PHILIPPINES—Cliff Ransom Wendell Lilangan of the Angeles City Congregation was declared the first runner-up of the annual Angelite Teacher of the Year Award on February 28, beating more than 800 instructors nominated from various schools in Central Luzon.

Lilangan is a social science and Japanese-language instructor at Holy Angel University, which hosts 20,000 students and 1,400 employees, making it the largest university in Central Luzon. He has also served as a volunteer English teacher at a nearby indigenous Aeta tribe school.

“I was very grateful to God and felt humbled at the same time when I was acknowledged,” Lilangan said.

The award was given by the university where Lilangan teaches. The Angelite of the Year is one of the most prestigious academic awards in the Central Luzon area of the Philippines, recognizing the most outstanding teachers, staff, students and organizations for their dedication, passion, service, community awareness, leadership, integrity, discipline and scholastic greatness.

“I am overwhelmed because many nominees were doctorate degree holders and have been teaching for decades,” Lilangan said. “I am just barely three years in Pampanga.”