They are among the most "decorated" names in different languages — tutors, mentors, instructors, professors, educators, masters, or simply teachers — and consume most students' weekday time. Each has profoundly impacted a student's life, good or worse, and one or two have inspired them not just to be good but also to be great.

Such is the unique role of teachers, often seen as rock stars and friends, simultaneously bringing doom and bad grades to students' hearts.

Considered a noble profession, teaching in the Philippines is familial. It involves all-around work: nurturing skills, instilling values and discipline, addressing students' concerns, and sometimes parenting to recalcitrants.

For years, the government has been constantly improving the lives of teachers, particularly those in public schools, from wages to other benefits to make them at par or even above those received by their private sector counterparts.

That is why the Philippines celebrates probably one of the longest recognitions of teachers, National Teachers' Month, which starts on 5 September and culminates on 5 October, the National Teacher's Day, which also coincides with World Teachers' Day.

Across Asia, India's Teacher's Day falls on 5 September, China's on 10 September, Taiwan's and Hong Kong's on September, 28 Singapore's on 31 August, South Korea's on 15 May, and Thailand's on 26 January.

Here's something interesting. Japan, whose people are world-renowned for being polite and respectful, does not celebrate Teacher's Day. One will wonder why, but before you express shock, let me share this insightful Facebook post by Professor Justin Ho Guo Shun, a recipient of the Iconic Social Entrepreneur Ace of the Year at The Global Iconic Aces Awards 2022, to explain why. I asked for Professor Ho's permission to repost his message because I was so moved by it, considering the social implications of the teachers' role in our society. Here's his FB post:

"In Japan, there is no 'Teacher's Day. Once, I asked my Japanese colleague, Teacher Yamamoto, 'When do you celebrate Teachers' Day in Japan, and how do you observe it?'

Surprised by my question, he replied: 'We don't have any Teachers' Day celebration.' Hearing his response, I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I wondered, 'Why does a country with a developed economy, science, and technology show such a lack of respect for teachers and their work?'