PLDT Gabay Guro celebrates TeacherFest 2016, the biggest tribute for teachers to date!

Almost 20,000 teachers from public and private schools nationwide assembled at the Mall of Asia Arena for PLDT Gabay Guro’s 9th Grand Gathering, also known as TeacherFest. Since its establishment in 2007, PLDT Gabay Guro (2G) has been able to grant over 1,100 scholarships in various state colleges and universities nationwide; train over 16,000 teachers; donate laptops and computers to schools and foundations and build over 40 classrooms located in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Capiz.

As the educational arm and flagship project of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, PLDT Gabay Guro (2G) focuses on upholding the vocation of teachers. Its tagline “building the nation one teacher at a time” highlights the valuable role of teachers in leading their students to the future and shaping the next generation of nation builders. With the highly anticipated TeacherFest, 2G culminated its 9th year of trainings, scholarships and livelihood programs for the teacher beneficiaries, right in time for Teachers’ Month.

Like previous years, the 9th PLDT Gabay Guro TeacherFest honored the teachers’ hard work, dedication and impact on society with a day filled with their favorite celebrities, world-class performances and exciting, life-changing prizes. The event was graced by no less than Vina Morales, Pops Fernandez, MJ Lastimosa, Sam Concepcion, Michael Pangilinan, Jona Viray, Gary and Gab Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga, Pia Wurtzbach and more. On top of being star-studded, the celebration was glittered with amazing raffle prizes ranging from cash and trips to local and international destinations to the coveted Foton van and house-and-lot grand raffle from Perry’s group of companies.

“Each year, we look forward to this event which is our way of rewarding teachers for their valuable presence in our lives, and their selfless work which is recognized and appreciated,” PLDT Gabay Guro Chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla said. “With this year’s TeacherFest, we are honoring nine years of our commitment to helping teachers change lives.”

“By treating our teachers to world-class entertainment and surprises, we pay tribute to them and give them a break from their daily challenges in the biggest way possible,” PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali added. “We look forward to giving them more wonderful, memorable days as well as our full support as they continue their mission of shaping our country’s future leaders.”

This year’s event is made possible through the help of the following partners: Perry’s Group of Companies, Foton, Intel, Devant, Honda and Suzuki for the motorcyles, PR Savings Bank and Manila teachers for the tricycles, Penshoppe, National Bookstore, Enchanted Kingdom, Splash, Tempra, Flanax, Bonamine, Vivalyte, Betadine, Gardenia, Bic, Art Attack, Microsoft, Smart, TNT, Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, First United Travel Agency, myPhone, Star Mobile, PECCI, PWC, Red Cross, SGV, The Flower Collection, San Marino Corned Tuna, Philippine Star and 51 Talk. For more information, visit gabayguro.com, like the PLDT Gabay Guro Facebook page and follow @PLDTGabayGuro on Twitter and Instagram.

The 9th PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering was glittered with world-class entertainment and exciting, life-changing prizes headlined by the coveted Foton van and house-and-lot grand raffle from Perry’s Group of Companies. In photo are (L-R): Celebrity hosts MJ Lastimosa, Pops Fernandez and Andrew Wolff; Perry’s Group of Companies’ Finina and Barry Tugade; PLDT Gabay Guro Chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla; Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach; house-and-lot winner Chita Mejia of Carlos L. Albert High School Quezon City; Smart HR Head Gina Ordonez; PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos; PDRF President Butch Meily; SGV Partner Ramon Dizon and PLDT Clarktel President Boy Castaneda.

World-class performers came together in one stage. (L-R): Multi-talented music icon Jaya, concert king Martin Nievera, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez and the one and only OPM President Ogie Alcasid.

Miss Universe 2015 and Philippines’ pride Pia Wurtzbach graced the stage with her achievement walk and an inspiring message for the teachers.

Internationally-acclaimed music artist Lea Salonga delivered yet another phenomenal stage act.

On its 9th year, PLDT Gabay Guro continues to reach higher heights

Building the nation one teacher at a time

Nine years ago, a small group of like-minded PLDT executives banded together over coffee for an advocacy for teachers. With a common dream of being a catalyst of change in the lives of teachers, Gabay Guro was born and became the CSR arm under the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

What transpired after that fateful day revolutionized education-based advocacy efforts in so many levels giving birth to a holistic approach that was anchored on the now famous Gabay Guro pillars - Scholarships, Trainings, Housing and Educational Facilities, Livelihood Programs, Broadbanding and Computerization, and Teachers’ Tribute.

