Bridging Gaps: Bien Fernandez, Jr.

He has been teaching photography, theater and other Mass Communication courses for over 34 years in prominent universities in Cebu. His name is Bien Fernandez, Jr.

Bien Fernandez, Jr.

At 57 years old, he is considered to be an artist in the education sector in Cebu.

He grew up in the slums of San Francisco Del Monte in Manila. His environment was with tambays and teens who lacked literacy. His only advantage over the others was the degree he was trying to finish. 

“Maybe, education could be the secret to equalizing the situation,” he said about reality of the rich and poor.

It was in one of those quiet open spaces in the University of the Philippines (UP) Dilliman campus where divine intervention brought him to the decision of going for communication. He chose Mass Communication over a few years in Economics after discovering his inclination to broadcasting and theater. After being the first transferee ever admitted during the second semester in the College of Mass Communication in the year 1975, he knew God wanted him there.

His college life was colorful. He was a student by day and actor by night, hanging out with the thespians of the campus. After he graduated, he explored the advertising world. He became the advertising consultant and launched the clothing line Penshoppe into its prominence. He also used to do television commercials as an Ad director receiving clients from Manila and Cebu. All these were the height of his career but he wanted to do more. 

“I wanted to bridge the gap through education because it is something no one can steal from you,” and that was the sign of venture into teaching.

He came back to Cebu to where his family was and began his teaching career at Saint Theresa’s college (STC). As a teacher, he engaged his students into passion rather than graduating for the grades. 

“Teachers are facilitators of learning… not dictators,” he said. He started out as a hot-headed mentor but it turned didn’t out well. “My students were becoming poor in class.”

He helped flourished STC’s theater community. In fact, the dula-tula style which is now prevalent in the theater scene of Cebu was his bring home from Manila, so his students say.

STC student and former Cebu Alliance of Mass Communication Students (CAMS) president Wyvren Veloso said that he taught her to believe in the power of dreams and raw talent noting his eager encouragements during her term as president. “He is a living proof of where hard work and where humility can lead a person,” she added.

His interest in education didn’t only limit him to the four walls of the classroom. He is part of the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), the biggest organization for teachers nationwide. He is also the founding adviser of CAMS.

For years his students have made it successfully into the real world. But even after three decades, he is still into teaching. At present, he is at the University of San Carlos (USC) teaching photography at the Fine Arts Department. 

“It’s a new environment for me, but my job is not done,” he says.

**Published in The Freeman Newspaper on July 16, 2012