Teachers and Administration
MARY GRACE YAMBOK GUAY is responsible for administrative matters of the school as well as coordination with the Department of Education in order to maintain the school’s DepEd accreditation. In addition, Grace oversees the implementation of special projects and acts as liaison between the school community and donors, including the preparation of progress and final reports for the feeding program of the American Women’s Club. Having a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and being a licensed teacher herself, she has decided to volunteer her services for the school because of her firm belief in the importance of safeguarding T’boli indigenous knowledge. Grace keeps a very busy schedule, being full-time government employee with the Muncipality of Lake Sebu, a spouse and a mother of three young children.
Grace is an accomplished traditional T’boli dancer, musician and chanter, having performed with the Helobung Cultural Troupe in San Francisco (California), Singapore and in major cities throughout the Philippines. During its 25th anniversary in 2006, the Museum Volunteers of the Philippines celebrated the momentous event with a gala show of the Helobung Cultural Troupe at Equitable PCI Bank’s Francisco Santiago Hall (Makati City) and it was Grace whose photos appeared in the tickets, souvenir program and anniversary newsletter.
Date of birth: September 5, 1973
Place of birth: Lembisol, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Michael Angelo Yambok is the School Head and is the English / Math teacher. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development from the Santa Cruz Mission School in Lake Sebu. Michael oversees special projects (construction, repair). He is a talented T’boli traditional dancer.
The year 2009 was truly significant for Michael because of his passing the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET) for Secondary Education. Michael is pursuing a graduate education taking the program in Master in Public Administration (MPA).
Date of birth: February 22, 1982
Place of birth: Lembisol, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Janet S Panerio - Grade 3 + 4 Teacher Sponsorship Incharge / Records
JANET SALAM PANERIO teaches Grades 3 and 4. Like all her colleagues, she majored in Community Development at the Santa Cruz Mission School in Lake Sebu. During her free time. She makes traditional T’boli bead accessories like the hilot (belt) and embroiderd T’boli blouses.
Date of birth: January 16, 1980
Place of birth: Purok Tboli, Lake Lahit, South Cotabato
In spite of her western-sounding name, ALICE LUGONG ADAMS is a pure T’boli. Her husband’s family (Adams) are migrants from Ilocos while her family (Lugong) are natives of Lamdalag, Lake Sebu.
Alice holds a degree in Community Development from the Santa Cruz Mission School in Lake Sebu. To augment the family’s income, she makes bead jewelry.
Date of birth: June 16, 1964
Place of birth: Lamdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Merlinda Mofak - Grade 1 + 2 Teacher Finance Incharge
MERLINDA TROLAN MOFAK is the teacher for Grade 1 + 2. Like the rest of her colleagues, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Development from the Santa Cruz Mission School in Lake Sebu. Merlinda, and her children as well, are talented traditional T’boli dancers.
During her spare time and in order to earn extra income, she makes bead jewelry.
Date of birth: April 4, 1974
Place of birth: Lem-ehek, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato