By Cyrus A. Natividad

The 7th National and International Awards for the Ybarra, Maharaja: Scholars and Fellows, a prestigious organization of the Leaders Autonomy International was held on May 28, 2022 at Mt. Vernon Independent Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga.

One of the awardees is from Central Philippine University College of Education who has reaped several awards from previous scholarship and leadership events in different national and international forums.

A pride of CPU, Dr. Maredil R. Ambos received the Ybarra and Maharaja awards recognizing him as a scholar and fellow member of the prestigious organization. Ambos received four specific awards (1) Gawad Ybarra (2) Gawad Maharaja (3) Doctor of Humanities in Social and Community Development (Honoris Causa) – in partnership with Theophany International University, and (4) Fellow of the Order of Pedagogy (FOPd) Pajam (gifted and excellent).

The Gawad Ybarra Award is an attribute to Crisostomo Ybarra, the hero in the globally known novels of the late National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The awards are anchored on recognizing excellence among academicians in the Philippines and the world, and their contributions to sustainable development. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO), education is an integral element of several of the Sustainable Development Goals set for a better world.

According to Dr. Ambos, “The awardees are chosen based on qualities, credentials, and performance that lead them to become a scholar, fellow, or ambassador of the organization.” He added that, “The qualities of a teacher, researcher, school leader, humanitarian, and professional can lead to nation-building and global citizenship”. These are the most fundamental assets of the awardees.

The credentials which are obviously of national and international levels must be satisfied by the awardees. Evidences are given, merits are provided, and pictures are taken to provide the committee, a privileged effort to honor these individuals.