GABAY Guro was born and became the CSR arm under the PLDT-Smart Foundation when a small group of like-minded PLDT executives banded together over coffee nine years ago for an advocacy for teachers.
With a common dream of being a catalyst of change in the lives of teachers, Gabay Guro became an education arm and a flagship project of the PLDT-Smart Foundation under the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Manny Pangilinan.
This program run by volunteers composed of the PLDT Manager's Club Inc. revolutionized education-based advocacy efforts in so many levels, giving birth to a holistic approach that was anchored on the now famous GabayGuro pillars - Scholarships, Trainings, Housing and Educational Facilities, Livelihood Programs, Broadbanding and Computerization, and Teachers’ Tribute.
Gabay Guro paid tribute to teachers all over the country (and nearby countries) by bringing attention to their heroic deeds and at the same time, providing them with the necessary tools to contribute to the change in the lives of their students and families.
Nine years later Gabay Guro has over 1,100 scholars in various state colleges and universities nationwide. There are over 300 LET passers, 496 active scholars as of August, 2016 and a projected 167 graduates in 2017.
Gabay Guro also celebrates the fact that 137 scholars graduated with honors which were composed of 112 cum laudes and 25 magna cum laudes.
Gabay Guro has also partnered with local government units to further teacher education. The foundation has conducted trainings for over 16,000 teachers in the course of its nine years.
Today, it runs eight training programs for teachers around the country namely Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Training; Computer Literacy; Emotional Intelligence; Teacher’s Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching.
At the same time, Gabay Guro answers to the needs of the times by doing grassroots anti-drugs trainings in schools.
Gabay Guro’s initiative on Broadband and Computerization has had great impact nationwide. All partner-schools were recipients of either computers/laptop or internet connections from PLDT or Smart.
Knowing that shortage of educational facilities is a major disaster area in the Philippine education system, Gabay Guro has taken the cudgels in the construction of classrooms in the provinces, mostly those that have been hit by debilitating calamities. There are over 40 classrooms constructed and donated already in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Capiz.
In the beginning, there were only a couple of thousand member-teachers under its stable. 2016 envisions a 20,000-strong membership at its helm, taking over the leadership, setting the bar of service in all education-related NGOs around the nation.
Ms. Chaye Revilla and the Gabay Guro team of visionaries were propelled by this belief: “Our nation’s children depend on our nation’s teachers to lead them to the future. And this teachers’ month, Gabay Guro gives tribute to those who teach the next generation of nation-builders.”
The pinnacle of Gabay Guro’s celebration is embodied in the tribute event held every year at the MOA Arena. Year after year, the organizers leave no stone unturned ensuring that it is in GabayGuro where teachers get to be treated like royalty. Raffle prizes have generously grown into the staggering house and lot and vehicle showcases and livelihood opportunities that they give in every tribute event.
The Gabay Guro’s 9th Teacher’s Tribute this year has the biggest gathering of the country’s celebrities and will not disappoint on September 25 at the MOA Arena.
Stellar names include Regine Velasquez, OgieAlcasid, Gary Valenciano, Pops Fernandez, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Ms. Lea Salonga, Mega star Ms. Sharon Cuneta and more surprise guests on the big day.
This year is made possible through the help of the sponsors: Perry’s Group of Companies (house and lot), Foton (Gratour Van), Intel, Devant, Motorlandia (Honda and Suzuki motorcyles), Ropali, Penshoppe, National Bookstore, Enchanted Kingdom, Splash, Tempra, Flanax, Bonamine, Vivalyte, Mundipharma, Gardenia, Bic, Art Attack, Microsoft, Smart Bro, Ultera, Talk N Text and 51 Talk.
To this day, Gabay Guro managed to thrive on volunteerism among the ranks of the executives from PLDT and Smart. By helping shape the future of the teachers, Gabay Guro hopes to spread the gift of learning to students across the country, thereby taking part in nation building.
The PLDT Gabay Guro grand tribute event is exclusive for teachers only, and admission is free. Follow GabayGuro on Facebook, twitter and Instagram at @PLDTGabayGuro or visit the Gabay Guro official website gabayguro.com for more details.