by Flocy Mae B. Fernandez
P
eople were amazed at some point when a woman
a Physical Education Teacher. The idea was wonderful
there that they should not rely on men. They should at least
achieves something different from how they have
back then but she had to face tons of hard circumstances
graduate using their surnames because according to her,
perceived her capacity. Others might be in the state
like running out of food and material things as well as
graduating with a degree will make a woman so powerful.
of astonishment when a WOMAN can succeed in her life
fighting back the dramatic feeling of being away. Despite
(in a very particular field) where most men also succeeded.
these, she still holds on to her philosophy until this day
she shares have been an inspiration, leaving a
Meeting her will probably make us think twice about
which says, “don’t worry for tomorrow for He will provide”.
remarkable impact on the people who have been
how have we been thinking, acting, and supervising our
Bringing her courage to the doorsteps of PNU-Manila
with her, show that she is NOT JUST a woman.
lives. Born on the 30th of July 1972, this woman who's
for four years had been challenged by the difficulty in the
Fondly called by the students as 'Madam' and by
raised by an Ilocano and Bulaceńo blood has always
area of academics. But, just like how an athlete responds to
her colleagues as Doinx, she is like a vine reaching high
been a woman ready to face challenges but her fear is to
the ball that is about to hit her, she remained focused on the
but grounded, flexible, and adaptive with every situation
be left alone. She is a woman who is afraid of being away
things that make her more challenged and excited which
she encounters. Known as being so particular with
from those people she treasured most. In her early years,
include examinations. She even told me that during exams
the golden value of time, she will always start and end
she had already been showing passion and patience
when she did not know the answer, she would leave it blank.
every event she’s coordinating ON TIME. Through the
in studying hard and making her parents proud. She
She has proven to be tougher than anything that is about
years, she always considers her graduated students with
had been a consistent honouree during her elementary
to hit her way by reaping her sacrifices and graduated cum
excellent jobs as teachers serving in different schools as
and secondary years and continued to be excellent not
laude. If she has to say something to anyone who has goals
a measurement of her success as a teacher. "You have to
only in the field of academe but also in the area of being
to graduate with flying colors, it must be that weakness
develop students better than you. Gawin ko silang mas
family-oriented as shown in her attitude as a responsible
must not go beyond your strength rather, you have to
magaling sa akin," Ma'am Doinx mentioned. Indeed,
daughter to her parents and a trustworthy sibling.
be balanced in everything you do to have a safe fallback.
she is an epitome of an excellent yet humble educator
As I talk to her, she had shared to be one of the toughest
While teaching and after being single for years she
instrumental in preparing her students for the future.
decisions she had ever faced. Based on her story, she had to
met the man who made the heartbeat fast. Wonderfully, she
As I end the interview with Ma'am Doinx, I
accumulate all her courage to tell her father that she wanted
was married to her first and only boyfriend who made her
noted that she has always been motivated to change
to pursue her college education at the Philippine Normal
feel worthy of his love and trust. The result? She and her
her master's toga to a doctorate one. The 'Madam' of
University-Manila Campus. Whatever the situation gets,
husband have been happily married for 24 years now, and
PNU NL now holds Doctor of Sports Management or
she always thought of the outcome of her bravery which
she considers it her success, that is being a wife. As a mother,
Doktor Pendidikan Olahgara is no other than Madam
is to prove to her parents that Manila is a home that will
on the other hand, she gave birth to three precious girls. She
Madonna “Doinx” Castro Gonzales, a daughter, sister,
shape her to become someone worthy of being who she
feels triumphant in raising kind and good daughters. In this
mother, wife, friend, teacher, and the D’vine prowess.#
is—an excellent woman with her profession of being
experience, she has all the authority to tell every woman out
T
H
E
T
O
The
prowess
R
she
possesses
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and
the
life
H
S p o r t s
