(From L-R): SGV Partner Sherwin Yazon, Nicole Sytin,  FOTON Philippines President Rommel Sytin, Gabay Guro Host Ruby Rodriguez, Mary Jean Libot of Mother of Divine Providence School,  Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla, and Gabay Guro Host Andrew Wolff.

Mary Jean Libot and Maricel Bustillo are the two lucky winners of the Foton van and house and lot, respectively, during this year’s Gabay Guro Grand Gathering.

Education sparks hope

Hailing from Las Piñas City, 43-year-old Bustillo is an English teacher from Las Piñas City National Senior High School – CAA Campus. She is married to Rosendo Masenas Bustillo Jr., who teaches at the Kalusugan Kaunlaran Child Development Center under the City Government of Las Piñas City. They have two beautiful daughters 13-year-old Valerie and seven-year-old Van Maurice.

Bustillo’s love and passion for teaching never falter. She has been teaching for more than a decade now. “It’s always been a privilege to shape the minds of every generation. Teaching has given me the opportunity to help my students become the best versions of themselves. Education fuels the sparks of hope that lights up the future,” Bustillo said. 
 
For Bustillo, the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering is something that she looks forward to attend every year. “What makes the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering so special is how it is truly an event that is dedicated for us teachers. It’s my second time to attend the event and I am still so amazed. It just keeps getting better every year,” Bustillo said.

Bustillo was stunned when they announced her name as the house & lot winner. Bustillo said that when her name appeared on the big screen at the Mall of Asia Arena, she was overwhelmed with joy. “I’ve always believed in the goodness of God. I’m extremely grateful to Him, Gabay Guro, and to their partners XSEED and Standard Insurance for this blessing. Maraming salamat po,” Bustillo said.

Nothing is impossible

26-year-old Mary Jean Libot is a high school and elementary teacher at Mother Divine Providence School. Hailing from Marikina City, Libot has been teaching for five years now.

The Gabay Guro Grand Gathering was a surreal experience for Libot. It was her first time to attend the event and she was in awe of all the performances. “I’ll never forget my first-ever Gabay Guro Grand Gathering experience. Seeing my fellow teachers enjoy the show and being able to relax for a day is such a treat for us. It helps us escape reality for a while,” Libot said.

“The best part of the night was when I heard my name being called as the Foton Gratour Van winner. I couldn’t believe it. I am usually unlucky when it comes to these things. But it must be my lucky day. Nothing is impossible indeed,” Libot added.

Libot and Bustillo are just two out of the almost 20,000 teachers that gathered in the Mall of Asia Arena for the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2019 event. 

A flagship education program of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, Gabay Guro celebrated its 12th anniversary with a star-studded Grand Gathering and the launch of the Gabay Guro App. “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 six and now seven core pillars of learning.” 

As a way to support Gabay Guro, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Eat Bulaga tapped their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers. Some of the artists who performed during the event were Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Erik Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion,  Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse De Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Zephanie Dimaranan. The event was hosted by Dimples Romana and Andrew Wolff. 

Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: classroom donation; scholarships; teachers’ trainings; livelihood programs; Connectivity and computerization; Teachers’ Tribute; and the newly launched digital innovations pillar. 
 
Teachers may visit Gabay Guro's official Facebook account, and follow its official Twitter and Instagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.