EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara honored two public school educators at the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos awards on Friday, praising their transformative leadership and compassionate service in basic education.
Angara co-presented the awards alongside Metrobank senior management, emphasizing the vital role teachers play in shaping both individual lives and broader communities.
“Ang ating mga guro ang puso at pundasyon ng ating sistema ng edukasyon,” Angara stated, aligning the recognition with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize teacher welfare and improve basic education nationwide.
The awardees were selected following a rigorous nationwide search that evaluated their exceptional service, community impact, and dedication to innovative instruction.
Dr. Emmanuel D. Guarde, a Master Teacher III from Cornelio Lintawagin Memorial Elementary School in Oriental Mindoro and a member of the Alangan Mangyan indigenous community, was recognized for his 17-year effort to advance culture-based education.
Guarde developed localized learning resources, helped establish a primary school with solar facilities in remote Sitio Begnay, and created functional literacy and vocational programs for parents to support community-wide empowerment.
Engr. Sheila Marie M. Amigo, a Master Teacher I and licensed electrical engineer at Siay National High School in Zamboanga Sibugay, was honored for revolutionizing Physics education.
Through her initiative called DULA (Dynamic Utilization of Learning by Amusement), Amigo utilized low-cost, hands-on learning tools to make Science accessible.
Her approach dramatically improved student test averages from 22.67% to 70.40% and led to the creation of community-based learning spaces in local barangays.
Reaffirming the Department of Education’s commitment to expanding teacher welfare and professional development, Angara celebrated the educators as steady beacons of hope and innovation across the country.
Alongside the basic education teachers, the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program recognized eight other public servants, including two higher education professors, three military officers, and three police officers.
Each awardee received a ₱1-million cash prize, the Metrobank Foundation “Flame” trophy, and a Medallion of Excellence for their contributions to nation-building.
