08/10/2026
Smiles, applause, and heartfelt tributes filled the PNU Gymnasium as the Philippine Normal University (PNU) community culminated its month-long World Teachers’ Day celebration on October 7, 2026. Anchored on the theme “Advancing Teachers, Shaping Future,” the celebration brought faculty members together to honor their dedication, recognize their excellence, and reaffirm their vital role in preparing the educators who will shape the country’s future. More than a day of recognition, the gathering served as a collective reminder that a teacher's work extends far beyond the classroom, reaching the communities and generations they influence.
Opening the program, Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas, Vice President for Academics, expressed her gratitude to the university's faculty. She recognized the dedication, expertise, and care that each educator brings to their students' lives. Elaborating on the gathering's theme, she highlighted how recognizing teachers’ achievements and care for their students affirms their investment and strengthens their capacity. She noted that educators must keep growing in their profession by continuously deepening their knowledge and improving teaching practices in response to the ever-changing needs of students. She emphasized the special responsibility of every PNU faculty member to actualize these aspirations in everyday teaching. “We must make excellence visible in students’ everyday learning experience in all modalities and conditions,” she reminded the audience, adding that listening to students is an essential part of their continuous growth as professionals.
Dr. Bert J. Tuga, PNU’s University President, delivered a message centering on his mental images of the word "teacher." He shared memories of his grandmother, who first exposed him to the education field by bringing him along to her classes, and his mother, who first taught him to read. His reflections expanded to teacher-leaders spearheading movements outside the classroom, school heads conducting seminars, Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers walking vast distances to reach diverse learners, and Metrobank Outstanding Teachers dedicating their craft and passion to the profession. These examples, he emphasized, prove that education is not confined to the classroom but expands into communities. Addressing the current climate, Dr. Tuga acknowledged that many teachers feel overwhelmed by pressing local and international issues. He encouraged them to focus on their immediate sphere of influence, creating a ripple effect that can generate a much larger impact. “You are not just teachers; you are teachers of teachers—you are educators preparing future teachers,” he stated. He concluded with a powerful reminder of PNU's role in producing educators who will help shape the future of schools, learning systems, and society.
Following the messages came one of the most anticipated segments of the event: the presentation of the Outstanding Teacher Awards, recognizing teaching effectiveness based on student evaluations for the Academic Year 2025-2026. This annual tradition aims to celebrate the achievements and excellence of the university's faculty members. Faculty members from the various colleges, faculties, and institute were recognized. Faculty members from the campuses were likewise applauded for their excellence. These awards demonstrated how excellence remains a consistent and integral part of the entire PNU System.
Tokens of appreciation were distributed to all faculty members present, followed by student tributes for each faculty. A representative from the PNU Chorale took the stage first, followed by a singing and card-giving intermission by FSTeM students, a dance performance from ICEHME, a poetry reading by an FLL representative, a song tribute from CTL students, and a collaborative song and dance routine from FEIS students. These performances signified the students’ deep gratitude toward the mentors who continuously guide them on their journey as pre-service teachers.
The Top 10 Outstanding Teachers across the entire PNU System, based on student evaluations, were then announced. The number one rank for faculty members without designation was shared by Dr. Crist John Pastor from CAS and Prof. Rosarie Anne Borja from FGEEL. Both educators are from PNU-Manila and garnered an impressive 4.98 average rating. For the Top 10 Outstanding Faculty with designation, the first rank was shared by two educators from different campuses: Dr. Merimee T. Siena from PNU-Manila's FBeSS and Dr. Marites A. Balot from PNU-North Luzon, both earning an average evaluation score of 4.99.
Concluding the event, Dr. Leah Amor V. Cortez, Vice President for Student Affairs and Stakeholder Services, applauded the teachers for their countless efforts on behalf of their students. She noted that celebrations like this offer a rare and well-deserved opportunity for educators to pause and enjoy the moment. She emphasized that being a teacher at PNU carries a special meaning, as it involves teaching the teachers of tomorrow. Ending her speech, she reflected on the lessons these student-teachers will eventually bring to their own classrooms. “Whatever we teach in our classrooms now, this may eventually find its way to many classrooms,” she reminded them.
The event served not only as a World Teachers’ Day celebration but also as a vital avenue to recognize excellence and appreciate the immense effort faculty members exert in their classrooms. As the National Center for Teacher Education and a duly certified Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, PNU remains steadfast in its commitment to producing innovative, future-ready teachers. By ensuring that the mentors of future educators are properly recognized, supported, and celebrated, the university empowers them as the catalysts who will help transform students into leaders of a better society and education system.
𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙣̃𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙉𝙐 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢
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