WHAT would this world be like without teachers? We can give many answers but we can sum them up into one important truth. The world wouldn’t be what it is now where people learn to love, nurture, respect, understand themselves and others, and anything that exists around them. Simply said, teachers play a crucial role in our lives.
This year’s National Teacher's Day (NTD) is a thanksgiving celebration for teachers. The NTD is an assurance that teachers are not forgotten, and their efforts are appreciated and recognized.
It is also this time of the year when they can show the world that they are proud of their profession, and they have other skills and talents aside from teaching.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones expressed her sincere gratitude to teachers’ unwavering commitment to and service in strengthening the community and building the nation by enhancing the learning capabilities and protecting the welfare of learners.
“Being a teacher in itself is already a tremendous job. Teaching with unwavering commitment despite the odds is a true service to the country,” Secretary Briones said.
Held at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) on September 30, more than 4,000 teachers gathered together to celebrate their day.
Teachers from Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao), Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga came in different color motifs to represent their region.
They were entertained by local and national artists, provided free medical and dental check-ups, spa and beauty care, freebies, gifts, and big prizes in raffle draws including trip to Korea.
Regional Director (RD) Alberto Escobarte who led the hosting of the NTD was so grateful to Fr. Joel Tabora for his generosity by supporting and allowing the celebration in the Martin Hall of ADDU. He also made sure that all teachers will be secured and accommodated well.
“Our prime concern here is not just to ensure that all the teachers are safe but also to provide them the best accommodation. This is just a simple way of letting them know that they are loved and appreciated,” lawyer Escobarte said.
Each teacher was given a rose to remind them that roses aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. They are loved all throughout the year, all throughout the time as they walk an extra mile to ensure learners get the education they need.
The whole day program was full of memorable lines to remember, teachers’ stories and experiences, and entertainment.
The celebration was the day for the teachers to pause for a moment, reflect on their vocation, and uplift their spirits as they accepted the challenge as noble partners for change.
The National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration carries the theme Guro: “Kabalikat sa Pagbabago” to acknowledge and emphasize the crucial role and value of teachers in the Philippine society.
Aside from being a time to pay tribute to teachers, the NTM was also an occasion to build the image of teaching as an attractive and fulfilling profession, and to generate widespread support and assistance for teachers.
DepEd’s statements
Undersecretary Dina Ocampo, in her speech, shared the key priorities that will have greater positive impact on our basic education system and called for the support of all teachers to make all these happen.
She said DepEd will continue the full implementation of K to 12, “Let’s put in place an effective system to monitor and evaluate the outcome in terms of quality and access.”
Ocampo also said DepEd will continue to initiate curricular reforms by enlarging the drug component in Science and Health, strengthening the gender and equity component of school curricula, and giving emphasis on the environmental and climate change, disaster risk reduction and preparedness, adaptation and mitigation.
As Secretary Briones pushes for a more vigorous implementation of alternative learning system (ALS) to bring education to more learners across the country, Ocampo said DepEd will introduce catch-up programs to expand the coverage of ALS.
“We will introduce ALS in drug rehabilitation centers, develop alternative learning methods for hard-to-reach mountain regions and densely populated areas, and establish ALS in countries with illegal migrants where children don’t have access to formal education,” she said.
The undersecretary also said DepEd will enhance and enrich the complementarity of public and private school institutions by constant dialogue, exchange of strategies and methods of teaching and learning, and faculty exchange.
Teachers’ Got Talent (TGT)
Teachers all over Mindanao braced themselves as they waited and cheered for the teacher-contestants who made it to the top 15 of Teachers’ Got Talent.
Hundreds of teachers all over Mindanao intended to join but they were trimmed down to 15 only.
It was evident during the TGT that teachers were not only good in teaching subjects and inspiring students, but they were also great in world-class performances. The best of the best was seen in the theatrical smoke and fog effects on stage.
A talented teacher from General Santos City won first place for his stand-up comedy with a combination of sing and dance performance.
Champions from Soccksargen, Richard Bacarisaz became the crowd’s favorite after his performance and RD Allan Farnazo confidently waved their color even before the proclamation of the first place.
Second placer Carol Faye Ferrer of Pagadian City captured the hearts of the crowd when she gave her unique and dramatic rendition of Anak.
The audience said Ferrer’s performance gave them goosebumps and it was, so far, the best rendition of Freddie Aguilar’s most popular song.
RD Isabelita Borres and teachers from Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) jumped with joy when Ferrer’s name was announced as winner.
Five singers from Tagum City wowed the audience when they belted out popular OPM music.
Called as Quadros Plus One, Vladimir Santos, Davy Quiros, Shane Lupina, Rolando Sioting Jr., and Jhovanie Sebastian gave another goosebumps as they blended their voices and won third place. Eversweet Santos played the keyboard.
Fourth placer John Clemence Andro of Bukidnon brought the audience to dancing and waving as he sang Brunos Mars’ famous songs. Teachers from Northern Mindanao and the audience said the performance was so awesome.
Michelle Jean Tortuya who once joined Tawag ng Tanghalan got the 5th place in her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.
Tortuya, the pride of Davao del Sur, did not fail to seize the moment as she sang with confidence.
All the other performances include singing blindfold while solving rubrics cubes, singing with painting and magic tricks, dancing cultural and modern music.
The prizes at stake for TGT were P25,000, P20,000, P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 for the top 5 and P3,000 consolation prizes.
Freebies and special gifts were also given to all teachers sponsored by partners of DepEd.
Mindanao teacher-awardees
Aniceto Sobrepena, president of Metrobank Foundation, Inc., also graced the event and announced that from 1984 to the present, the cash prize of 10,000 increased to 500,000 for each Metrobank Outstanding Teacher.
In Davao alone, he said they have already recognized eight outstanding teachers.
Marivi Lim-Castro of General Santos City won the prestigious award in 2012.
As a special education teacher who first worked in a private school, Castro recalled how she was inspired to teach in public school.
She was told that if she really wanted to help the community, she could best do it when she teaches in a public school. She tried and she found what true service is. One that is fulfilling and joyful.
The Many Faces of a Teacher honoree and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Randy Halasan shared how he nurtured his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods.
Castro and Halasan were examples of the commitment, dedication, and integrity of a Filipino teacher.
Teachers have different struggles and experiences but they only see one direction – to teach, guide, inspire learners to be the best that they can become.
So, thank you teachers for playing a very important role in our lives.
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