The Gothong family reaffirmed support to the public high school it has partnered 28 years ago in barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City.
Surrounded by people whose lives were touched by their advocacy, Barbara “Bambi” Gothong-Tan, president and CEO of A.D. Gothong Group, told students of the Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School that “Education is the only thing that can never be taken away from you.” Gothong-Tan delivered the message in behalf of her family during the school’s 28th Benefactor’s Day last Nov. 15.
The day was intended to give honor to the Gothong family for their unwavering support to the school since 1986.
The partnership between the Department of Education (DepED) and the Gothongs was in consonance with the Adopt-A-School Act of 1998.
According to Danny Gudelusao, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Division of the DepEd, said their partnership with the Gothongs for the barangay San Nicolas public high school is a “model partneship.” The DepEd in Cebu City, he said, is very grateful to the Gothongs for their continuing assistance to the school.
School principal Benedicta Arcilla praised the Gothongs for their sustained support to her school.
Until now, Arcilla said, they have continued efforts to uplift the condition of the national high school by investing on the skills development of its teachers through trainings, direct assistance to students by conducting feeding and even giving away school supplies.
The Gothongs have also helped renovating school buildings.
A floral offering at the monument of Don Carlos A. Gothong inside the campus was one of the highlights of the celebration.
Together with Arcilla, Gudelusao, the department heads, teachers, and barangay officials, and the Gothong family represented by Gothong-Tan and Benjo Gothong, director of A.D. Gothong Manufacturing, Inc., the monument of the Gothong patriarch was adorned with dozens of flowers as an act of thanksgiving.
With the partnership growing stronger 28 years after, Cebu City Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School stands to provide quality education and produce graduates who will become the salt and light of the community.