On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Manresa school teachers, staff, and maintenance personnel celebrated Educators’ Night at the school’s Old Gym with the theme “Educators’ Night: A Night to Remember.”

World Teachers’ Day is an event celebrated annually on the 5th of October. It is a day to commemorate all teachers around the globe who play pivotal roles as transformative intellectuals and community leaders that shape the future by nurturing students and driving educational progress. Likewise, the Manresan educative community is blessed with several of these teachers, these educators, who have committed their service in fulfilling the mission of Catholic education.

The event began with an opening prayer sung by Ms. Domilyn Peñaverde (MSFSO GS Secretary) and Mr. Bryan Pragoso (MSFSO GS PRO). The song was Amare et Servire (To Love and Serve), which reflected the love and service that our dear educators put into teaching. 

To formally open the program, Ms. April Vida, the MSFSO President,  delivered her Opening Remarks. Afterward, the teachers shared a joyous moment with the first game, facilitated by Mrs. Johanne Deblois (MSFSO VP External) & Mr. Luijay Jalayahay (MSFSO GS Business Manager), called Storytelling. It was a game of alphabets, wherein the teachers had to creatively  tell stories without the specific vowels they picked. The team who won consists of teachers from Grades 7, 8, and 9.After the first game, their spirits were uplifted further with a dance intermission number performed by selected faculty and staff members. The performance was then followed by the second game called Last Man Bingo. It was a game of luck won by Mr. Robert Calinao.

Our dear educators were surprised with a compilation of video greetings from Manresan Students across different departments and alumni. After the video presentation was the awarding of Special Awards. Mr. Rocel Atanante from the Grade School Department won as the Male Star of the Night while Ms. Abegail Bodopol from the Junior High School Department won as the Female Star of the Night. Then, the teachers bonded over the course of dinner which was accompanied by a live band serenade. 

As part of the celebration, it was only fitting to recognize the outstanding educators who have spent years of unwavering service that goes beyond the classroom. A plaque of appreciation was awarded to Teacher Febe Decacion, Ms. Lourdes Malana, Ms. Saturnina Tabieros, Mrs. Concepcion Villagracia, and Mrs. Fe Daphne Goitia. Their passion and dedication to continuing the mission of Catholic education have definitely inspired teachers to go above and beyond and leave a great impact on education. 

To cap off the night, everyone came together for a dance party, moving along to the music and sharing smiles for a night of rest they deserve. To conclude the whole program, Ms. Jonaliza Pineda, the MSFSO High School Treasurer, led everyone to a closing prayer.

Truly, this year’s Educator’s Night was a night to remember which allowed the educators of Manresa School to come together and take a break from their tasks and duties as teachers. To all our educators around the world, Happy Teachers’ Day! May you continue to live our shared mission of growing in faith, journeying towards hope, and living in love.

Padayon!

Sources: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/teachers 

Written by: Marlaine C. Tagayuna | The Phoenix |