A native of Camarines Norte, Alita Yadao-Babagay is accustomed to going the extra mile to fulfill her duties as a teacher.
Being in the profession for 18 years, she has experienced how it is like to do multiple commutes by land and sea daily to reach her students. She has also done volunteer work before becoming a regular faculty member at Alawihao National High School in Daet.
As the COVID-19 pandemic compels teachers to become more innovative to ensure continuous education amid its many complex challenges, Babagay continues to rise up to challenges for the sake of her students.
She is among the thousands of teachers who readily shifted to blended and distance learning when classes resumed earlier this month – with the help of the Gabay Guro App of digital services provider PLDT Inc. (PLDT).
“Now that education is highly digital, the Gabay Guro App helps teachers like me through the integration of e-learning contents, and interactive resources,” Babagay says.
The Gabay Guro App represents the digital innovation pillar of Gabay Guro, the flagship education program of PLDT’s social outreach arm, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF). Available in all Android, iOS, and web devices, it provides teachers with a vast library of digital resources and ready-to-use online platforms that are aligned with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) curriculum.
The app has reached over 100,000 downloads on its launch day, the weekend before SY 2020-2021 officially began for public schools nationwide. “In just one click, we have up-to-date learning resources aligned with the DepEd curriculum,” Babagay shares.
“Our Gabay Guro App aims to cultivate a community of digitally adept teachers and students,” says Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla.
Through a partnership between Gabay Guro and PLDT’s mobile money and payment services affiliate PayMaya, teachers can also soon use the app to easily sign up for an online account. This can be used for various digital financial transactions such as paying for online and in-store purchases, sending money, paying bills, buying load, and paying government fees, among others.
Users can also receive cash assistance, incentives, and loans designed for educators and even get additional livelihood opportunities in the e-commerce space through the PayMaya feature. The Gabay Guro App will also offer badges that can be converted into MVP Rewards.
Babagay shares other features that she finds useful as teachers face education’s new normal. “We can access exclusive training sessions from Gabay Guro mentors and partners and join exclusive events,” the Values Education and Social Studies teacher says.
Gabay Guro is a 13-year-old program that has been empowering teachers across the Philippines through its seven key pillars, including scholarships, teachers’ trainings, classroom donations, livelihood programs, connectivity & computerization, teachers’ tribute and digital innovations.
Cabal-Revilla describes Gabay Guro’s multiplier effect. “Make one teacher feels good about himself and will rebound to hundreds of his students. It’s paying it forward, but a hundred times more effective and powerful,” she says.
Babagay was among the over 400,000 teachers who viewed Gabay Guro’s first-ever virtual Grand Gathering live last October 3, where she won a P500,000 cash prize that she believes is an answered prayer. “My 70-year-old father has a medical condition that requires an operation. I prayed for financial provision for his medical expenses, and God granted my prayers,” she shares. Babagay also intends to use her winnings for the construction of her new home, as she and husband Greggie prepare for their own little family.
“I’m hopeful that the education sector will be able to withstand challenges in this present time through the support of programs such as Gabay Guro,” Babagay declares.
Smart, along with its parent company PLDT, recognizes quality education as a foundation in improving people’s lives and obtaining sustainable development. True to the company’s commitment to help the Philippines attain the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with SDG #4: Quality Education as a key area, education continues to be the flagship CSR program throughout the PLDT Group, with a strong emphasis on digital literacy.
“We thank teachers for their continued, selfless love for our students. Let’s create a new chapter with stronger and more resilient characters that will continue to make their marks and help change the world,” says PLDT Chairman and CEO, Manuel V. Pangilinan.
The Gabay Guro app can be downloaded for free via Google Play and App Store.
For more information on Gabay Guro, follow @PLDTGabayGuro on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/GabayGuro and www.gabayguro.com.
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