On September 29, 2025, St. Peter the Apostle School joyfully celebrated PeTEACHERians’ Day 2025 in honor of Confucius, the great Chinese teacher and philosopher. With the theme “Honoring Our Mentors, Nurturing Hope for the Future,” the celebration highlighted the invaluable role of school administrators, faculty, and non-teaching personnel in shaping young minds and guiding them toward a brighter tomorrow.

The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by our School Director, Rev. Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS, PhD (柯利民神父), as a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the dedication and sacrifices of teachers. After the Mass, the program continued with a series of amazing performances from different groups of students. Songs, dances, and tributes filled the stage, showcasing talents while giving recognition to the mentors who continuously inspire and nurture their students. Our School Director serenaded our teachers with a surprise song number and the Seniors closed the program with their finale number to pay tribute to their mentors.

Adding color and depth to the event was a special poem prepared by Squall Phoenix Vidar of Grade 10-Zhi, which captured the true essence of the teaching profession:

We complain.

Too much homework.

Too many rules.

Too many lectures that make us want to sleep in school.

But here’s the truth

teachers are not the problem.

They are the reason we even have a chance

to solve problems.

See, they don’t just teach subjects,

they teach us.

Math shows us logic.

Science shows us truth.

But teachers show us how to stand back up

every time we fall in our youth.

Not all heroes wear capes.

They fight battles we don’t see,

carry weights we don’t feel,

yet every day they show up,

to make sure we heal.

Behind every doctor,

there was a teacher.

Behind every engineer,

there was a teacher.

Behind every dreamer who became a leader

there was a teacher who refused to give up.

So here’s the lesson we cannot forget:

Don’t just pass your exams

pass on the respect.

Because grades fade,

but gratitude stays.

And the future we chase

is built on the sacrifices of teachers today.

The event truly embodied the theme, reminding everyone that teachers are not only sources of knowledge but also bearers of hope who light the path for future generations.