A Life Well Lived
People often say that there is no return on investment in teaching. No one becomes wealthy from it. The pay is painfully low, despite the fact that teaching is the profession that shapes every other profession.
And beyond the compensation, the work is more demanding than most people see. It does not end when the clock strikes 4:00 pm; it stretches into the evenings, weekends, and even quiet moments meant for rest. At times, the challenges of the students can be so overwhelming that the teachers’ patience, and even their spirit, feels stretched to its limit.
As a teacher, I would say that all these are true. And on the hardest days, I have believed them.
But the recent passing of my beloved former teacher, Gloria Kun Eng Wei (魏老师) or Wei Lao Shi, who passed away on March 16, 2026, at the age of 80, after a two-year fight with cancer, has gently yet powerfully disproven all that.
Looking at Wei Lao Shi’s life, I have come to realize that the return on investment in teaching is not something one can count—it is something one feels. It is not measured in how many thousands of pesos earned, but in lives touched and changed.
Wei Lao Shi may not have been rich in the worldly sense, but she was abundantly rich in influence, legacy, and love. She devoted her life to teaching—beginning at St. Stephen’s High School (SSHS) in the late 1960s, and later founding New Life Foundational Learning Center in 1991 with a group of Christian educators, among whom were Helen Villanueva and Anita Angeles. That school would later merge with Makati Gospel Learning Center, becoming what we now know as MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA). There, she continued teaching Chinese and Bible classes faithfully until the pandemic brought her classroom years to a close.
But beyond her work, her faith was more important. Wei Lao Shi was a passionate and faithful follower of Jesus Christ, and this was evident not only in what she said but also in how she lived her life. For her, teaching was not just a profession, but a calling—an opportunity to serve God, to disciple her students, and to pour into the lives of others with purpose and love.
Wei Lao Shi lived simply, almost quietly, not chasing after material things. She would reuse her clothes as long as they were still good, climb flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator to save electricity, and constantly remind those around her to be good stewards of what God has given. In a world that constantly demands more, she chose to live with less.
Yet for all her simplicity, her impact was anything but small. Over the years, Wei Lao Shi taught and mentored thousands of students—many of whom would go on to become teachers, pastors, missionaries, lawyers, doctors, businessmen, and professionals across every field imaginable.
Wei Lao Shi was known to be strict, holding her students to high standards and expecting their very best. But beneath that firmness was a deeply kind and compassionate heart. She cared in ways that went beyond the classroom, investing time, effort, and love into her students, often far more than what was required of her. But most of all, she was concerned about her testimony for the Lord, as her students and fellow teachers attest.
The Boys - Her Barkada from Batch 17 (Seth Villanueva, John Kho, Kieffer Recato-Dy, Andre Tan)
If we were to take one thing away from our conversations with Wei Lao Shi, it would not be the Chinese language, but to love God above all, a lesson she made sure was deeply ingrained in our hearts and the one that mattered most to her.
Her impact has truly changed each and every one of us, as she was always present for her students and chose to act with love and care, no matter who they were or what they had done in the past.
There were times when she would get angry and give long sermons, but every word she spoke carried so much love and gentleness behind it.
Toward the last moments of her life, we were blessed to experience her not just as our teacher, but as our barkada, seeing a side of her we never thought we would.
We showed up to her birthday and shared hotpot dates together, moments we will always hold dear and memories we now cherish deeply. If only we could have one last meal with her.
We miss you so much, Wei Lao Shi. Thank you for sharing your life with us. 再见, 魏老师!
Dr. Shane Chug-Pili, MGCNLCA Batch 5
I often say that there will be no doctors like me without teachers. And this is most especially true for Wei Lao Shi, as she has brought a great impact on my life.
She was a tough teacher, one who was not easily pleased, as she held a very high standard for learning. But at the same time, she was gentle and loving, and she always made sure she shared and mirrored Jesus' love.
Up to this day, I hold her teachings to heart, especially on being a good steward of God's blessings. She always reminded us to take only what is needed, to make sure nothing is put to waste, and that all things are maximized to their full potential.
Truly, I won't be a mindful and disciplined doctor without Wei Lao Shi and her teachings.
Danny Ching, student at SSHS and Co-Teacher at MGCNLCA
One of the most unforgettable moments I had with Ms. Wei was during her last month. As she struggled through the excruciating pain of her condition, her primary concern was her Christian testimony. It was so difficult to see her in such pain, but it was so amazing to know how much Jesus was still foremost on her mind. She cried more about how she dealt with the pain rather than the pain itself. It is a testament to her character that her caretaker, who has taken care of many other patients, told her that she was the kindest patient she’d taken care of. (She was a) true servant of God to the end.
Helen Villanueva, MGCNLCA School Director and Co-Founder, Student, and Mentee
Ms. Wei’s heart as a teacher shone even brighter when we started MGCNLCA. She did not just teach lessons; she taught us how to care. She saw beyond classrooms and lesson plans. She saw children, souls, lives that needed shaping. She corrected us, challenged us, and stretched us, not to be hard on us, but because she believed in what we could become.
She carried a burden for excellence, not for recognition, but because every child deserved the very best. From her, we learned that teaching is not a job, but a calling. Preparation is an act of love, and every child is worth our time, patience, and sacrifice.
On a personal note, I owe so much of who I am to her. She walked with me, corrected me, and challenged me sometimes in ways that were uncomfortable or even painful. But she never gave up on me. When I doubted myself, she saw potential I could not yet see. When I wanted to settle, she pushed me to rise. Her mentorship honed me and sharpened me.She believed in me. I carry her imprint, her standards, her faith, and her passion in everything I do.
For our family—Bern, Janaye, and Seth—she became more than Wei Lao Shi. She became a spiritual mom, a grandma, family member. She stood as our wedding godmother, a symbol not just of presence, but of a deep, lasting relationship.
Ms. Wei’s impact cannot be measured in lessons or achievements alone. It is seen in the hearts she touched, the lives she shaped, and the people she inspired to be better. And for that, we will always be grateful.
Seeing how deeply Wei Lao Shi was loved and how fondly she is remembered, one truth becomes clear: she was extraordinarily rich beyond measure. And without a doubt, hers was a life well lived.