Numerous celebrities and social media users have strongly criticized the Malacañang administration for its decision to organize a concert tribute for teachers instead of addressing their fundamental issues.
In a Facebook post made on Saturday, September 16, the Presidential Communications Office unveiled its plan for a live musical tribute dedicated to teachers, which will be streamed on the Konsyerto sa Palasyo Facebook account on October 1. The live performance is scheduled to take place at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang.
According to the Palace, it was President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who initiated the concert.
https://www.facebook.com/pcogovph/posts/pfbid0aMmgFRNTxqpDh98WruH1zHwR3VhTeBfWM1Uuk8d6GCzVrwFEs6v2aqLL39UTNWR9l
However, this planned concert has not been well received by many celebrities and netizens, who have criticized the idea, suggesting that providing teachers with higher salaries and more classrooms would be a more fitting way to honor their dedication than a mere concert.
Celebrity politician Kiko Rustia took to Twitter to express his view that offering teachers better benefits would be the most meaningful way to acknowledge their sacrifices, rather than a concert.
“Di ata concert ang need ng mga guro, lalo na kung hindi naman lahat ng guro e maiimbitahan nyo sa concert na yan. Ang kailangan ng LAHAT ng guro ay maayos na sahod, benepisyo, at seguridad sa trabaho. Yan ang pinaka magandang gawin bilang pag gunita sa lahat ng sakripisyo nila.”
Di ata concert ang need ng mga guro, lalo na kung hindi naman lahat ng guro e maiimbitahan nyo sa concert na yan.
Ang kailangan ng LAHAT ng guro ay maayos na sahod, benepisyo, at seguridad sa trabaho.
Yan ang pinaka magandang gawin bilang pag gunita sa lahat ng sakripisyo nila. https://t.co/cZH95NUOTa
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) September 18, 2023
Actor Romnick Sarmenta echoed this sentiment, asserting that teachers don’t need a concert but rather a government commitment to solving the pressing educational issues facing the country.
“Di po concert ang kailangan. Silid paaralan, at mas malinaw at matatag na sistema ng edukasyon para sa lahat. Yung tutoong demokrasya, na maibahagi sa mga bata ang tunay na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Yung kalayaang magtanong, nang di nadadampot at biglang nawawala.”
Di po concert ang kailangan. Silid paaralan, at mas malinaw at matatag na sistema ng edukasyon para sa lahat. Yung tutoong demokrasya, na maibahagi sa mga bata ang tunay na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Yung kalayaang magtanong, nang di nadadampot at biglang nawawala.
— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) September 18, 2023
Netizen @kulotissima also criticized the planned concert, tweeting, “Naks. Napangbabayad sa kuryente, sa groceries, sa utang… at higit sa lahat nakakabuhay ng pamilya ng teachers ang mga pa concert ng mga #MarcosMagnanakaw sa Malacañang.”
Naks. Napangbabayad sa kuryente, sa groceries, sa utang… at higit sa lahat nakakabuhay ng pamilya ng teachers ang mga pa concert ng mga #MarcosMagnanakaw sa Malacañang. 🥳 🥂 #GoldenEra #BagongPilipinas pic.twitter.com/JIkiJZRYLI
— Kulotissima (@kulotissima) September 18, 2023
@sosyolohija also lashed out at Malacañang’s plan, accusing them of wasting money on concerts while ignoring the real problems faced by teachers.
“Imagine being aware of teachers’ struggles but your first thought is: chance ko na ulit ‘to magpa-concert at magsaya kasama mga kaibigan ko! Imbes na tulungan, ginawang kasangkapan pa ang kalbaryo ng mga guro para lalong maglustay ng pera.”
https://twitter.com/sosyolohija/status/1703580787323662749
Similarly, @odinsonlowkey tweeted about the government’s inclination for entertainment and superficial measures over practical solutions.
“Concerts, fashion shows, new logo, confidential fund, anything but actual solutions to actual crises”
https://twitter.com/OdinsonLowkey/status/1703641218411065505
Here are additional reactions from netizens regarding the Malacañang concert for teachers.
“The teachers need you to actually PAY them not just pay a tribute. But then again ito lang kinaya ni BBM in terms of initiatives and programs. No wonder hindi niya inannounce ang platform niya during the campaign,” @macronikki tweeted.
The teachers need you to actually PAY them not just pay a tribute.
But then again ito lang kinaya ni BBM in terms of initiatives and programs. No wonder hindi niya inannounce ang platform niya during the campaign. https://t.co/ROPbUjTGXC pic.twitter.com/RzsTf20MYw
— Nix (@macronikki) September 18, 2023
“Instead of this concert, why not honor our teachers by giving them a salary increase, professional and personal development support and a less stress working environment?” @wilybe1998 remarked.
Instead of this concert, why not honor our teachers by giving them a salary increase, professional and personal development support and a less stress working environment? https://t.co/AOM5b3g2TU
— Wil (@wilybe1998) September 18, 2023
“Anong kabobohan ito? If you really want to honor the teachers, raise their salary, provide more classrooms and facilities, improve their working condition, hire more education support personnel, and GET A QUALIFIED AND COMPTENT DEPED SECRETARY,” @dwinxvii expressed.
https://twitter.com/dwinxvii/status/1703590217947734070
“if you really wanna pay tributes to our teachers increase their salaries! And relocate that Confidential funds for their benefits!” @linaurbrocka reacted.
if you really wanna pay tributes to our teachers increase their salaries! And relocate that Confidential funds for their benefits! https://t.co/w1iIG90xfU
— noah (@LinaurBrocka) September 19, 2023
