Retired UST College of Commerce and Business Administration associate professor Mercurio Elenzano died on Feb. 12. He was 64.
Elenzano passed away following cardiac arrest, said Kring Kim, his daughter. He had been confined in the hospital since Feb. 4. He also had health problems such as diabetes and had undergone angioplasty earlier this year.
“Prior to being rushed to the hospital, he’d been feeling uncomfortable all over his body. He’s been feeling weak. He’s been in pain. That’s why I think for the entire January, he was really preparing himself somehow for this,” Kim said.
“I’m also very happy that we got to spend precious time with my dad in his last week. We served him. We took care of him. We said our sorrys, goodbyes and I love you’s in the last week that he was with us,” she added.
Elenzano obtained his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the University in 1976.
He taught in several schools such as Feati University and the Philippine Academy of Sakya before teaching mathematics and computer courses in UST in 1981.
In 2019, he retired after serving the University for 37 years.
“From all the anecdotes that I’ve heard and all the stories that have been shared with me, [Elenzano] really was a terror professor… He was such a terror professor. Everybody was scared of him, but also everybody respected him. And everyone said he really taught well,” Kim said.
Ced Tantoy, Elenzano’s former student, told the Varsitarian: “Medyo strict siya and regarded [well] during our time […] Pero he was very approachable and friendly sa labas ng room. In fact, lagi namin [siyang] pinupuntahan sa faculty room para mag-ask sa mga topics na di namin masyadong naintindihan. Very willing siya mag tutor sa amin.”
Elenzano’s former colleague Inday Cleto remembered Elenzano as a “dedicated and passionate educator.”
“I remember him as somebody who really loves teaching. He has his way to encourage and motivate his students to learn,” Cleto told the Varsitarian.
Elenzano had ventured into other forms of businesses.
In 1998, Elenzana started SMART Math, formerly known as Aloha Mental Arithmetic, an institute that publishes specialized mathematics modules.
College of Commerce and Business Administration Regent Fr. Senen Ecleo, O.P. offered Mass for the late former faculty member at Santisimo Rosario Parish Church last Feb 18.
Elenzano’s remains were interred on Feb. 19.
