Audrey Cortez secured one of the limited 40 slots from a nationwide pool exceeding 400 applicants to participate in the Service Learning for English Teachers program at Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte, held from October 23 to 25, 2025.

The fully funded professional development initiative gathered both pre-service and in-service English teachers from different parts of the Philippines to enhance their ability to integrate service learning into language instruction. Through student-centered methodologies, cross-cultural engagement in Ilocos Norte and Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and capacity-building workshops, the program promoted innovative ways to connect classroom learning with meaningful community experiences.

Cortez, a graduate of Philippine Normal University North Luzon, was originally nominated for the program during her internship, when the event was initially scheduled for April 2025 but later postponed to October.

Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “This program was more than learning; it was about building meaningful connections, sharing experiences, and forming friendships with fellow teachers from different parts of the Philippines.”