PLDT-Smart Foundation believes that teachers greatly contribute to student achievement and play an important role in everybody’s life. Thus, as a way of paying tribute to our “second parents, ” the foundation stages the annual Gabay Guro, a free concert featuring some of the country’s biggest movie and TV stars.
On its 12th year, the star-studded event will be staged on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. And as part of the grand gathering, Gabay Guro app—an exclusive application for teachers that will provide e-learning content and interactive technology and ready-to-use online tools that are aligned with the DepEd and CHED curriculum—will also be launched. This will provide teachers with the latest and easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips
During a media launch held last month, a list of performers was unveiled. Part of the stars and acts that will grace the event are Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse De Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Zephanie Dimaranan.
In support for the Gabay Guro, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Eat Bulaga enlisted their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers. The event will be hosted by Jose and Wally and Dimples Romana.
“Gabay Guro continues to develop innovative programs for our teachers and our partners in nation-building,” Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla said.
“Every year, it is our great honor to be able to give back to our teachers through a grand tribute and we always look forward to continuing this mission and empower them through Gabay Guro’s previously 6 and now 7 core pillars of learning,” Cabal-Revilla added.
Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; training programs; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; annual Teacher’s Tribute; and the newly launched innovations pillar.
The new Innovations Pillar of Gabay Guro aims to reinforce the digital transformation for Filipino teachers, school leaders, and stakeholders by equipping them with new modes of teaching and the latest technology that will enable them to create, grow, and evolve their craft for the benefit of their students.
Since its founding, Gabay Guro has built and donated 47 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants through its 57 partner schools, which have been equipped with new computers and broadband connectivity. Of its scholars, 1,013 have graduated, with 343 finishing with honors. About 680 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.
Over the years, more than 60,000 educators have also benefitted from Gabay Guro’s nine regular training programs including: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Program; Personality Development; Emotional Intelligence; Teachers’ Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; Teaching in the Digital Age; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and seminars. This helps promote an innovative mindset and unlocks opportunities for teachers, school leaders, and staff.
Gabay Guro also holds Teachers’ Tribute in different provinces in the Philippines. Through the “Teacherfest,”, Gabay Guro’s satellite and localized tribute celebration with teachers in key cities around the country, more teachers from remote areas are able to share in the fun and frivolity. Gabay Guro has successfully mounted the Teacherfests in the provinces including Metro Cauayan Isabela, Santa Rosa Laguna, Bataan, Butuan, Bulacan, Navotas, and Davao.
Gabay Guro’s efforts have also been recognized by various award-giving bodies in the Philippines and abroad including Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) Awards, and the CMO Asia Awards in Singapore.
At the Grand Gathering, teachers will get a chance to win exciting prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners, such as 100 winners of Accident Insurance Policies for one year from Inlife Sheroes, gift certificates from Don Henrico’s, Fitness First, Jollibee, and Penshoppe. Gift packs from Colgate and Palmolive, Pilipinas Alibaba, and Unilab Consumer Health; gadgets and free subscriptions from PLDT Home; gadgets and mobile phones from Smart, Sun and TNT; travel and leisure escape by First United Travel, Inc., and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar; and free entrance tickets to Enchanted Kingdom; cash vouchers from Aveda, Shopee and Lazada; Television sets by Devant; cash prizes from PLDT-Smart Foundation, Pecci, and Telescoop; livelihood packages from Reyes Haircutters; motorcycle from Motorlandia; a Gratour van from Foton; and a brand new house and lot as the major prize.
The event is exclusive to teachers, and admission is free and tickets can be secured from local Dep Ed unit. For passes to the Gabay Guro’s Grand Gathering, teachers may visit Gabay Guro’s official Facebook account, and follow its official Twitter and Instagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.