Uplifting a nation, one student at a time

MANILA, Philippines - Bato Balani Foundation Inc. (BBFI) believes that Filipino educators, in whose hands our nation’s youth are molded, are heroes who must not be left unsung. Each year, BBFI holds The Many Faces of the Teacher search in partnership with Diwa Learning Systems Inc. (DLSI) to honor outstanding educators who have enriched the lives of their students and their communities.

The advocacy campaign seeks to uplift and recognize the relentless efforts of our Filipino educators and the role they play in shaping the fate of our nation through our youth. After a nationwide search, five educators were chosen for their unwavering academic excellence and passion to serve others.

Five inspirational lives to inspire countless others.

Serving as the lone teacher of Mataas Elementary School in Bacaycay, an island municipality in Albay, for 12 years was no mean feat for Efren Bino. As a main lander, Bino used to take forty minute boat rides to get to the school. When boat fare became too much for Bino’s meager salary to cover, Bino decided to stay in Bacaycay permanently, teaching multi-grade levels while serving as the school’s principal, property custodian and security guard.

In 2006, Bacaycay and the rest of the Bicol region was ravaged by typhoon Reming, leaving the island without electricity and water for two years. “When the typhoon struck, my first thought was: I hope the school is spared,” says Bino. “I was determined to find a way to help the barangay get back on its feet.” Bino searched for sponsors and NGOs who would help rehabilitate the barangay. His efforts paid off. In 2008, an NGO donated a two-classroom school building in Mataas and extended various rehabilitation projects in the barangay. Electricity was restored in early 2009.

His dedication is a source of pride for the community he serves, and many of his students have gone to college because of the inspiring example he sets for them.

“When I was diagnosed with Macula Dystophy, I was told I’d slowly go blind,” says Ma. Cristina Medina of Laguna Resettlement Community School in San Pedro, Laguna. “Though I was saddened, I was convinced that any impairment can become a blessing.” Medina now teaches Special Education (SPED) classes to visually impaired students as well as students with other learning difficulties. She also teaches regular classes by employing a Braille seat plan in her classes, memorizing her students’ names and associating these with their distinct voices.

In 2005, Medina won the Best New Program Implementer Award from the Christoffel Blindenmission International/Onenet/ DepEd/RBI for her work with visually-impaired students. Recently, Medina also won the Inspiring Women of the Year Award from Go Negosyo and the Philippine Commission on Women and the Unilever Empowered Woman of the Year for her various efforts to uplift the differently-abled.

Medina feels that her impairment has not hindered her mission in life. “Teaching is my calling and I will continue to heed that call,” says Medina. “Today I am thankful, not for the loss of sight, but for the opportunity it gave me to become a better teacher”.

If Ambeth Ocampo had his way, drowsy history students would become obsolete. Ocampo, a historian and educator is bent on making history classes as engaging and as lively as possible by using creative presentations and historical trivia. “History should be exciting,” says Ocampo. “It is not just a bunch of dates. It is a record of the exhilarating events that shaped our nation.” Ocampo has taught at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University and many of his students enjoy his entertaining lessons.

Ocampo has received numerous awards. Among these are the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for History in 1997, the Gawad Balagtas Lifetime Achievement Award (Essay) from the Writers Union of the Philippines and the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award in 2006, the Gatpuno Villegas Award/Patnubay ng Sining from the City of Manila for Culture in 2007 and the Commander in the Order of the Knights of Rizal.

He has also received the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres from the Republic of France for his contributions to the arts and letters as writer, academic and cultural administrator, and for his support of cultural exchange between the Philippines and France. As chairman of the National Historical Institute, Ocampo has made it his mission to safeguard our heritage and deepen our youth’s appreciation of it as well.

Zoilo Pinongcos Jr. of Leganes National High School in Iloilo has two vocations: teaching and ministering. He has been teaching for 24 years while serving his community as a lay minister. A certified Intel Teach National Trainer, Pinongcos conducts ICT-readiness training courses in collaboration with Intel for teachers from all over the country. The courses emphasize student-centered instruction, critical thinking and collaboration.

Though Pinongcos has received various citations and awards for his exemplary work in improving Math and ICT education in Iloilo, he believes there is still so much to do to help students and co-teachers excel and achieve. “We have to keep learning, technological advancements never stop and as such, teachers need to get ‘upgrades’ to utilize these advancements,” adds Pingongcos.

“I never believed poverty was a hindrance to education,” shares Donald Dungog. “And I want my students to see poverty as something that spurs them on.” Dungog, who teaches Math and ICT at the Science and Technology Education Center in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu is a true product of “sipag at tiyaga” (hard work and persistence). A scholar from elementary school through college, Dungog says beyond teaching academics, his job as an educator is to mold his students’ characters.

Dungog developed the E-driven Learning project, challenging his students to solve common problems in his community with their mathematical skills.

He also works with the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), spearheading the application of the Understanding by Design (UBD) approach in STEC. Dungog also led STEC’s robotics team, which placed both in the Philippine Robotics Olympics and the World Robotic Olympics in Korea.

The final set of honorees for this year’s The Many Faces of the Teacher campaign were recognized during the annual A Tribute to Teachers event, held at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu on Sept. 25, 2010.