It’s been almost a year since I first met Bebe Metillo. I was introduced to Bebe by a reader of this column too, a young lady named Shannon. I had mentioned in a column last year that I was looking for a good language teacher, because I wanted to learn to speak Bisaya. Shannon contacted me, and put me in touch with Bebe, and I have been studying Bisaya with Bebe ever since.
To me, though, Bebe is much more than a language teacher. I told Bebe the other day that I actually think of her as family, pretty much, I consider her as a sister. Bebe teaches me a lot more than just how to speak a language, too. I feel that my time with Bebe is a time when I learn a lot about Philippine culture in addition to language. I consider the learning of culture to be even more important than the language part of it, although I feel that both are indispensible.
The other day, Feyma and I took Bebe with us on a little road trip that we took for the day. It really was a nice opportunity to spend some non-study time with Bebe and get to know her even better than I already did. We had really a nice day, enjoyed a wonderful lunch, and just some quiet time on the beach talking about all kinds of different topics together.
In the time that I have lived in the Philippines, this is the third time that I have attempted to learn to speak Bisaya. On each of the first two attempts, I only studied for a couple of months, and for one reason or another, the lessons came to an end. I learned a little bit, some words, etc., but I never learned as much as I have this time. I have now been studying with Bebe for about 10 1/2 months, and in another 6 months or so, I will have completed the language course. In addition to this being the longest amount of time I have studied with a single teacher, this is also the first time that I have felt that I made a deep personal connection with my teacher. And, I’m so happy that I made this connection with Bebe, because she means a lot to me.
When I was talking with Bebe the other day, I told her than in many ways, it makes me sad to think that after another 6 months I will be finished with the course, because it will mean that I will also miss my weekly meetings with her. She told me that she has some students who, even after completing the full course, continue getting together with her each week for companionship and also for more advanced language learning. At this point, I think that I will continue to do that myself too.
For anybody living in the Davao area, if you are interested in learning the local langauge, I would highly recommend Bebe. Don’t consider this a commercial or advertisement, because it is not. I get nothing for recommending her, except for the satisfaction of helping her make a living, and knowing that the people that I refer will get a quality service as well.
I would really like to extend my deep appreciation to Bebe, and wish her continued success in what she does.
hi bob,
small world. i know bebe metillo.we used to work together prior to my moving to the states. she's a wonderful language teacher. always being sought after by many who is interested in learning cebuano. glad to see her on your posted picture. please tell her "janet" said hi!
Morning Bob
Yes! A good teacher can make a big difference on how much a person learns and how well they retain what they have learned. So when do you start your living in the provence part of your lessons?
Hi Bob – I wonder if she'd consider lessons online. My son takes chess lessons from a GM via Skype & ICC. With Skype (or another IM client) it would be pretty easy. That's assuming of course that she has internet, and a webcam.
Do you have her contact info, or possibly you could ask?
Hi Jan – yes, it is a small world. I'm curious, when you say you worked together, do you mean that you are a student, or you're both teachers together? I will certainly pass along your greeting to her when I see her tomorrow! 😀
Hi Larry — you are very correct having a good teacher is the most important thing if you're taking some kind of lesson! I think I will do the living out thing in about a month. There are a few lessons that I need to go through before doing that, some key parts of the language that I need to learn better.
Hi Randy C. — as a matter of fact, Bebe and I are working together to put up an online language learning site. That will be sometime off though, maybe even a year from now before it's ready. Bebe does not have Internet at her house, but if you and her were interested in doing something like that. I would be happy to let her use one of my PCs for such a lesson. When it's time to do the lesson she could just come to my house and connect up with you online. I will talk to her about this when I see her tomorrow. I'm sure she would have an interest in doing it.
hello bob
i can remember when my family in panabo tried to teach me words at first and then tryed ti teach me sentances.wow very confusing at first for sure.i told them its hard to teach a old dog new tricks hehehe.i did take a english teast from my landlord the teacher and passed with flying colors hahaha.its rather interesting the different teaching methods of different teachers.
good luck bob 😉
Hi Ron W. — it is really my believe that you cannot learn a language from family. Many times over the years I've tried to learn from my wife, and it just doesn't work. Especially if you get into a big family group, when you mispronounce everybody starts laughing, or something like that. That's not really too conducive to learning. I find that if I have a good language teacher like Bebe, learning is much easier and just comes naturally. In addition to her being a non-family member, she is a trained teacher, and knows how to teach a language. She uses textbooks and has lesson plans. Thus, it's not like a hit and miss type situation. It's a planned out series of lessons to teach you a language, and it works!
