MINERVA BC NEWMAN
CEBU CITY -- The Aboitiz Foundation Technical Vocational (TechVoc) Program is currently supporting two technical vocational educational institutions: the Banilad Center for Professional Development in Cebu, and the Dualtech Training Center in Laguna empowering women to pursue national certifications from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as well as create job opportunities for young men enrolled in the program.
Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth Marasigan expressed gratitude and appreciation how having the right institutional partners played a key role in the success of the Aboitiz techvoc scholars under the new normal.
Marasigan bared that for the school year 2021-2022, the Aboitiz Foundation Technical Vocational Scholarship Program will have 68 scholars. Since its inception in 2005, the program has produced 4,561 graduates and all 20 Aboitiz scholars, the pioneer batch in Dualtech, completed their program with four finishing with awards.
According to Marasigan, the Aboitiz TechVoc Program empowered Dwinzelle Suico who graduated from Hotel and Restaurant Services II (HRS II) from Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD), an all-girls techvoc training center in Cebu.
Suico was a working student and an Aboitiz scholar at the same time and she emphasized that the support she got from Aboitiz Foundation made her life easier as a student and told fellow scholars that nothing is impossible if you have the drive to succeed.
“Don't worry about the tuition fees. What's important is your willingness to learn. I got the scholarship from Aboitiz Foundation for having good grades in my secondary level,” Suico said.
Suico graduated from BCPD last April 2021 and has since achieved four TESDA NC II Certifications.
Pelagio Guanzon II, one of the pioneer Aboitiz scholars in the Dualtech Training Center, uprooted himself from his hometown in Bohol and took his chances in Laguna hoping for a life-changing opportunity.
Like many other youths in the province who come from poor families, he put education aside and worked part time jobs as a laborer. Guanzon was ready to settle down until he learned about Dualtech and realized it would be better to earn a degree, so he’ll have better opportunities for work.
“Mas maganda pa rin pala ang may pinag-aralan. Kaya noong nalaman ko po ang Dualtech, hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na i-grab ang chance para makapag aral. Kung mabibigyan kayo ng opportunity para mag-aral, ‘wag ninyong sayangin dahil ang Aboitiz Foundation ay matutulungan tayong abutin ang ating mga pangarap,” Guanzon said. (I realized it is always better to finish one’s studies. When I learned about Dualtech, I did not hesitate to grab the chance to study. If you are given the opportunity to study, do not waste it; Aboitiz Foundation can help us reach our dreams). Guanzon is now employed as a maintenance technician.
Dualtech Training Center president Arnolfo Morfe lauded Aboitiz Foundation as one of its exceptional scholarship partners amid the pandemic and congratulated the scholars for having exceeded his expectations.
“It is the best batch among the sponsorships. I was expecting that perhaps some would fall out normally, as in other groups, especially since COVID-19 struck us last year. The pioneer batch of Aboitiz scholars survived with flying colors,” Morfe said.
The incoming batch of Aboitiz scholars were chosen not based on poverty alone but because they have ambitions, Morfe added.
“Like many academic institutions, we are happy to know that our techvoc partner schools have quickly adapted to how education must continue, without sacrificing the level of learning and quality of skills of the students,” Marasigan stated.
Marasigan lauded all Aboitiz TechVoc scholars who graduated with awards and those who were immediately absorbed by their on-the-job training partners.
She added that with this bright opportunity for the youth, Aboitiz is glad to be partnering again with Banilad Center for Professional Development and Dualtech Training Center for the school year 2021-2022.
“We know that once the scholars graduate, employment will come easy as their expertise is highly needed by the workforce,” Marasigan said. (Photos: Google Images)
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