Noble profession

With so many controversial and contradictory declarations and actions as well as alarming events taking place in our country now that augur a culture of violence, death, destruction and immorality, it is more appropriate and refreshing to focus our attention on something more inspiring and pleasant. Many of us may not be aware yet that we are celebrating the National Teachers’ Month from Sept. 5 – Oct. 5. The nationwide celebration with the theme “Thank You, Teacher” will culminate on Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day adapted in the country as National Teachers’ Day through Republic Act No. 10743.

Actually, a “World Teachers’ Day” was declared by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) way back in 1993. After that or in 2008, a campaign was launched by former Education Secretary and De la Salle University president Br. Armin Luistro, together with Metrobank Foundation Inc. president Aniceto Sobrepeña to declare not only a Teachers’ Day but a “National Teachers’ Month.”

Since 2008, their efforts bore fruit, as the National Teachers’ Month was thus able to influence multiple sectors and expanded its reach to cover areas nationwide. Thus in 2011, Presidential Proclamation 242 was issued declaring Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 of every year as the National Teachers’ Month. The National Teachers’ Month has a coordinating council composed of various government agencies, educational institutions, private companies and non-government organizations all sharing the advocacy of appreciating teachers through various unique initiatives. Proclamation 242 was further strengthened by the enactment of said RA 10743 declaring the culminating day, Oct. 5 of every year as “World Teachers’ Day.”

The National Teachers’ Month aims to engage the public in appreciating the contributions of Filipino teachers and the nobility of the teaching profession. The National Teachers’ Month Council spearheads the conduct of activities aimed at generating awareness and expressions of gratitude through various means. One step toward the long-term goal of this advocacy is to create a strong movement cultivating a Filipino culture that celebrates all teachers’ service and heroism.

But aside from the support of the State through RA 10743 and Presidential Proclamation 242, National Teachers’ Month has also generated involvement of more partners in the government and the private sector with a total of 532 initiatives enrolled in its calendar of activities from 2012 to 2014, and an annual increase in number of participating organizations since 2008. Then there is also significant tri-media (print, broadcast, online) mileage amounting to more than P600 million, from 2012-2015. Significant Facebook engagement of the general public that reached over 720,000 in 2015 were also obtained. There were likewise two invitations to UNESCO Paris for the World Teachers’ Day celebrations and an endorsement from UNESCO Philippines to participate in the prestigious Hamdan Prize for education.

The National Teachers’ Month is commemorated to pay tribute to the heroism and sacrifices of our teachers through the simple act of remembering and expressing our profound and sincere gratitude to them. It aims to engage the public in appreciating the contributions of the Filipino teachers and the nobility of the teaching profession.

So during this National Teachers’ Month, my fervent hope is for all of us whether still studying or have already finished schooling, not to forget to say “Thank You, My Teacher, My Hero.”

And as I write this piece, I cannot help but vividly recall my Mama Natalia Celestial-Sison who was an elementary school teacher. Most unforgettable and admirable about her was her determination to pursue a teaching career even if she was already taking care of ten children, six girls and four boys, with the all-out support and affectionate help of our father Bienvenido A. Sison Sr. who was also a teacher and high school principal.

My mother taught in the elementary school until we all finished schooling. Through the years, we met many of her former students who became successful in their chosen careers and they all had praises and admiration for her as a teacher. They remembered her as a strict disciplinarian who would not spare the rod if needed to inculcate and promote good manners and right conduct of her students. But even if she was a strict disciplinarian, they also recalled that she was also like a tender and loving mother to them, attending to their pressing needs and concerns. They also recalled her dedication and sincerity to teach her students the various school subjects as well as important lessons in life that enabled them to achieve success in their chosen fields of endeavor.

And so even if she died 45 years ago on October 4, 1972, we still lovingly remember her not only as a mother but also as a school teacher especially as we celebrate the National Teachers’  Month starting Sept. 5, and ending on Oct. 5.

In order to vividly remember and duly honor our teachers during this teachers’ month, it may be helpful for us to recall our own experiences about them. In my case, what I can remember about my teachers whether in the grade school, high school or college are the lessons I learned from them.

The best lesson I have learned is the love of country and service to our fellowmen, to be a “man for others,” generous and forgiving and rendering service above self. These are lessons given to me by my teachers as exemplified by their deeds rather than by their words.

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