Gabay Guro artists thank teachers for nurturing their singing talents

Artists who have made their respective names for themselves admitted they will not be where they are today if not for the successful guidance that they received from their teachers early on in their lives.

- By LEAH C. SALTERIO

The presscon for the Gabay Guro teacher's tribute on Oct. 25 at the Meralco Theater is led by Chaye Cabal-Revilla (center), Gabay Guro chairperson and chief finance, risk and sustainability officer of Metro-Pacifi, with (from left) Gary Dujali, chief marketing and commercial officer of Metro Pacific Health Tech mWell, and the Gabay Guro artists Poppert Bernadas, Jona and Jed Madela.

Singer Poppert Bernadas is extremely proud that he gets to join the Gabay Guro tribute for the first time this year, its 18th anniversary. Last March, Poppert joined the Gabay Guro wellness festival in Ilocos Norte, where he performed for around 5,000 teachers.

"For sure all of us have been influenced by our teachers when we were young," said Poppert. "It's so nice to give back to the teachers. There's actually pressure performing for Gabay Guro. Of course, we want our best for our teachers. Now that I became part of the team, it was really so much fun to be with the group."

"I was really very happy to be with them. I'm a product of public school in Davao and when I was in fourth grade, I was always a part of the school activities where I was always asked to sing. My teacher gave me a Martin Nievera CD one Christmas party. I still didn't know who Martin was at that time. But my teacher said to listen to the CD and I started to idolize Martin. That teacher inspired me to really be a singer," added he.

Today, Poppert cannot be any prouder that he gets to perform alongside popular singers. He is one of the original members of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, where he has been performing for 18 years. Now, he has gone solo as an artist. Two months ago, he finished his solo concert at the Music Museum.

"It has taken me a long time to join Gabay Guro because I'm more active with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers," shared Poppert. "I am now with the management of Ogie Alcasid."