A schoolboy took an embarrassing fall walking down the stage steps while receiving an award for excellence.

William Pontillas proudly accepted his certificate of merit with his mother, but tripped on the stairs as he returned to his seat in Cebu, the Philippines.

Footage shows William smiling before slipping and landing on the floor.

The youngster quickly scrambled to stand up and pick up his hat while his mother checked on him.

William said: 'I was one of the achievers in our class. After receiving my certificate, I was about to go down the steps and return to my seat, but my shoes gave out.

'I've been using them for three years and I slipped.'

William, seemingly embarrassed, laughed and made his way back to the rows of chairs on April 8.