In this Valentine season, have you caught yourself binge watching romantic movies on Netflix, or gazing into empty space, enamored by love messages flooding your News Feed, or recalling bitter-sweet memories of a lost love?
If you do any or all of these, then it’s time to burst your bubble, snap back to reality and turn your attention to these two classmates-turned-lovers, who share their experiences of plodding through college, earning a living, and why their relationship remains strong through the years. Hint: It’s inspired by no less than St. Therese.
Daryl Faith Superable, RPh, PharmD finished her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree at St. Scholastica’s College in 2014, took and passed the Board Examination the following year. That time she began working as a Pharmacist-Supervisor, playing a vital role in the company and ensuring the correct supply of medical products to be dispensed to the general public. She was also involved in maintaining and improving a patient’s health by providing pharmaceutical advice and information. In 2017, she decided to pursue a post-graduate degree in Doctorate of Pharmacy at University of Santo Tomas. She graduated last June 2019 as Cum Laude, and with specializations in Pharmacovigilance, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medical and Surgical Intensive Care unit (ICU), and Oncology Pharmacy. Currently, she practices in the Pharmacovigilance field in a Biopharmaceutical Korean Company based at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
During the Buwan ng Wika Celebration at St. Scholastica’s College showcasing their Filipiniana and Barong, 2013 College Graduation. Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. With Distinction Award During Induction Ceremonies of Registered Pharmacists. 2015 Daryl Faith during her Doctor of Pharmacy specialization/Advance Pharmacy Practice Experience in Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Unit at Makati Medical Center Daryl Faith and her co-pharmacist/Doctors of Pharmacy providing Medication Counselling, during Phase 3 of Clinical Pharmacy Society Hypertension Clinic in Quezon City
Daryl Faith’s Post Graduate studies at University of Santo Tomas with her family & JC Daryl Faith’s Post Graduate studies at University of Santo Tomas with her number one supporter, JC
From where I stand now, I look back to the year I stepped out of STEFTI with such fondness. It was there where I learned how to love myself, by exploring ways that genuinely made me happy, that even though I am faced with difficulties, I have to love every part of it, anyway, in order to succeed.
Most of all, I remember the greatest lesson our teachers taught us about St. Therese: “To do small things with great love”. Throughout my rough journey in college, JC was always there, silently cheering for me, especially during the most challenging times when I wanted to give up. He was there to keep me up and continue on. Yes, we started our relationship at a very young age, but we always knew from the very start that we have to stay committed in achieving the same goals we had and to prioritize our studies. From then on, we decided to focus on building the better version of ourselves and constantly reminding each other that in every little thing that we do, we must always do it with great love.
Daryl Faith
According to Faith, through the Dynamic Learning Program of STEFTI, which focused more in developing independent learning and motivational activities, the students were honed to discover and understand lessons on their own with minimal teacher intervention. It helped her discover her own strengths in class, from meeting and interacting with her batch mates, to excelling in both the academic and the extra-curricular aspects of her student life.
She lacked self-confidence back then, as a transferee, but STEFTI taught her to overcome the fear of facing big crowds when she was given the chance to speak in front of many people through the different school activities. She couldn’t forget being asked to tutor some classmates in Chemistry, the subject she excelled most. She later realized that she could actually be a medium for learning by teaching others. As required in the Mandatory Advance Pharmaceutical Practice Experience for her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, she was tasked to teach didactic courses such as Pharmacology, Case-Based Pharmacotherapy, Pharmaceutical Drug Calculations and Non-Prescription Therapeutics to students coming from lower levels in Pharmacy Department. From these experiences, she learned that “the goal of a shy introvert is not to become a confident extrovert, but rather, to become a confident introvert, speaking with precision, confidence and weight.”
