𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: "Molding Minds, One Chalk at a Time: Commemorating the Outstanding Educators from Zamboanga City" by Kyla Joy M. Pontiga

 

Published by: Kristine Joyce Soriano

Date Published: October 15, 2024

Time Published: 7:02 AM

Knowledge, values, and skills. The three most valuable things we learn from the four corners of a classroom. Thought by different mentors with different methods but with one objective: to shape and lead us, the students, to a better future ahead of us.

Second parents? Second parents. The special people who we celebrate from September 5 to October 5 are the ones who taught us valuable lessons that we can apply in different aspects of our lives. With different mediums and tools, these teachers who we share many memories are full of empathy, creativity, and commitment shown with their amazing talks and writing with their chalks, which inspires their learners to pursue their dreams and to hopefully be successful as them someday. Just like the two mentors from Zamboanga City, Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon, who are committed to teaching, providing education for all students, and involving these youth in solving environmental problems faced by the community, further inspiring them to keep on learning and the future hope not just in their community but also in the whole nation.

However, these educators who put an endless amount of effort and expertise into every single lecture also have their way of sharing and gaining knowledge. In a time where innovation is constant and new modes of learning are continuously forming, these exemplary educators from Zamboanga City diversified education by engaging their students to be proud of their heritage and to take care of their environment. These unique approaches caused them to be awarded the prestigious 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Award. Who are these remarkable educators, and what are the stories and goals behind their educational approach and achievements?

THE BEACON OF HOPE FOR THE SAMA-BAJAU

Accessible education for marginalized people and to encourage students to take pride in their heritage is the vision of Ms. Ma. Ella F. Fabella for the Sama-Bajau learners. A Master Teacher II at Maasin Learning Center who engrossed herself in the lives of the Sama-Bajau 11 years ago, wherein she discerned the problems being faced by these marginalized people: the lack of access in education for the youth and the challenge in language mandated in the community. [1]

After recognizing the problem faced by the Sama-Bajau, she proposed her Project B.E.A.R. (Bajau Educational Activities and Recreation), wherein the aim is to boost the enrollment rate for the Bajau and to also engross these young learners in their own culture and to encourage them to take pride in their customs.

Ms. Fabella also saw the challenge in the language as the Chavacano, a language mandated in learning materials in Zamboanga, is a foreign one for the Bajaus. That is also why she proposed the Pantawid Tutorial Reading Program, wherein she collaborated with the parent leaders of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) to be the tutors for the Sama-Bajau learners in the said language.

Through these 2 innovative programs proposed by Ms. Fabella, the number of Sama-Bajau learners were increased from 27 to 102 students, marking the impact of the programs on the community. The academic performance was also enhanced as the learner's reading capabilities were improved. These remarkable changes also nourished the relationship between the school and the parents, as well as the community itself. [2]

She served as the beacon of hope for every Sama-Bajau youth as she enlightened their potentials and dreams through her different approaches, continuously inspiring them to persevere in learning despite all of the hindrances in life.

However, she is not the only one who influenced the Zamboangueño youth, as Mr. Apoyon encouraged everyone to resolve the environmental problems in their community.

THE INFLUENTIAL GREENDUCATION CULTIVATOR

An environmental education advocate for 11 years in Zamboanga Sibungay, Mr. Franco Rino C. Apoyon, also known as Sir Poy, cultivated students in his community to be environmentally aware with the help of the Greenducation or Green Education program. As he said in an interview, he believed that engrossing the youth in environmental problems is the key to creating a sustainable future.

Sir Poy's legacy towards environmental education does not only end with the Greenducation, as he also released different environmental storybooks and products, such as “Ang Paglalakbay ni Papa Gong: Tahanan sa Bakawan," which was based on the hard work of a group of fishermen led by Robert "Ka Dodoy" Ballon to protect their coastal wetland by coastal reforestation.

He also developed "Plantable Paper," which was made from waste papers to lessen the waste in their school and to lower the deforestation rate caused by it. These contributions solidified his impact in environmental education not only in Zamboanga but also in the whole nation while also inspiring every student to be involved in different issues and to help in resolving them. [3]

Through his contributions and impact in environmental education, Sir Poy was awarded by the Metrobank as one of the many Outstanding Filipinos alongside Ms. Fabella and different service workers of the nation.

THE RECOGNITION OF THE INFLUENTIAL EDUCATORS

Annually searching for influential individuals, The Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) has found Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon as one of the candidates for the Outstanding Filipinos recognition for this year, 2024.

MBFI's Outstanding Filipinos is also known as the most eminent career-service award in the nation. This award was given yearly to individuals that have shown their dedication and integrity in their chosen profession that gives service to the public and to the whole nation.

Some of the awardees were some of the excellent soldiers and policemen, namely Capt. Salvador Sambalilo, Staff Sgt. Michael Rayanon, and Lt. Col. Bryan Bernardino, who also served as great individuals and role models to everyone.

Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon, making a great impact in the basic education of the Filipino youth, were also one of the candidates for the award this year and were one of the many service workers who were awarded the honorary recognition. Securing their greatness in improving the education in the country one step at a time.

They were awarded this year with the theme "Beyond Excellence," showcasing the exemplary individuals who deepened the true definition of public service to everyone: the youth and the whole nation. [4]

Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon are some of the many remarkable mentors we have today. From being a great educator to being the guide of the students to a better future for themselves and also to the community and the environment.

With one chalk and one talk at a time, these educators continuously inspire us in every discussion and in every action that they do. An admirable people who truly deserve a celebration and commemoration for their sacrifices and hard work. Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon are exceptional teachers for their students and in their community. Just like them, who are your exceptional mentors who keep on inspiring you?

Their hard work reminds us to put all the values, knowledge, and skills that we learned from our mentors into achieving our dreams and being involved in our community. Just like Ms. Fabella and Mr. Apoyon's commitment, let us keep on learning and be the future hope of ourselves and our community.

REFERENCES:

[1] Two Zamboanga teachers recognized as 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos | Department of Education. (2024, September 7). https://www.deped.gov.ph/.../two-zamboanga-teachers.../

[2] Metrobank’s Outstanding Filipinos: Zamboanga City’s beacon of hope for the Sama-Bajau. (n.d.). https://insiderph.com/metrobanks-outstanding-filipinos...

[3] GreenDucation’, Hatid Ng Zamboanga Sibugay MBFI Teacher-Awardee | Department of Education. (2024, September 24). https://www.deped.gov.ph/.../%F0%9D%97%9A%F0%9D%97%BF%F0.../

[4] Philstar.com. (2024, August . Metrobank Foundation’s outstanding Filipinos revealed. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/.../metrobank-foundations...