Friday afternoon settled in quietly at Jose Rizal High School. The week had been a whirlwind—power outages, surprise observations, and workshops that pushed the limits of traditional teaching.
Mr. Emman had just finished sweeping the workshop floor when he noticed someone standing in the doorway.
It was Bryan, one of his quieter Grade 10 students. Normally upbeat, today his shoulders were heavy, his face pale.
"Sir…" Bryan said hesitantly. "Can I ask something... personal?"
Emman nodded, setting the broom aside. "Always."
A Dangerous Situation
Bryan stepped inside and exhaled slowly. "Our house… something's wrong. The lights flicker when we plug in the rice cooker. And the outlet sparks—sometimes even pops."
Emman straightened immediately. "That's not just a loose socket, Bryan. That's a live hazard."
"I told my parents, but they said it's just old wiring. 'Wag na daw pakialaman. But last night, I saw smoke from behind the panel."
A knot tightened in Emman's chest. He had taught these very risks just days ago. Now, one of his own students was living them.
"Bryan," he said firmly, "you did the right thing telling me. This isn't just an electrical issue—it's a safety issue."
The Unexpected House Call
That evening, Emman found himself in a place he didn't expect: standing outside Bryan's modest home in Barangay San Nicolas, carrying a tester, a flashlight, and a toolkit.
Bryan's father, skeptical at first, greeted him at the gate.
"Pasensya na, sir. We didn't want to bother you. Akala namin normal lang 'yun."
Emman shook his head. "Walang abala sa kaligtasan. I'm not here as a teacher. I'm here as someone who cares."
He inspected the main panel: corroded contacts, no grounding wire, and spliced extension cords bundled like vines behind a cabinet.
It was a miracle the house hadn't caught fire.
Hands-On Learning
Emman didn't lecture. He showed.
With Bryan watching, he carefully replaced the outlet, installed a ground wire, and traced the source of the flicker—a burnt jumper wire that had melted the plastic sheathing.
He explained each step slowly.
"See this? When wires overheat, the insulation weakens. Over time, this becomes the firestarter."
Bryan nodded intently, absorbing everything.
His father watched too, quietly, as Emman tightened the final screw and tested the circuit with a smile.
"No more sparks," Emman said. "But this panel needs a full rewiring. I can help recommend a pro if needed."
Bryan's father looked down, then up with a softened tone.
"Thank you, Sir Emman. Hindi na lang kayo guro ng anak ko. Parang pamilya na rin."
Back at School
Monday arrived. Bryan was early. Proud. Energetic. He volunteered to lead the next group demo and requested to report about electrical load balancing—a topic they hadn't even covered yet.
Emman smiled. Learning had been sparked at home.
During the faculty break, he shared the story with Mrs. De Jesus.
"You went to his home personally?" she asked, brows raised but eyes warm.
"Yes, Ma'am. I couldn't let it go. I knew the signs."
She leaned back. "That wasn't in your job description, you know."
"I know," Emman said. "But wiring isn't just about volts and amps. It's about responsibility."
She nodded slowly. "And because of that, one family sleeps safer tonight."
Reflection: The Real Currents
That evening, Emman sat once again in his small study, flipping through his students' journals. Bryan had written:
Sir, you didn't just fix our outlet.
You fixed something in my heart. I want to be like you someday—not just an electrician… but a light when things go dark.
Emman closed the notebook, eyes stinging.
It wasn't the lessons, or the contests, or the awards.
It was this.
Moments where real lives were wired with purpose.