Two public school teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd) were chosen as among the ten awardees of the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

Lou Sabrina Ongkiko, a Master Teacher 1 in Culiat Elementary School and Jason Albaro, a Teacher 3 in Muntinlupa National High School were among this year’s awardees for going beyond excellence in the field of basic education.

The two public school teachers from the National Capital Region (NCR) will be recognized for their excellent contributions to STEM education, innovative learner programs, and significant impact on their communities.

In a statement issued Friday, Aug. 12, Education Secretary Leonor Briones congratulated Ongkiko and Albaro for being the “faces of educators that we need today—innovative, adaptable, responsive to students’ needs, and ready to effect positive change to the society.”

Outstanding teachers

Dubbed as Quezon City’s “Transformative Educator,” Ongkiko led the planning and implementation of the learning continuity program in her school during the pandemic and helped ensure its stability through the conduct of Facebook Messenger classes, strengthening learner mapping and community support.

“At dahil hindi tumitigil ang mga batang mangarap kahit na pandemic at dahil may batang gustong matuto, nandito po tayo at magpapatuloy po tayo. Kaya po natin ito (And because children do not stop dreaming even in a pandemic and because there is a child who wants to learn, we are here and we will continue. We can do this), she said.

Albaro, on the other hand, has been named as Muntinlupa City’s “Global Science Educator.” He serves as the Program Director of the “I DID IT! (Invention Driven Instructional Design and Innovation Transfer)” program, which adopts invention education that balances formal instruction with progressive learning experiences for learners.

“My advice to my fellows in the science community is to always seek solutions, always provide actions, and promote selflessness in serving people beyond the adversities that we are experiencing,” Albaro said.

Completing the recipients of the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos are University of Santo Tomas Professor Maria Minerva Calimag, University of the Philippines Manila Professor Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, Philippine Air Force’s TSgt. Jake Belino and Col. Augusto Padua, Philippine Army’s Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, Bogo City Police Community Relations Officer P/SMSgt. Mary Joy Ylanan, Talisay City Police Chief P/Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, and Police Regional Office 6’s P/Lt. Col. Jonathan Pablito.

Each winner will receive a P1 million as cash reward, a golden medallion, and “The Flame” trophy at the formal conferment ceremonies set on Sept. 2 as part of Metrobank’s 59th Founding Anniversary celebration.