August 13, 2019

TAGUIG CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) held a send-off ceremony for the Philippines representatives to the WorldSkills Competition 2019 to be held in Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre, Kazan, Russia on August 22 to 27. 

TESDA, as the lead agency of selecting participants for various international competitions of tech-voc skills in the Philippines has chosen the medalists of the ASEAN Skills Competition 2018 to represent the country in the said international competition.

Ten (10) competitors from the different regions in the country will display their skills in the nine (9) skill areas of the said competition. Among the representatives are Patrick Neil Noceja from Biñan City for Web Design Technologies; Leonido Lomoljo from Zamboanga Del Sur for Refrigeration and Aironditioning; Marc Dave Perez from Batangas City for Restaurant Service; John Jay Abinal from Camarines Sur for Electrical Installation and Maintenance; John Leonard Ramos from Dagupan City for Hairdressing; Anthony Cabigayan from San Fernando, Pampanga for IT Software Solutions for Business; Ramon Bong Bautista from Lubao, Pampanga for Graphic Design Technology; Joeminel Cutcharo from Tacloban, Leyte for Automobile Technology; and Chjohnne Ma Jesus Caliwara and Vincent Bryce Garcia from Quezon City for Cyber Security.

TESDA has recently concluded its 5-month intensive training and coaching to prepare the competitors for the said international tilt.

The competitors were trained by expert trainers, also from the different regions in the country headed by their Team Leaders Kenneth Lombos and Junjon Santuyo.

Jotham Hernandez is the expert for Web Design Technologies; Andres Cabalu for Refrigeration and Airconditioning; Ryan Mejjia for Restaurant Service; Eddie Cabaltera for Electrical Installation and Maintenance; Melanie Domingo for Hairdressing; Manuel Louis Pili for IT Software Solutions for Business; Ronald Alvarez for Graphic Design Technology; Roderick Laurena for Automobile Technology and Joey Joseph Villota expert for Cybersecurity.

The said training also included capacity building training, values enhancement and language skills improvement which helped the competitors pass the 100% preparedness pre-qualification requirement of WorldSkills.

The TESDA chief also emphasized the importance of the participation of the Philippines in the said competition to further improve the capabilities of Filipino tech-voc experts by way of learning the best TVET practices of other countries.

“TESDA values these competitions as it will help raise the profile of our certified skilled professionals in the international arena,” Lapeña said.

“These competitions are also seen to help TESDA in increasing the visibility of technical education and skills development, as a tool in social and economic improvement,” he added.