Sir Jons (as I fondly call him) by JTF Solivar

Palma Hall

           The first time that Professor Jonas David stepped into the CAS Office as an applicant, I immediately noticed his steel crutches and thought he had polio. A lot of questions raced through my head. Can he write on the board? Can he go up and down the school building? But when he told me that he is a graduate of UP Diliman, then that gave me the strongest hint that he is physically able despite his condition. How? In Palma Hall where most classes are held, there is no elevator. Thus, everybody must use the stairs to go up the upper floors. So he must have used the stairs too! He also reminded me that we were classmates in a graduate subject in Philosophy at the same university. That’s why he looked familiar I thought!

UP Oblation

           Sir Jonas, as students fondly address him, has been teaching Philosophy and Social Sciences at World Citi Colleges in Quezon City for five years now. The 31-year-old professor believes that teaching is more than just about pen and paper, but is about getting the message across to students regardless of abilities, or in his case, disability. He is a cum laude college graduate of Philosophy, and a masteral degree holder in the same field as well. He obtained both at UP Diliman, where he also received a Phi Gamma Mu International Award in the field of Social Sciences. Sir Jonas is also a graduate of the National Institute of Information Technology, where he obtained a certificate in Web Technology. That’s why whenever a bug would hit my computer, he is the first person whom I would bother. Thank you for your patience!

            In February of 2009, Sir Jonas was featured in Manila Bulletin in a full page article entitled “Walking the Talk”, where he gave valuable insights about his struggles in life, and how he beat the odds as a person born with mild cerebral palsy. Such disorder affects muscle control and coordination, which is caused by a certain irregularity in brain development. He told me once that early interventions initiated by his father who is a doctor helped him a lot in coping up with his condition. He is aware of glances or stares he receives from people. “Just think that the reason why they are looking at you is because you are different, plain and simple. They don’t want to humiliate you, they are just curious. I think that’s one way of seeing it because if you don’t put it in that perspective, you will be depressed,” he said in the article. 

           He is proud to say that he has not heard any discriminatory remark from any of his students and colleagues at WCC. Well, save for some punch lines. A person with a good sense of humor himself, he is even the first one to crack a joke about himself, all for the spirit of good-natured fun. Students are drawn to him because of his very down-to-earth personality. Best of all, they are drawn to Sir Jonas because he serves as an inspiration.“Nakaka-inspire and nakakabilib siya sobra kasi kahit ganun yung kalagayan niya, nagagawa pa rin iyang mabuhay ng normal sa paningin ng mga students niya,” said then junior Medical Technology student Floramyr Quizon. “I have a high regard for people with disabilities who do not look at it as a hindrance to living fully,” according to then Nursing Heisi Marasigan.

PLATO

        Sir Jonas makes sure that his lectures are not just about theories and principles. He teaches his students some thoughts about life, things that his students will surely remember even after the semester is over and done with. “I want my students to realize that I did not only teach them a specific subject at the end of each semester. I want them to remember me as a person who taught them something about life – no matter how small it might be,” he mentioned in the article.

        True enough, Sir Jonas has taught his students, as well as the entire WCC community, one very valuable lesson: one’s disability should not be a hindrance to the achievement of one’s goals and desires in life. He is a living testament to this. 

        

        On a personal note, I have never heard him complain about his condition. Which makes me a bit ashamed of myself, since I would immediately complain at the slightest pain! I am sure that you my dear followers are also guilty of this. Am I right or correct?

        More power to you Sir Jons! As I fondly call him.

         

          

(photos by Ma'am Precie)