“Lifelong learner, advocate for sustainable development, values education, gender equity, local knowledge, online educator and eager traveller” this is how I describe my public self in my online accounts.
“Lifelong learner and advocate for sustainable development and values education”—these concepts have been developed in me through my affiliation with UNESCO-Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE). My late mother, Dr. Lourdes R. Quisumbing, and I had been giving workshops and talks on values education, values integration, peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development in the Philippines and in the Asia Pacific Region. I continue doing that with a group of dedicated values educators. Miriam College has also nurtured my love for the environment.
“Advocate for gender equity ”— The roots for my being an advocate for gender equity can be traced to my Quisumbing upbringing (strong women and supportive men) and my Theresian (St. Theresa's College, Cebu) education (ICM nuns who were leaders and prophets of women empowerment).
Miriam College, my home for 30 years, has nurtured my advocacy for justice, peace, gender equity, local knowledge, online education, environment, and many other advocacies. I have also honed my teaching and research skills here. I gained my administrative experience here having served as CAS Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs until my recent retirement. I have made lifelong friends.
I have educated so many undergraduate students on sociology and on psychological research and statistics as well as graduate students in education and psychology. They continue to make me proud as they pursue their own passions, advocacies and live out the values of Miriam College. Some of them have become my MC colleagues! As a retired teacher, I continue to educate student psychologists in research. I have also connected with many colleagues like those in the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities who are also eager to espouse quality education for all.
"Advocate for local knowledge"--My passion is with sharing local knowledge through digital tools as espoused by the Asian University Digital Resource Network (AUDRN). I have been able to enrich myself in local knowledge, attended various workshops, seminars, traveled abroad, and most of all, bonded with like-minded, passionate educators from the Philippines, Asia, the United States and Australia.
I am grateful that I am being helped to be a more effective digital migrant by MC’s various programs on e-learning as I struggle to be an innovative facilitator of learning. I continue to hone my online skills by teaching online at MC and now here at Holy Angel University!
Now what remains hidden to some and open to my family and friends is that I have a retired husband (Gelo) who loves to cook (thus leaving me free to do other things) among the many other things that he is very good at (tennis, marketing communications, etc.), four children and one son in-law (no grandchildren yet). They are: eldest daughter (Marla), a group coordinator in one of largest cruise lines in the world (Royal Caribbean Group); only son (Benedict) a corporate lawyer and a teacher at San Beda University MBA program and studying MA International Law at Kings College, University of London (online); second daughter (Carlene), an environmental researcher, who recently finished her PhD in Environmental Studies at Griffith University, Brisbane; a son-in-law (JT), a social worker in the Australian court system; and youngest daughter (Debbi) a digital marketing strategist for AirAsia stationed in KL. And I must not forget the youngest member of the family, Mizu (Japanese for water), a blue-eyed Siamese cat who loves broccoli and carrots, amuses us by being naughty and needy, and insists on taking daily walks in our yard.
I have various companions during my journey—my late parents, siblings, husband, children, friends and colleagues. Now I am privileged to be allowed to journey with you in cyberspace as you become the best religious/values education educator you can ever be!
