In photo are, from left: Chery Auto Philippines VP for Dealer Development and External Affairs. Alvin L. Lu, Teacher Mary Ann and Chery Auto Philippines VP for Sales and Marketing Ferdinand Lasan.
Gabay Guro, the flagship education program of PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), recently turned over the Chery Tiggo 2 Grand Prize from Chery Auto Philippines to 36-year-old Teacher Mary Ann from Laguna. She was a first-time attendee of Gabay Guro’s first-ever virtual Grand Gathering last October 2020, which gained more than 500,000 live viewers.
Mary Ann has been teaching for 13 years, and is currently a Grade Two teacher in Southville 1 Elementary School in Cabuyao, Laguna. “When I was first hired in 2007, I handled Grade 1 students. Then for the last 12 years, I’ve been teaching the second grade, handling general subjects like English, Filipino, Math and Araling Panlipunan,” she said.
Pre-pandemic, Mary Ann would ride the jeepney and tricycle going to Southville 1. But when the pandemic forced the school to utilize modular learning, she has been teaching/working from home. There are still days, however, when they would need to go to school for the distribution and retrieval of modules, as well as the printing of remaining modules. With the surge of infections last year, she decided to buy an e-bike which then became her main means of transportation.
“With my new Chery Tiggo, I feel extremely blessed. It will not only serve as our family car, but it will be my school service, especially during rainy days when I can’t use my e-bike. My house is quite far from the school where I teach. I need to pass five barangays before I could reach the school,” Mary Ann said.
Mary Ann expressed her gratitude to Gabay Guro – not only for her new car but for the amount of love and appreciation that all teachers receive through the program. “Thank you, Gabay Guro, for giving me this blessing. Thank you for making all teachers feel special by celebrating us through the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering. May each of you continue to be a blessing to everyone,” she ended.
Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla emphasized how much the PLDT and Smart employees cherish the roles they play as Gabay Guro volunteers. “Our teachers hold a special place in our hearts. They play a critical role in our children’s holistic development as the youth becomes the hope of our future. In Gabay Guro, it is our greatest pleasure and privilege to uplift the lives of our teachers nationwide,” she said.
Since 2014, United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) has been working hand in hand with PLDT-Smart Foundation by providing mobility solutions through FOTON Philippines and now, CHERY Auto Philippines.
Teacher Mary Ann is all set to drive her brand new car, which she won as a Grand Prize during Gabay Guro’s first-ever virtual Grand Gathering.
According to UAAGI and CHERY Auto Philippines President Rommel Sytin, the brand new CHERY Tiggo 2 is a perfect match for Teacher Mary Ann’s lifestyle.
“This 5-seater crossover will surely give her a pleasurable and comfortable drive on the way to school, on grocery runs, and of course, out-of-town trips with her family. We understand the importance of having a family car especially in the time of pandemic. Not all teachers have the access to private transportation, that’s why our team is delighted to help change a life for the better through this sponsorship,” Sytin said.
“We also want to thank the PLDT-Smart Foundation family for trusting CHERY Auto Philippines. We hope to bring more CHERY-fic journeys to our modern day heroes ahead,” Sytin added.
Gabay Guro is a 14-year-old program that has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars -- including scholarships, teachers’ trainings, classroom donations, livelihood programs, connectivity & computerization, teachers’ tribute and digital innovations. It reinforces PLDT and Smart’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDG), particularly UN SDG #4 Quality Education.
