More than three dozen educators received recognition for classroom innovation, research, and institutional leadership at an awards program organized by the International Association of Multicultural and Filipino American Educators, Incorporated, held July 3, 2026 in Daly City.
The program, billed as the Extraordinary Ability & National Interest Awards, was framed by organizers as documentation of professional achievement rather than ceremony alone. IAM FAME described the honors as furnishing “objective evidence” of extraordinary ability, with criteria the group said track international benchmarks for professional excellence. Recipients were characterized as “top-tier global assets.”
Special education drew the largest concentration of honors. Revitche Quijano was cited for work in neurodivergent advocacy; Marie Joy S. Maestro for developing adaptive technologies and instructional materials; and Renelle Ojano for building data-driven approaches to cognitive accessibility. Audrey Ann Bayogos was recognized for policy-level frameworks in inclusive education, while Joyce Vernadeth B. Cruz was honored for narrowing what the organization called the “research-to-practice gap.” Evelyn Juntilo and Mary Antonnette B. Guzon rounded out the category, the latter recognized for what IAM FAME termed “Adaptive Pedagogy” in serving students with disabilities.
Leadership awards went to Zaldy D. Alima, Roderick B. Bargamento, Dr. Jake Raymund Fabregar, Krizza Mae R. Crisolo, Ma Corazon Quinay, Jeynalyn Pascua, and Elisa Soneja Suarez, spanning school governance, organizational management, international education systems, and equity advocacy.
Research and instructional design honors were conferred on Joana Salas Bundoc, Hennie A. Rostata, Dr. Maredy C. Melo, Dr. Jovan B. Alitagtag, Rhazel Anne T. Gajol, Karen A. ApaAp, May E. Madrid, and Miriam L. Agustin. Rostata’s citation referenced proprietary algorithmic systems in mathematics instruction, and Alitagtag’s recognized comparative work across international school systems.
Awards in multicultural education went to Annabelle C. Dacua and Marivic D. Domingo jointly, along with Dr. Pablo S. Dejan, Dr. Marielle C. Galvez, Allan Rogelio Sobrevilla Jr., Levi C. Hedderman, and Janice S. Armas. Sobrevilla was named International Teacher of the Year.
Additional distinctions covered assessment, mentorship, and specialized instruction. Marissa R. Alcantara was honored for formative assessment practices; Christine S. Aires was named brand ambassador; Hapibel B. Duque for social-emotional learning systems; Febe Articulo Lusica for STEM instruction; Shaira D. Mangawang for organizational leadership; Erika Anne M. Rosel for work on international pedagogical standards; and Dr. Melody R. Espina for workforce and community impact. Jennifer Castro, Chona Samson, and Dr. Ana Isabel G. Espino shared the mentorship award for international educators.
Speakers included Daly City Council member and former mayor Juslyn Manalo, who delivered the keynote. Monica Casey, president of the Jefferson Federation, AFT Local 1481, and Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Arnel Talisayon each offered remarks in support.
IAM FAME founder Dr. Archie Manalo, along with co-founders Dr. Eleuterio F. Timbol and Dr. Myleen P. Legaspi, have described the organization’s purpose as transferring best practices gathered across years of international work, a mission the group ties to influencing education policy and defending learners’ rights beyond U.S. borders.
