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October 21, 2021 – For his valuable contributions in promoting Filipino and indigenous languages through education, research, and community engagements, a public high school teacher from Isabela was hailed among the five awardees of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Ulirang Guro sa Filipino 2021.

In a virtual ceremony held last October 4, Mr. Mark-jhon R. Prestoza, a Filipino teacher from Quirino National High School of Isabela, was recognized by KWF along with other Filipino teachers in higher education institutions.

“Isang malaking karangalan ang pagkilalang ito sa buong buhay ko, hindi lamang dahil sa medalyon at sertipiko, bagkus para sa mas malaki pang responsibilidad at gampaning nakaatang sa aking balikat na isulong, pagyamanin, at kilalanin ang wikang Pambansa at ang mga wika ng Pilipinas sa pedestal ng kaunlaran,” Mr. Prestoza said during his speech.

Mr. Prestoza is currently taking Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education-Filipino in Isabela State University, where he also earned the degree Master of Arts in Education major in Filipino.

He also served as an author and editor of learning resource materials for Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in SDO Isabela. Furthermore, his research papers are published in Saringkit Journal of the Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) Curriculum Implementation Division.

“I congratulate Mr. Prestoza for his efforts in advancing the Filipino language in basic education especially in the creation of self-learning modules which are crucial in learning delivery. May he serve as an inspiration for other educators in championing the importance of using our language in the academe,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones noted.

Completing the recipients of the KWF Ulirang Guro sa Filipino 2021 awardees are Dr. Romeo Peña of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Quijano of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Dr. Rowell Madula of De La Salle University, and Dr. Voltaire Villanueva of Philippine Normal University.

KWF’s Ulirang Guro sa Filipino is the agency’s initiative to celebrate World Teacher’s Day. It aims to recognize exceptional Filipino teachers who contributed outstanding research and initiatives that promote Filipino and/or regional languages and culture.

Meanwhile, KWF Chair Arthur Casanova commend the awardees in his opening remarks, pointing out that they are role models in teaching Filipino.

“Inaasahan ko po na simula ngayon ay maging katuwang kayo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino sa pagpapalaganap sa mga pananaliksik, sa pagpapayaman ng ating wikang pambansang Filipino. Mabuhay kayong lahat, sana ay dumami pa ang mga katulad ninyong mahuhusay, modelo, [at] ulirang guro sa Filipino,” Chair Casanova added.

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