In view of our annual celebration of the yuletide season, my sincerest greetings of

peace, love and thanksgiving to you our heroes, our beloved teachers.
First and foremost, my apology for not being able to be with you in this occasion
because I am on official travel as part of my sworn duties as a public servant.
Nevertheless, despite my physical absence, I am one with you in spirit and in
essence.

Teachers have been an integral part of my life and played a great role in nation
building thus it is only due and proper that outmost recognition and acts of
gratitude be extended to all of you. Your contribution and effort in the
development of every adult today cannot in any way be compensated in money
no matter how staggering it might be because what you had done is far from just
an exercise of profession. You have understood our flaws more than we ever
could. You have seen our weaknesses and how they were consuming our
innocence but you never let us drown in our own flood. You helped us see
ourselves from others perspective and be able to unleash our inner potential
with that. Without you, I am not what I am today, our community is not what it is
today, and our nation is not as resilient as it is today.

As we celebrate Christmas and retirement at the same time actually has a

significant connection and not just a mere coincidence or made to conform to
convenience. They are both stories of salvation. Christmas reminds us that God
has given his only son Jesus Christ to save us from the darkness of hell, while
retirement reminds us about you our retired teachers who has given all their love
and effort to save us from clutches of ignorance.

I hope with my simple message, I was able to put a smile in your soul and in your
mind that retirement is only an end to a professional career. A teacher never
ceases to be teacher and the nobility and brilliance that goes with you can never
be taken away from by a mere termination of employment. Thank you and Merry
Christmas to all of you!