Briones wants ‘Gabay Guro’ celebration in other regions

Believing that teachers all over the country should be given more recognition for their dedication to service, the Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing for the extension of an annual celebration to reach those who are in various regions.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed her desire that the 10th year celebration of “Gabay Guro” – the education arm and flagship project of PLDTSmart Foundation – to be also held in the regions. She urged the organizing committee to extend the celebration in other regions for teachers who were unable to attend the festivity.

The “Gabay Guro” 2017, which was held in Pasay City recently, was attended by some 20,000 teachers. It is an annual grand tribute for teachers where they can take a break from work for a day.

“I hope we can also hold the ‘Gabay Guro’ in other parts of the country so we could also reach out those who were not able to witness the celebration,” she said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, PLDT and SMART Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manny Pangilinan responded to Briones’ proposal positively and mentioned “the possibility of carrying out a regional event” during his welcome remarks.

During the recent celebration, teachers were treated to the concert of some of the country’s top performers including Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, Robin Padilla, Gabby Concepcion, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga, Gerald Anderson, and Kim Chiu.

Some teachers also brought home prizes including cash gifts, gadgets, vehicles, livelihood packages, two houseand-lots, and a trip for two to any Asian destination. Two schools were also awarded with generator sets.

For the past 10 years, “Gabay Guro” has been advocating the welfare and development of teachers all throughout the country by spearheading various trainings, scholarships, and livelihood programs.

The event also leads the construction of housing and educational facilities, as well as the computerization and “broadbanding” or equipping a facility with broadband connection for Internet access of schools and learning centers to further capacitate teachers in raising the Filipino learners.