Edgar Tolentino Elago, an award-winning teacher of the Department of Education (DepEd), is among the seven The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) honorees for 2020.
Elago, who holds a Master Teacher 1 position, is from Agusan del Norte in Caraga region.
He is the honoree for Community Development/Education in the 2020 TOYM organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, together with The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Foundation, the Gerry Roxas Foundation and Advantage Management Consulting Philippines Inc.
Elago earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education from Caraga State University and his Master of Arts in Education Major in Educational Management from Saint Joseph Institute of Technology.
He also has a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Education from Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.
For over a decade now, Elago has constantly been looking for ways to extend his art and culture advocacy beyond the classroom and into the larger community.
Early on, he formulated culture-based instructional materials, mentored students in various cultural competitions and helped scholars continue their college education.
In order to foster this love for Filipino art and culture among students and teachers nationwide, Elago authored a comprehensive action research on cultural awareness as part of his scholarship under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The resulting framework - comprised of culture-based lesson modules and localized instructional materials - now serves as a guideline for other teachers to utilize.
Aside from his advocacy for culture and arts, Elago is also a staunch advocate of accessible education for all. In 2011, he developed “Project Scholar” which is an initiative that aims to help high school graduates who come from poor households to continue their college education.
Under this project, Elago took it upon himself to facilitate the students’ college applications and help them look for scholarships, using his own resources and meager salary.
Over the years, Elago’s efforts have benefited numerous scholars—ranging from indigenous peoples, out-of-school-youth, former drug addicts, and children in conflict with the law—significantly reducing incidences of early marriages, drug addiction, and other forms of crimes among these youth.
Due to his achievements and contribution to communities, Elago was among the four teachers included in the 2017 Outstanding Filipinos awarded by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI).
He was also the recipient of the 2017 National Outstanding Teacher in Performing Arts (National Level) from the Philippine Arts and Culture Educators Society (PACES).
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin in 2018, Elago underscored the crucial role of teachers in molding the Filipino youth.
Despite the challenges in the public school system, he believes that every teacher can find a positive way to change the community through education.
“I believe that our problems can be solved through education,” he said.
While teaching in public school remains a challenge due to shortages in some basic education resources, Elago believes that as an educator and as a model in the society, teachers should always “exert effort for them to be more excellent in their profession” so they can give back and contribute to their communities.
The 2020 TOYM theme was “Pilipino: Tagumpay Natin ang Galing Mo” to recognize individuals who are “true models of exceptional young Filipinos worth emulating by the young generation and the nation in general.”