18 March 2012
For one day, women in a suburb district of Manila will hang up their aprons, stash away the brooms and leave the dirty linen unkempt to enjoy a day off.
On March 23, some 1,299 women from various barangay of Zones 15 and 16 in Manila’s second district will be treated to beauty and wellness services, and will receive free training on livelihood skills to open up opportunities for them to earn a living.
The project is courtesy of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Manila city government and the Honorio MC Lopez Technical Institute in recognition of the women’s role in society on Women’s Month.
“We want to provide women with a one-day respite from their stressful regular duties as wife, mother and worker. At the same time, we want to tap their potentials by giving them training so that they will have option to engage in livelihood skills and earn,” TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.
Villanueva said the event will also highlight the TESDA graduates called the “Specialistas,” who will show their skills as they provide free demonstration of their services to the women.
The women will be treated to free haircut, hot oil, hair color, manicure, pedicure or massage therapy.
Each TESDA Specialista who will do the services will get a P500 honorarium.
There will also be skills demonstrations to train the women on soap making, fabric conditioner making, hand sanitizer making, tie dye, bead making and water lily weaving.
Specially-brewed coffee will also be served courtesy of TESDA’s barista trainees.
TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva and Manila Representative Carlo Lopez will award starter kits from the Department of Labor and Employment to those who will complete the massage therapy training.
“At the end of the day, the occasion showcases an attempt at women empowerment. While many are regarded as mere housekeepers, they play very important roles and are valuable. Focusing on their skills and potential is a smart investment,” Villanueva said.
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