PLDT-Smart Foundation tops up educational grant for PNP dependents

Dependents of Filipino police officers killed or injured in service receive a P1-million educational grant from PLDT-Smart Foundation, now on its 12^th year, with the aim of providing college educational opportunities. The PSF has so far produced 639 scholars through the Educational Assistance Program. 

"Education is an integral part of our efforts in the PLDT-Smart Foundation. We continue to do our part in the community to ensure that we provide adequate resources to support today's youth as they become our next generation of leaders,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan who is also the Chairman of the PLDT-Smart Foundation.   

In line with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Integrated Transformation Program, the PSF Educational Assistance Program aims to provide college educational opportunities to the dependents of PNP uniformed personnel, with highest priority to those who are sons/daughters of personnel who were killed in actual performance of duty (KIA), complete disability discharged (CDD) wounded or incapacitated in line of duty and those dependents who graduated with honors.  

 The PLDT-Smart Foundation turns over the P1-M educational grant to the PNP. Present during the turnover are, from left: PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos, Smart Communications President and CEO Al Panlilio, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan, PNP Chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, Center for Police Strategy Management Director Police Brigadier General Rhoderick Armamento, PNP Health Service Director Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay.  

"In PLDT and Smart, we appreciate and we are extremely grateful for the heroic efforts that our police force has done through the years. Even now, amid the pandemic, they serve our country and the Filipino people by ensuring our safety and protection,” said Smart President & CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer Al Panlilio.   

  

Every year, a total of 50 dependents are selected by the PNP to benefit from this scholarship assistance. The annual grant of the PSF to the PNP is P500,000. Last year, the MVP Golf Cup led by PLDT Enterprise partnered with the PSF as its beneficiary for the mulligan donation. PLDT Enterprise matched the annual grant of the PSF, amounting to a total of P1-million educational grant for 2020.   

  

“Some of the most heartwarming stories I have ever heard are from the children of our PNP heroes. These are stories of loss, grief, hope and healing. We want to continue the legacy of these brave men and women by empowering their sons and daughters to have the best opportunities. In the PLDT-Smart Foundation, we become enablers of dreams and countless possibilities,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos. 

  

Empowering the youth 

  

20-year-old Jhosan Michelle Roy is one of this year’s beneficiaries of the educational grant. She is currently a third year college student, taking up BS Psychology in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus. Roy dreams to be a clinical psychologist someday while running her own business.  

  

“Malaking bagay po ang tulong na ibinigay sa akin ng PLDT-Smart Foundation. I’m sure na ‘yung papa ko po ay masaya ngayon dahil patuloy kong inaabot ang mga pangarap ko. Thank you, PLDT-Smart Foundation. Mabuhay po kayo,” said Roy.  

  

Over the last twelve years, the PSF has honored the sacrifices of our nation’s public servants – the brave women and men of the Philippine National Police. Through the years, the grant was able to make a big difference in the lives of beneficiaries and uplifted the morale of the entire police force. 

PLDT-Smart Foundation donates over 50,000 face masks and various PPE for frontline health workers

Health workers at the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in Metro Manila have received fresh support in the form of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPEs).

The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) has turned over 50,000 face masks and other PPEs to various hospitals in the Metro. 

The Philippine General Hospital, which is one of the COVID referral hospitals in the country, received 20,000 surgical masks for their frontline health workers from PLDT and PSF.   

Several hospitals and government response teams also received 50 hazmat suits each from PSF with the assistance of the Makati Medical Center Foundation. This includes the Rizal Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

ZTE Corporation turns over 10,000 surgical face masks to PSF to be distributed to hospitals in Metro Manila.

“We are one with our frontline health workers in fighting this pandemic. All our efforts are focused on equipping them with the resources they need to protect and nourish them as they combat this virus,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos. 

As part of this effort, ZTE Corporation recently turned over 10,000 surgical face masks to PSF to be distributed to hospitals in Metro Manila for the country’s frontline health workers. 

Moreover, St. Arnold Janssen Kalinga, a missionary center that provides care for homeless individuals in Metro Manila, was a recipient of reusable masks and sacks of rice from the foundation. 

