In recognition of the unique role and service teachers play in guiding children and strengthening families and communities in nation-building, the Vigan City Schools Division paid tribute to public elementary and secondary teachers, in observance of Teacher’s Day on October 1.
The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass at the Vigan Cathedral, followed by a parade and then a program participated in by 245 high school and 269 elementary teachers including personnel of the division office held at the Ilocos Sur National High School gymnasium.
Mr. Rosalino Javier, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) together with education supervisors led the parade which began from Quezon Avenue and ended at the ISNHS grounds. Nominees for the Search for the 2010 Division’s Most Outstanding Teacher road on floats together with their school heads while other teachers paraded using their own vehicles.
With the theme “My Teacher, My Hero” the celebration recognized outstanding teachers who made a big difference in their schools and in the division. Mrs. Evangeline Cabacungan, Master Teacher II of Camanggaan Elementary School and Mrs. Judeliza Refuerzo, Master Teacher I of ISNHS were chosen the 2010 Division Most Outstanding Teachers of the elementary and secondary levels respectively. Each received a plaque of recognition from the Division Office and a P5,000.00 incentive from the City Government of Vigan. Mayor Eva handed over P 1,000.00 each to the longest serving professional teacher – Mrs. Rosa Fontejon; eldest serving professional teacher- Ms. Magdalena Parel; highest ranking elderly public servant (female) – Mrs. Corazon Timbtreza, SDS Mr. Rosalino Javier who was cited as highest ranking division personnel, eldest serving professional teacher and longest serving professional teacher . All received plaques of recognition.
Mayor Eva paid tribute to the teachers by sharing a story about a teacher and a pupil who touched and changed each other’s life. “I challenge you to be a transformer of the lives of each Bigueno child. Make a difference in their lives as you continue being child – friendly advocates,” she said. She played the early Santa Claus when she distributed door prizes like television, washing machine, electric fans, oven toasters, kitchen wares, dining sets, bed sheets and pillows to lucky teachers.
“We are teachers. As such, we are expected to be molders of mind and hearts , bringers of light, givers of hope, catalysts of change and transformers of lives….roles which all make teachers heroes”, Javier said in his speech.
During the program, the winning performances of the UNESCO Solidarity Week Celebration champions in folk dances ( Burgos Memorial School West, Ilocos Sur National High School and Cluster V), Sabayang Pagbigkas (ISNHS) and dance sport ( Vigan National High School East) were presented. Each district and secondary school presented special numbers. Selected teachers of District I presented a folk dance, Mrs. Margarita Somera, P-II from District II, rendered daniw on the life of a teacher, Mr. Rommel Ausa, T-I of District III, wowed the audience with his vocal solo rendition. Mr. Pelagio F. Cardenas, P-I led the VNHSW teachers in modern dancing, VNHSE teachers also presented a modern dance and Mr. Renan Soriano of ISNHS sang “Woman.”//gina amoyen