Teacher battling cancer, ALS mentor named 'DepEd Heroes'

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sept. 15, announced two remarkable educators as part of the second batch of its DepEd Heroes Program, a recognition initiative that highlights the courage, dedication, and innovative spirit of public school teachers, personnel, and education partners across the country.

- BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

This year's honorees include a high school teacher battling terminal cancer who continues to teach full time, and an Alternative Learning System (ALS) mentor pioneering livelihood programs in Laguna.

Teacher Marivic Villacampa: Courage in the face of cancer

Despite being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, Marivic Villacampa of Bulihan Integrated National High School in Silang, Cavite, continues to handle two full teaching loads while undergoing chemotherapy.

"Ako po ay [may] breast cancer, stage 4 triple positive. Hinamon ko ang taning ng siyensya kasi may Panginoon at sinasabi kong ako ay mabubuhay at patuloy na magpapastol sa mga batang nasa aking harapan (I have stage 4 triple-positive breast cancer. I challenged the prognosis of science because I have faith in the Lord, and I declare that I will live and continue shepherding the children before me)," she said.