“Be proud of who you are, proud of your heritage, and proud to be representing the Philippines. Let your performance be a testament to the talent and resilience of our nation. Show the world the beauty and brilliance that emanate from the Philippines.”
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By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
TAGUIG CITY (SDN) — A total 23 graduates of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) are competing for honors in Singapore at the 13th Worldskills ASEAN Skills Competition (WASC) from July 18 to 28, 2023.
Secretary Suharto “Datu Teng” T. Mangudadatu, Ph.D., TESDA director general, rallied the WASC participants as he exhorted them to not be scared of the moment.
Barely a month at the manpower-producing agency, he led a send-off event for the technical vocational (tech-voc) graduates who were set to fly to the Lion City to show their mettle in the competition being held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Center.
“Enjoy. Don’t be scared. Be normal. Feel good. Focus and believe in yourself,” Mangudadatu told the skills athletes as he delivered the Inspirational Message at the send-off event held on July 15 at the TESDA Tandang Sora Women’s Center, along with South Expressway service road, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
At the same time, the TESDA chief lauded and thanked the experts who have guided and trained the 23 tech-voc grads who won the opportunity to represent the Philippines, as well as lauding the agency’s partners in the industry, including the technical vocational institutes (TVIs), and the companies supporting the agency.
“We need partners like you. If you are not there the industry will not prosper. TESDA will not proper either if you are not there (to help),” he emphasized, speaking in English and Pilipino.
“We are a nation of dreamers,” Mangudadatu, the second Moro to head TESDA, said.
He said what President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. wants is for all sectors to come together to attain a genuine “Bagong Pilipinas”.
In competing, the TESDA director general pointed out to the participants, they can show how skilled are Filipinos and show they are ready to face any challenge.
“It is not important to be a champion. It is not important whether we achieve something, what is important is that you have shown your skills,” he said.
“Unveil your skills, draw out what you have learned and for sure we will have hope. It is important that you show the Filipino is ready to face any battle.”
Information from the tech-voc agency showed the Filipino competitors will be striving for top honors in various skill areas, such as Automobile Technology, Beauty Therapy, Cooking, Electrical Installation, Electronics, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design Technology, Hairdressing, Information Network Cabling, Internet-of-Things, IT Network System Administration, IT Software Solutions for Business, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics, Rapid Transit System, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Restaurant Service, and Web Technology.
Related video by SDN: https://youtu.be/Vs-1wscvppo
TESDA has been a regular participant at the biennial WorldSkills ASEAN Competition, which gathers youth from around Southeast Asia to showcase their talents and abilities in various skill categories.
The competition “aims to promote and upgrade skills standards in the ASEAN region to an international level, as well as to motivate youths to develop their skills to meet international standards,” the agency said. Originally to have been staged in July 2020, the 13th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition had to be re-scheduled this year due to the pandemic.
Mangudadatu cited the competition’s significance.
“This competition provides an opportunity for us to gauge the level of skills of our graduates and workers against those of other countries. By joining these prestigious activities, we also show the world, especially potential employers, what we can do,” he pointed out.
He assured that TESDA continues to ensure that its training programs are at par with international standards even as he voiced optimism that in joining the event, Filipino competitors will gain the experience and knowledge which will help them to be successful in life.
It can be recalled that TESDA has been actively participating in international competitions. Last year, during the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition held in Switzerland, Filipino Jonathan Supsupin bagged a Medallion for Excellence in the Cooking skill area.
The Medallion for Excellence is granted to competitors whose performance meets international standards based on the criteria set by WorldSkills International.
Section 30 of the Republic Act 7796 or the TESDA Act of 1994 states that TESDA, with the active participation of private industries, shall organize annual skills Olympics to promote quality skills development in the country in view of participating in international skills competitions.
At the send-off event held in the evening, the TESDA director general urged the Filipino competitors to “embrace this opportunity with unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities. You have worked tirelessly, honing your skills, and preparing for this moment. You are ready,” he added.
“Be proud of who you are, proud of your heritage, and proud to be representing the Philippines. Let your performance be a testament to the talent and resilience of our nation. Show the world the beauty and brilliance that emanate from the Philippines.”
Mangudadatu leads the Philippine delegation to the competition in Singapore. (👍)