Lasting Legacy:
Tribute to Prof. Cervantes and Prof. Yago

by Ethel Ravena Langkay

Professors Gregoria Cervantes (1928-2022) and Cirila Yago (1932-2022) ensured that their Science and Filipino classes left lasting impressions on their students. They taught from their hearts, with the hope that their efforts would provide a firm foundation in their students’ lives. UPIS Batch ‘97 believes that they succeeded in doing that.

Paalam, Prof. Cervantes and Prof. Yago! Marami pong salamat sa inyong pagmamahal sa aming mga estudyante. 

Prof. Cirila Yago
(1932-2022)

Prof. Cirila Yago

Si Ma’am Yago ang Filipino Teacher na malumanay. She made the subject easy and enjoyable to learn. – Kariktan Pagarigan

Isa sa mga pinakamababait at pinakamahuhusay na guro si Ma’am Yago noong kami ay Grade 4. Hindi ko makakalimutan na mahilig siyang magbiro habang nagtuturo, kaya kami ay madalas niyang napapatawa. – Cherry Lou Bagunas


Hindi ko na maalala, Ma'am, kung bakit tuwing iniisip ko kayo, may pakiramdam ng ligaya at pagmamahal sa aking puso. Ang sigurado lang po ako ay isa sa masasayang alaala ko nung Grade 4 ay pumasok sa klase ninyo dahil bukod sa paborito ko ang Filipino, isa kayo sa mga pinakamabait at palabirong guro namin. – Frances Josef Hernandez


Hindi ko malilimutan ang husay niya sa pagtururo. Naipamalas niya ang ganda at kahalagahan ng sariling wika. — Geni Ferrer-Co 

Prof. Gregoria Cervantes
(1928-2022)

Prof. Gregoria Cervantes

I remember that she was always so elegant not only in the way she dressed, but also in the way she explained scientific concepts. I still return to the experiments we did in that class from time to time. – Anne Mercado Clark 


She was our first teacher of wonder na nag-explain ng method: problem statement, hypothesis, control, test, findings, conclusion. May drawings pa tayo ng boxes for LxWxH! – Gina Herrera


My grandmother, Gregoria Cervantes, known to many as Prof. Cervantes, dedicated her life to teaching. Her commitment of molding students into efficient individuals was boundless. She saw every encounter and every conversation as an opportunity to teach, making sure she ingrained good values, critical thinking abilities, and a sense of social responsibility to each of her students. Even after her retirement from the academe, she influenced others by participating in organizations such as the Philippine Association of University Women, and helped couples through marriage counseling. Her passion for teaching never wavered, even when old age restricted her. - JP Dimacali


Tinuruan nyo po kami ng disiplina mula sa hindi pag-footbol sa bunot at pagsipot sa tamang oras para sa periodic exam (imbes na nag-chachato sa may Narra), hanggang sa paggamit ng scientific method sa pagsubok sa mga haka-haka. Piho po na mas marami pang natutunan na pang-araw-araw na abilidad ang mga girl scout na inyong kinalinga--hanggang pakinig lang po kasi ako sa mga masasayang kantang ipinasa nyo sa kanila (🎼"once there was a little ford..."🎶). – Frances Josef Hernandez

Maraming salamat po sa mga aral, mula sa Batch ‘97.