If there's one profession I salute the most, it is teaching. I have a great admiration for all the teachers. With that said, I congratulate PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) and PLDT Managers' Club Inc. for a successful PLDT Gabay Guro (2G), the biggest-ever tribute to teachers as it celebrates National Teachers’ Month in this year’s Grand Gathering event last October 5 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Over 20,000 teachers from different parts of the country attended this spectacular celebration for free which highlighted by a throwback concert featuring popular celebrities, including Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Derek Ramsey, Jonalyn Viray, Dulce, Rachel Alejandro, Manilyn Reynes, Jessa, Dingdong Avanzado, Iya Villania, Alice Dixson, and many more.
2G has been supporting teachers and students who would like to take up the teaching profession for seven years now. All of 2G efforts are aligned with its six pillars, which are: Teachers’ Training that presents new modules on Emotional Intelligence and IT Literacy and Sustainability; Housing and Educational Facilities; Livelihood Programs; Broadbanding and Computerization of Schools; and Teachers’ Tribute, highlighted by the 2G Grand Gathering.
The Grand Gathering this year also featured the biggest raffle draws, with substantial major prizes that include a house and lot from Camella Homes, a brand new HAIMA car from Laus Group of Companies, an APE Piaggo three-wing van from Auto Italia, 10 PLDT Home Cyberya Internet Café setups, Retailer Phone Kits and Sims from Smart and Sun, and cash prizes.
Among the other raffle prizes are laptops from PLDT HOME Bro, laptop and tablet in-one from Microsoft, electric fan with oven toaster package from Fujidenzo, gift packs from various sponsors, myPad3 from myPhone, Cignal prepaid kits, quad core polaroid platinum tablets from PLDT HOME Telpad, Samsung tab 7, a trip for two to Hongkong, tricycle from Honda Philippines Inc., and a motorcycle from PR Savings Bank.
So far, 2G has awarded around 1,000 scholarship grants to aspiring teachers. It has enabled more than 300 scholars to graduate from its 40 partner schools nationwide. Five of the 2G scholars have continued their quest for higher learning and received Master’s Degree scholarships from the Philippine Women’s University.
In June this year, 2G and PLDT Hong Kong launched a scholarship program for Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) children and dependents. They also sponsored 110 OFW teacher-candidates in their review and venue fees for the Licensure Examination for teachers.
2G and its partners have also donated some 28 classrooms to various public schools in the country, especially those that are located in the calamity-ravaged areas. It was the first organization to build permanent structures in the form of sturdy classrooms after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Bohol in 2013. It was likewise one of the first responders in the rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged Leyte.
