ACED hosts culminating activity for the CESL and MOA signing for Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building Program

On Friday, 15 August 2025, Ateneo de Manila University, through the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), hosted the culminating activity for the Certificate in Educational Studies in Leadership (CESL) and ceremonial memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing for the Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building Program. The event took place at Escaler Hall at Ateneo de Manila's Loyola Heights campus.

The program and the MOA build on a long partnership between Ateneo, the Department of Education (DepEd), Security Bank Corporation (SBC), and Security Bank Foundation, Inc (SBFI). In 2023, Ateneo, DepEd, SBFI, and The HEAD Foundation, and the University of Nottingham signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the training of school principals. The MOA signed that day secures the cooperation of DepEd regarding the attendance of participants in the trainings, while SBFI provides funding for the program.

The MOA also reaffirms the collective resolve of all involved to nurture transformative leaders dedicated to uplifting the quality of education across the Philippines. It not only supports the 88 teachers and 79 principals currently enrolled in the CESL program, but it also lays the groundwork for expanding the program nationwide – reaching school divisions where SBFI has already built strong partnerships.

The signatories were Mr Rafael F Simpao Jr, Chairman of Security Banks Foundation, Inc; the Honorable Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M Angara, Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd); Mr Eduardo M Obles, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Security Bank Corporation; Dr Carmela C Oracion, Assistant Secretary for the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, Department of Education; Mr Jose Ramelle E Javier, Director, Central House Administration, De La Salle University; and Rev Fr Bienvenido "Ben" F Nebres SJ, Former President, Ateneo de Manila University.

Witnessing the ceremonial signing were Ms Brigitte Anne Limbo, Director of Lasallian Mission Services, De La Salle Philippines; Ms Melissa R Aquino, Trustee and Corporate Secretary, Security Bank Foundation, Inc; Ms Graciela Mendoza, Director IV, DepEd External Partnerships Service; Mr Amorsolo Camara Jr, Director IV, DepEd International Cooperation Office; Mr Michael Joseph Cabauatan, Director III, DepEd Office of the Secretary; and Dr Leland Joseph Dela Crys, Assistant Vice President for Social and Environmental Engagement for Development and Sustainability, Ateneo de Manila University.

Following the ceremonial signing, the 29 school principals who attended the CESL program were presented with their certificates for completing the program. CESL is a module developed by the University of Bristol and delivered in partnership with The HEAD Foundation of Singapore, which is designed to empower school principals with culturally responsive, context-sensitive leadership skills through blended learning, experiential activities, and the implementation of a Transformational Action Project (TAP) in their schools, aiming to solve a pressing school problem.

The principals who completed the program and received their certificates on that day were as follows.

North and Central Luzon

• Vrenie Joy C Pedro, Ilocos Norte National High School, Schools Division of Laoag City
• Jerrimie A Arrieta, Balatong Integrated School, Schools Division of Laoag City
• Lea M Basco, Sta. Ines Integrated School, Schools Division of Mabalacat
• Nico J Bagus, Honorato C Perez Sr Memorial Science High School, Schools Division of Cabanatuan City
• Hazel A Dela Peña, Cardenas Elementary School, Schools Division of Gapan City
• Dervin V Nicodemus, Tikay Elementary School, Schools Division of Malolos City
• Rosalia M Paz, Malhacan Integrated School, Schools Division of Meycauayan City
• Marilou S Alcanar, Calvario Elementary School, Schools Division of Meycauayan City
• Frederick G Del Rosario, Banga High School, Schools Division of Bulacan

South Luzon

• Lorodel C Gecalao, Santa Cruz Central Elementary School, Schools Division of Laguna Province
• Roan A Segales, Binan Elementary School, Schools Division of Biñan City
• Agnes B Malvar, Sta Anastacia Elementary School, Schools Division of Sto. Tomas City
• Alma G Dimaano, Fernando Air Base Integrated National High School, Schools Division of Lipa City
• Loida R Aluan, Jose C Pastor Memorial Elementary School, Schools Division of Batangas City
• Louie L Alvarez, Lemery Pilot Elementary School, Schools Division of Batangas Province
• Robert E Benito, Naga City School of Arts and Trades, Schools Division of Naga City
• Maria Raquel O Obias, Cabagñan Elementary School, Schools Division of Legazpi City

 Visayas

• Cherish L Flor, Emiliano Lizares National High School, Schools Division of Bacolod City
• Joeramie B Quinto, Silay South Elementary School, Schools Division of Silay City
• Rodlyn M Pallorina, Gov. Emilio Gaston Memorial Elementary School, Schools Division of Silay City
• Jose Jr M Buot, Sabang Elementary School, Schools Division of Danao City
• Chinky May F Paculanang, Piapi High School, Schools Division of Dumaguete City
• Editha G Gone, City East Elementary School, Schools Division of Tagbilaran City
• Paul James G Luzon, Baybay National High School, Schools Division of Baybay City

Mindanao

• Sharika D Jumawan, Barra Elementary School, Schools Division of Dipolog City
• Irish Hazel B Jaim, Zamboanga Del Sur National High School, Schools Division of Pagadian City
• Melinda A Lozada, Zamboanga City High School - Main, Schools Division of Zamboanga City
• Jovelyn L Barba, City of Mati National High School, Schools Division of Mati City
• Kimslyn V Culejara, Chief Justice Ramon Avancena Integrated School, Schools Division of Butuan City

Additionally, the CESL mentors who helped the principals complete the program were also honored at the event. These were

• Jaida C Malonzo, Aguinaldo Elementary School, Schools Division Office of Quezon City
• Shiarell Loida M Cruz, Bagong Pag-asa Elementary School, Schools Division Office of Quezon City
• Eddie A. Alarte, Gen Tiburcio De Leon National High School, Schools Division Office of Valenzuela City
• Dr Roderick D De Leon, Maysan Elementary School, Schools Division Office of Valenzuela City
• Dr Allan Moore S Cabrillas, Education Program Supervisor, Schools Division Office of San Jose City
• Muaricio F Angeles, District Supervisor, Schools Division Office of Nueva Ecija