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2006 Search for
Outstanding Teachers
Celebrating the Country’s
Outstanding Teachers
September 11, 2006
The Metrobank Foundation recognizes
the significant role of education in
nation building. In honor of the
dedicated men and women who have
helped shape the future of our
nation, the Metrobank Foundation
launched the Search for Outstanding
Teachers. Every year since 1985, 10
teachers are chosen to receive the
award of Outstanding Teacher,
recognizing their invaluable efforts
to educate the country’s youth and
inspiring more educators and mentors
to put their hearts into a lofty
calling.
Now on its 22nd year, the Search
continues to be the standard of
excellence many teachers aspire for.
It is not so much a competition as
it is a pursuit to uplift the
quality of Philippine education
through innovative, creative, and
effective teaching techniques.
The life of a teacher is full of
challenges; but the students are
what keep them going. As educators
they would always seek to impart
knowledge, and as mentors they will
nurture character, yet always
learning to be better themselves
just as their students learn from
them.
The 10
Outstanding Teachers of 2006
 Ruth A. Lebes-Gelvezon
West Visayas State University,
La Paz, Iloilo City
Both a mother and a teacher, Ruth
exercises compassion, patience,
creativity, and encouragement when
dealing with children. “These
attitudes guide me everyday in
improving my teaching endeavors,”
she says. “At the end of the day, I
sit down and repeat the day’s
activities. If I met these attitudes
halfway, then I can say I have
mentored effectively.”
 Evelyn M. Kimpo
Banga Elementary School, Banga,
Aklan
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.
 Editha R. Banguilan
Cabagan Science Elementary School,
Cabagan, Isabela
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.”
 Ofelia L. Loñoza
Lucena North I Elementary School,
Barangay I, Lucena City
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.”
 Olivia E. Caling
Ramon Magsaysay High School, España,
Manila
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 S. Eman
San Policarpo National High School,
Barangay San Policarpo, Calbayog
City
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 E. Alkuino
Irineo L. Santiago National High
School of Metro Dadiangas, General
Santos City
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.”
 Ambeth R. Ocampo
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City
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.”
 Raquel B. del Rosario-Fortun,
M.D.
University of the Philippines,
Manila
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.
 Soledad M. Roguel, PH.D.
Central Luzon State University,
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
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. |
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