He is a person known to many, not only to his colleagues, his students, and his friends but also to some people in the community. He is a person who usually avoids attention but there are situations that he has to come out of his shell and receive people’s attention.
Among the faculty members of CapSU Poblacion Campus, there is one name that sounds very familiar. Who does not know Prof. Freden S. Delgado or Sir Fred? He is The Courier’s adviser. Perhaps to freshmen and transferees, he is a stranger at first but as they stay long at CapSU Poblacion they will come to know this instructor loved by many and feared by some.
If Sir Fred does not want attention, perhaps he committed a big mistake when he graduated his Master of Arts in Teaching, major in English as meritissimus (equivalent to summa cum laude in college). This is an achievement that can hardly be kept. Whether he likes it or not, he should be gracious to people extending their congratulations. Eventhough he is a humble person, he sometimes needs to demonstrate some pride especially for an exemplary accomplishment.
Another proof that Sir Fred is known to many is his hosting skill. For followers of the Search for Miss Inilusan of Mambusao, Capiz, he is not a stranger on the stage. For several years, he has been invited to host the pageant. He is also invited in other schools just to do the same job. Hosting has been one of the things he enjoys doing.
When I got an interview with Sir Fred, I did not find it hard extracting information from him. He was generous enough in sharing even personal notes about him. According to him, this interview is different from the different job interviews he went through before because here he had to be ready for questions that might dig the deepest part of his being. “I just hope that I can answer all your questions. I want to be honest with my answers as much as possible,” he frankly said.
Sir Fred first shared his personal and family background. He was born on January 16, 1975 in Roxas City to Mr. Fredolino Villanueva Delgado of Bula, Mambusao, Capiz and Mrs. Rodenia Salvador Delgado of Ivisan, Capiz. Since birth, Bula, Mambusao, Capiz has been his permanent address. He is the eldest among the four children in the family. He has a brother, Fredlen S. Delgado, a luxury ship crew member. His two sisters are Frezel Delgado-Ejemplar, a secondary school teacher, and Flare Delgado-Laña, a bank officer.
Our well-loved instructor obtained his pre-school and elementary education at Ilawod Elementary School, Mambusao, Capiz from 1982- 1988 where he graduated 1st Honorable Mention. In preparation for his secondary education, he took the entrance exam at the former Panay State Polytechnic College, Agri-Science Department, where he ranked number 7 and at Saint Catherine Academy, where he topped the exam. It was due to his parents’ desire that he decided to enroll at PSPC Agri-Science. He graduated in 1988 2nd Honorable Mention. His college life wasn’t a straight road for him. He began his college at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, major in Comparative Literature. He barely completed his first year at U.P. For some personal reasons, he quit and waited for the opening of the next school year to face a new beginning. He enrolled at the former Panay State Polytechnic College (now Capiz State University), Burias Campus, taking up Bachelor in Secondary Education, major in English. Sir Fred had been a consistent promising student and graduated cum laude in 1997.
His college life gave him the opportunity to go to places where a financially hard-up student like him can hardly go to. He had been to Baguio City twice to attend the 33rd and 36th National Rizal Leadership Institute and the 1st International Rizal Youth Assembly. He was also sent as a delegate to regional conferences. As an active student, he held various positions in various organizations in school. He was also an orator and extemporaneous speaker.
Sir Fred also succeeded in examinations he took. He passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers given last August 23- 24, 1997, the Civil Service Professional Examination given last October 19, 1997, and the Civil Service Sub-professional Examination given last October 20, 1996. He was also a Recipient of the Civil Service Commission P.D. 907 for Honor Graduates.
Sir Fred started his career as a college instructor here at CapSU Poblacion in October 2000. He became a contractual instructor and a substitute teacher for a number of years. It was in July 2006 when he was given a permanent appointment as Instructor I which he held until December 2010. In January 2011, he moved upward as Assistant Professor II which he is enjoying up to the present.
He actually started his post-graduate education after graduating from college. But because he had been jobless for quite some time, he decided to stop schooling. He just continued after he got a job. However, time came that he lost interest to finish his master’s degree. He just completed the academic requirements. In 2009, he decided to pursue what he had started. He enrolled for residency at Filamer Christian University, Roxas City, and in May 2011 he became a full-fledged master’s degree holder.
Finishing his MAT in English was the main objective of Sir Fred when he decided to go back to the graduate school. He believes that it can contribute much to his professional growth and to his future. He did not simply graduate but he graduated with the highest honor. It is something to be proud of. “I just wanted to graduate and the recognition conferred upon me was a bonus. I’m proud but not as much as my family is. Lately, there were still people who congratulated me. Some were even apologetic for greeting me late,” he smilingly revealed.
In every success, there are people behind it. These people may be aware or unaware that they are one of the reasons why we work hard to achieve our goals. They serve as our inspiration. And to them we also dedicate our achievement. When asked to whom he dedicates his success, Sir Fred was straightforward with his answer, “Definitely to my family and to my Best Friend who has always been a part of my every success. “
Before we ended our conversation, Sir Fred shared with me some of his thoughts, “My fulfillment is not the recognition accorded to me but the achievement that my students diligently work for. Graduation is always a sentimental occasion to me. Deep inside, my heart overflows with joy seeing my students receive their diploma. It’s what I call my success as a teacher. Everytime I see a student accomplish something and I am one of the instruments of his success, I feel fulfilled. You, the students, are the reason why I am here. May you continue adding to my fulfillment. Make me proud of you. “
Sir Fred is actually far from what we call “terror teacher.” He should not be feared. He may look strict but within him is a kind person. It has been a great privilege that I’ve come to know a person named Freden S. Delgado- a mentor and a friend.