IT was a flat “no” that teacher Jean Descallar, owner of Starland International School in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, immediately gave when she was first offered by producer Ivy Attaya of Makers Mind, to host a TV show.

While Teacher Jean has been a teacher for nearly two decades now, she has never appeared on TV.

“I believe I can serve without having to do a TV show,” Teacher Jean said. “I don’t have to be in the limelight. I want to be behind the scenes. I was nervous. But Ivy didn’t give up on me. She always encouraged and convinced me.”

The son of Teacher Jean got in touch with Ivy because they have a product, the sugar blocker, that they wanted to promote. “At that time, I got to know Teacher Jean and she told me how important teachers are in our lives. So, I thought of a program concept focusing on a teacher.”

Ivy previously produced the weekly program, “Negosyo Goals,” where small and big businesses were featured, with hosts Gerry Santos and Anna Magkawas for respectively four seasons.

“One of the mission and visions that I want to tap for ‘Filipino at Heart’ is the community, where we can show the hardships of teachers and how important are them in our lives,” said Ivy.

“They don’t get paid much, but they cannot afford to be sick because they have big responsibilities to our students. There’s a teacher who can represent the millions of teachers around.”

When Teacher Jean was finally convinced, she cannot be thankful enough for the trust and encouragement that her “Filipino at Heart” producer gave her.

“Your motivation has given me the confidence to embrace TV hosting despite the challenges it brings,” Teacher Jean told Ivy. “Bisaya ako. Nahihiya ako. But my passion for teaching especially in the pre-school level and my advocacy for education have always been my driving forces.

“Though I remain committed to inspire teachers by sharing my journey. From a humble beginning in 2001, when I rented a small living room, borrowed chairs and tables, I started Starland Kiddie School with 20 pupils.”

In 2007, the name Starland International School was used to reflect the school’s going vision. Today, Starland proudly has campuses in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Each offers three modalities – face to face learning, online distance learning and home schooling.

The school will mark its 25th year in 2026. “We will also go to UAE (United Arab Emirates), Arizona (USA) and Canada,” Teacher Jean disclosed. “We will have college in Cebu and online college in Arizona next year.”

The unwavering spirit of bayanihan will be focused in “Filipino at Heart” to showcase or explore themes like family, community, resilience, arts and culture, language and many more.

The program’s mission and vision are true to its core. Especially when a true teacher is the host of the program. First time on Philippine TV that a teacher is hosting a program. TV director is Noel Cabacungan.

“There are at least seven to nine segments per show,” informed direk Noel. “Per episode, there are a different combination of segments. One segment is ‘Kwentong Guro’ where we will feature the life story of one teacher.

“For our pilot, it’s the story of Teacher Diday, a Dumagat native who graduated and passed the board. There are also stories of teachers that we encounter on social media.”

“We will also feature students who have different challenges in life, their struggles and how they cope with their studies.”

Beyond education, Teacher Jean also dedicated to sharing her story to others, believing that each person she touches may value hope, inspiration and courage to dream.

“Every day, I make it a mission to uplift at least three people,” said Teacher Jean. “So, imagine from 2001, I think I’ve done that to 25,000 people to date consistently every day, until now.

“Sharing how a small girl from Mindanao, once struggling against poverty, rose to success through faith, perseverance and education. Isa ako sa pinakamahirap na bata sa amin. Sa isang araw, isang kain lang.”

Teacher Jean calls herself a certified “retailer” and “peddler” – knowing that every hardship she faced, led her to where she is today. “My advocacies were born from these struggles. They continue to fuel my desire to give back.”

Teacher Jean is aware that she is so blessed all these years. “I believe that this is my own way to helping people to dream, to be inspired and to have hope,” she maintained. “I am a living testimony of a poor little girl from Mindanao with high aspirations who gained success in life.”

Teacher Jean has been a teacher for 15 years now. She also became a PE (Physical Education) teacher for five years.

“Filipino at Heart” is not just a TV show. It’s a platform that allows Teacher Jean to share her passion for teaching, serving and inspiring others especially the dedicated teachers.

It’s also a way for Teacher Jean to fulfill her advocacies and help less fortunate children. “I was like that before,” she said. “It is important to promote self-care and raising awareness about the importance of living a well-balanced life, particularly in taking care of one’s self.”

Teacher Jean’s personal journey toward health awareness started after her father passed on because of colon cancer. At that time, her father was also managing diabetes and hypertension with maintenance medicines.

Those experiences allowed Teacher Jean to explore medicines for diabetics like Sugar’D or Sugar Defense, which is manufactured in Japan and sold here in Manila. “That is my humble contribution to those sick of diabetes,” said Teacher Jean.

Airing on Sunday, February 23, 6:30 a.m. on GMA TV (GTV), “Filipino at Heart” is a project close to Teacher Jean’s heart and she is excited to share her not only her experiences, but also stories of incredible individuals who have overcome obstacles to succeed.

Teacher Jean believes teachers play a crucial role in shaping the values of our youth. Instilling in them the importance of gratitude, resilience and generosity – virtues that should remain with them when they stay in the Philippines or pursue opportunities abroad.

More importantly, “Filipino at Heart with Teacher Jean” seeks to celebrate our teacher’s sacrifices and highlight their lasting impact, particularly through the achievements of their students.

“As educators, we know that success is not just measured by personal accomplishments but by the lives we have shaped along the way,” Teacher Jean said.

Each episode of “Filipino at Heart” will be a unique and enriching experience. “We will feature interviews with inspiring Filipinos,” Teacher Jean said. “Heartwarming stories of educators and their students, explorations of historical sites, traditional craft, demonstrations of Filipino cuisine, segments in language, lessons and musical performances.”

This opportunity is a blessing and one that she wholeheartedly thank God for. Teacher Jean has to thank her ever-supportive family, her Starland family, her former teachers, siblings, her beloved parents who were her first mentors and taught me the value of faith, education and showed me that poverty is never a hindrance to success.

Teacher Jean also mentions her producer, Makers Mind CEO Ivy Attaya, her TV director Noel Cabacungan. “We will give our best to this show,” ended Teacher Jean.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio