Metrobank Foundation leads Teachers' Month campaign

MANILA, Philippines - The Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) supported the Teachers’ Month Campaign (TMC) that was launched last Sept. 3, at Metrobank Plaza in Makati City, together with the awarding of the country’s ten outstanding teachers of 2010. The Campaign culminated last Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day, with the teachers’ prayer recited all over the country at a gathering of teachers at ULTRA graced by President Benigno Aquino III.

The campaign carries the theme, “My Teacher, My Hero.” Reviving the culture of gratitude in the heart of the nation takes more than just asking them to say “thanks”. The TMC aims to remind the public of the nobility and essence of the teaching profession and the role it plays in shaping an individual, families, the community and the nation as a whole. MBFI expresses its appreciation to everybody who participated by praying together, united as a nation, in honor of teachers.

As part of a multi-sectoral committee, “the Metrobank Foundation has always regarded our teachers as heroes and we are pleased to be part of this campaign to encourage Filipinos to celebrate our teachers,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña. In this regard, MBFI supported the campaign through its various efforts:

• MBFI served as the secretariat of the steering committee and the Council of Leaders. This committee spearheads the TMC programs as well as the coordination of the various partners’ participation in the campaign.

• Launched the TMC during the Awarding Ceremony of the 2010 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers on Sept. 3, 2010 at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium, which served as the highlight of Metrobank’s 48th anniversary celebrations

• Sponsored the 3rd National Tri-Level Conference of Teachers and Educators with the theme “Responding to Current Challenges in Education”, held at the University of Asia and the Pacific, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2010, organized by the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED).

• The Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Program mounted an “Artists’ Tribute Wall for Teachers” during the 2010 Art Exploration Series and Exhibit Run from Sept. 18 and 20, 2010 at the Le Pavilion, Metropolitan Park, Pasay City. The MADE Program aims to pay homage to the dedication and devotion of art educators by providing a venue for their students to express their gratitude. The ATW was displayed at the foyer of Le Pavilion and dedications were solicited from the guests during registration.

• Simultaneous turn over of plaques of recognition and faculty development grants to the respective schools of the 2010 Awardees and cash incentives to National Finalists of the Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers.

• Sponsorship of “Ang Guro, A Musical Stage Play” staged last Sept. 5 by STAIRS Theater in cooperation with DepEd. It is a project campaign for the advocacy of education and the educators through the medium of arts and theater.

• Manila Doctors Hospital conducted “Honoring our Doctor Mentors”, an exhibit of the MDH residents as they honor their consultants that stand as their mentors and the “MDH Teacher’s Honoring” program at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School wherein teachers were given TMC bookmarks with the prayer.

• Sponsorship of the World Teachers’ Day celebration at the SM Mall of Asia organized by the Global City Innovative College in partnership with the Department of Education and SM Super Malls. MBFI sponsored the cash prizes for the poem-writing, poster-making, Cook-off Challenge for Educators, Pageant for Teachers and the Campus Duet singing contest, while MBFI Officers also served as judges.

• A TMC advertorial was published, through Metrobank’s Corporate Communication Division, in The Philippine STAR dated Oct. 5, 2010.