Edison David, a Filipino educator based in London, has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the UK's 2026 honors list for his contributions to education. The award acknowledges his sustained efforts in supporting British communities. He will receive it personally from King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Edison David, an educator from Tarlac City in the Philippines, has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the UK's annual King's Honors List for 2026. The MBE recognizes individuals who have served their communities over many years and made significant impacts.
As executive headteacher at two London schools and a lead inspector for Ofsted, the UK's education and social care regulator, David is celebrated for his dedication to improving educational standards. More than 100 people received various honors this year, including Hollywood stars Cynthia Erivo, who also got an MBE, and Idris Elba, knighted for his contributions.
"For me, the MBE is not only for me — it’s for all Filipino teachers who give their heart and soul to provide service anywhere in the world," David posted on his Facebook page.
In a press statement, he added: "I may have spent most of my professional life in the UK, but my roots are firmly in the Philippines. I carry with me the values I grew up with — resilience, humility, hard work, and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives."
David is not the first Filipino to receive such recognition from the UK. Previous honorees include consular officers Victoria Buenaventura and Joanna Teh (MBE, 2015), former ambassador Jesus Tambunting (OBE, 2017), driver Roland Quitevis (BEM, 2019), nurse Joy Ongcachuy (OBE, 2019), and nurse Charito Romano (BEM, 2021). This award highlights the ongoing contributions of Filipinos to British society across various fields.
