Renowned entrepreneurs, personalities recall how their teachers inspired their journey
It takes a lot of learning and training to become successful in your own craft. Aside from your experiences at home, it could also be from your yesteryears in school.
Teachers are capable of touching lives in more ways than one. There are even those whose lessons—on both academics and life in general—are able to stay with their students beyond their years of study.
Some of the famous and triumphant in their chosen fields credit their teachers for their success today—from a high school educator who did not give up on them when they were struggling to a college professor who fueled their passion in the classroom.
In celebration of Teachers’ Day, PhilSTAR L!fe asked renowned entrepreneurs and personalities about how an educator shaped their lives when they were still in the process of self-discovery. Here’s what they shared with us.
Karen Davila
Award-winning broadcast journalist
Karen Davila worked her way up to being one of the most renowned personalities in the media industry today, having showcased her brilliance in the news and current affairs of GMA and ABS-CBN.
While she has had a lot of favorite teachers during her academic years, Karen gave a special mention to two people who helped her choose the career path that she now excels in.
“I’ve had teachers in high school and college who left an indelible mark and helped me become the person I am today,” she told PhilSTAR L!fe.
It was, however, her broadcast professor Mrs. David in college that she can never forget.
“Prof. David was my Broad 101 teacher in UP Mass Communication. She was quite strict and then one day, she said after our newscast and news writing performance class, 'Karen, you should be on camera. You articulate very well,” she recalled.
“She told me I should consider being a news anchor and TV reporter. That was such a boost. It was a seal of approval. It helped move me towards the right direction,” she said.
Rajo Laurel
World-renowned Filipino designer
Rajo Laurel is a world-renowned Filipino designer, whose clientele includes not only showbiz veterans in the Philippines but also Hollywood stars like Tyra Banks and Vanessa Hudgens. He has won various awards locally and internationally for his contributions to the fashion industry.
While he ended up in fashion, it’s quite interesting to know that Rajo’s favorite teacher was his accounting professor Mrs. Yuson in college, because she believed in him even during his lowest lows.
“She knew that accounting wasn't my strongest subject and she knew I was struggling. She initiated extra classes for those who were struggling like me, and offered this without extra payment but out of the goodness of her heart.”
“I took all those extra classes and ended up being on the Dean’s list that semester due to her efforts,” he said.
“She taught me tenacity, resilience, and kindness,” he said, “and that no matter how difficult you perceive any challenge, you can overcome this by diligence, patience, and discipline.”
“I carry on with these ingredients and lessons to this very day.”
Pinky Tobiano
CEO of Qualibet, Progressive Laboratories, and KKP Powers Commodities
Founder of Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Club (Philippines)
Pinky Tobiano is an award-winning Filipina chemist and businesswoman who founded various companies to provide safe and reliable medicines to the public—not just in the Philippines, but in other countries, too.
At an early age, she knew she wanted to be the “best chemist ever” but her family was not keen on letting her enter the field.
Her high school chemistry teacher Mrs. Gloria Naypes, however, saw her potential and kept reminding her to pursue her dream no matter what.
“That’s the most valuable lesson I learned,” she told L!fe. “I really wanted to be a chemist but opportunities for chemists were very limited, but she was very inspiring and she kept encouraging me to do more research and experiments.”
Later on, she also inspired Pinky to teach chemistry at a high school in Greenhills.
Now, aside from providing business, the entrepreneur partnered with global brand Bureau Veritas to “give opportunities for more Filipino chemists to be part of a global analytical field.”
“Filipino chemists now are not only a signature, but finally an autograph,” she said.
Jacqe Gutierrez
CEO of Happy Skin
Jacqe Gutierrez is the CEO of award-winning local makeup brand Happy Skin, which recently celebrated its 10th year. Aside from her work experience, she said her teachers in high school served as the groundwork for her success in managing her business.
Having studied in a “super strict high school,” where she had to memorize Chinese books, poems, and songs that she can still recite to this day, Jacqe recalled learning the importance of being well-rounded from her teachers.
“I learned the necessity to do tasks I may not be passionate about, which instilled in me the discipline to persistently pursue my goals. I've come to understand that success in any endeavor demands dedicated effort and unwavering perseverance,” she said.
Christopher Quimbo
COO of Novellino Wines
Christopher Quimbo is the president and general manager of Calabria Company Limited—a private company that’s been around for decades as the maker of Novellino Wines.
While he has taken himself and the business to great heights, the entrepreneur continues to live by one particular lesson his teacher taught him when he was in college.
“The greatest lesson I ever learned from a teacher is that your character is who you are when no one is looking,” he said.
“My favorite teacher taught me that a lot of people wear multiple faces to suit their interests in particular interactions. People will always project the best version of themselves on social media, but who you are is defined by what you do for yourself and for others out of your heart, when no one is watching,” he added.
For Christopher, it’s one lesson that keeps his feet on the ground no matter where life takes him.