A teacher, an advocate, an author, a leader, a person of pure inspiration. Have you ever met anyone that are all these? I have. Meet Priiti Mae Bandril. She’s a 19 year old from Marikina City currently studying in Miriam College Quezon city, taking up BS child development and education minor in special education. She’s doing her practice teaching at the Miriam College Child Study Center. She’s also a teacher who wants to change the world for the better, and wants to inspire others to do the same.
(Photos courtesy of Facebook)
Priiti was a co-delegate of mine at the Philippine Model Congress, and her passion for change and her determination for mental health and SPED awareness definitely inspired me. Here, she’ll share her story on her journey and how she was able to entice change to society in her own way.
Since I was a child, I really loved and enjoyed pretending to be a teacher whenever I play. That’s one reason why I chose education. During a family reunion way back in highschool, I’ve met a distant cousin of mine (a cousin of my cousin from another side). This boy is already 17 y/o yet he’s just learning how to walk… Then in a snap, he’s already pulling my hair.. I was really shocked and hurt and scared at the same time. After that happening.. Knowing that he has special needs i realized why did it come to a point na he’s already 17 meaning he wasnt given early intervention when he was younger?



“As a teenager, growing up, I thought moodiness, unexplained crying, sleeping difficulties are just part of puberty.. little did I know that there is such a thing called mental health which is just as important as physical health. We must understand that there are such things like anxiety attacks, depressive episodes, suicidal thoughts and so on. And I believe we can raise not just awareness but also help stop the stigma and help these people overcome their fears of being judged…
Hindi lang kami “nag-iinarte”
Hindi kami “nag-ooverreact”..”
Priiti serves as a true beacon of light to fight for what we believe in and to stay passionate about things we stand for. Her story sheds light on the importance of perseverance and encourages others to have a will to create good change to society.