CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines\u2014Education Secretary Armin Luistro on Friday urged Filipinos to \u201clook kindly at our teachers and give them the recognition they deserve\u201d as he led some 5,000 educators from all over Mindanao in celebrating the 2012 World Teachers\u2019 Day at the Lim ket Kai Center here.
\n\u201cAll of us were once students and we all had at least one teacher who have made a difference in our lives and to whom we owe who we are today,\u201d Luistro said in his speech, which he started with the words \u201cthank you\u201d addressed to the teachers.
\nThe event was the biggest celebration the Department of Education (DepEd) held in recognition of the educators, who displayed their heroism here during the onslaught of Tropical Storm \u201cSendong\u201d in December 2011.
\n\u201cThe teachers were really instrumental in helping the children during the Sendong tragedy. We are very honored to be recognized for our heroism,\u201d said Maricel Saga, assistant principal of the City Central School.
\nAccording to public school teacher Romeo Balandra, the involvement of teachers in the students\u2019 lives in the aftermath of Sendong was proof that teachers were willing to sacrifice their lives for them.
\n\u201cThe gathering was also an opportunity for all of us to be together again,\u201d added Elena Borcillo, Schools Division Superintendent, who was happy to reunite with her fellow Sendong heroes.
\nPresident Aquino III has declared Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 as National Teachers\u2019 Month (NTM) through Presidential Proclamation No. 242.
\nThe NTM seeks to empower Filipino teachers by engaging the public in creating a strong movement that cultivates a Filipino culture that celebrates the service and heroism of all teachers.
\nLuistro said the DepEd is continuously working on the financial upliftment and profession advancement of public school teachers. Cai Panlilio, Inquirer Mindanao<\/p>\n