Good luck to you, Ron.
hello again uncle bob (hehe..) 😆
bebe and I used to work together for IMB years ago. Ask her about IMB in case you don't know that. She was the company's language teacher while i worked in the administrative department. I was wondering what she has been doing since IMB moved to Manila permanently. tell her "bata lang gihapon siya". Have a good one.
Hi Jan — okay, thank you. I'll be sure to pass that along to Bebe tomorrow, when I see her. Bebe stays very busy teaching in several schools and also private students like me. She teaches a lot of missionaries too.
My master's degree is in linguistics/teaching English as a second language. I have been a language teacher and I can tell you that a good teacher makes all of the difference, especially in learning a language. Good lesson plans, set goals, and a structured environment can make all the difference in the world.
Unfortunately, the converse is also true.
Hi Tom N: Yes, what you say is very true Tom. And, I believe that's what makes Bebe an excellent teacher. At least I know it works for me! By the way, I just learned today that Bebe also has a Master's Degree, it is in Education I believe. She's a smart lady!
Hi Bob, I can understand you very well. Since we know each other more then a year I also observed that learning a language under "cultural aspects' is different. And I agree strongly with Tom N, especially after USEP (Universaity of the Southeastern Philippines) provided me with a new aircon room, computer and a small office. Sometimes my German language students ask a lot of questions regarding German history and culture. And, they get "sad', if the two hours are over… – I am sure Bob, you will continue your course. Good luck and thank for your kind words after one of your earlier posts…
Hi Klaus:
Yes, very true about what you say, also Tom as well. Being immersed in the culture really does assist in learning the language too.
I may consider coming up to Davao once a week for a leson while I'm here. I'm in Moalboal, Cebu scuba diving this week. I'll txt you, Bob, when I get back and maybe I can set something set up. I have my small Cebuano book and some notes, but I need some direction.
Hi Kevin: I am very sure that Bebe would be happy to help you. When you get back to town and figure out your schedule, let me know when you think you will be available for classes. I will then contact Bebe and make arrangements for you. I do feel that you would learn a lot in a couple of months, it would give you a good start toward your own learning when you go back home.
I commend you for studying Bisaya. I wonder if you plan to study Tagalog someday?
Having a good language teacher is crucial in learning a foreign language. I've had both good and bad German language teachers. I've noticed that I learn faster when I have a nice teacher who prepares great lessons.
Hi Jayred – I honestly don't have a lot of desire to learn Tagalog, that's not so widely spoken where I live anyway, so I really don't see a reason to do so. A year ago, I would have said, I will never learn Tagalog. Now, though, I would say it's not likely. I have had a few thoughts about doing so after I finish learning Bisaya. That would probably be a few years down the road though, if I do it.
Hi Bob!
I was searching for a bisaya language cource in the Philippines. My mom is a filipina and I understand bisaya, but I just can't speak it. Your blog on Bebe was touching. I also had a teacher (for spanish classes) with whom I had a special connection, and I would also like to have such a nice teacher for my bisaya course. I was wondering if Bebe also gives fulltime private lessons for 1 or two months, or if you know any institution that give these kind of fulltime courses.
Bob,
I like this article appreciating Bebe, this my second time reading about Bebe or this article. I want to share the link of this article & other Bisaya speakers in Kalubihan.
Lubi
Hello Lubi – Thank you for visiting the site, and for sharing your site with us.
Hi, I hope it's ok, i used the above photo in a blog about Bebe for Kalubihan Bisaya speakers.
http://kalubihan.ning.com/profiles/blogs/kinsa-si…
salamat,
Lubi
Hi Lubi – OK. Please, next time, as for permission before using my photos, though.