Gary Mosquito, a teacher from Cabarasan Daku Elementary School in Palo, Leyte, receives his award as this year’s national winner for Bayaning Gurong Pilipino during the 15th Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards sponsored by ABS-CBN and Ugat Foundation in Manila, July 3. (Contributed photo)

PALO, Leyte-For his ‘gulayan’ project, Gary Mosquito, a teacher from Cabarasan Daku Elementary School, this town, was adjudged as this year’s national winner for Bayaning Gurong Pilipino during the 15th Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards sponsored by ABS-CBN and Ugat Foundation.
“Now, I can say that nothing is impossible if you will just offer everything to our Almighty Father for His will is our path towards success,” said Mosquito after receiving the award in Manila on July 3.
“Receiving an award from a very prestigious award-giving body like ABS-CBN and UGAT Foundation is more than enough to say that at last I was able to fulfill my duties and responsibilities of being a public elementary school teacher,” he said.
According to Mosquito, whose been in the teaching profession for 13 years now, working beyond and above the call of duty is not so easy but if a teacher is inspired and passionate enough to serve the best interest for the learners’ welfare he will succeed and fulfill the realization of being a true public servant.
“We should not limit our services within the four walls of our classrooms but rather widen its horizon to touch and uplift the lives of the people,” said the 34-year-old head teacher.
Mosquito’s innovation is called Project: Life or “Lifelong Interventions through a Finest Environment,” a project enhancing the implementation of “Gulayan Sa Paaralan” into an organic vegetable production for malnutrition alleviation, love for mother nature, income generating project, livelihood for parents, school greening and beautification program.
He thanked for the support of his fellow faculty members, principal, parents, students, education officials, and local leaders who inspired him in his teaching career.
Edgar Tenasas, assistant schools division superintendent of Leyte, extolled Mosquito’s achievement saying what he is doing is ‘inspiring.’
“The schools division of Leyte is one with you in celebrating this success. May you continue to inspire others for the sake of our learners,” he said.
The annual Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. – Bayaning Pilipino Awards aims to give recognition to ordinary Filipinos who exemplified the Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry, determination, and dedication to public service.
(RONALD O. REYES)