12 October 2013
Winners of the annual Kabalikat and Idol Awards of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) hailed from different orientation and immersed in multitude of activities, but shared a common triumph of using technical vocational education and training to change lives.
"In their respective fields, they have become famous not only by virtue of being great at what they do, but by being able to make an impact on the community and the people they aim to engage," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said.
"They are the hidden champions of job growth, innovation, and self-fulfilment of people who discovered they can be productive," he added.
Seven organizations received the Kabalikat Award, which gave recognition to the agency's outstanding partners in the promotion and enhancement of technical vocational education and training (TVET). It is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firms and companies, local government units and legislative partners because of their good practices and contribution in the promotion and development of Filipino skilled workers.
For the “Idols ng TESDA,” three TVET graduates, who were either employed or have started their own business, were feted with the award for contributing to the socio-economic improvements in their respective communities.
The Kabalikat Award winners were the Sisters of Mary Technical Education Institute Cavite Inc. (Institution category); Sanyo Semiconductor Manufacturing Phils. Corp. and Primary Structures Corporation (Industry category); Municipal Government of Dumingan in Zamboanga del Sur (Municipal level); City Government of Mandaluyong (City level); and, 4th Congressional District of Quezon City (Legislative category).
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was also given a special award for helping promote TVET in the country.
Jacqueline De Paz from Region VIII emerged the national winner for theIdol's Self-employed category and Dr. Marmelo Abante of Region IV-A was the Idol in the Wage-employed category.
Myrna Pitaluna of Region VII was bestowed with a special award called Tesda Best! Batang TESDA for being one of the youngest successful TVET graduates.
Villanueva said he hopes the Idol awardees will inspire others to take the TVET path.
De Paz, 38, wanted to be a medical doctor but failed to pursue it when her parents died. To support her family, she enrolled in the Food and Beverage Services course, and then took another one, Caregiving. Eventually, she became an accredited TVET trainer and assessor for Caregiving NC II and Health Care Services NC II. In June 2010, she established the St. Clare Polytechnic School of Burauen Inc., which helped indigent students enrol in technical-vocational courses.
Abante left his hometown in Batangas to work as a crew in a burger chain in Metro Manila. Hungry for knowledge, he took evening classes and finished a two-year Information Technology course at the Gateway Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). After being hired as an instructor in the school he studied further until he completed his Master's degree in Mathematics, Education and Information Technology, and then his PhD in Education Management.
Abante is now vice president for academic affairs and school director of Saint John Bosco Institute of Arts and Science in Cainta; research coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima University in Antipolo; and president of the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators-Region IV Chapter. He also does consultancy works and a frequent resource speaker in universities. He is author of nine books on IT.
Pitaluna took a welding course before continuing her college education. She completed her training on heavy equipment operation and in now a trainer and assessor.
As for the outstanding partner institutions, the Sisters of Mary Technical Education Institute continues to live up to its commitment of helping indigent youth get education and jobs. It has helped promote TESDA's programs through its job placement tie-ups, industry-based quality monitoring, skills competition sponsorships and competency assessment.
Sanyo and Primary Structures are both active TESDA partners for many years, offering apprenticeship programs to further hone the skills of young workers.
Despite the lack of funds, the municipal government of Dumingag in Zamboanga del Sur persisted in offering TVET courses by converting a dilapidated building into an agricultural training school to serve the needs of the youth in the province.
The city government of Mandaluyong promotes TVET through its annual P10-million funding for its Manpower and Youth Development Training Division, which has now two campuses and yields an average 2,500 graduates every year.
KOICA has established training centers in Bulacan, Quezon City, Davao and Taguig City with modern training equipment and facilities to help produce globally-competitive workers.
"Through this recognition that we bestow upon our graduates and partners, we hope that we could inspire more to engage in TVET and be an active advocate and supporter or a successful practitioner," Villanueva said.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 1 - SISTERS OF MARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE CAVITE, INC.
Sister Maria Cho, Mother Superio,r Sisters of Mary Technical Education Institute Cavite, Inc. received the National Kabalikat Award for Institution Category from TESDA Director General,Secretary Joel J. Villanueva. From Left to right, DDG for Sectoral TVET Irene M. Isaac, Region IV-A Regional Director Luisita a. dela Cruz, TESDA National Screening Committee member, Roxanne-Antonio Singson Sec. Villanueva, Sister Maria Cho, TESDA Provincial Director, Leticia Ogbac and DDG for Field Operations, Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 2 - PRIMARY STRUCTURES CORP.
Engr. William Christopher U. Liu, of Primary Structures Corporation, and wife Paulette Liu received from TESDA Director General Sec. Joel J. Villanueva as the 2013 National Kabalikat Award winner for Industry Category.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 3 - SANYO SEMICONDUCTOR
TESDA Region III RD Ted Gatchalian along with Sanyo Philippines, Inc. HRD Manager accepted the trophy from TESDA Director General Sec. Joel J. Villanueva as the 2013 National Kabalikat Award winner for Industry Category.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 4 - MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF DUMINGAG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Municipal Government of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur MayorNacianceno M. Pacalioga, Jr received the 2013 National Kabalikat Award trophy for LGU Category (Town/Municipality Level) from TESDA Director General,Secretary Joel J. Villanueva. From Left to right, DDG for Sectoral TVET Irene M. Isaac, TESDA National Screening Committee member, Roxanne-Antonio Singson , Mayor Pacalioga, Jr , Sec. Villanueva, TESDA Region IX OIC RD Dr. Lorenzo Macapili and DDG for Field Operations, Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 5 - CITY GOVERNMENT OF MANDALUYONG
City Government of Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos received from TESDA Director General Sec. Joel J. Villanueva the trophy as 2013 National Kabalikat Award Winner for LGU Category (City Level). From left to right, DDG for Sectoral TVET Irene M. Isaac, TESDA National Screening Committee member, Roxanne-Antonio Singson , Sec. Villanueva, TESDA NCR RD Nenuca Tangonan and DDG for Field Operations, Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 6 - 4TH DISTRICT OF QUEZON CITY
Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte received the 2013 National Kabalikat Award for Legislative Category from TESDA Director General, Secretary Joel J. Villanueva. From Left to right, DDG for Sectoral TVET Irene M. Isaac,, TESDA National Screening Committee member, Roxanne-Antonio Singson Sec. Villanueva, TESDA NCR RD Nenuca Tangonan and DDG for Field Operations, Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua.
KABALIKAT AWARDEE 7 - KOREA INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) received the 2013 National Kabalikat Special Award trophy trom TESDA Director General Sec. Joel J. Villanueva. From left to right, TESDA Region XI RD Gaspar Gayona, DDG for Sectoral TVET Irene M. Isaac, TESDA National Screening Committee member, Roxanne-Antonio Singson , Sec. Villanueva, Mr. Song Minhyeon,KOICA Resident Representative, TESDA QSO ED Imee Taganas, and DDG for Field Operations, Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua.
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