9. Estrelita Peña
"I am an unknown teacher from the distant province of Zamboanga Sibugay. (The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher award) serves as an inspiration to my colleagues that despite our distance, we still have an opportunity for our efforts to be recognized," Estrelita Peña says in a Manila Times report. Photo from Metrobank Foundation, Inc.
Braving possible abduction by secessionist groups according to Inquirer.net, Estrelita Peña has sought to help out Sardos (Students at Risk of Dropping Out) in Kabalasan, Zamboanga. She founded the Sagip-a-Student Drop-Out Reduction Advocacy Association Inc., which has helped over 600 Sardos finish high school. At the Kabalasan National High School, where she has taught English for 12 years, the dropout rate has gone down from 7.25 percent to 3.5 percent, according to Inquirer.net. Peña recently received the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers award, which she hopes could help her build a dormitory and learning center for Sardos.
10. Mercelita Labial
Mercelita Labial was named one of the Outstanding Teachers of 2010 by the Metrobank Foundation. Photo from Metrobank Foundation, Inc.
One of the 2010 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers awardees, Mercelita Labial spearheads the Literacy Program for the Advancement of DSWD Girls (Lipad) in Cagayan de Oro City, according to Inquirer.net. Lipad teaches literacy and communication skills to victims of rape and abandonment, among others. At the same time, the program aims to increase the self-worth of the girls who survived different kinds of abuse.
Labial has taught English and literature at the Xavier University High School for 16 years, sometimes meeting her students virtually through e-groups and social networking sites. She also helps teachers from indigenous groups in Bukidnon attend training workshops for free.
SPOT.ph wants to know: Know any more teachers that have inspired you?
Artwork by Warren Espejo. Photos from Metrobank Foundation, Inc. , PhilStar.com, A Tribute to Teachers and StarTeacher.ph. To subscribe to Star Teacher, log on to StarTeacher.ph and call 889-8135 or 0917-8818740.
