Avon honors 16 public high school principals

Cosmetics giant Avon gave recognition to 16 principals in public high schools for their outstanding performance and contribution to the public education system.

Avon general manager Malou Tiburcio said the recognition is in line with Avon’s commitment to help upgrade basic education by motivating female principals to work for the welfare of their students and the improvement of their schools.

"It is at critical times that some people find the opportunity to strive and to become outstanding educators. We thank you for guiding your students to the right path, for leading them to the way of greatness," Tiburcio told awardees during ceremonies at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City Thursday night.

The annual search, dubbed "2002 Gintong Ilawan Award: Teodora Alonso Educator’s Award for Outstanding Female Principal," began 14 years ago and covers elementary and secondary levels from both public and private schools.

This year’s search is for an outstanding female public high school principal.

Rebecca Ragrag, 54, of Granja-Kalinawan National High School in Jaro, Leyte (Eastern Visayas) is this year’s Gintong Ilawan awardee. She started teaching in 1975, and was promoted to principal in 1995.

Ragrag, who was chosen by Avon as the national winner from 16 regional awardees, received P100,000 in cash, a Gintong Ilawan statuette and a foreign study grant, courtesy of the Department of Education.

The regional awardees also underwent a three-day Principal’s School Management Course at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to "further enhance their leadership and management skills."

The 15 regional awardees are Zenaida Arzaga of San Nicolas National High School in Ilocos Norte (Ilocos Region); Erlinda Yu of San Antonio High School in Isabela (Cagayan Valley); Helen Aggabao of Olongapo City National High School in Olongapo City (Central Luzon); Corazon Laserna of Antipolo National High School in Antipolo City (Southern Tagalog);

Editha Chavez of Jose Panganiban National High School in Camarines Norte (Bicol Region ); Lourdes Morones of Oton National High School in Iloilo (Western Visayas); Virginia Zapanta of Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School in Mandaue City (Central Visayas); Felicisima Magcanta of Sergio Osmeña National High School in Zamboanga del Norte (Western Mindanao);

Rosaline Talaroc of Talairon National High School in Oroquieta City (Northern Mindanao); Chanette Cadiente of Daniel Aguinaldo High School in Davao City (Southern Mindanao); Nenita Rodriguez of Kidapawan City National High School (Central Mindanao); Maimoa Ampatuan of Maguindanao National High School in Labu-labu, Maguindanao (Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao); Aida Aribal of Barobo National High School in Surigao del Sur (Caraga); Elma Donaal of Baguio City National High School in Baguio City (Cordillera Autonomous Region) and Betty Cavo of Don Alejandro Roces Sr. High School in Quezon City (National Capital Region).