TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 2 (PIA) -- Six young Boholano scholars of 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 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, TESDA picked up the full intensity of the competitions even as health authorities were wary about the risks posed by COVID-19.
“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,” explained Efrelyn Lapitan, TESDA contest administrator, in an interview.
This year’s competitions also show the varied expertise that each of Bohol’s Provincial Training Center (PTC) and TESDA-accredited private Technical Vocational Institution deliver in their fields, said Bohol TESDA Information Officer Rose Bantol.
Emerging as the competitor besting six other trained cooks, Erwin Ibaoc of PTC Bilar went home as this year’s Best Cook, bringing home P3,000 as cash prize, a gold medal and a citation, after he wowed the judges with his appetizer, main course, and hot and cold dessert preparation.
In the field of Information Technology Network System Administration, Reymark Toting from North Coast Bohol Institute of Talibon bagged the gold, P3,000 cash, and citation by perfecting a working local area network installation and administration during the skills demonstration.
In welding, Sherwen Lloyd Manitas pf PTC Pilar emerged the winner in the contest that other PTCs and TVIs did not participate in.
Manitas also went home with the P3,000 cash, a gold medal, a citation, and bragging rights.
In electrical installation and house building wiring, John Lloyd Case of PTC Pilar topped the trade test and won a cash prize of P3,000, gold medal, a citation, and a highly employable skill with the premium as provincial skills winner.
In restaurant service, Irene Canale of Bohol Tech Voc Inc. in Tagbilaran City 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 Estillore of PTC Inabanga also came out as the winner in the skills trade test that became a skills demonstration instead.
He bagged the gold medal, cash prize, and a citation.
Other winners during the two-day skills competition are: for cooking, Jhonah Lyn Hongayo of Bohol Tec Voc Inc. bagged the silver medal, P2,000 cash prize, and citation while Maeziel Palacio of BILC bagged the bronze medal for a P1,000 cash prize; for welding, Jhun Mark Anuengo of PTC Inabanga bagged silver and P2,000 cash and Jovani Raut of Taug Technical Institute and Assessment Center Inc. won the P1,000 cash prize and silver medal; and for electrical installation, Lydian Jake Lacbayo of PTC Jagna brought home the silver medal and P2,000 cash prize and Gia Aimelle Anne Tanong of BILC won the silver medal and P2,000 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 trainings to equip young workers with 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 be exempted from the international trade tests to measure their skills competency and get hired immediately by showing the national certification. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
