PASAY CITY, September 29, 2018 – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, together with private partners and celebrity performers, saluted the thousands of teachers who attended the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2018 on September 23 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

“Sayang na sayang na wala tayong lugar na maka-accommodate ng 800,000 na mga teachers sa buong bansa. Kayo dito, mga 20,000, you represent each and everyone of our 800,000 teachers,” Briones stated during her welcome message.

“Panahon ito para tayo ay magsaya, panahon ito para bigyang pugay kayong lahat, panahon ito para kayo ay mag-relax, matuwa, mapaligaya, at mabigyan ng recognition,” the Education chief told the teachers who came from all over the country.

Partners, celebrity performers
Briones also extended her gratitude to PLDT-SMART, headed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manny V. Pangilinan, for its unwavering support to the country’s educators, especially through Gabay Guro – its advocacy and flagship program for teachers.

“Ngayong hapon, ang private sector ay nagbibigay pugay sa inyo. After all, sila naman ay produkto ninyong lahat. Halos lahat ng Pilipino ay dumanas, dumaan sa mentoring ng ating mga teachers, mapa-public o mapa-private,” she added.

Teachers were also entertained and given tribute by celebrity performers including Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Basil Valdez, Jed Madela, Jona Viray, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Richard Yap, Randy Santiago, Jolina Magdangal, Karla Estrada, Melai Cantiveros, comedians Boobay and Ate Gay, and winners of reality shows who are now part of the show business. The six-hour program was hosted by Edu Manzano, Pops Fernandez, and Andrew Wolf.

Endless tribute
Now on its 11th year, Gabay Guro has been advocating the welfare and development of teachers all throughout the country through housing and educational facilities, scholarships, trainings, livelihood programs, “broadbanding” (equipping a facility with broadband connection for internet access) and computerization, innovations, and the annual Teachers’ Tribute.

“Gabay Guro’s annual Grand Gathering is our big thank you to all our beloved teachers who dedicate their life to the invaluable role of educating our children,” Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla shared.

Several teachers also brought home prizes including smartphones and gadgets, home appliances, livelihood packages, vehicles, a brand new house and lot, and gift certificates from partners and sponsors, namely: Colgate-Palmolive; Devant; Enchanted Kingdom; FINTQ; Foton; Gen Korean BBQ House; HBC; Honda; Kettle Foods Corp; Landco; Manila Doctors Hospital; Motorlandia; MPTC; MVP Rewards; MyPhone; PECCI; Penshoppe; PLDT Home; Red Planet Hotels; Reyes Haircutters; SGV Foundation; Smart; Standard Insurance; Stanford University Batch 2018; Sun; Sunsilk; Suzuki; Telescoop; TNT; and Yamaha.

Also present during the celebration were DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison, External Partnerships, and School Sports Tonisito Umali, and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Service and Alternative Learning System G.H. Ambat.

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