Feature Story | When a National Award Belongs to the People Who Built It

When Marikina Polytechnic College President Dr. Rene M. Colocar stepped up to receive the Innovative Education Leaders for Teacher Development Award from the Teacher Education Council at the Manila Hotel on September 30, 2026, the recognition bore his name. But if you ask him, the victory belongs to everyone else.

In a deeply personal and heartfelt message released to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, Pres. Colocar turned the spotlight entirely away from himself and onto the faculty, staff, and partners of MPC. “Isang mainit at taos-pusong pagbati ng Happy World Teachers’ Day sa lahat ng ating mga minamahal na guro, kawani, at mga katuwang sa paghahatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon dito sa Marikina Polytechnic College,” he expressed in his speech during the flag ceremony.

Pres. Colocar acknowledged the quiet yet vital way education relies on its faculty members, the everyday challenges of the profession, the heavy burdens teachers carry, and the courage it takes to step into the classroom day after day. He also emphasized that holding a presidential title is not just a position, but a continuous journey of learning shared alongside his colleagues. He credited his recent national accolade not to personal ambition, but to the everyday inspiration he draws from his MPC family.

“While this recognition bears my name, I want to be the first to say that this is not just my victory, this is a fruit of the inspiration I got from my MPC family. Ito ay bunga ng inyong paggabay, pagtuturo, at pagtulong sa akin upang hasain at pagbutihin pa ang aking kaalaman sa akademya at pamumuno,” Pres. Colocar shared.

Closing his message, Pres. Colocar offered a powerful reminder of why educators do what they do and why supporting them matters on a national scale. “Dahil kapag sinuportahan natin ang isang guro, hindi lamang isang tao ang ating tinutulungan. We uplift entire families, communities, and the future of our nation. Muli, maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang dedikasyon. Kayo ang inspirasyon ko, at kayo ang aking pamilya dito sa MPC. Happy World Teachers’ Day sa inyong lahat,” Pres. Colocar said. #

MESSAGE FROM THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT

Isang mainit at taos-pusong pagbati ng Happy World Teachers’ Day sa lahat ng ating mga minamahal na guro, kawani, at mga katuwang sa paghahatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon dito sa Marikina Polytechnic College!

I witness the dedication you bring to our offices and classrooms, my dear teachers. Kayo ang tunay na haligi ng institusyong ito. You do not just teach lessons; you transform lives and build the future workforce of our nation. Mayroon mang mga hamon at pagbabago sa ating sistema, patuloy kayong pumapasok upang gampanan ang inyong sinumpaang layunin na magturo nang may puso, at gumabay sa bawat mag-aaral upang maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap.

Alam ninyo, ang pagiging lider ko dito sa MPC ay hindi lamang tungkol sa titulo o posisyon. Ito ay isang patuloy na pag-aaral, at kayo ang aking mga kasama sa paglalakbay na ito.

Recently, I was deeply humbled and honored to receive the award as an “Innovative Education Leader for Teacher Development” from the Teacher Education Council. While this recognition bears my name, I want to be the first to say that this is not just my victory, this is a fruit of the inspiration I got from my MPC family. Ito ay bunga ng inyong paggabay, pagtuturo, at pagtulong sa akin upang hasain at pagbutihin pa ang aking kaalaman sa akademya at pamumuno. Your passion for teaching inspired me to become a better leader. Every time I see you going the extra mile for our students, I am reminded of why we do what we do. Kayo ang nagtulak sa akin upang patuloy na magbago, mag-innovate, at maglingkod nang buong-buo.

Hindi sapat ang simpleng “salamat” upang sukatin ang inyong sakripisyo. However, I want you to know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. The extra mile you go for us to achieve our goal of becoming The Future National TVET University, the emotional support you give to students, and the creative ways you engage your classes lahat ng ito ay mahalaga.

Ako ay nananalangin at nagnanais para sa lahat ng aking mga kapwa guro dito sa Marikina Polytechnic College: I wish you all a sincere and profound sense of fulfillment as you celebrate this World Teachers’ Day. Nawa’y ramdam ninyo ang kasiyahan sa tuwing may mag-aaral na natututo, sa tuwing may nagsasabi ng “Salamat, Sir/Ma’am,” at sa tuwing nakikita ninyo ang inyong mga dating estudyante na nagtatagumpay na sa kanilang mga buhay.

Dahil kapag sinuportahan natin ang isang guro, hindi lamang isang tao ang ating tinutulungan. We uplift entire families, communities, and the future of our nation. Muli, maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang dedikasyon. Kayo ang inspirasyon ko, at kayo ang aking pamilya dito sa MPC.

Happy World Teachers’ Day sa inyong lahat!

DR. RENE M. COLOCAR

College President

Marikina Polytechnic College