Kapalong teacher bags Bato Balani National Award
Jinglebert P. Collado, Teacher 1 and ALS Mobile Teacher of DepEd Kapalong East District, Division of Davao del Norte was awarded as one of the five (5) Bato Balani “The Many Faces of the Teacher” honorees in the Philippines held at the SMX Convention Center , Lanang, Davao City on September 27, 2014.
Bato Balani Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1991 with the thrust of conceptualizing and implementing educational programs for school, teacher and student development, and special involvements.
“The Many Faces of the Teacher” is an advocacy campaign of the foundation to commend teachers who have exemplary manifested great virtues in teaching thereby setting themselves as role models and source of inspiration to their fellow teachers and their students.
Among the 5 awardees, Collado is labeled as the “Limitless Lecturer” owing to his manifested sincerity and dedication particularly in serving the IP communities in the far flung areas of Kapalong.
In an interview, Collado revealed that in his previous assignment, he has to take more than an hour of walk alone in the mountains and traverse across nine ( 9) rivers to be with his students.
He added that though he find it hard at first to let the community particularly the IP parents fully understand the need of the children to go to school daily, his sheer determination to reach out to them did not stop.
As an Alternative Learning System (ALS) Mobile Teacher, Collado focuses on educating out of school youth, providing basic literacy to those unable to read and write and catering drop outs from the elementary and secondary to ALS’ accreditation and equivalency program.
He also bared his plan to invite the parents to join his classes that someday they could help him in the teaching and learning process of their children.
“I don’t even dream to be assigned in the lower barangays as I am committed to continue my mission to serve the Indigenous People in the hinterlands of our beloved town”, Collado said.
Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol acknowledged Collado’s exemplary achievement particularly for giving pride and honor to Kapalong.
“I commend him for his inspiring story and I hope his achievement would encourage and inspire the rest of the teachers to be truly engaged and devoted to their respective tasks in the name of true public service”, the Mayor stressed.
The local government is set to give recognition to Collado during its convocation on October 7 at the municipal hall ground. (cj-MIO Kapalong)