Gabay Guro managed to write off mediocrity since then, championing excellence and  paying tribute to teachers all over the country (and nearby countries) by bringing attention to their heroic deeds and at the same time, providing them with the necessary tools to contribute to the change in the lives of their students and their families.

To this day, Gabay Guro managed to thrive on volunteerism – mostly among the ranks of the executives from PLDT and Smart.

Nine years after, Gabay Guro has over 1,100 scholars in various state colleges and universities nationwide. There are over 300 LET passers, 496 active scholars as of August, 2016 and a projected 167 graduates in 2017. Gabay Guro also celebrates the fact that 137 scholars graduated with honors – 112 cum laudes  and 25 magna cum laudes.  Gabay Guro has also partnered with local government units to further teacher education.

The foundation has conducted trainings for over 16,000 teachers in the course of its nine years. Today, it runs eight training programs for teachers around the country namely: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Training; Computer Literacy; Emotional Intelligence; Teacher’s Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. At the same time, Gabay Guro answers to the needs of the times by doing grassroots anti-drugs trainings in schools.

Gabay Guro’s initiative on Broadband and Computerization has had great impact nationwide.  All partner-schools were recipients of either computers/laptop or internet connections from PLDT or Smart.

Knowing that shortage of educational facilities is a major disaster area in the Philippine education system, Gabay Guro has taken the cudgels in the construction of classrooms in the provinces, mostly those that have been hit by debilitating calamities. There is over 40 classrooms constructed and donated already in the ff. provinces: Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Capiz.

Gabay Guro has grown to be the force that it is today. Whereas in the beginning, there were only a couple of thousand member-teachers under its stable, 2016 sees 20,000-strong membership (and growing!) at its helm and has easily taken over the leadership, the one that sets the bar of service, in all education-related NGOs around the nation.

Ms. Chaye Revilla and the Gabay Guro team of visionaries with her in the foundation, were propelled by this belief: “our nation’s children depend on our nation’s teachers to lead them to the future. And this teachers’ month, Gabay Guro gives tribute to those who teach the next generation of nation-builders.”

The pinnacle of Gabay Guro’s celebration is embodied in the tribute event held every year at the MOA Arena. Year after year, the organizers leave no stone unturned ensuring that it is in Gabay Guro where teachers get to be treated like royalty. Generosity at its finest, raffle prizes have grown to be the staggering house and lot and vehicle showcases and livelihood opportunities that they are today in every Gabay Guro tribute event.

The Gabay Guro’s 9th Teacher’s Tribute this year, the biggest gathering of the country’s celebrities, will not disappoint on Sept. 25 at the MOA Arena. Stellar names set to give the teachers the time of their lives on this day are Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Pops Fernandez, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Ms. Lea Salonga and Mega star Ms. Sharon Cuneta and more surprise guests on the big day.

This is the day where our teachers get to let their hair loose, meet the biggest celebrities, be treated to a whole day of entertainment and huge raffle prizes beginning with house and lot and vehicles., anything to remind them of their invaluable presence in our lives.

This year’s event is made possible through the help of the ff. sponsors: Perry’s Group of Companies (for the house and lot), Foton for the (Gratour Van),  Intel, Devant, Motorlandia (for the Honda and Suzuki motorcyles), Ropali,  Penshoppe, National Bookstore, Enchanted Kingdom, Splash, Tempra, Flanax, Bonamine, Vivalyte, Mundipharma, Gardenia, Bic, Art Attack, Microsoft, Smart Bro, Ultera, Talk N Text and 51 Talk.

The PLDT Gabay Guro grand tribute event is exclusive for teachers only. Admission is free. Follow Gabay Guro on Facebook, twitter and Instagram at @PLDTGabayGuro or visit the Gabay Guro official website gabayguro.com for more details.

 PLDT Gabay Guro executive volunteers Gary Dujali and Chaye Cabal-Revilla talk about the upcoming activities which will help build the nation one teacher at a time.

