MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines--Fedelyn Gomez, a high school teacher at the Tomas Cabili National High School in Iligan City, recalled the days leading to the moment she received a coveted award for most innovative teachers in the country.

"I cried because I almost did not make it to the contest," she said, explaining that a blackout had affected the submission of some requirements.

A teacher for 12 years who is currently teaching Makabayan (Civics), Gomez was ecstatic when Microsoft Philippines officials called out her name from among the 10 finalists.

Her winning lesson plan taught students important concepts in entrepreneurship. "The Wonders of One's Finger Tips" lesson plan required students to design a business plan for an animal production project. Their work was then published on the Web.

Gomez revealed that she missed the deadline for her graduate studies thesis, but was still thankful that she won the award.

Gomez's winning lesson plan was unique in this year's Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards (ITLA). Most of the finalists focused on science, math, and language subjects.

During her presentation to the judges, Gomez said she felt that she was not going to win the award. But it turned out that she was one of top three winners, along with Julius Hechanova, also a fellow teacher from Iligan City.

The third winner is Ma. Noemi Bagayaua, a five-year elementary teacher from Cembo Elementary School in Makati City who specializes in English.

Hechanova who just started teaching mathematics a month ago created a micro-lesson wherein students were asked to solve word problems in right triangle trigonometry. He used Microsoft's Powerpoint to present word problems with animated illustrations to better explain concepts.

Bagayaua, on the other hand, developed a literature-based interactive lesson to enhance the reading comprehension of Grade 6 pupils.

All three teachers said they did not expect to win. But they also admit that their victory was indication that they were on to something that was good and right.

Despite the lack of computers in the schools where the winning teachers are teaching, they still believe technology has provided them more tools to make lessons interesting.

"Also we don't cough a lot because we're no longer using chalk [when teaching]," quipped Hechanova.

Now on its fourth year, the ITLA gives recognition to teachers who develop ways to integrate information and communications technology in teaching and learning.

These teachers come from top 30 school division identified by Microsoft Philippines in its Potensyal program, which is also an initiative to identify the top school divisions in the country.

Participants in the ITLA are required to submit their digital portfolio through the Partners in Learning (PIL) online community, also of Microsoft. PIL is a global initiative for education.

All three top winners will go on to join the Microsoft Regional Innovative Teachers Conference in Vietnam in April.