A hope-giver, torch-bearer, and game changer!

Passion and excellence are often associated with Rex De Jesus Bibal. Despite poverty, he stood out and conquered all the struggles through his undying dream – to champion academic excellence and serve as an inspiration to Filipino learners.

Born in a small barrio in the province of Oriental Mindoro, which electrical supply could not reach, Teacher Rex saw how his parents struggled with farming just to send him and his six other siblings to school. He vowed to get out of this situation and make a difference by becoming a professional teacher.

Nothing stopped Teacher Rex from being faithful to his promise. He finished both elementary and secondary school as class valedictorian. Despite the pain of leaving his family, he went to Manila to pursue his college studies at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) with five scholarship grants. Moreover, he earned his certificate in Principles in Written English offered by the University California, Berkeley. Because of his dedication, PNU sent him to Iloilo as Erasmus Mundus exchange student scholar to share the university’s best practices.

Eventually, Teacher Rex finished Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) major in English degree as Magna Cum Laude. He was also the top graduate of the Faculty of Arts and Languages and DepEd-PBEd 1000 Teachers Programme.

Excited to advance his advocacy on excellence and values formation, Teacher Rex immediately worked as an English teacher in Calamba City Science High School after passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in 2015.

He may be unaware of what is in store for his future, but everyone is a witness that he always gives his best at all times.

“He’s really an impressive teacher. He does not only focus on excellence but on character formation as well. He’s our idol!,” Bhea Aquino, a student of Teacher Rex said.

In just four years of service, Teacher Rex has already accomplished commendable contributions that yield significant impact to the learners, to himself, and to community.

Teacher Rex has proposed and launched programs and projects that bolster reading, speaking, and general academic performance of the learners. He has been a winning coach in journalism, speech and debate competitions while serving as a teacher-librarian, English Area and Reading Coordinator, school paper adviser and Faculty Association President. He continues to excel in his field as a resource speaker, program host, modules and tests writer, learner materials validator, and organizer of various outreach programs.

With all of these feat, Teacher Rex emerged as the 2018 Most Outstanding Teacher in DepEd Division of Calamba City.

“As a co-teacher, he really amazes me. He is so smart, versatile, and innovative. I can’t think of a talent he doesn’t have. [He’s] almost a superman,” Suzanne Salom shared.

Recently, the outstanding teacher was hailed as the City’s 2019 Most Outstanding Young Professional, and he is up to clutch another milestone as he was nominated to the 2019 Gawad Patnugot Most Outstanding Teacher in CALABARZON.

Teacher Rex gained these recognitions while obtaining his Master in Education degree, being a husband to a fellow teacher and a father to an eight-month-old daughter. Truly, he is worthy of admiration and emulation.

Teacher Rex can be considered a doctor who cures ignorance, a sculptor who carves the youth’s future, a researcher who constantly identifies the problem of society and takes actions, a businessman who sacrifices his life for a profit that will remain forever—the success of his children. Most importantly, he is a teacher who aims to never let anyone be left behind.

“Ako ay gurong hindi nagtuturo upang mabuhay. Ako’y gurong nabubuhay upang magturo,” Teacher Rex stated.

Bestowed with medals and certificates, Teacher Rex keeps his feet on the ground and extends a helping hand to those in need. He is not just a teacher—he is a kind of teacher every Filipino learner deserves. Indeed, a game changer.

END

By: Imee Paguio-Aldea
Principal 1
Calamba City Science High School
SDO Calamba City
Region IV-A CALABARZON