PH educator receives MBE medal from Prince William
Filipino educator and United Kingdom headteacher Edison David received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Medal from the Prince of Wales on behalf of King Charles III during a royal investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on May 13, marking a proud moment for the Filipino community worldwide.
David was recognized for services to education in recognition of his contribution to improving outcomes for children and supporting educational leadership in England.
To honor his Filipino heritage during the historic occasion, David wore a bespoke barong coat from Lumban, Laguna—widely recognized as the “Embroidery Capital of the Philippines.” The formal attire brought a distinct Filipino presence to the royal ceremony and reflected pride in his roots.
The ceremony gathered honorees from across the UK and the Commonwealth who were recognized for outstanding contributions to public life.
Son of Tarlac
Originally from Tarlac province in the Philippines, David has built a respected career within the UK’s education sector, leading school improvement initiatives and supporting schools through wider educational leadership, mentoring, and inspection work.
“Receiving the MBE from His Majesty King Charles III was an extraordinary and deeply humbling experience,’’ David said.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the schools, colleagues, pupils, and communities I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career.’’
Programs for PH
“I hope this moment inspires Filipinos around the world and highlights the important contribution our community continues to make internationally,” he added.
Following discussions with Education Secretary Sonny Angara and education partners in the Philippines, David will also support the introduction of a bespoke phonics program for pilot school divisions in the country, with the long-term aim of supporting a wider national rollout.
The initiative is being developed in direct response to the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) report, which highlighted significant concerns regarding reading proficiency and foundational literacy among Filipino learners.
The proposed program will draw on evidence-informed literacy practices and international best practice in early reading instruction, including systematic phonics approaches used successfully in leading schools in England.
The collaboration is expected to include school benchmarking, literacy support, teacher development, and the sharing of effective educational practice between schools in the UK and the Philippines.
The MBE is one of the UK’s most recognized honors and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in fields including education, public service, charity, and community leadership.
