Education Secretary Sonny Angara recognized a community-based educator and an education technology company for their contributions to making learning more accessible and inclusive during the DepEd Heroes awards ceremony at President Corazon C. Aquino National High School.
The Department of Education (DepEd) honored Allan Delos Reyes, Master Teacher II and Alternative Learning System (ALS) teacher at Minalin Elementary School in Pampanga, and Frontlearners, Inc., represented by President Leo De Velez and Chief Executive Officer Maria Elaine De Velez.
The ceremony was held alongside the national recognition of schools and education partners whose efforts contributed to the Philippines’ improved performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025.
“Sa pamumuno ni President Bongbong Marcos Jr., ito ang uri ng bayanihan na gusto nating patuloy na palakasin, isang education community na mas bukas, mas inklusibo, at mas maraming naaabot,” Angara said. “Teacher Allan, Frontlearners, and everyone who continues to show up for our learners, maraming salamat po sa inyong malasakit at dedikasyon.”
Delos Reyes was recognized for nearly two decades of work bringing education to out-of-school youth and underserved communities. Among his initiatives are Project C.O.A.S.T.A.L.S. (Eskwela sa Palaisdaan), which brings lessons to children of fisherfolk in coastal communities; Education Behind Bars, which provides learning opportunities to persons deprived of liberty, former rebels, and children in conflict with the law; and Project kALSada, a municipality-funded mobile classroom delivering ALS modules to remote areas in Minalin.
He dedicated the recognition to teachers across the country, particularly ALS educators serving out-of-school children, youth, and adults.
“This is not an award meant to stay in our home. It’s a reminder that there are more youth, more learners waiting for me every day, who are excited to learn relevant lessons which can be built into a better future,” Delos Reyes said.
Frontlearners, Inc., an education technology company founded in 2013, was likewise recognized for its work in interactive e-learning and customized digital school solutions.
The company has partnered with DepEd on teacher capacity-building, learner and parent engagement, and digital learning initiatives supporting preparations for PISA 2025.
The Philippines recorded improvements in Reading, Science, and Mathematics in PISA 2025 compared with the 2022 assessment cycle and was recognized as the world’s fastest-improving education system in Reading.
“Hindi ito bunga ng iisang programa o iisang partner lamang; ito ay isang collective effort na nagbibigay ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating mga mag-aaral,” Angara said. “Maraming guro, school leaders, parents, communities, at education partners ang naging bahagi ng mas malawak na pagsisikap na ito. At kasama roon ang Frontlearners.”
Frontlearners CEO Maria Elaine De Velez shared that she and her husband, Leo De Velez, founded the company partly as a way of giving back after benefiting from government scholarships that helped open opportunities for them.
“That’s why education is so close to our hearts. It opened so many opportunities. Nakapag-aral kami, nakapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa at doon namin nakita kayang makipagsabayan ng Pilipino. The Filipino talent is as competitive as any other nationality in the workforce,” she said.
“We said we’ll dedicate our talent, resources, and whatever means we have to help our education sector, DepEd, schools, and anyone, who has the heart to keep uplifting the quality of education in the Philippines,” De Velez added.
DepEd and Frontlearners have also established a nationwide pilot program aimed at expanding digital learning for core and selected Senior High School subjects. The program features interactive learning resources, AI-generated feedback, learner assessments, progress tracking, and teacher simulation modules.
Launched in August 2025, the DepEd Heroes program recognizes teachers, school personnel, and private-sector partners whose innovative initiatives contribute to strengthening basic education delivery across the country.
