MANILA, Philippines - The Metrobank Foundation announced this year’s winners of its Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT). Composed of four elementary, four secondary public school teachers, and two professors from the higher education level, the winners join the rank of 326 outstanding teachers who have been honored by the Foundation since 1985. San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; Pagbilao, Quezon; Calinog, Iloilo; and Vinzons, Camarines Norte produced their first-ever outstanding teachers in this batch of 2014 winners. Eight out of the ten awardees hold doctoral degrees.
Elementary competition winners are: Anna Bella Abellera of Naga Central School I (Naga City); Sharon Rose Puyo of Cabadbaran South Central Elementary School SPED Center (Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte); Dr. Enerio Ebisa of Doña Juana Actub Luch Memorial Central School (Iligan City); and Dr. Allan Moore Cabrillas of San Jose West Central School (San Jose City, Nueva Ecija).
Secondary competition winners are: Dr. Juanito Merle of Talipan National High School (Pagbilao, Quezon); Dr. Jesus Insilada of Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School (Calinog, Iloilo); Dr. Matrose Galarion of Angeles City National High School (Angeles City); and Dr. Noel Ibis of Vinzons Pilot High School (Vinzons, Camarines Norte).
Meanwhile, Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba of the University of the Philippines-Visayas (Miag-ao, Iloilo) and Dr. Teodora Balangcod of the University of the Philippines-Baguio (Baguio City) are the winners for the higher education competition.
The national finalists faced the 2014 final board of judges chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar and co-chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion. Member judges include Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Australian Ambassador William Tweddell, Asian Institute of Management (AIM) president Steven John DeKrey, Solar Entertainment Corp. president and CEO Wilson Tieng and Ayala Land, Inc. and Manila Water Director Antonino Aquino.
In celebration of the Search for Outstanding Teacher’s 30th year, this milestone year’s winners will be conferred with gold medallions and an increased cash prize of P500,000 each. They will also receive a trophy and a plaque of recognition for their school. They will be presented together with the 2014 awardees of the COPS (Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service) and TOPS (The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers) in a formal awarding on Sept. 5, 2014 as highlight of Metrobank’s 52nd anniversary celebration.
For three decades of recognizing excellence, SOT honors the teaching profession, acknowledging those who exhibit competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and effective educational leadership, as well as their various community involvements. It is implemented by the Metrobank Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). In 2010, the Search was awarded the Grand Anvil, the highest recognition during the 45th Anvil Awards given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). Over the years, the Search has become a sought-after award among educators as it earned the prestige of becoming a benchmark of excellence in the teaching profession.