Outstanding Metrobank teachers: So what if we are poor?

Many Filipino teachers still opt to remain in the country despite better opportunities abroad because the hardships they have to face make the profession more fulfilling, according to a long-time university professor.

"Admittedly, we have lots of problems. Having studied and taught at the University of the Philippines for 27 years and comparing our resources with those of other universities abroad, I cannot help but envy the others for what they have," Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun, a forensic pathologist, said.

Fortun is one of the 10 outstanding teachers chosen by Metrobank Foundation Inc. this year.

"Why stay, you may ask. There are many reasons why we do certain things. I am sure my nine co-winners, many of them thriving under even more difficult conditions that I am in, can tell you what keeps them here. I do predict that one common anchor however is that we actually find these difficulties as irresistibly challenging," she said.

According to Fortun, one the biggest challenges that teachers face these days is to live by the word "noble" and impart it to students.

"Really, how can you sell noble to young men and women making their career choices, in the midst of cash courses which promise wheels or condos or salaries that multiply by 50?" she asked.

"Perhaps that is how this nobility tag came about. Only those who truly love to teach actually become successful teachers. Teaching is a passion."

Fortun said people were both shocked and awed whenever she would say she makes only less than $500 a month after taxes despite being employed in the country’s premier state university. But she said she did not mind and that those who decided to leave were being noble as well.

"The Philippines’ best resource is its people. We may be scattered all over the world but that is fine. Actually if we hitch our personal goals on track with our collective efforts at honest-to-goodness nation-building, we cannot go wrong," she said.

"Two values we consistently put a premium on are family and education. These I suspect hold our nation together. For instance I have met hardworking Filipinos overseas diligently sending nephews and nieces to school long after their own children had already finished and were already professionals. How can you beat that?" she said.

President Arroyo honored the 10 outstanding teachers for this year and personally conferred on them gold medallions for serving as models of excellence in their profession.

There were four awardees for the elementary category and three each for secondary and higher education levels.

The awardees for the elementary level were: Ruth Lebes-Gelvezon of West Visayas State University in Iloilo City who has been teaching science for 17 years; Evelyn Kimpo, first awardee from Banga Elementary School in Banga, Aklan where she teaches English to Grade 6 pupils and has been teaching for almost 38 years; Editha Banguilan, first awardee from Cabagan Science Elementary School in Cabagan, Isabela where she is teaching mathematics to Grade 1 pupils; and, Ofelia Lonoza, first awardee from Lucena North I Elementary School in Lucena City who has been teaching Filipino for almost 40 years.

The awardees for the secondary level were: Olivia Caling, third awardee from Ramon Magsaysay High School in España, Manila who specializes in general science and is teaching first year students; Isabel Eman, first awardee from San Policarpio National High School in Calbayog City where she taught English for almost 30 years; and Gelly Alkuino, first awardee from Irineo Santiago National High School of Metro Dadiangas in General Santos City. She has been teaching Araling Panlipunan for almost 18 years in second year level.