter Future

To help bridge the gaps in last-mile schools, One Meralco Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), launched its School Electrification Program (SEP).

Equipment powered by solar energy has enhanced teaching and learning experiences in Eugenia M. Quintela Memorial High School.

Through solar technology, the program provides an alternative energy source that powers classrooms, lights up learning spaces, charges teachers’ laptops, and enables the use of televisions and printers for lessons.

These efforts allow teachers like Analyn and Jonel to access modern teaching tools — giving them the support they need to continue inspiring students and keeping the light of education burning bright in even the most remote parts of the country.

Jonel experienced firsthand the difficulties studying without electricity, and he can only marvel at the change light has brought to their island: "Namulatan kong mag-aral nang tukarol  o gasera (kerosene lamp) lang ang gamit kapag gumagawa ng assignment. Ngayon, mas maliwanag na ang bukas ng aming mga estudyante. Hindi lang po ang mga classroom namin ang lumiliwanag, ganun din po ang future ng aming mga mag-aaral," he shared.

[“I grew up studying with only a kerosene lamp when doing assignments. Now, the future of our students is much brighter. It’s not only our classrooms that are shining, but also the future of our learners,” he shared.]

Gone are the days when teachers were the only source of information; students and teachers can now use gadgets to supplement their learnings.

“Ngayon, ang mga estudyante may awareness na malayo pa ang mararating nila dahil nagkaroon na sila ng mas malawak na perspective dahil sa edukasyon. Ang iba sa kanila nangangarap na ngayon maging engineer, pilot, o pati flight attendant.”

[“Now, the students are aware that they can go far because they have gained a broader perspective through education. Some of them are now dreaming of becoming engineers, pilots, or even flight attendants.”]

Analyn, who for years lamented the scarcity of resources in their school, is now hopeful that her students will be more excited to attend classes where multimedia equipment is used, and that teachers can provide better learning materials thanks to electricity and technology.

With these opportunities given to the Palaw’an children, Analyn is also hopeful that the parents would be encouraged to invest in their children's education beyond elementary school.

"Sana'y maging hamon ito sa mga magulang na makita ang ganda ng mundong naghihintay sa kanila dala ng maayos at may de kalidad na edukasyon, na ang biyayang iyon ay mapatapos nila ang kanilang anak na magiging daan para makahanap ng marangal na trabaho na maaaring magpabago sa takbo ng kanilang pamumuhay."

[“I hope this serves as a challenge to parents, to see the beauty of the world that awaits their children through proper and quality education, and that this blessing will allow them to see their children graduate, opening the way to find honorable work that could change the course of their lives.”]

Teachers like Analyn can now perform their duties more efficiently and effectively thanks to the solar power that keeps the devices essential to their work up and running.

Light that sustains comes in different forms: from the sun that powers schools, to the inspiration given by teachers who change lives with their kind and encouraging words. For dedicated teachers like Jonel and Analyn, the sparks of hope are enough to sustain their hearts for their students and their community.

More than just a profession, teaching is truly a calling.

"Ang inspirasyon na nakuha ko noon kay Ma'am Lorenzo, at ang mga tulong na pinaabot sa aming munting paaralan, lahat ng ito ay nakatulong para maging mas epektibo akong guro para sa susunod na henerasyon. Taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagmamalasakit at inspirasyon sa guro na tulad ko,” a grateful Analyn shared.

[“The inspiration I once received from Ma’am Lorenzo, along with the support extended to our small school—all of these helped me become a more effective teacher for the next generation. I am deeply grateful for your compassion and the inspiration you have given to a teacher like me,” a grateful Analyn shared.]