Master Teacher I Fidel Becnan Aguindang, an advocator of Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), humbly received his plaque of recognition as "Natatanging Lingkod Guro ng Bayan" national awardee from Philippine Arts and Culture Educators' Society (PACES) at Guesdan Centrum in Baguio City on Aug. 20, 2023.

His notable contributions in Culture Mapping, integration of essential indigenous knowledge systems and practices in lesson exemplars in the different learning areas for secondary education in CAR and for serving as trainer-resource speaker in IPED on both regional and division levels have earned the attention of PACES to confer him the said prestigious award.

Aguindang, who teaches at Cabiten National High School in Makayan, Benguet, have coached cultural groups that won several national cultural competitions.

In an informal interview, he said that he wanted to establish a cultural heritage center in Mankayan in support to the implementation of IPED Program.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Viernes Dumaguing of Sta. Marcela Elementary School in Apayao received the same award. Aguindang and Dumaguing are Cordilleran teachers who were adjudged by the PACES to be among the national awardees.

📸grabbed photos with permission from Darlene Aguindang Maigi