By Mikee Natinga Norico
Dr. Maredil R. Ambos EdD, DHum, FOPd receives Excellence in Leadership and Outstanding Professor of the Year awards at Hinirang ng Pilipinas.
On June 12, 2024, Dr. Maredil R. Ambos, a dedicated educator from Central Philippine University (CPU), achieved a landmark moment in his career by receiving the Excellence in Leadership and Outstanding Professor of the Year awards at the prestigious Hinirang ng Pilipinas ceremony. Held during the Philippines’ Independence Day celebration at the DS Global Corporate Center in Quezon City, the event recognized Dr. Ambos’ remarkable contributions to education.
The Hinirang ng Pilipinas is an esteemed award-giving body that honors exceptional Filipinos in various fields, including education, arts, and public service. Dr. Ambos, hailing from Damayan, Sapi-an, Capiz, has made a profound impact as the Professional Education Subjects Coordinator at CPU’s College of Education. His recognition is a testament to his unwavering dedication to teaching, research, and community service.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Ambos expressed his gratitude for the awards, highlighting the significance of such recognition.
“This award means recognition of excellence and motivation to excel more. It acknowledges my diligent work in teaching, research, and service to the academic community. It acts as a powerful inspiration to pursue greatness,” he said.
For Dr. Ambos, these accolades are more than just titles – they symbolize the essence of being an educator. He explained, “This award reminds me that being a great teacher affects both inside and outside the classroom. It’s about molding students’ futures, fostering a love of learning, and boosting their confidence. A great educator impacts both the personal and academic lives of students, fostering long-term growth and success.”
Receiving the awards at the Hinirang ng Pilipinas ceremony held special significance for Dr. Ambos. He reflected, “A great mentor creates a supportive and motivating learning environment by blending professional knowledge with a love of teaching. This recognition underscores how both professional expertise and personal traits profoundly affect students and the community.”
To commemorate his achievements, Dr. Ambos celebrated in a meaningful way. He shared, “I celebrated by reflecting on the journey that led to this recognition and sharing my experiences with loved ones and colleagues. Additionally, my wife and I indulged in some self-care, treating ourselves to a nice dinner and a quick trip.”
Dr. Ambos’ leadership and teaching philosophy are rooted in key qualities such as vision, excellent communication, active listening, empathy, and integrity. He shared a challenging leadership experience, recalling, “As a scoutmaster, maintaining quality scouting at CPU while increasing membership without compromising academics was tough. Our persistence paid off as we maintained 100% membership and continued to produce outstanding scouts.”
When asked about the traits of an outstanding educator, Dr. Ambos emphasized a blend of passion, student-centeredness, effective communication, subject mastery, dedication, and innovation. He believes these characteristics are crucial for fostering student success and personal development.
Staying updated with the latest teaching methods is a priority for Dr. Ambos. He practices “learning, unlearning, and relearning” to ensure his classes remain relevant and engaging. His advice to new professors striving to excel in their teaching careers is simple yet profound: “Be consistent in attaining excellence.”
Looking to the future, Dr. Ambos aims to elevate CPU’s College of Education as a leading institution for licensure exams and plans to pursue further research and studies, including another doctorate degree. His vision is clear: “To make the CPU College of Education one of the top-performing schools in the licensure exam for both elementary and secondary education.”
Dr. Ambos aspires to leave a lasting legacy in the field of education, encapsulated in the tagline, “A Centralian Teacher: Magaling at Mabuting Guro.”
The accolades received by Dr. Maredil R. Ambos at the Hinirang ng Pilipinas ceremony underscore his exceptional contributions to education and leadership. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire both his students and colleagues, setting a high standard for educators everywhere.