Ateneo Higher Ed faculty celebrate World Teachers' Day with poetry, music and more

Nothing beats an Ateneo de Manila World Teachers’ Day celebration!

Thanks to our VP for Higher Education, Dr Maria Luz “Marlu” Vilches, the faculty who trooped over to The Loft at the Areté Learning Innovation Wing were treated to a special evening of poetry, song, wine, and laughter. Or as the name of the event last 10 October suggested, TULAWIT, ALAKHAK!

Designed as an open-mic night for any faculty who dared to share a hidden talent, the celebration gathered about 60 faculty from what used to be the Loyola Schools and the Professional Schools. They were treated to a sumptuous dinner, much-needed drinks, and eye-opening and heartwarming performances from their colleagues.

One of the evenings highlights—as there were many—was the visit of Ateneo alumni Mike Shimamoto (Ateneo High School, 2009; Ateneo de Manila, 2013), Jampao Reyes (Ateneo High School, 2001; Ateneo de Manila, 2005), and Henri Macatangay (Ateneo High School, 2012), who serenaded the faculty with some of our best-loved songs. In his moving message, Mike told those present: “You are responsible for who we are and what we do today. You are all heroes!”

Thanks to Smile Indias, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts, a special treat came from our FA students who designed a special “Thank You” sticker dedicated to their favorite teachers.

Hosted by the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD)’s Je Ching and Galvin Ngo, the program featured some of the usual suspects among our performer faculty members, but also some jaw-dropping surprises. We will let the pictures—each one indeed a painting of a thousand words—speak for themselves!

Many thanks once again to Doc Marlu and her team and our friends from GBSEALD for putting this much-needed event together!