31 October 2014

A student of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) made a display of the dominance of the Filipino skills, bagging a gold medal at the recently-concluded 10th ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) in Hanoi, Vietnam.
 
Joshua D. Mina of the CLSU-CTC Foundation in Munoz, Nueva Ecija, bested other competitors in Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD, getting the highest score in the trade area and securing the gold for the country.
 
In the Industrial Automation trade area, Glenn Christopher B. Silang and Jemuel Gerson S. Isnec, both of the MFI Foundation Inc., received the bronze medal.
 
Eight other members of the Philippine delegation who took part in different trade areas were given the medallion of excellence during the competition.
 
On Friday, October 31, the Philippine team got a rousing welcome from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) after returning home from Vietnam.
 
"TESDA is one with the nation in praising the skill and performance of the medalists and the entire Philippine team after their triumph at the ASEAN Skills Competition," TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.
 
"Their win proves the high level of competence of the Filipino workforce.  They are a symbol of inspiration to all technical vocational students who are aspiring for better life," Villanueva said.
 
The Philippine delegates' feat in this year's competition was one of the country's best so far since it joined the international skills contest.
 
In the 2012 ASEAN Skills Competition, the Philippines earned a bronze medal and four medals of excellence.
 
"Our tech-voc students are getting better every year. There will be no let-up in TESDA's efforts to give them quality education," Villanueva said.
 
The Philippine delegation was composed of 18 competitors, 18 coaches/experts and six TESDA officials.  They participated in the biennial event from October 19 to 29.
 
The competition was designed to showcase the skills of students and graduates, and promote and improve technical vocational skills in the region.
 
Aside from the medal winners, the following competitors were awarded with the medallion of excellence:  Marc Jason B. Torio and Michelle D. Navarro for Mechatronics; Lhemuel C. Endaya for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning; Jessica P. Babon for Fashion Technology; Keith A. Beja for Electronics; Rey Mark S. De Mayo for Beauty Therapy; Francis Erizz C. Florentino for IT Software Solutions for Business; and, Joshua F. Lizardo for Cooking.

Secretary Joel Villanueva (center) welcomes with pride Joshua D. Mina (left) of Central Luzon State University, gold medalist in Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD in the recently concluded 10th ASEAN Skills Competition held recently in Hanoi, Vietnam. On the right is Mr. Faustino M. Salazar, also of CLSU, Mina's coach. 

Sec Joel  Villanueva with ASEAN Skills 2014 Gold Medalist in Mechanical Engineering Design CAD Joshua Mina and coach Mr. Faustino Salazar, Jr.  of the Central Luzon State University - Center for Computer Training Foundation. Also in photo are Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua and Director Elmer K. Talavera. 

Sec. Joel with the competitors, coaches and TESDA officials. ?