The fourth and former Cebu Normal University (CNU) State Universities and Colleges (SUC) President III, Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, CESE, was awarded the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award (OPYA) in the field of Professional Teachers for the year 2022 by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last June 21, 2022.

According to the PRC, the OPYA is the highest award bestowed by the Commission upon a professional who has satisfactorily performed professionalism of the fullest caliber and has undertaken oneself with authenticity in the exercise of their profession as recommended by the awardee’s peers.

Furthermore, extending the reputation for competence and excellence, Dayagbil was also recognized as one of 2022’s Most Inspiring Teachers (MITs) in the Philippines by the Saceda Youth Lead (SYL) School last June 26, 2022.

Dave Saceda, the chairperson and founder of SYL School, revealed on his Facebook page that hundreds of nominees were screened for almost six months and yet only 28 awardees were chosen.

In an interview with Ang Suga, Dayagbil shared that it takes unwavering commitment, passion, and love for the teaching profession to be recognized in such awards. Hence, it touched and humbled her heart knowing that she was recognized as an educator who inspires youngsters.

“When you love teaching, you love the end-all and the be-all of teaching—the ‘welfare of the students’, and you aspire to make them learn and inspire them to become better versions of themselves,” she said. She then left heartwarming advice for future educators and educators who have just started to inspire students to “love your work, love your students, and nurture the essence of the teaching profession which is service above personal gains.”

The bestowment of the 2022 OPYA will be held on July 29, 2022, via a “new normal” setup while this year’s MIT awardees will be formally proclaimed in a Formation Training and Formal Awarding Ceremony on August 4-6, 2022 in Dumaguete City. §

Words by Sweety Mae Berandez
Photo grabbed from CNU’S Facebook page