Gabay Guro 2023: A star-studded event  for Filipino Teachers

CEBU, Philippines —  Gabay Guro holds a back-to-back teachers tribute this year featuring the country’s world-class singers and performers all on one stage.

Gabay Guro 2023 is titled “Pagpupugay at Pasasalamat Kay Ma’am at Sir,” showcases celebrities like Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez, OPM idols Ogie Alcasid, Jona, Klarisse, Bituin Escalante and other ABS-CBN performers, and huge raffle prizes on Oct. 14, 1pm from the famed Dolphy Theater inside the ABS-CBN compound, it will also stream live to Gabay Guro’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel. All registered Grand Gathering attendees, whether onsite or online, will also get a chance to win fabulous prizes, including a brand new car, cash prizes, and gift products.

It comes on the heels of the highly successful Teachers’ Day celebration called “Together4Teachers” held last Oct. 5 at the Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City, Caraga Region in partnership with the Department of Education and Vice President Sara Duterte.

This Gabay Guro kick-off event which paid tribute to over 3,000 teachers was graced by Senator Imee Marcos and headlined by Gabay Guro artist-advocates Ms. Pops Fernandez, Mark Bautista, Jed Madela, Jona, Daryl Ong, Regina and Ate Gay.

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), a partner of Gabay Guro for the past 10 years, has generously donated a Chery Tiggo as a grand raffle prize for the Grand Gathering for the past several years. Chairman Rommel L. Sytin is proud to extend its heartfelt appreciation to all the dedicated and hardworking teachers in the country.

“For more than a decade,” Sytin shares, “UAAGI has supported Gabay Guro in its advocacy of empowering Filipino teachers and helping improve our education system. We are committed to extend our support and will continue to partner with Gabay Guro for the benefit of our beloved teachers."

Now on its 16th year, Gabay Guro is the flagship education program of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), and PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) in partnership with the PLDT Managers’ Club Inc. Gabay Guro reaffirmed its commitment to the Department of Education to help uplift the lives of teachers so that they can continue to focus on what matters most – honing their skills and fueling their passion towards the improved quality of education in the Philippines.

Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla shares that this year’s Grand Gathering theme –“Pagpupugay at Pasasalamat kay Ma’am at Sir” — is all about honoring and thanking our beloved teachers for their continued service and sacrifices for the benefit of our Filipino youth.

“Our theme,” she says, “rightfully acknowledges and gives due respect to our teachers for the contribution that they make to nation-building. We should really stop calling them unsung heroes, and instead, always recognize and respect how they have touched our lives with their unwavering passion to teach. The Gabay Guro Grand Gathering is our heartfelt gesture of gratitude to all our teachers, and we hope that they look forward to this annual event just as much as we enjoy organizing it and bringing it to them.”

MPIC CEO and Gabay Guro Chairperson Manny V. Pangilinan, or MVP, extends his congratulations to teachers on National Teachers Month, and commends the commitment and devotion of our teachers in creating a country of well-educated and enlightened Filipinos.

“Our teachers and educators give hope and ignite a new beginning for our students. We thank them for all that they do, and assure them that we are with them in their journey as educators. Together we shall all rise as a better, greater, and stronger Philippines.” MVP also salutes the team of MPIC, PLDT, and Smart volunteers who put in their time and resources for the betterment of Gabay Guro’s various projects.

“You give back to our teachers, who give so much of themselves,” he says, “And it is in these sacrifices that we are able to strengthen our foundations for nation-building.”

Gabay Guro takes the opportunity to present its latest initiatives to its audience of teachers during its annual Grand Gathering. Through its Digital Innovations pillar, it introduced the Gabay Guro Super App to help teachers gain easier access to online teaching resources and tools. Now, Gabay Guro teachers will have affordable access to healthcare, anytime, anywhere with the Healthcare mega app, Mwell. It’s a fitting gift of wellness for teachers with its holistic wellness support for them to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities.

Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its 8 Key Pillars of Learning, which were all identified to reinforce PLDT and Smart’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDG), particularly UN SDG #4 Quality Education.

Aside from hosting the annual Grand Gathering and Regional Teacherfests through the Teachers’ Tribute pillar:

Scholarships - Gabay Guro has also proudly supported more than 3000 scholars pursuing a degree in education.

Connectivity and Computerization - Gabay Guro has provided more than a thousand laptops, digital accessories, and broadband connectivity to over 70 partner schools in 29 municipalities.

Classroom Donations - Gabay Guro has donated 55 double classrooms to 21 beneficiary cities and municipalities.

Teachers’ Training - Gabay Guro has rained over 50,000 teachers through face-to-face seminar-workshops in almost 100 localities around the country.

Livelihood - Given over 5,000 teachers access to various livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Digital Innovations - Launched the Gabay Guro Super App which has already been downloaded by more than 100,000 teachers nationwide.

Health and Wellness - Gabay Guro has partnered with mWell to make the country’s first fully integrated, fully digital health and wellness app easily available for teachers.