Frontline checkpoint officers from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines were also provided with reusable face masks and Ascorbic Acid from PSF. 

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/. 

PLDT Gabay Guro celebrates 12th anniversary with a star-studded gathering on launch of the Gabay Guro App

PLDT-Smart Foundation’s flagship advocacy program for teachers, Gabay Guro, celebrates its 12th anniversary with a star-studded Grand Gathering and launch of the Gabay Guro App on September 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

This year, Gabay Guro is gathering over 20,000 teachers from all over the country for a star-studded Teachers’ Tribute headlined by country’s biggest stars including Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion,  Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse De Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Zephanie Dimaranan. In support for the Gabay Guro, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Eat Bulaga enlisted their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers. The event will be hosted by Jose and Wally and Dimples Romana.

At the Grand Gathering, teachers will also get a chance to win exciting prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners, such as 100 winners of Accident Insurance Policies for 1 year from Inlife Sheroes, gift certificates from Don Henrico’s, Fitness First, Jollibee, and Penshoppe.  Gift packs from Colgate and Palmolive, Pilipinas Alibaba, and Unilab Consumer Health; gadgets and free subscriptions from PLDT Home; gadgets and mobile phones from Smart, Sun and TNT; travel and leisure escape by First United Travel, Inc., and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar; and free entrance tickets to Enchanted Kingdom; cash vouchers from Aveda, Shopee and Lazada; Television sets by Devant; cash prizes from PLDT-Smart Foundation, Pecci, and Telescoop; livelihood packages from Reyes Haircutters; motorcycle from Motorlandia; a Gratour van from Foton; and a brand new house and lot as the major prize.  The event is exclusive to teachers, and admission is FREE just get your tickets from your local Dep Ed unit.

“Gabay Guro continues to develop innovative programs for our teachers and our partners in nation-building,” Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla said. “Every year, it is our great honor to be able to give back to our teachers through a grand tribute and we always look forward to continuing this mission and empower them through Gabay Guro’s previously 6 and now 7 core pillars of learning.” 

Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; trainings; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; annual Teacher’s Tribute; and the newly launched innovations pillar.

The new Innovations Pillar of Gabay Guro aims to reinforce the digital transformation for Filipino teachers, school leaders, and stakeholders by equipping them with new modes of teaching and the latest technology that will enable them to create, grow, and evolve their craft for the benefit of their students.

Backed by this new learning pillar, Gabay Guro introduces an exclusive application for teachers that will provide e-learning content and interactive technology and ready-to-use online tools that are aligned with the DepEd and CHED curriculum. This will provide teachers with the latest and easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips. The new Gabay Guro app will be launched at the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering event at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 22.

Since its founding, Gabay Guro has built and donated 47 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants through its 57 partner schools, which have been equipped with new computers and broadband connectivity. Of its scholars, 1,013 have graduated, with 343 finishing with honors. About 680 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. 

Over the years, more than 60,000 educators have also benefitted from Gabay Guro's nine regular training programs including: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Program; Personality Development; Emotional Intelligence; Teachers’ Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; Teaching in the Digital Age; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and seminars. This helps promote an innovative mindset and unlocks opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff.

Gabay Guro also holds Teachers’ Tribute in different provinces in the Philippines. Through the "Teacherfest,", Gabay Guro’s satellite and localized tribute celebration with teachers in key cities around the country, more teachers from remote areas are able to share in the fun and frivolity. Gabay Guro has successfully mounted the Teacherfests in the provinces including Metro Cauayan Isabela, Santa Rosa Laguna, Bataan, Butuan, Bulacan, Navotas, and Davao.

Gabay Guro’s efforts have also been recognized by various award-giving bodies in the Philippines and abroad including Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) Awards, and the CMO Asia Awards in Singapore.

To secure passes to the Gabay Guro’s Grand Gathering, teachers may visit Gabay Guro's official Facebook account, and follow its official Twitter and Instagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.

