DepEd hails 4 teachers in bank’s outstanding Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are proud of their teachers who made it to Metrobank Foundation’s Ten Outstanding Filipino Awardees for 2018.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said such recognition was testament to the teachers’ dedication and commitment in their mission to mold the next generation.

“The triumph of our four awardees is the triumph of the 700,000 other teachers from all over the country who selflessly embrace the noble mission to nurture and raise holistically developed and lifelong learners,” Briones said.  

The teacher-awardees are Mary Jane Ramo, Master Teacher II of Tonggo Elementary School (Tudela, Misamis Occidental); Alma Janagap, EdD, Master Teacher II of Pavia National High School (Pavia, Iloilo); Aimee Marie Gragasin, PhD, Special Science Teacher V, Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley Campus (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya); and Carla Dimalanta, PhD, Professor 10, University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon City).

Dela Peña, for his part, said that Gragasin deserved the Metrobank award for her dedication as a mentor for the past 25 years. The Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley campus is under the DOST-PSHS System.

“She is indeed an outstanding teacher in our Philippine Science High School System putting forth her very best to ensure that our students get the best education in science,” the DOST chief said.

Gragasin, from a family of teachers, is known as Nueva Vizcaya’s science education innovator. She pioneered the annual Summer Internship Program, which gives junior students a preview of the research field, and exposes them to the realities and intricacies of science application in the country. She also devised a series of year-round educational sessions for her co-faculty members. 

Misamis Occidental’s culture and environment heroine Ramo focused on the promotion of indigenous people (IP)’s education, and was dubbed as an “honorary Subanen” after her efforts brought back the locals’ self-worth and adoration for their native culture. She is also an advocate of environmental protection in her immediate community.  

Janagap, Iloilo’s literacy crusader, chose to remain a classroom teacher instead of applying for administrative and supervisory positions. She fostered a culture of reading in the school, and held reading sessions for students struggling with regular academic load. Her Reading Clinic, which she equipped with books and multimedia materials, served as her legacy, and was replicated by various schools in Iloilo. 

“I will not trade being a teacher for anything else. Knowing that my students lead empowered lives anchored on moral values gives me real pride and joy,” she said.  

Finally, Dimalanta is the only female Exploration Geophysicist with a doctoral degree in the country. Her work delves in intensive information and education campaign, and promoting the appreciation of this highly technical branch of science. Her work on climate change and disaster risk reduction is integrated into UP’s General Education courses. 

The teachers each received a cash prize of P1 million net of tax, a gold medallion and trophy.