TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (Sept. 30, 2025) — In a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the heroes of the classroom, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Tarlac Province culminated its 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration with a massive gathering at the Tarlac City Gymnatorium on September 30. With the theme “Gurong Pilipino: Kaakbay sa Hamon, Katuwang sa Paggabay,” the event united nearly 2,500 teachers, school officials, and community stakeholders in a day filled with gratitude, recognition, and festivity.
The occasion was graced by distinguished guests, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing education. Elvira “Tootsy” Echauz-Angara, Cluster Head of Sales for ABS-CBN and wife of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, served as Guest of Honor. Representing provincial leadership was Board Member Harmes Sembrano, on behalf of Governor Christian Tell Yap, while Tarlac City Mayor Susan A. Yap also extended her support.
Municipal mayors, vice mayors, and Sangguniang Bayan members on education likewise joined the celebration, highlighting the strong partnership between local governments and the education sector.
Adding prestige to the program, Dr. Ronnie S. Mallari, Regional Director and concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent, led the contingent of SDO officials. Visiting Schools Division Superintendents from across Central Luzon also joined the province’s own Public Schools District Supervisors, Education Program Supervisors, School Heads, and non-teaching personnel in honoring teachers’ invaluable contributions.
The day was filled with competitions and cultural showcases that highlighted the creativity and passion of educators beyond the classroom. A key highlight was the Mr. and Ms. World Teachers’ Day 2025 pageant, featuring finalists from La Paz, Concepcion, Bamban, Camiling, Tarlac City, and San Jose.
The titles went to Mr. Jayvee Miranda, Teacher II of Magao Elementary School in Concepcion, and Ms. Lourd Guinevere Sicat, Teacher I of Tarlac National High School. Winners of the Breakthroughs in Innovations and EnSciMa Doodly contests were also honored, underscoring the Division’s commitment to innovation and creativity.
A major cultural highlight was the Himigsayawitan, a song-and-dance competition that paid tribute to the heroism and nation-building role of teachers. The municipalities of Concepcion, Camiling, Pura, Capas, and Tarlac City delivered powerful performances, with Tarlac City emerging as champion, followed by Concepcion, Camiling, Capas, and Pura.
The program was further energized by special intermission numbers, including a serenade from actor Martin del Rosario, while raffle draws thrilled the crowd with the lapel microphones and Edukahon boxes to lucky participants.
In her keynote address, Guest of Honor Tootsy Angara reassured teachers of the government’s unwavering support. She announced measures to reduce non-teaching workloads and provide more digital tools for educators. Her message resonated deeply when she said: “Ang mga bata ang magsusulat ng kanilang istorya, pero ang unang tinta at pahina ay galing sa inyo” (The children will write their own stories, but the first ink and page come from you).
The celebration concluded with the formal coronation of Mr. Miranda and Ms. Sicat, the recognition of contest winners, and a community rendition of “Salamat” performed with the Conceptuz Band, a fitting finale to a day that honored the tireless dedication of teachers, the true pillars of the nation’s future.
