She is truly an exemplary Filipino teacher.

Dr. Maria Eliza Lopez, a faculty of the MMSU College of Teacher Education, was recognized by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) as the Ulirang Guro in the Philippines for 2019 due to her outstanding performance in teaching the Filipino language.

Dr. Lopez was one of the only seven Filipino teachers from seven schools in the country who received the award in a ceremony held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila on October 1. The awardees were selected out of the 139 entries accepted by the KWF. 

“I am really overwhelmed because this is the first time that I received this prestigious award,” Dr. Lopez said, adding that being one of the  awardees means that she has met the standards set by the commission.

To become the KWF’s Ulirang Guro, Dr. Lopez explained that the applicant must maintain a “very satisfactory” rating as a teacher, conducted relevant researches and training programs, and published various publications, among others.

Dr. Lopez shared that she has been teaching the Filipino subject for 15 years at MMSU and spent eight years at the Northwestern University in Laoag City; implemented 10 research studies and 14 training programs; and published at least 22 books, one journal, 13 campus publications, and four instructional materials.  

“I will continue to uphold and promote the Filipino language and culture to the communities through the help of the university,” she beamed.

Aside from Dr. Lopez, other awardees are Niña Christina L. Zamora of the Philippine Normal University in Manila, Rodel B. Guzman of Isabela State University in Isabela, Julieta Cruz-Cebrero of JH Cerilles State College in Zamboanga Del Sur, Rodello Pepito of Bukidnon State University in Bukidnon, Sharon Ansay Villaverde of Lopez National Comprehensive High School in Quezon City, and Joshua E. Oyon-Oyon of the Sorsogon National High School in Sorgogon City.

Now on its sixth year, the Ulirang Guro award is one of the awards given by the KWF as part of its mandate to develop, preserve, and promote various local Philippine languages.