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Kabayan Forum
Speeches

SPEECH OF VICE PRESIDENT NOLI DE CASTRO

METROBANK FOUNDATION

SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS 2005

SEPTEMBER 2, 2005


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD EVENING:

I AM HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU THIS EVENING AS WE CELEBRATE THE 21ST YEAR OF THE METROBANK FOUNDATION SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.  FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, METROBANK FOUNDATION HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR THESE TEACHERS --- IN THE SCHOOLS IN METRO MANILA AND IN ALL THE OTHER REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY.  AND SO FAR, YOU HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. 


SHAPERS OF THE FUTURE. Vice Pres. Noli "Kabayan" De Castro and Dr. George S.K. Ty; Chairman of the Board; Metro Bank and Metro Bank Foundation; Inc. posed for a souvenir photo with the awardees of the 2005 MetroBank Foundation Inc.’s Search for the Ten Outstanding Teachers. Photo shows (from left): awardees Manuel C. Belino; Ed.D.; Elnora T. Ordedor; Janet S. Amurao; Diana S. Aure; Ph.D.; Maylani L. Galicia; with Metrobank Foundation’s Dr. George S.K. Ty; VP Noli De Castro. Other awardees in the picture (to VP’s left) include Amelia C. Castaneda; Vilma C. Cabrera; Julia R. Capulong; Menia S. Alvidera; and Rafael C. Bundoc M.D. The awarding ceremonies were held at MetroBank Plaza Makati. (OVP photo by Egay Montaña) 9/6/05

LOOKING FOR HEROES 

I AM GLAD TO LEARN THAT EVERY YEAR, THE METROBANK BOARD OF JUDGES CONTINUES TO UNCOVER AND HONOR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS FROM EVEN THE REMOTE AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINES.   

THERE ARE NOW 246 AWARDEES SINCE THE SEARCH STARTED IN 1985.  THEY WERE THE LUCKY ONES. THEY WERE NOMINATED AND METROBANK FOUNDATION FOUND THEM WORTHY.  THEY WERE HEROES AND THEY DESERVED TO BE HONORED. 

TODAY, WE HAVE A NEW BATCH OF AWARDEES. LET ME MENTION THEIR NAMES AS MY WAY OF PERSONALLY HONORING THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND THANKING THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICE: 

IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CATEGORY:

MS. JULIA CAPULONG OF PADRE MARIANO GOMEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN STA. CRUZ, MANILA WHOSE GREAT LOVE FOR CHILDREN MADE HER STAY FOR 38 YEARS IN SERVICE; 

MRS. AMELIA GASTANEDA OF STO. CRISTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TARLAC CITY WHOSE CAREER AS A TEACHER HAS BEEN GUIDED BY THE VISION OF OUR NATIONAL HERO, DR. JOSE RIZAL, WHO BELIEVED THAT THE YOUTH IS THE HOPE OF OUR FATHERLAND; 

MRS. VILMA CABRERA OF ILAGAN SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOL IN ILAGAN, ISABELA, WHO BELIEVES THAT A TEACHER DEVELOPS THE MANPOWER OR WORKFORCE OF A NATION;

MS. MENIA ALVIDERA OF PRESIDENT MANUEL ROXAS MEMORIAL SCHOOL SOUTH OF ROXAS CITY, WHO TAKES TO HEART THAT THE IDEAL TEACHER IS A FACILITATOR OF LEARNING AND A SOURCE OF INSTRUCTION AND INSPIRATION;

IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CATEGORY:

MRS. JANET AMURAO OF MARIKINA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL, WHO THINKS THAT AN IDEAL TEACHER IS THE ONE WHO PLACES JESUS AT THE CENTER OF TEACHING; 

MRS. MAYLANI GALICIA OF LIGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN LIGAO CITY WHO BELIEVES THAT EVERYTHING THAT COMES INTO ONE’S LIFE HAS A PURPOSE, BUT THE OUTCOME IS IN ONE’S HANDS, BY THE ACTION THAT ONE TAKES; 