From L-R: Chaye Cabal-Revilla (Chairperson of Gabay Guro), Noelle Aujero (Head of Marketing, FOTON), Miriam Ochoa (Chief Marketing Officer of Inlife Sheros) and John Yanez, Head of Tribute Pillar of Gabay Guro


Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2019 is made possible by the support of Aveda, Colgate-Palmolive, Conzace, Devant, Don Henrico’s, Enchanted Kingdom, First United Travel, Inc., Fitness First, Foton, Inlife Sheroes, Jollibee, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Levi’s, Manila Doctors Hospital, Motorlandia, Penshoppe, Pilipinas Alibaba – Zeegee Powered Drinks, PLDT Home, Reyes Haircutters, Shopee, Smart, Sun, TNT, UL Skin Sciences Incorporated, Unilab Consumer Health, Eat Bulaga and Cornerstone Entertainment Inc.

PLDT-Smart Foundation’s Gabay Guro celebrates the Grand Gathering on Sept. 23 at SM MOA Arena

If there is one profession that I have high respect for. That is for our teachers. Teachers push you to be a better person and they  don't get enough credit for the hard work they continuously do during and after school. They have all the patience in the world and they're the most positive person I have encountered. Let's all take a moment to appreciate the teachers around us by letting them celebrate the National Teacher's Month with PLDT-Smart Gabay Guro Grand Gathering on Sept 23. 

PLDT-Smart Foundation’s education advocacy and flagship program Gabay Guro  launches its biggest tribute for Filipino teachers,The Grand Gathering  on Sept 23. the star-studded event features celebrity performances led by Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Jaya, Gabby Concepcion, Randy Santiago, and Christian Bautista, among others.

In time for National Teacher’s Month, PLDT-Smart Foundation’s education advocacy and flagship program Gabay Guro is celebrating its 11th anniversary by bringing together thousands of teachers from all over the country for the much-awaited Grand Gathering 2018 on September 23, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

                              Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla

As a grand treat to teachers, Gabay Guro is also raffling off exciting prizes, including gift certificates, smartphones and gadgets, home appliances, livelihood packages, vehicles, and a brand new house and lot.

“Gabay Guro's annual Grand Gathering is our big 'Thank You' to all our beloved teachers who dedicate their life to the invaluable role of educating our children," said Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla. "They are our partners in nation-building through education, and we look forward to continuing our mission to support and uplift them as we mark our 11th year.”

The event is exclusive to teachers, and admission is FREE. For a chance to secure tickets, teachers may visit Gabay Guro's official Facebook account at www.facebook.com/gabayguro and follow its official accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.

Empowering teachers across the country

Established in 2007, Gabay Guro aims to honor and empower teachers across the country through seven pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; trainings; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; innovations; and the Teachers’ Tribute.

Since its founding, Gabay Guro has built and donated over 40 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,300 scholarship grants through its 47 partner schools. Of its scholars, 800 have graduated, with 234 finishing with honors. Over 500 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Over the years, more than 40,000 educators have also benefited from Gabay Guro's regular training programs, which include personality development, emotional intelligence, English proficiency, information technology, leadership, and creativity, among others.  To promote an innovative mindset and unlock opportunities for teachers, school leaders, staff, Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and interactive seminars.

Award-winning advocacy program

Over the years, Gabay Guro has 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 teachers.

The organization has also partnered with local government units to bring the "Grand Gathering" experience to the provinces through the "Teacherfest" celebration, which was recently held in Bataan, Butuan, and Bulacan, and will soon be staged in Ilocos, Cebu, and Davao.

Gabay Guro’s efforts have been recognized by various award-giving bodies including Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, and the Philippine Association of National Advertisers Awards.

Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2018 is made possible by the support of Colgate-Palmolive; Devant; Enchanted Kingdom; FINTQ; Foton; Gen Korean BBQ House; HBC; Honda; Kettle Foods Corp.; Landco; Manila Doctors Hospital; Motorlandia; MPTC; MVP Rewards; MyPhone; PECCI; Penshoppe; PLDT Home; Red Planet Hotels; Reyes Haircutters; SGV Foundation; Smart; Standard Insurance; Stanford University Batch 2018; Sun; Sunsilk; Suzuki; Telescoop; TNT; and Yamaha.

For more information, please visit the Gabay Guro’s official website at www.gabayguro.com and follow the organization's official Twitter and Instagram accounts at @PLDTGabayGuro.