Metrobank Foundation names 2011 Outstanding Teachers

MANILA, Philippines - Eight public school teachers from the elementary and secondary levels, including two professors from the University of the Philippines-Manila and the University of Santo Tomas emerged as winners in the 2011 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers.

Panabo City, Davao Del Norte and Tiaong, Quezon produced their first Outstanding Teacher awardees in this year’s Search.

The winners from the elementary category are: Marcela Jingco of Angeles Elementary School (Angeles City); Lora Añar of Bukidnon State University (Malaybalay City); Dr. Teodora Conde of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (Sta. Cruz, Manila); and Djhoane Aguilar of Panabo Central Elementary School (Panabo City).

Winners from the secondary category are: Dr. Chelo Tangan of Cagayan National High School (Tuguegarao City); Buenaventura Luces of Lusacan National High School (Tiaong, Quezon); Vilma Ambat of Baguio City National High School (Baguio City); and Maricel Franco of Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya).

Dr. Jericho Thaddeus Luna of the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) and Dr. Allan De Guzman of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are the awardees for the higher education category.

“Humbling is the discovery, year upon year of the Search, of the selfless commitment and courage of these exemplary educators to withstand challenges in order to nurture the minds and the hearts of our young students,” said Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “Our utmost admiration goes to all the awardees, for even in the busiest cities or remotest barangays, they selflessly fulfill their vocation in cognitively, affectively, and behaviorally preparing the youth of our country,” he continued.

The winners were selected from 175 nominees coming from various public and private educational institutions in the Philippines, of which 40 qualified as regional finalists. Twenty of the regional finalists then were selected to become the national finalists.

The national finalists then faced the final board of judges for this year’s search co-chaired by Senator Loren Legarda and Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. Also serving as judges were: Quezon Province 4th District Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III; Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla; Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines A Selverajah; Far Eastern University (FEU) president Dr. Lydia Echauz; and PTV broadcast journalist Veronica Baluyut-Jimenez.

This year’s Outstanding Teachers, together with the winners of the Search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) and the Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), will be conferred with gold medallions and plaques by President Aquino in Malacañang Palace. They will be presented with plaques and a total cash prize close to P10 million for the three searches. They will also be presented in formal awarding ceremonies during Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.’s anniversary celebration on Sept. 5, 2011.

This year’s winners will join the rank of 296 Outstanding Teachers who have been honored by the Foundation since 1985. They automatically become members of the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators or NOTED, an honor society of outstanding teachers committed to nurturing a culture of excellence and service among educators through professional development, publications, research, and advocacy in active partnership with government and non-government organizations.