SIX young Boholano scholars of the country’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) proved that the limited face to face engagements in their training course could not hamper the skills and performance of one who is so committed to learn a new employable skill.
Proving they are above the rest of the thousands who completed the training courses since the pandemic disrupted the training schedules and engagements, the six emerged as this year’s best in their respective skills during the 2022 Provincial Skills Competition, held June 23-24 in different venues all over Bohol.
Also called the TESDA Skills Olympics, this year, the technical vocational training authority picked up the full intensity of the competitions even as health authorities were wary about the risks posed by coronavirus disease.
“The skills olympics allow the graduates of TESDA’s training courses to prove they have learned something and for us to see how they have imbibed the lessons that they can use for future employment,” explains Efrelyn Lapitan, TESDA contest administrator, in an interview.
This year’s competitions also show the varied expertise that each of Bohol’s public Provincial Training Center and TESDA-accredited private Technical Vocational Institution deliver in their fields, Bohol TESDA information officer Rose Bantol pointed out. Emerging as the competitor besting 6 other equally adeptly trained cooks, Erwin B. Ibaoc of PTC Bilar went home with the bragging rights as this year’s best cook, bringing home P3K as cash prize, a gold medal and a citation, after he wowed the judges over his appetizer, main course and hot and cold dessert preparation.
In the field of Information Technology Network System Administration, Reymark M. Toting, from North Coast Bohol Institute of Talibon bagged the gold, P3K cash and citation by perfecting a working local area network installation and administration during the skills demonstration.
In welding, Sherwen Lloyd D. Manitas pf PTC Pilar came out the hands down winner in the contest that other PTCs and TVIs did not participate in. Manitas also come home with the P3K cash, a gold medal, a citation and bragging rights.
In electrical installation and house building wiring, John Lloyd C. Case of PTC Pilar topped the trade test and came home with the cash prize of P3K, gold medal, a citation and a highly employable skill with the premium as provincial skills winner.
In restaurant service, Irene G. Canale of Bohol Tech Voc Inc in Tagbilaran showed exceptional skill in waiting and bussing to be hailed the best during the competition held at the Bohol International Learning College (BILC) in Tiptip Tagbilaran City.
In another field in refrigeration and air-conditioning, Royzon M Estillore of PTC Inabanga also came out as the winner unopposed in the skills trade test that became a skills demonstration instead. Estillore bagged the gold medal, cash prize and a citation.
Other winners during the two day skills Olympics are: in cooking, Jhonah Lyn Hongayo of Bohol Tec Voc Inc bagged the silver medal, P2K cash prize and citation while Maeziel Palacio of BILC bagged the bronze medal for a P1k cash prize.
For welding, also winning was Jhun Mark C. Anuengo of PTC Inabanga bagging silver and P2K cash and Jovani B. Raut of Taug Technical Institute and Assessment Center Inc getting the P1K prize and silver medal.
For electrical installation, Lydian Jake T. Lacbayo of PTC Jagna brought home the silver medal and P2K cash prize and Gia Aimelle Anne H. Tanong of BILC brought home the silver medal and P2K cash prize in Restaurant service.
During the Skills Olympics Awarding Ceremonies and Closing Program, TESDA Regional Director, Engr. Gamaliel Vicente Jr., rallied local government units to continue supporting TESDA and its training, to equip young workers of employable skills and enhance economic productivity.
He also shared his hopes of the country getting the Dublin Accord, a key international document that would allow TESDA trained workers to get exempted from the international trade tests to measure their skills competency and get hired immediately by showing the national certification.
Dir Vicente joined Bohol TESDA Chief Provincial Director Engr. Winefredo Salas and TESDA Bohol employees in congratulating the winners and the competitors, as they, representing their TVIs are already winners, having been chosen to represent the training center. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
