A total of eight public school teachers from the elementary and secondary levels — including two professors from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and De La Salle University — emerged as winners in this year’s Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers.

Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña announced that after 26 years, Mlang, Cotabato; Calauag, Quezon; and Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay produced their first Outstanding Teacher awardees.

The awardees for the elementary category include Grace Salvatus of the Municipal Sector Elementary School in Calauag, Quezon; Miladith Polutan of the Oroquieta City Central Elementary School in Oroquieta City; Conchita Ibarondo of the San Antonio Elementary School in Iriga City; and Nancy Aquino of the Mlang Pilot Elementary School in Mlang, Cotabato.

For the secondary category, the awardees were Janeth Fuentes of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus in Palo, Leyte; Mercidita Villamayor of the Bukidnon State University-Secondary School Lab in Malaybalay City; Estrelita Peña of the Kabasalan National High School in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Mercelita Labial of the Xavier University High School in Cagayan de Oro City.

For the higher education category the awardees were Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and Dr. Raymund Sison of De La Salle University.

Giving due recognition to the outstanding qualities, achievements, and contributions of educators is the foundation’s way of promoting “a sense of pride in and provide inspiration to the teaching profession and to the rest of the society.”

“This search continues to bestow honor upon the teaching profession by according special recognition to teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth, through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and an effective educational leadership,” Sobrepeña pointed out.

The 2010 Outstanding Teachers will be honored with gold medallions by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III in Malacañang.

They will also receive plaques and cash amounting to P300,000 each during the formal awarding ceremonies at the Metrobank Plaza on Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia Ave.) in Makati, which will serve as the highlight of the 48th anniversary celebration of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company on September 3.