FEATURE||𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞: 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐳𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑒 𝐿𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎

𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑟 𝐼

𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑎𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝑆𝑢𝑟 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

In the quiet corners of Tarusan Integrated School, where chalk dust mingles with dreams and dedication, one teacher’s story rises above the ordinary—a story of resilience, service, and the unwavering spirit of an educator. Rene Arquiza Songodanan, 51, Teacher III, has been a pillar of Tarusan IS since its earliest days.

A pioneering soul, she began her journey on July 2, 2007, nurturing Grade 2 learners with the kind of care that only a true mentor can give. Over the years, she rose through the ranks, becoming Teacher II in 2020 and Teacher III in 2023. Her leadership as Officer-in-Charge in 2013, her roles as ICT and Feeding Coordinator, and her contributions to research and instructional development reflect a career built on passion and purpose.

Yet, behind the accolades and promotions lies a deeper story—one of quiet courage. Diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 on May 22, 2022, Teacher Rene has faced her health battles with the same grace and strength she’s shown in the classroom. Despite her condition, her heart remains bound to the school, her students, and the mission of education.

On October 8, 2025, the Department of Education CARAGA Region, led by Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, brought the celebration of National Teacher’s Month straight to her doorstep. “This is our pahalipay—our heartfelt gift—for teachers who cannot join the festivities due to illness,” Director Asuncion shared during her visit to Tarusan IS. “We started this in 2023 with one beneficiary. Last year, there were four. This year, we honor twelve. And today, we honor you, Ma’am Rene.”

With the support of the division medical team, the initiative has grown into a movement of compassion towards an institutionalized effort to ensure that no teacher is left behind in moments of celebration. Teacher Rene received financial assistance and a grocery package, but more than that, she received the warmth of a community that sees her, values her, and stands with her.

Her husband, Dennis Dajab Songodanan, and children, McDenrey and Francis Lauren, stood by her side as the school, the regional office, and the division office paid tribute not just to her years of service, but to the indomitable spirit she continues to embody.

In a world that often moves too fast, this moment reminds us to pause—to honor those who have given so much, even when they have so little left to give. Teacher Rene’s story is not just one of illness, but of impact. She is a living testament to the power of compassion, the strength of educators, and the beauty of bringing celebration to those who need it most.

As the sun set over Tarusan IS that day, it wasn’t just a school that felt the warmth—it was a heart, a home, and a legacy that continues to inspire.

END

𝑁𝐵. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑛𝑜𝑛-𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙, 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑠, 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠, 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝑝𝑜𝑒𝑚𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝐸𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑎'𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠. 𝐴𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡 (𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 (𝑃𝑀) ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑢_𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑎@𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑑.𝑔𝑜𝑣.𝑝ℎ