Clubmates Meet Again for the Awarding Ceremony of MOST 2017

RCMD kicked off the summer season last April 5 as we marked it as a day of celebration, recognizing our educators, the men and women, who participated in this year’s Search for the Most Outstanding School Teacher (MOST).  MOST has been running for the past 21 years as one of RCMD’s flagship programs, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in education, one of its key focus areas.

All Star Pres. JP de la Vega set the tone of the program by acknowledging key projects and key Rotarians who have been spearheading them. 

• PP Joji Tan was highly praised for the recent success of the DISCON with a Lea Salonga concert held at the PICC last March 27 and 28.  This overwhelming feat was attributable to PP Joji’s leadership and to the collective support she received from RCMD.
   
• PP Dada and PP Juor’s mobilization of the visit to the Chosen Children’s Village brought in a record breaking P110,000.00 in donations to support the institution and the children in that institution.
   
•  Directors Conrad and Elmer rallied the RCMDers to promote and participate in the Golf Tournament to be held on May 12.  The proceeds of this event will go to the construction of a water system and bathrooms for the Bagbag Elementary School in Rosario, Cavite.
   
• Pres. JP de la Vega excited the group by announcing the launch of RCMD’s new website and e-newsletter.

As the program was an event for our educators, we invited PDG Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. to deliver the keynote address.  PDG Sonny served under the presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III as a member of the Philippine Cabinet and as the Secretary of Presidential Communications Office.  He is a professor under the Asian Institute of Management and is known as District 3810’s Past District Governor.  In his speech, he regaled the teachers and shared that the educator has key roles – He is a communicator.  He is a character builder.  He is a cheer leader.  He also left us with a memorable mantra: -- I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad you are here.  I know that I know that I know.  I care for you.

We moved on with the program where we asked our MOST Technical Adviser, PN Ivy, to share what transpired in this year’s Search for the Most Outstanding School Teacher and what we are looking forward to in the coming year.  According to PN Ivy, “this rotary year 2016-2017, RCMD focused the search on the teachers’ capability to enhance knowledge through Academic Research.”  Among the ten (10) public schools in Makati, six (6) schools participated and submitted their research papers.  The teachers were ably supported by their respective school principals and were endorsed by the Department of Education in Makati through the office of the Superintendent Dominico Idanan. 

The papers were evaluated based on four (4) criteria:  1) Context of the study, 2) Description on the methods of the study, 3) Identification of the procedures of the study, and 4) Presentation of the probable next steps. The panel of judges was led by past officer and board member of RCMD, Dr. Nitz Habulan. Dr. Nitz is a professor in the Doctoral Program of De La Salle University and an author of the book in educational technology entitled “Pedagogical Foundations in Educational Technology.”  With her in the panel are Hon. Paz Lucido, Ph.D., Vice Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Professional Teachers, and Dr. Patt Lontoc, Professor from the Asian Institute of Management and a Past President of RCMD.

PN Ivy enthusiastically announced that the thrust in the next rotary year is to search for the Most Outstanding School Teacher with the capability to enhance knowledge through Academic Research. To achieve this, she said that RCMD “shall provide you [the teachers] with skills training not only on communication, presentation and writing, but also on Writing Academic Research.”  This was met with a thunderous applause from the audience, but most especially from the teachers and school officials present.  PN Ivy ended by saying, “Our hope is that in our own little way, we in RCMD, may be able to inspire you, our dear teachers and school administrators, to not only be producers of future leaders but also to be producers of knowledge.”

The winners are as follows:

1st Place
May Corpin of San Antonio High School
who was with Divinelinda dela Cruz, Principal

2nd Place
Maritess Olanda of Fort Bonifacio High School

3rd Place
Marissa Razon of Makati Science High School

Finalists

• Ullyses Bert Vasquez of Bangkal High School
• Joy Amarante of Makati High School
• Leo John Busito of San Isidro National High School

On behalf of RCMD, we congratulate the MOST Committee for their commitment and dedication in bringing education at the forefront of the focus of RCMD’s key focus areas.  They are:  Chair Anabelle Ng, Deputy Chair Diane Zoleta, Technical Adviser PN Ivy Samson, and members Pres. JP dela Vega, PP Winston Yang, PP Jun Turla, Rtn Lulu Jorge, Dir. Conrad Banal, Dir. Gerb Ignacio, Dir. Coco Quisimbing, Rtn Mykke Abcede, Rtn Trichie de Vera, OP Team Queenie, KM, and Ash.  We thank Dr. Elmer Ngo for his kindness in contributing the ampao for the winning teachers.

We are grateful to Hindustan and Consolidated Paper Products, Inc. for their generosity in sponsoring, not only the Awarding event, but for supporting this year’s Search for the Most Outstanding Teacher.

Article by Rtn. Trichie de Vera