DR. DIANA AURE OF UP HIGH SCHOOL IN ILOILO CITY, WHOSE TEACHING PRINCIPLE IS DRIVEN BY HER VISION THAT TO TEACH IS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS FOR LIFE;

MS. ELNORA ORDEDOR OF DAPA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN SIARGAO ISLAND, WHO BELIEVES THAT ONLY WHEN STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL FIND JOY IN LEARNING;

AND IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CATEGORY:

DR. RAFAEL BUNDOC OF UP MANILA, WHO ADHERES TO THE IDEAL THAT WHEN YOU TEACH STUDENTS TO HEAL THEIR OWN PATIENTS, YOU HEAL HUMANITY; AND

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, DR. MANUEL BELINO OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY, WHO SEEKS TO REMIND ALL OF US THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP OUR HUMAN COMPASS TO DIRECT US TO WHAT IS AUTHENTIC, BEAUTIFUL, JUST AND MEANINGFUL. 

I SPENT PART OF THE MORNING TODAY (AS I WAS ON BOARD A FLIGHT FROM GENERAL SANTOS TO MANILA) READING AND REFLECTING ON THE IDEALS AND PHILOSOHIES OF OUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.  AND I WAS HUMBLY TOUCHED AND INSPIRED BY YOUR VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN TEACHING.  TUNAY NGANG NAKAGAAN SA AKING DAMDAMIN NA MABASA  ANG INYONG MGA MITHIIN AT ADHIKAIN SA PAGTURO  MATAPOS KUNG MABASA ANG MGA MABIBIGAT NA BALITA SA ARAW NA ITO.   

TRULY, TEACHING IS A MOST NOBLE AND REWARDING PROFESSION.  FOR IT IS IN YOUR HANDS THAT THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH WILL BE MOLDED. 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THESE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS ARE OUR NEW BATCH OF HEROES.

I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE WHO CHOSE TO REMAIN AS ORDINARY TEACHERS DESPITE EXTRAORDINARY HARDSHIPS. THEY, TOO, HAVE NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTH THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY WORK.

WHILE WE CANNOT GIVE ALL OF THEM A TROPHY AND A MEDALLION, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HONOR ALL THE TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY. THEY MAY BE NAMELESS AND FACELESS TO US RIGHT NOW, BUT IN MY CARD THEY ARE ALL GENUINE HEROES.

JUST LIKE THE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY.  

MARAMI PANG GURO ANG PATULOY NA NAGSUSUMIKAP NA MAGING HUWARAN AT NAGLILINGKOD NANG MABUTI SA KANILANG MGA PAARALAN AT KOMUNIDAD.

MAARING DI NATIN SILA MABIGYAN NG TROPEO O NG MEDALYA.  MAAARING DI NATIN SILA KAKILALA.  SUBALIT PARA SA AKIN, SILA AY MGA TUNAY NA BAYANI.

TULAD NG MGA OUTSTANDING TEACHERS NA KASAMA NATIN NGAYONG GABI.

EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE

THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE INDEED BEEN A DIFFICULT ONE. THE LINE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG HAS BECOME BLURRED FOR SOME OF OUR COUNTRYMEN.

BUT FOR ME, THE TRACK THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE IS CLEAR.

FIRST, RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION.

SECOND, FOLLOW THE PROCESSES INSTITUTED BY LAW.

AND THIRD, LET THE TRUTH COME OUT.

SUBALI’T SA HARAP NG MGA PAGSUBOK SA ATING BANSA, NAGAGALAK PA RIN AKO DAHIL MARAMI TAYONG MGA GURO NA TAHIMIK NA HUMUHUBOG SA MGA MURANG ISIPAN AT DAMDAMIN NG MGA KABATAAN.

IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF OUR COUNTRY, IT IS UPLIFTING TO REALIZE THAT THERE ARE GOOD MEN AND WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF OUR CHILDREN AND PAVE THE WAY FOR A BETTER FUTURE. 

