High school students react to ‘Good morning, teacher’ video

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High school students react to ‘Good morning, teacher’ video

Rob Reyes

At the recent Good Neighbor Day event, McDonald’s surprised the students of Makati High School with the touching story of one of their strictest teachers

MANILA, Philippines — Luzviminda Santiago has been a teacher for 30 years. Many of her students at Makati High School describe her as tough.

She forbids girls to wear lipstick in the classroom, she doesn’t allow boys to wear their I.D. lanyards over their collars, and she goes as far as checking whether all her students’ nails are cut and clean. 

Matapang ako (I’m strict),” she admits. But like many teachers, behind her authoritative front in the classroom is a side of her that students don’t normally see.

McDonald’s wanted to share her story with the world through a touching video called “Good Morning, Teacher.”

Mrs. Santiago wakes up at 4 am every morning and allots a hefty 4 hours for her commute to Makati High School. Throughout her career, she has inspired student after student to finish their education, to pursue their dreams, and believe in themselves.

She wasn’t just a teacher to her students, she also played the role of mother, advisor, and friend. 

GOOD MORNINGS. The teachers and staff of Makati High School enjoying their complimentary Burgerdesals and special thank you cards from McDonald's

When McDonald’s discovered her story, they came up with “Good Morning, Teacher” – a special ode to all educators whose narratives of passion, dedication, and love often go unnoticed.

Now, everyone can hear their story.

“My students were screaming when they saw the video. Then they started crying. One of them was commenting [on the video] with tears running because she was the one I used to scold all the time for wearing lipstick in class,” Mrs. Santiago said. 

It was only when they saw the interviews from Mrs. Santiago’s previous students that her current brood realized the amount of dedication their teachers have for teaching. That behind the tough facade they put on everyday, the reason teachers wake up early is for their students.  

THANK YOU TREATS. The Burgerdesals and special Thank You cards that offer free coffee at any McDonald's branch

In light of the new video, McDonald’s alongside the students of Makati High School decided to give back to their teachers by treating them to a McDonald’s breakfast of Burgerdesals and special Thank You gift cards last March 14. 

“I know that they [teachers] deserve to be treated to things like our national breakfast day,” says 16-year old Suji Choi Macalindong, a year 10 student leader at Makati High School. “I know what each teacher has to go through, so they deserve this breakfast.” 

From the early mornings to the long commutes to school, the students believe that teachers need to be given more recognition for their efforts.

The students have also learned to value their education more.

When asked what reason they have to rise early in the morning, 15-year old Eden Eve Delfin said, “Of course I have dreams. I’m motivated to come in early in the morning to catch my first subject and to learn.”  

BETTER TOGETHER. Students and teachers sharing breakfast

This July, Mrs. Santiago will reach the mandatory retirement age. And at 65 years old, she has touched the lives of 30 batches of students.

Her  greatest legacy, she believes, is not the concepts she’s lectured in the classroom, but the values and discipline she’s instilled in her students. 

Thanks to McDonald’s, you can greet the new day with a new perspective on the early risers who make a difference in our lives. — Rappler.com   

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