A Filipino public school teacher’s social media post recounting how two of his students wrote unkind comments about his appearance has gained widespread traction online, drawing a mix of sympathy, humor and pointed reflection on respect inside classrooms.
In the post, the teacher, identified by his account name Tagumpay Ramos Divina, said he was conducting a Mathematics class in another section under a departmentalized scheme when he noticed two learners laughing while looking at their notebooks during the lesson. Curious about the distraction, he approached their seats and asked to see the notebook, where he found written remarks about his appearance, including a line describing him as “pangit.”
The teacher said the words left him feeling embarrassed, saddened and disappointed, while acknowledging that learners are “still developing socially and emotionally.” He used the moment to argue that bullying is not limited to students and that teachers can also become targets of hurtful remarks. “Like everyone else, teachers have feelings too,” he wrote, adding that kindness, empathy and respect should be practiced “regardless of age or position.”
He closed the post on a lighter note, joking that he might call “Inspector Na Hwa-jin of ERPB” — a nod to the hit Netflix series “Teach You a Lesson,” a 2026 South Korean drama about an inspector from the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau who uses unorthodox methods to discipline unruly students and defend teachers. The series, released in June 2026, has resonated strongly for tackling declining classroom discipline and the erosion of teacher authority.
The post generated a stream of responses. One commenter advised the teacher to call the students’ parents or guardians to school for a short talk, while another argued that discipline must begin at home from a young age. Several reactions took a comic tone, with one suggesting a witty comeback about the students’ handwriting and spelling, and another joking that he should assign them a beauty-product project. A separate commenter struck a more serious note, lamenting that laws built to safeguard students from abuse can be turned into instruments that undermine and exploit the rights of teachers.
The exchange comes amid heightened national attention on school bullying in the Philippines. On June 22, three students were killed and several others wounded when two minors opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte. In an initial report, the Tacloban City Police Office said a “grudge [due to] school bullying” was behind the shooting, and investigators were examining reports that one of the suspects may have been subjected to prolonged bullying. The case has reignited debate over the implementation of the country’s 2013 Anti-Bullying Act and the minimum age of criminal responsibility, with regional education officials ordering schools to step up anti-bullying campaigns.
The teacher said he would continue to guide his learners with patience and understanding, expressing hope that the experience would serve as a reminder for everyone to practice kindness and respect regardless of age or position.
