“Thank you for entertaining us.” “Chill chill sa weekend.” “We are so grateful to have this kind of event.”
These were just some of the comments made by teachers in appreciation for the musical treat they received from seasoned and rising Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists during this year’s virtual Gabay Guro grand gathering. The tribute event was hosted by Atom Araullo, Iza Calzado, Pops Fernandez, Derek Ramsay and Dominic Roque.
With the theme Guro sa Gitna ng Pandemya: Heroes for Digital Transformation, the four-hour spectacle celebrated how teachers are taking the lead in using digital technology for education. Almost 8,000 teachers from across the country tuned in to the live-streamed event via the Gabay Guro Facebook page and PLDTGabayGuro YouTube channel. The program also featured segments raffling off prizes from PLDT-Smart and production numbers by various artists.
During a presscon, creative content and music producer Eloisa Matias shared the rigorous process of putting together the songs and coming up with excellent musical presentations.
She expressed appreciation for the artists’ full cooperation in this endeavor for teachers. “I can say that all our artists are more than happy to take part in this event and they are willing to do what has to be done,” Eloisa said.
Gabay Guro chairperson and Metro Pacific chief sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla, on the other hand, said they wanted to make the teachers’ tribute extra special despite long hours of preparation. She added, “Pero, ang gagaling talaga. Wala akong masabi sa Pinoy artists who are really oozing with talent and, also, kindness because they really spent time, at pag nag-vi-video sila effort talaga.”
Among the performers were Rayver Cruz, Sam Concepcion, Quest and Elmo Magalona who did a rap number to Gabay Guro’s Saludo.
Jose Mari Chan rendered A Love to Last to highlight Gabay Guro’s seven core pillars: Classroom Donations, Connectivity and Computerization, Digital Innovations, Livelihood Projects, Scholarships, Teachers Training and Teachers Tribute.
Davey Langit, Bugoy Drilon, Nyoy Volante, Jed Madela, Erik Santos and Randy Santiago performed solo and together such popular songs as Himala, Kathang Isip, Kahit Ayaw Mo Na and Pare Ko. Itchyworms also rendered Di Na Muli.
Jose Mari joined Martin Nievera, Nonoy Zuñiga and Basil Valdez in a medley of songs — Tell Me Your Name, Be My Lady, Love Without Time and How Can I. Balladeers Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Poppert Bernadas, Jeremy Glinoga and Jason Dy made teachers swoon with Hold On, Set You Free, Say You’ll Never Go and Forevermore. Janine Teñoso, Barbie Almalbis, Ice Seguerra and Yeng Constantino serenaded teachers with Hindi Tayo Pwede, Tadhana, Pagdating ng Panahon and Ikaw.
Meanwhile, Awra Briguela, Rhap Salazar and Wacky Kiray shared how their teachers helped them become responsible individuals. Rhap dedicated Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap to his teachers, while Awra and Kiray did Para Sa ‘Yo and Hanggang, respectively.
P-pop groups BINI and BGYO wowed the viewers with Born to Win and The Light, respectively. Vina Morales, Lara Maigue, Bituin Escalante and Katrina Velarde assembled for a powerful rendition of Regine Velasquez’s hits Narito Ako, Urong-sulong, Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, Araw-Gabi and Tuwing Umuulan.
Regine, on the other hand, did a duet with Kyla in Dadalhin and sang with husband Ogie Alcasid.
Another display of vocal prowess came from Lucas, Matty and Enzo of iDolls, Morissette, Angeline Quinto, Aicelle Santos, Klarisse de Guzman, Gigi De Lana, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Joey Albert, Jona, Kuh Ledesma and Sharon Cuneta.
In his message to the teachers, PLDT chairman and Gabay Guro founder Manny V. Pangilinan sincerely thanked them for their hard work and dedication to their chosen profession. He promised to continuously support teachers in this time of global health crisis.
Apart from the tributes and musical treats, Chaye said that Gabay Guro has relevant programs to help address major changes in the country’s educational system due to the pandemic.
“I think the launch of Gabay Guro Super App is very timely because it was created to empower teachers as they lead the way for the digital transformation. Within its first two days of launch last year, the app already had over 100,000 downloads and a steady 4.9 app satisfaction rating,” she said.
“We continue to innovate and try to maximize help for teachers. What we are trying to do right now with Metro Pacific Investments Foundation is to put in ‘yung livelihood program gaya ng component ng Gabay Kalikasan kasi sustainability link lahat ng ginagawa ng programs natin,” she added.
Gabay Guro will also partner with the Department of Education in its aim to plant fruits and vegetables within schools because “one of the things really important for us during this pandemic is to be self-sufficient in terms of food.”
Chaye said they also include sustainability and environmental protection awareness in their training program “kasi ‘yung 3 P’s — profit, people and planet — are equally important.”
Gabay Guro’s seventh pillar — computerization and connectivity — continues to provide teachers with wi-fi, tablets or laptops, aside from livelihood programs for extra income.
It also assists teachers in far-flung areas by giving them smart school in a bag. “In case they are in remote areas or islands, we provide this bag with things they need like if there is no electricity in the area, there’s a solar panel in the bag and then tablets with a lot of apps inside. The good thing about it is, it also has a localized dialect app. It’s not just English or Tagalog.”
Chaye also stressed the need to make education available and accessible to indigenous people. “We are starting to determine what is needed. I think yung mga Dumagats are one of the priorities given the pandemic kasi malapit-lapit lang sila. We will provide classrooms, and connectivity and gadgets that teachers and students need.”
Gabay Guro also plans to construct floating classrooms in wetland areas.
To date, Gabay Guro has built and donated over 55 double classrooms in 18 cities and municipalities nationwide. It has provided 1,988 scholarship grants where 1,063 have graduated and 30 percent of which graduated with honors. It has also distributed over 500 computers/laptops among 16 municipalities nationwide.