She is strong. She is invincible. She possesses a kind heart. She has a nurturing hand. She is a "Gintong Ilawan" awardee—the super principal of students’ everyday lives.

Being a superhero that has battled schoolyard bad guys or ensnared neighborhood villains with her innate superpowers plus the insurmountable feats to maintain her school and student’s well being, it is such dismay that most of her efforts are often unrecognized.

EMPOWERED, EVOLVING, INNOVATIVE. The "Gintong Ilawan" awardees are recognized for accepting the challenge to mold young minds of Filipinos.

According to Avon head of Corporate Communications Louie Migne, the program seeks to uplift the quality of education in the country by motivating female educators to strive for excellence in their profession. "As the challenges these educators face become more daunting, more and more of them are rising above their situations and emerging victorious despite the seemingly insurmountable difficulties and challenges, that’s why we want to recognize them," she shares.

Still, according to her, this year marks a turning point to this special project. "Over the years, the program has been honoring only one outstanding female educator," she says. "But this year, we decided to honor 10 outstanding female educators because of their dedication and commitment to the noble cause of education no matter what the cost is."

Apart from receiving such well-deserved accolade, each of the 10 outstanding female principals from private elementary schools received a prize package that includes undergoing a three-day special management course called "Principal School Management Program" (PRISM) at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), cash prize of R50,000.00, a medallion of excellence and study grant courtesy of DepEd and a sculpture by renowned artist, Dr. Ton Raymundo.

According to AIM professor Milagros Lagrosa, it is noteworthy to commend the enthusiasm and passion of today’s educators despite the challenges they face brought by the turbulence of the 21st century. "This year’s winners share the common goal of modernizing the country’s educational system, while instilling the joy of learning and the passion for excellence in every graduate," she says. "And with the rapid changes and increasing competitiveness brought about by globalization, today’s younger generations are truly fortunate to be mentored by such innovative, idealistic, and inspiring educators."

No one can be more honest, reliable, and efficient than the school’s mistress. Despite the drastic changes brought by globalization and technological innovation, this year’s Gintong Ilawan awardees did not falter to be the perfect examples of a real life super heroine.

As the keynote speaker of the awarding ceremonies, DepEd Acting Secretary Fe Hildalgo reiterated the importance of commending the professional women in the field of education. "In many ways, the school principal is the most important and most influential individual in any school," she says. "It is the principal’s passion that sets the tone of the school, the climate for learning, the level of professionalism, and what the students may and may not become."

Among the 29 entries, the 10 awardees emerged victorious for unveiling different facets of being an educator through their notable contribution to their field.

First in the outstanding roster is Georgina Alipio from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Establishing "Little Flower Children’s Home Foundation" in La Trinidad, Benguet, Alipio has been instrumental to the blooming of the town from a small farming community to a fast-growing urban center as she fulfills her mission to help the children of La Trinidad to adjust to a new way of life while imparting the importance of traditional values and culture.

Being a distinguished scholar and administrator, Dr. Anicia Alvarez from Region 9 strengthens her reputation for spearheading educational reforms by adapting Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 21st century education principles as the cornerstones of "Hansel and Gretel Early Childhood Education Center" (formerly Ferndale International Schools.)

Mildred Ancheta from Region 3 has pioneered the 22-year old program called "Support for the Handicapped and their Rehabilitation through Education (SHARE)" at Wesleyan University-Philippines. "The program provides basic education and complementary job skills training, such as silkscreen printing, candy making, and most recently, practical dental technology," she explains. The program has expanded beyond the university’s Cabanatuan City campus, setting up a community-based center in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

A hands-on principal of "BHC Educational Institution," Loreta Cepriaso from Region 1 is known for giving the most personalized attention an educator can give to her student. Her enthusiasm in monitoring the students’ academic and behavioral performance has been instrumental in making San Fernando the "Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines" for the past two years.

Sr. Miluna Cielo, FAS from Region 2 is the head of a small, private missionary school called "St. Francis Academy" in Sta. Teresita, the youngest municipality of Cagayan Province. She continues to initiate literacy programs and income-generating projects in its adopted barangay of Caniuagan, organizes charitable missions to a nearby Aeta community, and lobby for scholarships from non-government organizations like Enfants Du Mekong, a French NGO.

Chief among the achievements of Maria Bella Hernandez from National Capital Region in her 15-year stint as principal of Las Piñas City’s Mary Immaculate Parish Special School is the restructuring of its curriculum, making it the first parochial school in Metro Manila to accommodate children with special needs and learning disabilities. "I also initiated an educational outreach program benefiting almost 200 pre-school pupils and 50 adult high school students," she shares.

Perla Kwan from Region 11 is a living proof that great teachers make a lasting impression on their students. Being a pre-school teacher and administrator at the Ateneo de Davao University for 27 years before establishing "Precious International School of Davao," Kwan has gained the lifelong respect and regard of her former students. Barely seven years old, the school became one of the most sought after schools in the city, producing very proficient English speakers and Mindanao’s top Math and Science scholars, making PISD the Most Effective Private Elementary School in Region 9 last year.

The youngest of this year’s batch of outstanding principals is Sr. Zenaida Mofada O.P. from Region 12. A very tech-savvy educator, Mofada has modernized "Notre Dame-Siena School of Marbel" by upgrading the school’s computer laboratories and integrating Information Technology in all aspects of learning.

Adelaida Nadera also from Region 12 is quite instrumental has the peaceful, progressive, and secure environment of Polomolok, Cotabato. Through her educational reforms at the "Dole Philippines School," Nadera instills a passion for learning and discovery by integrating research and development principles at the grade school level, and imparts an appreciation for mentoring by enabling higher-level students to "teach" their research findings to younger pupils.

As headmistress of Baguio Achievers Academy, Linda Orduña also from CAR aims to create and foster an environment for work and learning, in which a student can achieve a level of comfort with one’s self, other people, and the environment and culture to which they belong. "As such, BAA’s approach to learning emphasizes holistic development, wherein the school, family, and community contribute to their children’s education," she says.