Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano hailed teachers as the nation’s “sowers,” emphasizing their critical role in shaping the country’s future by instilling values in the youth.
In his message for World Teachers’ Day, celebrated globally on October 5, 2025, Cayetano paid tribute to the country’s teachers who serve as “second parents” in school.
“The future of the Philippines is in your hands… Whatever ang itanim n’yo ngayon, ‘yan ang Pilipinas, 30, 40 years from now,” the veteran legislator said.
“Ang estudyante ang seed, and school naman natin ‘yung soil, and then ang pagtuturo ng ating mga teacher ang pagdidilig.”
“Ang estudyante ang seed, and school naman natin ‘yung soil, and then ang pagtuturo ng ating mga teacher ang pagdidilig,” the seasoned lawmaker added, referring to the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping.
The senator traces his roots to a family of educators. His grandmother, Julianna Cabrera, and mother, Sandra Schramm, dedicated their lives to teaching. His father, the late senator Rene Cayetano, also served as a law school professor.
A strong advocate for education reform, he served as co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and as 19th Congress Chairman of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education.
Cayetano has called for bold reforms and smarter budget decisions to drive meaningful progress in basic education, including urging teachers to speak up about their needs.
“Whatever we can do to support you, please tell us,” he told teachers.
