A Debt That Can Never Be Repaid: A Tribute to a Mentor, Dr. Ritha B.

Reyes
To the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Prima Franco; to the dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Carmelo Esteban; to the MMSU-FAI President, Engr. Marcial Gabriel; other university and college officials; the members of the family of our honoree; fellow teachers; friends; ladies and gentlemen Today is a very special day. To speak in front of a crowd like this is an honor, especially to be chosen to testify and speak of the great achievements of a noble woman. Indeed, it is an honor to be part of this occasion, recognizing one of the best mentors Ive ever met. Through the years, I have known our honoree since Leo Domino Reyes, her son, was my former classmate in high school. Rilan Grace and Leo were likewise my choir mates then at the MMSU Laboratory High School Batac Campus. But gone are those days, anyway. Look at what we are now; we would have not been as successful as this without her. She is definitely a part of our success and we are her living trophies. She has played a part in the shaping of who we are and who we are yet to be. She has taken up the task of educating us. More importantly, she has taken up the task of guiding us through life itself. We owe her a lot. As one of the students of Dr. Ritz, I can truly say that she has everything. She is more than any other linguists. She has overflowing and brilliant ideas. Since she became my professor in Linguistics, she continued to guide my tastes. Without her pushing, I might never have had the tenacity to have made it through many linguistic principles and theories espoused by several linguists such as Chomsky, Krashen, Canale, Swain, Whorf, and many others. She has shown her dedication and passion in teaching the course, which she adores and that took me years to connect with and ultimately fall profoundly in love with. I still remember, she would come to class very early patiently waiting for her students. She is so generous and understanding that she even extends deadlines for as long as you inform her in advance. I remember one time when I rushed to their home almost late night just to submit my requirements. She accepted my requirements without hesitation for probably she believes that I deserve something in return for the effort I give. I dont like to think that I was Maam Ritz favorite. Id like to think that my being assertive, which I believe, I learned from her, makes her believe as my great edge over the other students she had at that time. Maam Ritz, as we fondly call her, is not just a professor to us. She is a close friend and affectionate mother whom we can always share our thoughts and feelings. We had no dull moments with her. She has been all things to us. She has shown us by example the way to lead our lives as we continue to tread the roads of our lives. She has given us her unconditional love, and we could not ask for more. She is indeed amiable. She is straightforward, honest and courageous enough to tell her feelings toward us. I salute her for that. I truly miss the chit-chat we had as we wait for other Ph. D. Linguistics students to come in for class. We miss to see her eating her favorite Jollibee value meal, the jolly fried chicken and the jolly hotdog. We miss eating miki and empanada with her at the MMSU Trade Fair during MMSU Foundation. Who would think that Maam Ritz would love walking from CAS to the Trade Fair venue near the College of Law Building? We love to see her along the pavement with her beautiful scarf tied over her head and around her neck. We love to see her leisurely walking with her bag and her huge colorful umbrella. She has never been a kill joy to us. She is always on the go. She has never failed us in any way. She has accepted our failings with good humor. She has always forgiven us our many wrongs. She has never turned away anyone who sought her help.

Maam Ritz, you are incomparable. If I were given the chance to go back to your class, I would not change you for any professor, for you are simply the best. As what Ben Jonson said in his poem, Song, To Celia, and I quote, But might I of Joves nectar sup, I would not change for thine. Truly, you have quenched our thirst for knowledge. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to sing the poem for Dr. Ritz Because to us, her Ph. D. Linguistics students, she is our Celia. Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup, And Ill not ask for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Joves nectar sup, I would not change for thine. I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee As giving it a hope, that there It could not withered be. But thou thereon didst only breathe, And sentst it back to me; Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, Not of itself, but thee. However, If I were to dedicate a poem for Maam Ritz, I would choose Sonnet 18 of William Shakespeare. I would like her to be remembered for her great contribution in the field of education and, of course, for touching our lives, that even the passing of years, even she will no longer be with us in the University; she would still be alive in our memories for she has magnanimously infused in us her unparalleled teachings. Let me read the poem for you, Dr. Ritz. Shall I compare thee, Dr. Ritz, to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summers lease hath all too short a date, Sometime, too hot the eye of heaven shines. And often is his gold complexion dimmd, And every fair from fair sometimes declines, By chance or natures changing course untrimmd; But thy eternal summer (your expertise and beauty) shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou owst. Nor shall Death brag thou wanderst in his shade, When in eternal lines (your contribution in the University) to time thou growst. So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this (the group of Ph. D. Linguistic students), and this gives life to thee. Indeed, for as long as we are here, your living legacies, your return of investments, who could testify your goodness and spread your teachings, you will never be forgotten. You have been a great influence to everyone; you have greatly etched a mark into our hearts. Thus, you will even forever grow in

the hearts of man. Interestingly, Id like to borrow a quotation from Henry Brooks Adams, which goes, A teacher affects eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.

We dont like to bid farewell, Maam Ritz because we do not want you to go. But who are we to hinder you from retiring? Nevertheless, give us the opportunity to make your retirement day unforgettable. Words are not enough to express our sincere appreciation for sharing your life with us, your students. But may this simple gesture give fondness to your heart as you go. You have been an inspiration, an epitome to every student. We remain indebted and we can never repay you for everything. We can say that although we may be aggravating at times, perhaps even many times, we appreciate you for who you are. You have contributed much of your time for us and now you deserve a break for yourself. You deserve every sweetness and wonder this world offers. Keep on travelling, enjoy life to the fullest. But, promise to us that you keep coming back to see us. Before I end this speech, allow me to sing some few lines of a song, because our honor deserves these lines: Because of you, our lives have changed; Thank you for the love and the joy you bring; Because of you, we feel no shame; Well tell the world... Its because of you (Repeat) Thank you, Dr. Ritz. We wish you good luck for another chapter of your life. We love you and well surely miss you!