By the time this article appears, the documentary will have been broadcast. If you find the film worthy of your time, you will perhaps also find some interest in this detailed account of my participation in the filming process.
The invitation
When I was in the Holy Land on a pilgrimage in early May, I received a WhatsApp message. It was an invitation from the DESJ to attend an interview at which I was to share about my teaching experience. Amidst the joy of the pilgrimage tour, I put aside the invitation without giving it a second thought. Upon my return to Macau, however, I decided to call back DESJ for politeness’ sake. I explained to the lady in charge of the project that I was not in a position to be interviewed as I had retired and if there was no filming of the actual things happening as in a classroom environment, the interview would either be too boring or lacking in sincerity with most of the scenes simply made up for the purpose. Out of my expectation, though, I was talked into meeting her personally a few days later. And what followed was a couple of months’ cooperation with her and the producer on what turned out to be a remarkable project for me to treasure for life.
The Interview
The interview was divided into sessions and took place in various locations. Talking in front of the camera was, undoubtedly, a brand new experience to me. But surprisingly, I felt no stress at all. Instead, I tended to talk in ready response to the interviewer’s questions without too much prompting on his part. Talking, probably, is as natural as breathing to a teacher. In fact, I may have been so frank as to share a bit too much. Well, no worries, I tell myself; no harm showing my true self! Then what exactly did I talk about? Knowing that the film would be televised, I was keen on delivering a positive message. I shared about my dedication to helping my students appreciate the beauty of the English language and also to instilling among them the core values. Besides, I shared about my retirement life. My two freelance jobs, involving the work of editing and translating respectively, are somehow the continuation of what I had been doing as a language teacher. On the other hand, my participation in church work, which takes up much of my time, can be conducive to spreading the core values concept.
The Filming
The filming process was a novelty to me and it was fun for its own sake. Once it did take place in a classroom. That was a Sunday school class and I was telling the kids a Bible story. It was to show that the main part of my retirement life was devoted to church services. Similar filming occasions included my presentations at different sharing sessions about my Christian faith. Again I did not feel the least stressed. I talked naturally and enthusiastically despite the camera aimed directly at me at times.
A teacher is an actor, so it is said. In this respect, I am afraid I am inadequate. There were times when I felt uneasy. It was when I was filmed walking towards or away from an appointed place. I was over conscientious of my gait. And when guided to gaze at something as if in deep thought, I must have looked either very stiff or sulky. Fortunately, those were very rare moments. Most of the time I was filmed while doing what I was supposed to be engaged in without the awareness of the camera.
The school visits
The filming brought me the joy of several school visits. I first went to Chan Shui Kei Perpetual Help College. It was planned that I sit in a class of English by Mr. Quinton Tang, once a student of mine. He had often commented on my influence on his decision to become an English teacher. The class sit-in was thus meant to deliver the message of the baton being handed over. Sitting among his students, a class participant myself, I felt his earnest attitude toward teaching. Inwardly I whispered a prayer that he would one day also influence more of his students with his passion for English.
I next went back to Sacred Heart Canossian College, my Alma Mater as well as my place of work for a quarter of a century. The entire school campus had undergone tremendous changes. Only two old trees remained where I remember catching dragonflies among knee-high grass in early September. Traces of my presence were found in the School History Room, though. At the sight of the statue of our foundress, I grabbed the opportunity to pose for a picture in front of it. I still felt attached to it as it had seen me walking up and downstairs between classrooms in those school girl days.
The visit to Pui Ching Middle School gave me a totally different feeling. As I had retired only for three years, everything and everyone there was still so familiar to me. It seemed as if I had returned only from a brief vacation. I chanced to cross paths with a few teachers and helpers and we exchanged greetings just the way we had done before my retirement. The sense of belonging was still there and I believe it would linger despite the passage of time.
Interviews of teachers and students
Interviews were arranged with a few of my past students from both schools. They were to share about their impression of me. Following the producer’s instruction, I had invited students of different years of graduation. What they shared about would then form a picture of the different phases of my long teaching career. Their sharing brought back happy memories of the time we had spent together. They also expressed their appreciation for my serious work attitude, my passion for English teaching and my caring concern for students, in fact, a lot of kind compliment, which, at one point or another, almost brought me to tears.
Also included was an interview of a few of my ex-colleagues in Pui Ching. They were my close work partners who had been through good times and bad with me. We had braved immense challenges and solved hectic problems by working in close cooperation with one another. Listening to their sharing about me, I was moved, just as I had always been, by their long-standing support, on which I had counted so much for my attempts at coordinating the team.
The search for pictures and blog articles
The documentary was to be enhanced with pictures taken at various stages of my life. And digging for the right photos was so much fun, especially when I stumbled upon a few humble black-and-whites, which were still in good shape though quite small in size. They were reminiscent of the hilarious moments of my youthful days. And among the photos there were letters and postcards from students and I could not help stopping the search to read one or two of the heartwarming messages.
The producer also requested a number of my blog articles, from which he would pick a few lines and highlight them to enhance the image to be formed of me in the documentary. This was again a happy trip down memory lane. I was grateful for having kept a few hundred blog posts. Everything needed to substantiate a description of me was available from the articles of the related categories.
A few words of thanks
Now that the documentary is made, there are people and institutions to whom I owe my heartfelt thanks for their help and contribution. I thank the DSEJ for their kind invitation. Also on the thank-you list is Saint Francis Xavier’ Church, our Parish Church, where I serve as a Sunday school teacher. The principals of the three schools have been very kind and generous in allowing the filming to take place on the campuses. The interviewed teachers and students are to be thanked for their time and for their kind support. My special thanks goes to Mr. Albert Chu (朱祐人先生), the producer, and Miss Ann Ho (何凱盈小姐), the supervisor. Throughout the process of film making, there had been a lot of communication among us, exchanging ideas, clarifying thoughts and solving problems together. In fact, without their concerted effort, the film would not have achieved its success.
Of course, I have the kind Lord to thank for having enabled me to view my past with gratitude and satisfaction and to look forward to the future with renewed strength and confidence.
thank you!!
回覆刪除You're most welcome.
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