Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Honored

March 31, 2023

Multinational Foundation, Inc. (MFI) in partnership with TOWNS Foundation, Inc. successfully concluded the first-ever Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award (FLORA) ceremony on March 31, 2023. The award recognized and celebrated the extraordinary contributions of Filipina teachers in rural areas, who have made exceptional efforts to develop and implement educational innovations amidst the challenges and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 crisis. For its pioneer year, FLORA only covered fourth to sixth class local governments in Luzon.

The FLORA Awards 2022, given in memory of Erlinda K. Ilusorio, mother of Ramon K. Ilusorio, Founder of MIB Capital Corporation, benefactor of Multinational Foundation, Inc.

This year, three exceptional Filipina teachers, Ednalyn Fajardo of Candaba, Pampanga, Michelle Rubio of Gubat, Sorsogon, and Judith Sagayo, Tabuk City, Kalinga were honored with the FLORA Award for their outstanding contributions to rural education. These teachers have made a significant impact on the lives of their students and communities, and their dedication to providing quality education in challenging circumstances is an inspiration to us all.

MFI and TOWNS Foundation, Inc. are proud to honor these outstanding women and celebrate their remarkable achievements. The FLORA Award serves as a testament to the commitment of both organizations to support countryside development and rural education in the Philippines.

The evaluation criteria comprise several categories, namely,  educational innovation (35%) that demonstrate creativity, relevance, responsiveness, resourcefulness, and adaptability in developing materials for teaching and learning; and effectiveness and learner impact (35%) or the use of learning materials and teaching approaches effective for target learners, and have the potential for sustainability, replicability, scalability of innovations, mobilization, utilization, and management of resources, excellence in implementation, attainment of the goals of innovative practices, and empowerment of learners.

Personal and professional integrity (15%) or being role models to Filipino women, embodying the ideals of a caring mother, a dutiful daughter, a loyal friend, a responsible co-worker, and a productive community member. Evaluators seek women educators who are law-abiding and responsible citizens, possess professional ethics, and have initiative and teacher agency.

Finally, contributions to the community (15%) or the consciousness of FLORA awardees that they are part of a larger community beyond themselves, their families, and their clan and that as women educators, they effect behavior changes in their communities, make an impact on their communities, and are recognized by peers/external community.

The FLORA logo, with a Philippine flower or “sampaguita” in her hair, represents the Filipina’s devotion to her native roots and her source of inspiration, as she leads her fellow Filipinos towards a better life. The royal blue color of the logo represents the color of MIB Capital Corporation and its philanthropic arm, Multinational Foundation, Inc.

Awards for Women in Rural Education Launched

March 31, 2022

Multinational Foundation, Inc, (MFI) launches today, the Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award (FLORA) which recognizes the outstanding contribution of Filipino women in rural education.

This award is given in memory of Erlinda K. Ilusorio, mother of Ramon K. Ilusorio, Founder of MIB Capital Corporation, benefactor of Multinational Foundation, Inc. and a staunch advocate of countryside development and rural education. Multinational Group  established in March 1972 to provide  pioneering and innovative financial services in the country. Today, MIB Capital Corporation and the Corporate Partnership for Management in Business through their philanthropic arm, Multinational Foundation, Inc. (MFI), seek to be a driving force in the formation of social capital among individuals and institutions to promote  equitable and sustainable growth and development especially in marginalized sectors of society.

Through FLORA, MFI aims to emphasize the importance of effective and innovative approaches to bring quality education in rural communities. For its inaugural year, FLORA is open to Filipino women, at least 18 years of age, whose areas of concentration of initiatives are in Luzon.

FLORA is jointly presented by Multinational Foundation, Inc. and TOWNS Foundation, Inc., which have run The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) awards since 1974.

Individuals or organizations may nominate any Filipina deemed qualified for the award. Mechanics and nomination forms will be available soon through floraph.com, facebook.com/florawardph, and twitter.com/florawardph.

For more details, please email awards@floraph.com