August 22, 2024

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has named the 2024 Idols ng TESDA in an awarding ceremony held today, August 22.

Janzell A. Palbacal, a Tourism and Hospitality Professor from the Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas, was the National Winner under the Wage-Employed Category.

Palbacal is also a Food and Beverages NC II trainer and competency assessor at Batangas Eastern Colleges. He also served as a WorldSkills Competition Expert in the 2023 ASEAN Skills Competition held in Singapore.

On the other hand, industry service practitioner, Aisa R. Seño from Lucena City, was the National Winner for the Self-Employed Category.

Seño is a trainer of Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II & III and the proprietor of UniTech Educational Institute Inc. located in Lucena City, Quezon Province.

In his speech during the Ceremony, Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez congratulated all the nominees and winners of this year’s search for outstanding tech-voc professionals.

“I [would like] to recognize this year’s Idols ng TESDA, the graduates of our technical vocational education and training programs, for their outstanding achievements. You have excelled in your chosen fields and contributed significantly to the economic growth of your communities and country. Your persistence and dedication serve as a testament to the unique skills and abilities of the Filipino people,” the TESDA chief said.

“This year, we have 29 regional winners, 15 in the Wage-Employed and 14 in the Self-Employed Categories, who competed for the National Idols ng TESDA award. Of these, 3 emerged victorious in the Wage-Employed Category, and 3 in the Self-Employed Category. However, everyone mentioned here today is a winner, as each of you has done excellent work in advancing the recognition of Filipinos worldwide,” he added.

Completing the roster of winners for Wage-Employed Category, Glenn Maenard A. Faustino from Region III, 1st runner up, and Rita Andrea R. Almonte from NCR 2nd runner up.

Further, other winners from the Self-Employed Category were Larry O. Cerbo from Region XI, 1st runner up and Emerson SJ. Cruz from Region III, 2nd runner up.

The winners in both categories shall receive a trophy, certificate of recognition, and cash prizes amounting to Php30,000 for the national winners and Php 25,000 and Php 20,000, respectively for the 1st and 2nd runners-up.

The Idols ng TESDA, being held annually as part of the agency’s founding anniversary celebration, aims to honor tech-voc graduates who have achieved exceptional success in their chosen fields or occupations and have aided in the growth of their local economies.