A PUBLIC high school teacher from Isabela is among the five awardees of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino’s Ulirang Guro sa Filipino 2021.

Mark-jhon Prestoza, a teacher from Quirino National High School in Isabela, was recognized for his valuable contributions in promoting Filipino and indigenous languages through education, research and community engagements.

“Isang malaking karangalan ang pagkilalang ito sa buong buhay ko, hindi lamang dahil sa medalyon at sertipiko, bagkus para sa mas malaki pang responsibilidad at gampaning nakaatang sa aking balikat na isulong, pagyamanin, at kilalanin ang wikang Pambansa at ang mga wika ng Pilipinas sa pedestal ng kaunlaran,” Prestoza said in the virtual ceremony held last October 4.

Prestoza is taking Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education-Filipino at the Isabela State University, where he also earned his Master of Arts in Education major in Filipino degree.

He also served as an author and editor of learning resource materials for Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education in SDO Isabela. His research papers were published in Saringkit Journal of the Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) Curriculum Implementation Division.

“I congratulate Mr. Prestoza for his efforts in advancing the Filipino language in basic education especially in the creation of self-learning modules which are crucial in learning delivery. May he serve as an inspiration for other educators in championing the importance of using our language in the academe,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Meanwhile, KWF Chair Arthur Casanova commended the awardees saying that they are role models in teaching Filipino.

“Inaasahan ko po na simula ngayon ay maging katuwang kayo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino sa pagpapalaganap sa mga pananaliksik, sa pagpapayaman ng ating wikang pambansang Filipino. Mabuhay kayong lahat, sana ay dumami pa ang mga katulad ninyong mahuhusay, modelo, [at] ulirang guro sa Filipino,” Casanova added.

Other KWF Ulirang Guro sa Filipino 2021 awardees were Dr. Romeo Peña of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Quijano of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Dr. Rowell Madula of De La Salle University and Dr. Voltaire Villanueva of Philippine Normal University.

KWF’s Ulirang Guro sa Filipino aims to recognize exceptional Filipino teachers who contributed outstanding research and initiatives that promote Filipino and/or regional languages and culture.