WHILE THE DEBATES ON THE DIRECTION OF OUR COUNTRY RAGES IN CONGRESS, IN THE STREETS, IN THE COFFEESHOPS, AND IN THE VARIOUS FORA ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, OUR TEACHERS CONTINUE TO WORK—GOING TO SCHOOL AND TEACHING OUR CHILDREN EVERYDAY.

PERHAPS, THESE TEACHERS REALIZE THAT A GOOD EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT NEITHER POLITICAL CRISIS NOR ECONOMIC RUIN CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR STUDENTS.

I, TOO, AM A BELIEVER IN EDUCATION.  I LEARNED MUCH FROM MY TEACHERS IN SCHOOL. EVEN WHILE I WAS STILL STUDYING, I HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF BUILDING A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.  KUNG ANO MAN PO ANG NARATING KO NGAYON, MULA SA PAGIGING REPORTER AT BRODKASTER HANGANG SA AKO’Y MAGING SENADOR AT BISE PRESIDENTE, MALAKI ANG NAGING PAPEL NG AKING EDUKASYON.

SIMPLE MAN ANG AKING PINAG-ARALAN, NAGING MASUWERTE NAMAN AKO SA PAGKAKAROON NG ISANG MABUTING GURO:  ANG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO. 

SA TAONG-BAYAN KO PO NATUTUNAN ANG TAMANG PARAAN NG PAGLILINGKOD -- ANG PAGHAHANGAD NG KABUTIHAN PARA SA LAHAT NA HINDI INIISIP ANG SARILING INTERES.

IT IS FROM THE FILIPINO PEOPLE THAT I LEARNED THE TRUE MEANING OF PUBLIC SERVICE --- OF DEDICATION TO THE COMMON GOOD AND NOT TO ONE’S VESTED INTERESTS.  THE ORDINARY FILIPINOS --- THE MASA --- THEY ARE MY FAVORITE TEACHERS.

I BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT.  ECONOMIC STRATEGIES AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS MAY CREATE A FRAMEWORK FOR A BETTER LIFE.  BUT IT IS ONLY EDUCATION THAT TRULY BRINGS LIFE TO WHAT IS GOOD AND NOBLE IN MAN.

IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME, BUT EDUCATION NEVER FAILS TO DELIVER. 

THIS IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY TO SHARE THIS IMPORTANT OCCASION WITH YOU. THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S SEARCH, “HONORING TEACHERS AS THE FOUNDATION OF THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE,” TRULY CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THIS ENDEAVOR.

TO OUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS, SIRS AND MA’AMS, YOUR SHOULDERS BEAR THE BURDEN OF A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU ARE MOLDING THE LEADERS OF THE FUTURE.  TEACH THEM NOT ONLY HOW TO THINK BUT ALSO HOW TO DISCERN.  SHOW THEM WHAT IS  RIGHT. EXPLAIN TO THEM THE VALUE OF SACRIFICE.  GIVE THEM A GOOD MIND AND A GOOD HEART.

HOPEFULLY, THESE LEADERS WILL BE WISER THAN THOSE WE HAVE TODAY.  AND I ALSO HOPE THAT THEY WILL LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES. 

SANA NAMAN, MATUTO NA TAYO SA ATING KARANASAN. HUWAG NATING PABAYAAN NA MULING MASADLAK SA GANITONG SITWASYON ANG ATING BAYAN.

MALAKI PO ANG RESPONSIBILIDAD NA NAKAPATONG SA BALIKAT NG ATING MGA GURO. KAYO PO ANG PUNDASYON NG ATING KINABUKASAN.

PAGTATAPOS

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET ME END -- BY EXPRESSING MY SINCERE ADMIRATION AND APPRECIATION TO METROBANK FOUNDATION, ITS OFFICERS AND STAFF, AND ALL THE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR MAKING THIS YEARLY SEARCH -- POSSIBLE.   

YOUR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK PRESENTED TO US THESE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS WHO SERVE AS INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS. YOU ARE CORRECT IN SAYING THAT TEACHERS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COUNTRY’S FUTURE.  BUT LET ME ADD:  METROBANK FOUNDATION AND ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO PART OF THAT FUTURE.

THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING TO ALL.

 


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