Mangyan educator among 10 outstanding Filipinos honored at Palace

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A public school teacher and proud Alangan Mangyan from Naujan town was named one of the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos and was formally recognized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in ceremonies at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday. 

Dr. Emmanuel D. Guarde, Master Teacher II at Cornelio Lintawagin Memorial Elementary School, was cited as a “steward of indigenous knowledge and heritage” for developing culturally rooted learning materials that honor the identity of indigenous learners.

His milestone project, “Baren: An Indigenous Lullaby of Learning — Nurturing Mangyan Education Through Culture-Based Teaching,” introduces a localized alphabet, indigenous stories, and culturally sensitive visual aids grounded in the Alangan Mangyan mother tongue and traditions. 

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READ: Marcos honors 10 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

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The learning kit is designed specifically for preschool learners to build early literacy and cognitive skills while affirming their cultural identity.

“Nation-building is not confined to high office. It is also carried out in classrooms, institutions, and communities across the country,” President Marcos said in his remarks conferring the Medallion of Excellence upon the ten awardees. 

Guarde was also recognized earlier at the House of Representatives during a plenary session, alongside nine other outstanding public servants — three other teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers — selected nationwide for the prestigious honor. 

Each recipient received the Metrobank Foundation’s “Flame” trophy, a Medallion of Excellence, and P1 million in recognition of service that goes beyond duty. 

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The Metrobank Foundation says Guarde developed the learning materials to address the lack of resources that reflect indigenous children’s experiences. 

Guarde, who has served in education for 17 years, also established the Mangyan Alangan Community-Based Competencies framework and led adult literacy and infrastructure programs in remote communities. 

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The Outstanding Filipinos program, now in its 41st year, has honored 735 exemplary public servants since 1985./coa