Calbayog City Ma’am is one of this year’s Ten Outstanding Teachers

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 2, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento of Calbayog City has several reasons to smile these days. He is ably stirring Calbayog towards development and excellence that makes Calbayog in the limelight not only in the Region but nationwide as well.

There is no stopping Calbayog into achieving the Dream City status with Mayor Sarmiento at the helm. Encouraging participatory governance, the City’s Farmers Association was accorded the Gawad Saka Award which is a shining proof of the importance of partnership between the government and the private sector to achieve the desired goal of the city.

The latest reason for Mayor Sarmiento to beam with pride and satisfaction is the inclusion of  Ms. Isabel S. Eman of the San Policarpo National High School in Calbayog City, as one of the ten Outstanding Teachers of 2006.

Ms. Eman is the first awardee from San Policarpo National High School where she has been teaching English for almost thirty years.

Amidst the current state of the Philippine’s educational system, it is refreshing to know that there is in the Region, particularly in Calbayog City, one teacher who stands as a shining legacy of the most noble profession ever.

Ms. Eman is one of the three awardees in the secondary level, the other two being Olivia E. Caling, 3rd awardee from Ramon Magsaysay High School in Espana, Manila who specializes in General Science and is teaching first year students; and Gelly E. Alkuimo, 1st awardee from Irineo L. Santiago National High School of Metro Dadiangas in General Santos City. She has been teaching Araling Panlipunan for almost 18 years in 2nd year level.

President Arroyo honored the 10 Outstanding Teachers of 2006 by personally conferring on them the symbolic gold medallions for serving as models of excellence in the teaching profession.

The ten awardees each received P250,000.00 and a trophy while their respective schools were given a plaque of recognition and financial assistance for faculty development.

The Search for Outstanding Teachers is an annual nationwide program for exemplary role being undertaken by the Metrobank Foundation in coordination with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education.

This year’s search, chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, chose the awardees for their personal integrity, character, instructional competence and professional and community involvement that made them stand out from hundreds of equally qualified nominees.

The awardees for the elementary level are Ruth A. Lebes-Gelvezon of West Visayas State University in Iloilo City who has been teaching science for 17 years; Evelyn M. Kimpo, 1st awardee from Banga Elementary School in Banga, Aklan where she teaches English for Grade VI pupils and has been teaching for almost 38 years; Editha R. Banguilan, 1st awardee from Cabagan Science Elementary School in Cabagan. Isabela where she is teaching Mathematics for the Grade 1 pupils; and, Ofelia L. Lonoza, 1st awardee from Lucena North I Elementary School in Lucena City who has been teaching Filipino for almost 40 years.