Teaching in the middle of a pandemic is no easy feat, but three teachers from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) continued to level up and inspire teaching excellence in the 5th Cleofe M. Bacungan Natatanging Guro Awards ceremony (CMB NGA) held online last November 19, 2021.
This year, the CMB Natatanging Guro awardees are Kristine Joy Aguila of the PSHS Main Campus (Humanities and Social Sciences category); Ronna Magto of the PSHS Western Mindanao Campus (Mathematics and Computer Science category); and Erika Eunice Salvador of the PSHS Western Visayas Campus (Natural Sciences category).
The CMB Natatanging Guro Awards aim to help maintain the high teaching excellence in the PSHS to shape globally competitive Filipino scientists equipped with 21st century skills.
The keynote message was delivered by Vice President Leni Robredo, who thanked the PSHS faculty and expressed her appreciation for all their extra effort in developing the country’s next professionals and leaders in science and technology despite the challenging pandemic situation.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sakripisyo ninyo para sa kabataan at para sa bayan. Bilang dating guro, alam ko yung bigat ng responsibilidad na hubugin ang values at thought processes ng susunod na henerasyon. Kaya saludo ako sa bawat isa sa inyo,” the Vice President said.
“This responsibility takes on even more gravity as we face the greatest challenge of our time. Edukasyon ang isa sa mga pinaka apektadong sektor at hanggang ngayon patuloy ang pag-aadjust natin sa online classes at modular learning,” Robredo added.
Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena of the Department of Science and Technology also congratulated the awardees, highlighting the critical role of teachers in social growth.
He emphasized that the awardees performed beyond the minimum requirements of their duties and met the standards of the CMB Natatanging Guro Awards.
This made the Philippine Science High School the “home of exceptional teachers who are our engineers of learning, our advocates of critical thinking, and our partners in creating a new breed of Filipinos who will create a positive impact on our country,” said Dela Pena.
Bayer Philippines Inc., a global life science company and CMB Natatanging Guro Awards event partner this year, expressed appreciation for the PSHS teachers and the importance of supporting science education.
“Bayer is here with the Philippine Science High School in support of science – to appreciate the teachers who are developing this country’s scientific talent,” said Angel-Michael Evangelista, Managing Director and Country Division Head for Pharmaceuticals at Bayer Philippines.
“We look forward to collaborating more with the Philippine Science High School in the future because our country needs your scientific talent now more than ever. In the face of so many challenges like food security, climate change, and this pandemic – the world needs us to make science for a better life,” he added.
Inspiring excellence in teaching the CMB Natatanging Guro Awards is the flagship program of the Cleofe M. Bacuñgan Natatanging Guro Endowment Fund instituted by PSHS Alumni Batch 1982 in 2007. It has since evolved into tripartite endeavor of the PSHS System; the PSHS National Alumni Association and the PSHS Foundation, Inc.
The CMB Natatanging Guro Awards are open every three years to all PSHS faculty in its campuses across the country. It aims to help maintain high teaching excellence in the PSHS. This is key to producing globally competitive Filipino scientists equipped with 21st century skills guided by core values of truth, excellence, and service to the nation.
The Awards are given to outstanding teachers in the following categories: Natural Sciences; Mathematics and Computer Science and Humanities. Criteria for selection are Teaching Effectiveness; Research and Creative Work; Academic Background and Professional Development; and Administrative and Extension Work.
The winning Natatanging Guros are awarded P50,000 and given the CMB Natatanging Guro trophy. This year’s awarding ceremony was held virtually and streamed live over the PSHS Facebook Page and on YouTube.