Chris Tiu Remembers Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, the Teacher Who Made a Lasting Impact on His Life
"She loved her students, and they brought her joy."
Published on Dec 13, 2025
Queena Lee-Chua, who recently passed away, was remembered as one of the country's brightest minds. She was an educator, researcher, author, and communicator whose impact extended across mathematics, psychology, family studies, and public education.
But to many students like former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, and TV host Chris Tiu, Lee-Chua's lasting impact went beyond the classroom. Beyond formulas and theories, she shaped character, built resilience, and changed the way her students approached life.
This heartfelt message, originally shared by Tiu on Instagram, honors Lee-Chua’s life, legacy, and lasting influence:
Today I give tribute and said my final goodbye to my professor and friend, a legend and pillar in the academic community.
Dr. Queena was my favorite prof. She had a profound impact on my life, and many others. She was my math professor in my sophomore year in Ateneo in 2004. It was a lucky accident because I was assigned to another block due to a conflict in schedule. She was strict and firm but fair, and you could feel her genuine care for her students. She had a unique ability to make it easy to understand the lessons and took pride in seeing students progress. Her smile and energy were infectious. She brought so much positive energy every time she would come to class.
What I remember most are her non-math stories in class. She would share inspiring stories like that of Roselle Ambubuyog, the visually impaired valedictorian of Ateneo. These stories were the ones that stuck with me and moved me.
A genius in the fields of Math, Science, and Psychology, she was also an advocate of the value of family life through her columns, books, and talks. She would once in a while text me for my input and ask if she could share my story, which is how we stayed connected.
She passed up offers for high-paying finance jobs because her heart was so set on being an educator, researcher, and a writer. She loved her students, and they brought her joy.
Until her last days, her passion for teaching did not diminish, as she was concerned about how she could teach when she was already losing her voice.
I am so shocked and sad knowing that she is not here anymore :( what a big loss…
Thank you, Doc Queena, for your life of service. I am so grateful and honored to have been your student. You’ve inspired me. May your life be a light for us to do good on this Earth like you did. May you rest well in Heaven now. 💙🦅🙏
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