President Arroyo will award the 10 outstanding teachers of the Metrobank Foundation today.
A Palace statement said Mrs. Arroyo will present a trophy and a cash prize of P300,000 to each of the teachers at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium to mark Metrobank’s 46th anniversary on Sept. 5.
The awardees are grade school teachers Jesusa Antiquiera, Lynn Padillo, Maydelyn Antioquia and Maria Theresse Bagas; high school teachers Rowena Hilbanada, Ermie Rabara, Jeanette Dials and Noei Obcena, and doctors Irma Makalinao and Virginia Cuevas.
The elementary level winners were cited for their civic and volunteer work on education as well as poverty reduction and environmental protection.
Jesusa Antiquiera of P. Gomez Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Manila has been a strong advocate of the “Kilusang Makapagbasa,” a school project that equips parents with skills to teach their children how to read.
Maydelyn R. Antioquia of President Manuel Roxas Memorial School North in Roxas City was cited for her support to the Christian Family Movement for aiding families stricken by calamities in the province.
Marie Bagas of West City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City was cited for heading the health and sanitation committee of their homeowners’ association, working to improve the living conditions of residents in the newly developing area.
“This year’s winners will join the ranks of 266 outstanding teachers who have been honored by the Foundation for the last 24 years,” the Palace statement said.
“They automatically become members of the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators or NOTED, an honor society of outstanding teachers committed to nurturing a culture of excellence and service among educators through professional development, publication, research, and advocacy in active partnership with government and non-government organizations.”
Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies.
Over the last 29 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and the College Scholarship Program.
The foundation also has a grants program that assists NGO and the government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts.
Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents a wellspring of hope in the future of our nation.
“The Search for Outstanding Teachers represents the Foundation’s commitment to promote a culture of excellence in education by recognizing the country’s best mentors who can be upheld as models not only for educators but for other community members as well,” The Palace statement said.
“More than 200 exemplary elementary, high school, and college teachers from all over the country have so far been awarded since its launching in 1985.”
”The President, together with Metro-bank and Metrobank Foundation, believe that by recognizing outstanding qualities and contributions of teachers, countless other teachers all over the country can be inspired to achieve excellence in the teaching profession.” – Paolo Romero