Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of the business landscape. It generates positive impact toward society and boosts company profile.
Because of the positivity and optimism that CSR brings to the corporate table, some companies have genuinely embraced it.
Among them is the PLDT-Smart Foundation. With full vigor, it launched its flagship project under the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Manny Pangilinan.
Believing that behind every great Filipino is a great teacher, PLDT-Smart Foundation established Gabay Guro in 2007 to recognize and honor our country's educators for their role in nation-building.
PLDT Gabay Guro supports and honors teachers through its seven (7) pillars of learning; namely, scholarship grants, teachers’ training, livelihood projects, teachers’ tribute, housing, and of course, broadbanding and computerization, and the newly launched innovations pillar where the goal is to equip teachers, school leaders, school staff, and other stakeholders with an empowering innovation mindset.
To aid deserving but financially challenged students, PLDT Gabay Guro has more than 1,300 scholars from 57 state colleges and universities nationwide. Five hundred of them have already passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. Impressively, 234 of their scholars graduated with honors.
Over the years, more than 50,000 educators have benefited from PLDT Gabay Guro’s regular training programs, which include personality development, emotional intelligence, English proficiency, information technology, leadership, creativity in teaching, environment and climate change awareness among others.
It has also donated numerous computers and broadband internet connections to over 47 partner schools as part of its seven pillars.
PLDT Gabay Guro has also built and donated over 40 classrooms nationwide, particularly in typhoon-hit areas.
To promote an innovative mindset for teachers, school leaders, and staff, PLDT Gabay Guro also links partner schools to communities and industries through a culture of innovation. This is to have an endless possibility in learning, teaching, community building, and education stakeholder development opportunities like workshops, interactive seminars, senseshops and talkshops.
The advocacy has truly built a legacy by empowering our educators.
PLDT Gabay Guro has also teamed up with various organizations, including companies within the PLDT Group, to improve the quality of life of teachers and their families by launching livelihood programs for them.
For several years now, PLDT Gabay Guro culminates its activities for the year by organizing the “Grand Gathering,” which two years ago marked its 10th year anniversary. The gathering was attended by more than 20,000 teachers from various schools nationwide.
The organization has also partnered with local government units to bring the “Grand Gathering” experience to the provinces through the “Teacherfest” celebration, which were held in the past years in Bataan, Agusan del Norte, Bulacan, Davao, Bohol (after the earthquake), Capiz and Leyte (after Yolanda). They also brought the “Teacherfest” in Hongkong, Japan and Malaysia for our OFW teachers. Soon, it will be staged in Laguna, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Bicol, and Cebu, to name a few.
In 2018, PLDT Gabay Guro organized its 12th Grand Gathering to pay tribute to teachers. It was a star-studded event held at the Mall of Asia last Sept. 23 where several teachers brought home prizes including a brand new house and lot, a Foton Gratour Van, Tricycle, Motorcycles, home appliances, livelihood packages, smartphones and gadgets, cash prizes and gift certificates from other generous partners.
These grand celebrations and gatherings uplift the morale of the loco parentis because they are reminded that their hard work and efforts inside and beyond the four corners of classrooms are appreciated and recognized.
Because of its significant contribution to the education sector, PLDT Gabay Guro’s efforts have been acknowledged by various award-giving bodies such as Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, ALIW Awards, and the Philippine Association of National Advertisers Awards.
These accolades serve as a testament that the joint project of PLDT and Smart is one of the leaders in fostering the country’s education system. With the best technology and innovation, PLDT Gabay Guro has truly touched lives and rebuilt communities across the country.
‘Answered prayer’
In a tête-à-tête with Ms. June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, Smart CFO and PLDT SVP & Group Controller, she shared the secret to their enduring advocacy. “It has been continuing for a long time not just because of our team’s competence, but because of what the project stands for,” the humble chairperson of Gabay Guro said.
For her, Gabay Guro is a vessel of God’s grace to many. In her words: like an answered prayer.
True enough, for more than a decade, Gabay Guro has been touching the hearts and changing the lives of countless people—not just of the teachers who received help, but also the volunteers in this advocacy. This also rings true to artists and celebrities like Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Jaya, and Gabby Concepcion, who, like the PLDT-Smart Foundation employees, spend time and talents for free.
“Lahat kami sa trabaho, pagdating sa advocacy, pantay-pantay. Walang boss, walang subordinate,” Ma’am Chaye said.
Service knows no social status, indeed.
The kindness of the people behind Gabay Guro permeated as gifts to thousands of teachers. One of those was a kindergarten teacher from San Pablo, Laguna.
Unexpected blessing
Teacher Ronalyn Quinio of Placido Escudero Elementary School nearly jumped out of her skin, when, during Gabay Guro’s Grand Gathering last year, she was declared winner of a seven-seater Foton Gratour Mini Van.
There were thousands of teachers at the Mall of Asia Arena, but her name was drawn and she took home a brand new Foton mini van.
“Masaya na akong makapanood ng mga artista, hindi ko na inaasahang ako ang mananalo. Sobrang saya talaga,” the 32-year-old teacher said.
For more information about the various projects of PLDT Gabay Guro, visit gabayguro.com and for real-time updates like and follow its Facebook page: facebook.com/gabayguro.