Thousands join Teachers’ Day celebration in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PNA) -– Thousands of teachers in Eastern Visayas joined the 2016 regional celebration of the World and National Teachers’ Day on Wednesday at the Tacloban City Convention Center.

Several activities were lined up to entertain about 4,000 teachers in the region that filled the dome. They all came to unwind from the classroom’s daily grind.

The celebration kicked-off with a Zumba dance party followed by a Fun Walk. A division-wide bloodletting campaign was also conducted before the thanksgiving mass.

During the opening celebration, different cultural performances has lured participants coupled by the with and humor of Luisa Bautista-Yu, former Department of Education (DepEd) regional director.

Yu unleashed her inner “Miriam Defensor-Santiago” when she recited a pick-up line - “Sana assignment ka na lang, so that I can take you home,” eliciting laughter from the crowd.

DepEd Undersecratary for Curriculum and Instructions Dina S. Ocampo, who was the guest of honor during the event, lauded teachers for their sacrifices.

“Teachers are like our parents. They only give but they don’t expect anything back for themselves.

They can only hope that the students they helped nurture will one day make something of themselves,” she said.

The second part of the celebration commenced with a one-stop shop where teachers availed free services and discounts from private firms and government agencies.

The program, hosted by DepEd Tacloban city division ended with the Hollywood Night gala where participants witnessed various performances and entertainment productions prepared by the hosts.

Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez who delivered her welcome message, declared October 6 as a “No Class Day” for elementary and secondary schools in the entire city. This allows teachers to get enough rest after the celebration that ended midnight.

The celebration is in accordance with the declaration of UNESCO, Republic Act No. 10743, and Presidential Proclamation No. 242 stating that October 5 is the World and National Teachers’ Day to celebrate and honor all the teachers in the world. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/JONABEL L. SALAZAR, LNU INTERN/EGR