Elementary Category

We will meet many people in our lifetime that would inspire us. For Evelyn, it was her own teachers who inspired her as early as her elementary school days. “After 40 years of teaching, I feel that I have given my all but on the other hand, there is still so much I can give and teach my pupils.” Evelyn hopes to continue teaching even after retirement. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” reflects Evelyn.

Mathematics teacher Editha has been with Cabagan Science Elementary School, the biggest elementary school in her district, for 36 years. Just the same, she says, “As a teacher, I encounter problems big and small. But through God’s grace and blessings, I am able to overcome all of these.”

On her first year as a teacher, Ofelia taught at a school in the middle of a rice field in the farthest part of the barrio where she had to walk several kilometers each day. “I am now 60 years old and I still love my profession,” she declares. “I know I spent the best years of my life by being a dedicated, hardworking, and committed teacher because I love and care for my students.”

Secondary Category

Twenty-three years ago, fresh out of college with a cum laude distinction in BS Education major in General Science, Olivia joined Ramon Magsaysay High School to teach freshman students. She was given the challenge to teach students who didn’t do well in the high school achievement tests. “I was able to help them recognize their abilities and skills and encouraged them to become responsible people,” Olivia says. “I was so happy when they were promoted to first year high school.”

Isabel has taught English to high school students for 30 years now. Speaking up for themselves and imbibing the love of reading are perhaps the most important lessons she has taught them.“I care for my students not only as a teacher but as a mother,” Isabel says. “I do my part in teaching them English. But in times of trouble and hardship, I am there for them as well.”

Gelly has been teaching social studies for 18 years now and has authored books on campus journalism and written and directed award-winning stage plays that depict the rich culture of tribal communities in Southern Mindanao and their economic plight. Gelly feels that he is just a small part of the education system, but believes that even a small stone thrown into the water creates ripples. Being hearing impaired has not deterred him, “I treat them as blessings,” he says. “They are reasons to rise up and commit to excellence in whatever I do.”

Higher Education Category

Ambeth is every bit a teacher as he is a historian. “I live in libraries, archives, and museums. But instead of writing my research in an obscure academic journal, I bring my work to my classroom and newspaper column.” Many people might think that history has passed and is therefore unimportant, but Ambeth knows better, “As we study the story of the Philippines from the pre-historic past to the turbulent present, I use history as a mirror so that the students will see and know themselves enough to understand how the nation came about – and more importantly to see the nation we fail to be.”

As one of the “First Filipino Woman Forensic Pathologist”, Raquel has dealt with difficult and controversial cases and contributions to the understanding of forensic pathology and other forensic sciences in the country. Her peers often tease her, but she could very well be the Mother of Forensic Pathology in the Philippines after teaching her craft for 17 years. “I chose to specialize in a field which is underdeveloped and misunderstood in this country,” Raquel says. “It has been quite a challenge battling ignorance.” She travels around the country hardly refusing an invitation to teach and seizing every opportunity to reach out through media interviews so the public will learn more about forensics.

A teacher of educational psychology, Soledad has trained and developed educators to become good mentors for 36 years now. “I was driven to excel in school because of our poverty,” Soledad shares. “Poverty should not be a hindrance to success. I am what I am and where I am right now because of diligence and hardwork, and partly due to poverty.” Soledad believes that excellence becomes a habit – this is the value that she strives to impart to all her students every teaching day.