Vice President Sara Duterte received Dr. Sadat Minandang, Principal 1 of Lugay-Lugay Central School in Cotabato City, in a courtesy call last month. He was accompanied by Dr. Concepcion Balawag, the Schools Division Superintendent of Cotabato City.

The Vice President is proud of the accomplishments of Dr. Minandang as the founder of the TulaKaalaman and Byaheng Kaalaman Project, an educational innovation aimed at sharing knowledge with underserved and out-of-school children.

Beyond his role as an educator, Dr. Minandang also served as a humanitarian worker for a non-government organization in areas affected by man-made and natural calamities in Mindanao.

Dr. Minandang is the sole Filipino teacher to enter the Top 50 finalists of the 2023 Global Teacher Prize by Varkey Foundation, Dubai Cares, and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He also received the Princess Maha Chakri Award as Outstanding Teacher in Southeast Asia in 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. He was honored as an Exemplary Teacher of Mindanao and a National Finalist in 2019, an Outstanding Educator by the UNESCO Club of the Philippines, a Regional Ng Bayan Awardee in 2021, and a Regional Peace Champion Finalist.

The Vice President extended her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Minandang for the honor he brings to the Department of Education, to the entirety of Mindanao, and to our nation. He is truly an exemplary figure for all of us. His dedication and love for Filipino students serve as genuine inspiration worldwide.