2023 National Teachers’ Month official poster featuring 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers

The 2023 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration from September 5 to October 5 marked 15 years of bringing Filipinos together to pay tribute to educators nationwide.

With the theme “#Together4Teachers,” the celebration puts the spotlight on the nation’s collective effort to support teachers in their mission of improving literacy and numeracy outcomes among students in the Philippines. It is guided by the 4As of Gratitude, a framework of showing thanksgiving, referring to attention, appreciation, admiration, and approval.

Yearly led by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), together with the Department of Education (DepEd), and a steadily growing consortium of committed organizations collectively called the NTM Coordinating Council, everyone works together to achieve the common goal of honoring educators and highlighting the teachers’ role in honing and empowering the youth who are the future of the nation.

NTM has sustained its growth over the years with the support from government, business, academe, media, civil society and other industries. In 2011, Presidential Proclamation No. 242 was issued “declaring the period from 05 September to 05 October of every year as National Teachers’ Month.” Then, in 2016, the Republic Act. No 10743 pronounced October 5th of every year as the National Teachers’ Day.

“The National Teachers’ Month was initially created in 2008 because of the desire to ‘thank you’. What began as a simple idea has now evolved into a national movement advocating for teacher appreciation and welfare. We started a tradition of honoring the same people we call as ‘second parents’ and ‘role models’. We have already come a long way, but we still have a longer way to go for the improvement of our education system,” said Aniceto Sobrepeña, MBFI president and NTM Coordinating Council chairperson.

MBFI president & NTMCC chairperson Sobrepeña delivers his message before teachers and education professionals during the National Teachers’ Day celebration in Butuan City

“There are many ways to contribute to our country’s education. Perhaps, among us, those of you who are teachers and non-teaching education professionals are in a much better position to propose the solutions, as you have the knowledge from research and experience. Continue telling your stories, and share how potential partners can come to you and collaborate,” he added.

United in the spirit of gratitude

Throughout the month, the various activities organized by partner organizations, exclusive treats offered by participating establishments, and multimedia content published in line with the campaign served as this year’s expressions of gratitude for teachers.

Among those that provided opportunities for personal and professional development through seminars and workshops were Bato Balani Foundation, BDO Foundation, City Savings Bank, De La Salle University, Knowledge Channel Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Social Security System (SSS), among others.

Some of the organizations also arranged specialized events that gave a platform for championing the role of teachers. These include Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, SEAMEO INNOTECH, Primetrade Asia, and Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (MBFI-NOTED).

Media partners also amplified the call of honoring teachers by echoing the national prayer for teachers and by creating heart-warming stories, namely GMA Network, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM.

Other participating organizations include (A-Z): Aboitiz Foundation, AHA! Learning Center, Diwa Learning Systems, BDO Network Bank, Bonifacio Art Foundation (The Mind Museum), Canva Philippines, China Bank Savings, Cultural Center of the Philippines, De La Salle Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Globe Telecom, GSIS, GSIS Museum, Habi Education Lab, ILI-Philippines, Manila Doctors Hospital, Mercury Drug Foundation, Meta Philippines (with Bayan Academy), Microsoft Philippines, Museong Pambayan ng Morong, One Meralco Foundation, Pag-IBIG Fund, PASAR Foundation, Pascual Consumer Health Corporation, Philippine Business for Education, Philippine Normal University, Philippine Postal Corporation, SGV Foundation, PLDT & Smart Communications, Synergeia Foundation, Teach for the Philippines, TELUS International Philippines, TESDA, and World Vision.

Apart from fostering a culture of saying thank you, the NTM has also become a catalyst to raise public consciousness about teachers’ welfare and the status of education in the country. It seeks to provide a platform for stakeholders to address teacher needs as well as highlight the significance of public-private partnership in teacher support and development.

Kicking off the month of thanksgiving

The National Teachers’ Month Kickoff Program happened on September 5 at the Bohol Wisdom School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

“Teachers have essentially helped build our country. And teachers will always be there as we move forward with our aspirations to see a stable, secure, peaceful, and strong Philippines,” said Philippine vice president and DepEd secretary Sara Duterte.

Honorable Vice President and DepEd secretary Sara Duterte during the NTM 2023 Kickoff together with organizational partners, including MBFI, represented by NTM program officer Aeman Llantada (8th from the right)

In the kickoff program, there was a ceremonial launching and unveiling of the National Teachers’ Month commemorative stamp, as well as the signing of official first day cover that was led by Postmaster General and Philippine Postal Corporation CEO Luis D. Carlos, DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Revsee Escobedo, and DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations and Deputy Spokesperson Francis Ceasar Bringas. Notable figures present were Senator Imee Marcos, Bohol Province Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, and DepEd Region VII Director Salustiano Jimenez.

Organizational partners who joined the event included MBFI (NTM secretariat), TESDA, Global Teacher Prize Ambassadors, and PMCA.

Remembering educators in a concert of appreciation

In support of NTM, His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the third ‘Konsyerto sa Palasyo’ (KSP) with the theme, ‘Para sa Mahal Naming mga Guro.’ It aimed to honor the dedication and hard work of educators in improving the quality of education. The concert was held at the Mabini Grounds of the Malacañan Palace last October 1.

His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with featured performers on stage

For its third installment, the KSP featured heartwarming stories of dedicated and passionate teachers who have gone the extra mile to mold and shape the futures of their students amid the pandemic. The celebration also paid tribute to Apolinario Mabini, a hero and a respected educator of his time.

Consistent with the overarching theme, the KSP also showcased emerging Filipino artists across various fields of performance art, including theatre, rap, singing and dancing. The concert served as a tribute to the vital role that teachers play in art within communities.

The event was spearheaded by the Office of the President (OP), Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Social Secretary’s Office (SOSEC) and the Presidential Broadcast Staff – Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM).

Culmination of every ‘thank you’

On October 5, the National Teachers’ Day (NTD) celebration marked the culmination of the National Teachers’ Month.

Anchored on the call “Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa,” the event was hosted by DepEd Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Morelos Campus in Libertad, Butuan City. In this event, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte recognized the important role of teachers in molding the minds of the youth and in nation-building.

Joining the celebration were 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers, namely – Rex M. Sario MAT (Bukidnon’s Icon for Transformative Education in the Modern Age), June Elias V. Patalinghug, Ed.D. (Davao City’s Modern Teacher Influencer), and Edgar R. Durana, MAEd (Rizal’s Relentless Educator for People-with-Special-Needs). As part of the program, they were also recognized as exemplary teachers who put service at the forefront of improving the quality of education.

The National Teachers’ Day coincides with the UNESCO-developed World Teachers’ Day (WTD) every October 5.

Tags: 2023 News