John Calvin De Guzman, RMT
He finished the degree of Bachelor in Medical Laboratory Science (MedTech) also at St. Scholastica’s College in Tacloban in 2014 and received the award as Best in Medical Laboratory Science Research. He took and passed the Board Examination for Medical Laboratory Science in the same year. He planned to pursue further studies in Medicine, however, at the crossroads of his decision, he decided to pursue and shift his career path to work in the family construction business — a paradigm shift. After 7 years, he is still in the business now as the Vice President of the Viguz Construction Corporation, happily managing it alongside his father and sister.
With his proud parents, Engr & Mrs. Jules De Guzman.
Engr. Jules was a former dynamic STEFTI-HSCP Officer.With his parents and sister JC’s College Graduation together with the Dean of College and some his classmates
Awarded as Best in Medical Laboratory Science Research entitled “Isolation and Characterization of Free-Living Amoeboflagellates in Tacloban City, Philippines using Brain-Bait Enrichment Technique”
STEFTI developed my interpersonal skills and my being God-fearing. Back then, I was taught to offer the small ordinary things to GOD and to do all things extraordinarily with perseverance, to never give up in everything I do, especially with the things and people that I love, and especially in my relationship with Daryl Faith.
–JC
JC’s High School Graduation with his parents and siblings. This was the photoshoot prior to JC being the Prom King. One of the fond memories he had during the time in STEFTI.
JC goes on to share how Daryl Faith impacted his life: Daryl Faith has been a constant in my life since we graduated from high school as my guardian angel, bringing me back to what is right when I fail and my cheerleader in all of my life’s decisions.
Learning from each other and sharing the same goals and dreams and having the same outlook in life made us stay together until these days.
We both know that being in a relationship is not about finding the perfect person, but rather, learning to love the person we find, and sustaining that love with time, effort, hard work, sacrifices . More than these, I know that in everything that I do, I trust that God’s plans will always prevail.
In his present career in the construction company, he deals with different people, personalities, and faces problems head-on. Through the different activities in STEFTI, his interpersonal skills were developed, which, for him, are very crucial in his life. These skills honed during his formative years became useful in college when he became a part of the Volleyball and Basketball Varsity Teams and the Psalterion Choir. Using his God-given talent he led various morning praises in school and won singing competitions as well!
JC decided to pursue and shift his career path to work in their family Construction Business. After 7 years, JC is still in the business (Viguz Construction Corporation) as the Vice President His VIGUZ Basketball Team
The co-curricular activities in STEFTI also taught him to be independent and at the same time to value teamwork above self. He believes one can learn from those around him, and no man can stand alone. His time in STEFTI prepared him well enough to face the real world with confidence and big Faith in God.
Highschool Graduation of JC and Daryl. Pioneering Batch 2010 Highschool Graduation. Pioneering Batch 2010 Romans Class Picture.2010 This was during JC’s and Daryl Faith’s First and Last JS Promenade. Year 2010. We were classmates during our 4th-Year Highschool, but we barely talk with each other
As a parting shot, both Daryl Faith and John Calvin have this to say to STEFTI high school students who may want to follow in their footsteps.
Maintaining a relationship is never easy especially if you are a student; it takes a mature mindset, proper actions, sacrifices, and commitment. Amid all these, do not forget to listen to the advice of your parents and teachers as they always mean well and only want to protect you.
Focus on building your own happiness and accepting yourself so that when you enter into a relationship, you know that you should not settle for anything less than you deserve. Find someone who knows how to set priorities and support you.
STEFTI has taught us essential values that helped us achieve our career and life goals. We learned that perseverance and dedication coupled with an optimistic perspective are all we need to overcome the challenges we will face in the pursuit of our dreams. We learned how to never give up on things that we want and the person that we love.
Above all, we are grateful for the spiritual formation that we got from STEFTI because faith in God has been our greatest weapon through all battles in life. When we surrender everything to God, we know that all will be well. With these values instilled in us, we were blessed to land a stable job, pursue our careers, and maintain a happy relationship with each other.
Lastly, always look back to STEFTI, which has allowed your heart and mind to grow best!
John Calvin De Guzman and Daryl Faith Superable, High School Pioneering Batch, 2010
JC and Daryl Faith 12 Years After. Then and Now
