TAGUIG CITY -- The Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA) has named this year’s winners for Idols ng TESDA during the online awarding ceremonies held on August 24.
Ryan L. Mejia, PhD, from Region IV-A, an academician who currently serves as the Dean of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management in Lyceum of the Philippines in Batangas City, is the National Winner for the Wage-Employed category. Dr. Mejia is also a certified TVET (Technical-Vocational Education and Training) trainer who has TESDA National Certificates (NCs) I, II and III in Food and Beverage, Ship Catering Services, Travel Services and Events Management Services and a holder of Trainers Methodology Certificate (TMC) I. Dr. Mejia also authored a research entitled “Industry Partners Perspective on Cruise Line Management Trainees: Basis for Improved Internship Program” which was published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2017. Dr. Mejia was also recognized for his outstanding contribution as an expert for Restaurant Servicing during the 2019 Worldskills Competition in Kazan, Russia.
On the other hand, industry services practitioner Ronalhd M. Eguiron from MIMAROPA Region, is the National Winner for the Self-Employed Category. Eguiron is a multi-skilled TVET trainer and a holder of NC I and II in Front Office Services and Housekeeping, National TVET Trainer Certificate (NTTC) I and TMC I. Through TESDA trainings, Eguiron was able to put up his own training school—the St. Mark Arts and Training Institute in 2017—that offers seven TESDA-registered programs in tourism-related qualifications. He plans to pursue other TESDA qualifications that will cater more relevant programs and diploma courses for his trainees.
The other winners in the wage-employed category are college instructor John Erwin SJ. Cano from Region III who is the first runner-up; and school directress Sr. Ailyn P. Cayanan, FMA from MIMAROPA as the second runner-up.
Rounding up the winners’ roster in the self-employed category are farm owner Jefferson C. Laruan from the Cordillera Administrative Region as the first runner-up and also this year’s Senior Idol; and cosmetologist Meynard T. Loyola from Region 12 as the second runner-up and was also named as Batang Technopreneur. Barista and social media marketer Genesis Masangkay from the National Capital Region is named as Batang TESDA, TESDA Best winner.
The winners and special awardees received cash prizes and plaques of certification. Plaques of recognition are awarded to the National Winners for both categories who were also given PHP30,000 cash prize each, while the first runners-up got PHP25,000 each, and the second runners-up received PHP20,000 each. Special certifications were also given to Batang TESDA! TESDA Best! and Batang Technopreneur and Senior Idol awardees plus P25,000 cash and PHP10,000 cash respectively.
The Idols ng TESDA Award is held annually to honor outstanding technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates of the agency. It is one of TESDA’s Institutional Awards as part of the agency’s anniversary celebration and in commemoration of National Tech-Voc Day. Qualified nominees are TVET graduates who are Filipino citizens, at least 21 years of age, and with outstanding achievements in line with his/her trade within the last 3 years. They were also nominated by any legitimate civic, social, religious, labor or industry organizations whose membership affiliation is in line with his/her work or business. (TESDA)
