Metrobank Foundation names outstanding teachers
Metrobank Foundation Inc. ( MBFI) announced the winners of the 2016 Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT).
Composed of four elementary, four secondary school teachers and two professors from the higher education level, the winners join the ranks of 346 outstanding teachers who have been honored by the foundation since 1985.
They will be conferred with gold medallions, trophies and cash prize of P500,000 each.
The 2016 search produced first- time winners from Caloocan City, Oriental Mindoro and Lingayen in Pangasinan.
The elementary competition winners are: Winona Diola of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (Muntinlupa City); Rujealyn Cancino of Lingayen I Central School ( Lingayen, Pangasinan); Josephine Chonie Obseñares of Butuan City SPED Center ( Butuan City, Agusan del Norte) and Arnol Rosales of Francisco Melgar Memorial School ( Naujan, Oriental Mindoro).
For the secondary competition, the winners are: Roy Basa of Negros Occidental High School ( Bacolod City, Negros Occidental); Nelson Agoyaoy of the University of the East Elementary and High School Department ( Caloocan City); Ma. Regaele Olarte of Muntinlupa National High School-Main (Muntinlupa City) and Katherine Faith Bustos of Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School ( Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya).
Meanwhile, Ernelea Cao of the University of the Philippines-Diliman ( Quezon City) and Mark Anthony Torres of Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology ( Iligan City, Lanao del Norte) are the winners for the higher education competition.
MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña congratulated the winners, saying, “Teachers are the backbone of nationbuilding efforts. Through their use of effective teaching strategies and their involvement in community projects outside the classroom, they are able to mold the next generation of Filipinos to work for social progress.”
“On behalf of Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, the Metrobank Foundation is proud of its continued commitment to improving the quality of Philippine education by recognizing excellence in the teaching profession,” he added.
This year’s search garnered the most nominations in its 32-year history – a total of 534 generated nationwide.
The nominees were trimmed down to 127 provincial finalists then shortlisted to 40 regional finalists, who underwent teaching demonstrations and panel interviews before the preliminary board of judges of each category.
The national finalists appeared for a final interview before the final board of judges chaired by Sen. Joel Villanueva and co- chaired by Marikina City second district Rep. Romero Quimbo.
Member judges include Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, Court of Tax Appeals presiding justice Roman del Rosario, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Indian Ambassador Lalduhthlana Ralte, New Era University president Nilo Rosas and Inquirer. net editor- in- chief John Nery.
“It’s such a great experience to hear firsthand different stories on how they were able to not only overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, but emerge as victors, as role models,” Villanueva said.
“You can see in it their eyes that with or without this award, they will continue to press on toward their goal – giving not just quality education but a better future for the young people of this nation,” he said.