 PLDT Gabay Guro executive volunteer Chaye Cabal-Revilla shares what to look forward to in the 9^th TeacherFest tribute on September 25.

Acclaimed singer Jona Viray gives a preview of the world-class performances to expect in the grand gathering with her smashing rendition of “Hero”.

ADP CIRCLE CSR VILLA MARIA OUTREACH

ADP Philippines associate Portia Adrao (left) hands over a solar lantern to an Aeta community elder during an outreach program organized by ADP CIRCLE’s Community & Learning Pillars at Villa Maria, a community for indigenous people in Porac, Pampanga. ADP Philippines gave solar lanterns to 40 families in the hope of lighting up the households in their community, which is still without electricity. ADP CIRCLE (Corporate Involvement and Responsibility to the Community, Learning and Environment) is the corporate social responsibility program of ADP Philippines with the objective of supporting its associates’ commitment to giving back and helping improve communities. To learn more about ADP and its Social Responsibility efforts, visit www.adp.com/who-we-are/corporate-social-responsibility. (Photo by Ian Vaño)

ADP CIRCLE CSR VILLA MARIA OUTREACH

(From L-R) ADP Philippines associates Jayson Santos, JC Retardo and Yves Bibiolata repaint a part of the outer walls of a classroom for Aeta children during an outreach program organized by ADP CIRCLE’s Community & Learning Pillars at Villa Maria, a community for indigenous people in Porac, Pampanga. Forty seven associates from ADP Philippines volunteered for the activity, with some of them spending their time refurbishing classrooms used by students in the community. ADP CIRCLE (Corporate Involvement and Responsibility to the Community, Learning and Environment) is the corporate social responsibility program of ADP Philippines with the objective of supporting its associates’ commitment to giving back and helping improve communities. To learn more about ADP and its Social Responsibility efforts, visit www.adp.com/who-we-are/corporate-social-responsibility. (Photo by Ian Vaño)

ADP CIRCLE CSR VILLA MARIA OUTREACH

ADP Philippines associate Maxine Bahatan teaches a child to read letters of the alphabet during an outreach program organized by ADP CIRCLE’s Community & Learning Pillars at Villa Maria, a community for indigenous people in Porac, Pampanga. Forty seven associates from ADP Philippines volunteered for the activity, with some of them spending their time telling stories to the children. ADP CIRCLE (Corporate Involvement and Responsibility to the Community, Learning and Environment) is the corporate social responsibility program of ADP Philippines with the objective of supporting its associates’ commitment to giving back and helping improve communities. To learn more about ADP and its Social Responsibility efforts, visit www.adp.com/who-we-are/corporate-social-responsibility. (Photo by Ian Vaño)

ADP MARKS 5TH ANNIVERSARY IN PHILIPPINES BY HONORING OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATES

MANILA – Global leader in HR and Payroll solutions ADP® celebrated the 5^th anniversary of its Philippine operations by recognizing outstanding associates.

In the photo are associates who received the ADP Values Award for best exemplifying each of the company’s seven values. They are: Tristan Salgado for Service Excellence; Patrick Carlos for Each Person Counts; Darwin Zabala for Integrity is Everything; Andrea Sususco for Results Driven.

Also in the photo after handing out the awards are ADP Vice President & General Manager Josep Maria Elias (sixth from left), ADP Senior Service Operations Director Dino Ouradnik, (second from left), ADP Marketing & Communications Senior Manager Margie Escueta (third from left), ADP Senior Director for Shared Services Cris Mirador (fifth from left), ADP Senior Director for Finance Laura Baui (eighth from left) and ADP Human Resources Director George Mathews (rightmost).

ADP PH also gave an Award for Excellence to the Resolutions Team, the team that demonstrated excellence in multiple aspects; and an Associate Engagement Driver Award each to Scarlet Cartera, Vanessa Maningas and Michael Garcia – managers who got the highest ratings from the globally launched 2015 Associate Engagement Survey.

