2013 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers named

MANILA, Philippines -The winners of the 2013 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers are finally revealed after long months of diligent selection process. Composed of four elementary, four secondary public school teachers, and two professors from the higher education level, the winners join the rank of 316 Outstanding Teachers who have been honored by the Foundation since 1985. Guagua, Pampanga, Bakun, Benguet and Bacnotan, La Union produced their first-ever Outstanding Teachers in this batch of 2013 winners.

Elementary competition winners are: Fely A. Batiloy of Special Education Integrated School for Exceptional Children (Iloilo City); Dr. Mitchel V. Rodriguez of Odiongan Central School (Gingoog City); Cherry G. Vinluan of Guagua Elementary School (Guagua, Pampanga); and Rodel C. Sampang of Pedro Guevarra Elementary School (City of Manila).

Secondary competition winners are: Dominique J. Maquiran of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (Iloilo City); Dr. Maria Teresa M. Bautista of Bacnotan National High School (Bacnotan, La Union); Marcelo T. Otinguey of Ampusongan National High School (Bakun, Benguet); and Maria Lorna L. Garnace of Philippine Science High School, Eastern Visayas Campus (Palo, Leyte).

Meanwhile, Dr. Alfredo C. Robles Jr. of the De La Salle University (City of Manila) and Dr. Emilyn Q. Espiritu of the Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City) are the winners for the higher education competition.

A total of 367 teachers were nominated to this year’s Search. Nineteen of the regional finalists were then selected to become the national finalists.

The national finalists then faced the 2013 Final Board of Judges chaired by Sen. Aquilino Martin Pimentel III together with co-chairperson Supreme Court Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, vice-chairperson Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (Manila, 6th Dist.) and members Albay Governor Jose Ma. Clemente Salceda; Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairperson Teresita Manzala; Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O P; and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Rina Jimenez-David. 

This year’s outstanding teachers will be conferred with gold medallions and will also be presented with plaques and a cash prize amounting to P350,000 each. They will be presented together with the 2013 awardees of the COPS (Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service) and TOPS (The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers) in formal awarding on Sept. 5, as highlight of Metrobank’s 51st anniversary celebration.

Now on its 29th year, the Search honors the teaching profession, recognizing 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 has been 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.