Even at 66, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. still pays respect to teachers — all the more that he is now the President of the Philippines.
According to Mr. Marcos, he would still call female instructors “Ma’am” during his school visits even if he is now the Chief Executive.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon, basta teacher ang kausap ko, ‘Ma’am’ pa rin ang tawag ko. Hindi ko na matatanggal ang habit na yun (Until now, if I am talking to a teacher, I still call her ‘Ma’am’. I cannot take away that habit anymore),” Marcos said in a pre-recorded address aired on Sunday night during the third installment of the Konsyerto sa Palasyo at the Malacañan Palace grounds.
The President was in attendance along with Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte and First Lady Liza Marcos among other high-profile guests.
The free concert was specially dedicated to teachers, and a huge contingent of instructors graced the event as they were treated to musical entertainment while taking time out from their work and also got a chance to see President Marcos up close.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos vividly recalled the time he spent with one of his first teachers in school, a certain Miss Reyes.
The La Salle Greenhills alumnus said, “Noong Grade 1 hanggang Grade 2, may teacher na ako ang naging teacher’s pet niya. Lagi akong tinutulungan sa pag-aaral (From Grade 1 to Grade 2, I had a teacher who made me her teacher’s pet. She helped me a lot in my studies).”
He then said that the mentorship he got from Miss Reyes went beyond the classroom.
“She was very very helpful to me outside the school. Tinutulungan niya ako pagka may kailangan ng tutorial. Binibigyan ako ng mga grocery at prayer book. Hindi ko siya makalimutan (She was helping me when there was a need for a tutorial. She was also giving me groceries and prayer books. I will never forget her),” Mr. Marcos added.
He then said that Miss Reyes was his inspiration in the way he treated teachers until now. “What impact did it have on my life? I learned to respect teachers,” Mr. Marcos said.
The free concert featured the rap trio MC Leandro of General Trias, Cavite; B.O.N, or the “Bars Overcoming Negativity” of Tanza, Cavite; Delicano Uno of Sta. Cruz, Manila and vocalists Alex Dagaleam, Rommel Arellano, Bea Sacramento and Luke Dela Cruz.
Multi-awarded theater actors Gerald Santos, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, and Ima Castro headlined the musical performance, which was one of the culminating events marking National Teachers’ Month.
The celebration began on Sept. 5 and will end on Oct. 5, just in time for the World Teachers’ Day.