ADP PH has a total of 2,600 associates in its two sites, located at the Glorietta 2 Corporate Center, Ayala Center Makati, and the Aeon Centre in Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The Philippine site is a strategic service center that caters to global clients providing payroll services, tax services, technical services, time and labor management, Implementation, IT support and benefits administration.  ADP.com

ADP CSR CAMPAIGN - LEARNING STAR OF HOPE

ADP Vice President & General Manager Josep Maria Elias (top row, eighth from right) joins ADP Philippines’ associates who volunteered as sponsors for ADP Philippines CIRCLE’s “Star of Hope” program last December. Currently, under CIRCLE’s Learning Pillar, the program takes care of 40 ADP scholars from different public schools and universities in Manila. Now on its fourth year, the program gives these scholars a chance to experience gift-giving in ADP Philippines. “Star of Hope” involves more than 50 associates, who would like to sponsor one scholar and provide at least one of the three items in their wish list. CIRCLE (Corporate Involvement and Responsibility to the Community, Learning and Environment) is the corporate social responsibility arm of ADP Philippines that promotes volunteerism among its associates in the spirit of giving back to communities. To learn more about ADP and its Social Responsibility efforts, visit www.adp.com/who-we-are/corporate-social-responsibility.

ADP CSR CAMPAIGN - MISSION KATUTUBO

Photo on the left shows ADP Philippines CIRCLE Pillar Chairpersons: John Into (extreme left) for Environment, Lou Mercado (back row) for Learning, and Jhoanna Rosalinda (extreme right) for Community along with the children from the Aeta community during ADP’s two-day “Mission Katutubo” event in the Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga. During the event, volunteer associates spent time reconstructing and refurbishing the community’s day care center and facilitated a short program for the village children, giving out new books, school supplies, multimedia equipment and electric fans. ADP CIRCLE (Corporate Involvement and Responsibility to the Community, Learning and Environment) is the corporate social responsibility arm of ADP Philippines with the objective of supporting its associates’ commitment to giving back and helping improve communities. To learn more about ADP and its Social Responsibility efforts, visit www.adp.com/who-we-are/corporate-social-responsibility. 

HIV Positive Poster Tour de PIlipinas

A drop of HIV-positive blood.

Would you step back and move away from it?

The HIV epidemic in the Philippines has been described as “explosive,” with the fastest rate of increase in new HIV cases globally. While other countries have managed their HIV epidemics and are now witnessing a significant decline in the number of new cases, the Philippines has recorded sharply increasing rates of new infections.

An HIV awareness campaign that aims to reduce the stigma associated with HIV through the innovative HIV-Positive Poster will be holding its Tour de Pilipinas, visiting key sites in the country starting this February. The HIV-Positive Poster, which is one of the main features of the awareness campaign, is made with a drop of HIV-positive blood.

The HIV posters were originally developed by Grupo de Incentivo a Vida (GIV), a non-government organization based in Brazil. Made with a drop of blood donated by a person living with HIV (PLHIV), the posters carry messages that explain how HIV is transmitted, and underscore that people can NOT get HIV from the poster, or from casual contact with a PLHIV. The HIV-Positive Poster campaign has won international awards such as the Bronze Lion at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival – Press Category.  The poster was first released in Asia (in the Philippines) by Pedal for HIV, in partnership with GIV – Life Support Group.

• Tour de Pilipinas, organized by Pedal for HIV and GIV, aims to:
•  Increase visibility of the HIV Positive Poster
• Provide information on HIV
• Empower the youth to became advocates
• Reduce HIV stigma & discrimination

Faustine Luell T. Angeles Jr., founder of Pedal for HIV, will be travelling to key sites together with two representatives from the Brazil-based GIV – Life Support Group. Tour de Pilipinas will have the following schedule:

Banaue – 16 February

Palawan –23 February

Cebu – 1 March

Boracay – 6 March

Iloilo – 10 March

The specific venues in these locations will be announced later.

Tour de Pilipinas is organized in partnership with The Red Whistle, an HIV awareness campaign that uses the arts and social media in its advocacy to normalize HIV and AIDS. Sponsored by Premiere Condoms, Spyder Philippines, Catch Restaurant, Hooch Bar, 2GO Travel, HOWWWL Digital, Hotel Centro, WhenInManila.com & GoPro.

For more information, please contact:

Email: info@pedal-for-HIV.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pedalforHIV

Lauching of Tour de Pilipinas.#HIVPOSTERPH#PEDALFORHIV#THEREDWHISTLE
Posted by Para Gee on Monday, February 15, 2016