You have been awarded Teacher of the Year several times in the University of the Philippines. Which do you enjoy more: teaching or thinking solutions to your mathematical questions?

Jean (4th from left) with some of the academic staff members of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics MSP, UP Los Baños.

Jean (4th from left) with some of the academic staff members of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics MSP, UP Los Baños.

Correction please, I only got the UPLB Outstanding Teaching Award in the Physical Sciences once. I enjoy both but I enjoy teaching more. Most mathematicians work in isolation because there’s so much thinking involved. Nothing I guess can be more interesting than being with students as you mentor them and make them love and enjoy mathematics more. It is also more rewarding when you see your students learn and appreciate you as their teacher. For one, only a mathematician can appreciate the work of another mathematician and there are very few mathematicians around. There are so many math teachers but they are not necessarily mathematicians.

Jean with MIF fellows in Hiroshima, Japan.

Jean with MIF fellows in Hiroshima, Japan.

Your middle name is Oesmer. Do people ask you if it is an unusual/uncommon Filipino surname? Do you know what it means?
Most people ask me about the origin of Oesmer which is really not a familiar name. But I really don’t know where it came from and what it means.

You were studying your bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (presumably this was in the lower campus of UPLB) when you joined the UP Varrons. How did you end up joining the forestry chapter? How were you recruited? Any memorable/enjoyable moments that you treasure being a member?
I was a BSFPE (Forest Products Engineering) student when I learned about the UP Varrons. The members were very nice and helpful to our block. ( I think all org members are the same when they want to recruit you. Hahaha!)

Jean in sisterhood bonding

Sisterhood bonding. Jean with (from right) Manuela 'Mitz' Panol-Cortez (Batch '65), Asuncion 'Cion' Karganilla-Raymundo (Varronettes '63), and Rachel 'Che' Aquino (Batch '84)

I noticed them always singing in their tambayan with Kuya Dennis Tobias (Survivors ’78) playing the guitar and it’s always been a pleasure to talk to the very witty Kuya Tonton Contreras (Survivors ’78), the president when I joined the organization and the other members of course. I was an active member only for a year because of my shifting to the BS Applied Math program but I do have memorable moments with UP Varrons as an applicant and as a member. The finals was soooooo hard! Didn’t think I’ll be able to finish it but I did. I enjoyed the meetings, the discussions, the finals and the bonding moments. What I treasure about UPV is it opened my eyes to the other realities in life which I was not aware of before I entered the org. It developed in me a stronger sense of nationalism and service to our kababayan that’s why I haven’t thought of migrating.

Some of Jean’s Academic positions and awards:

  • Deputy Director of the Instiute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSP)
  • Coordinator for Instruction, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Chair, Curriculum Committee, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Assistant to the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2003 – 2005
  • Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Philippine National Academy of Sciences and Technology
  • Research Fellow at Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin