Jovani Paayas is from Magallanes, Agusan Del Norte. As a kid, he always had this passion for cooking. He took up Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management from Father Saturnino Urios University but due to financial difficulties, he was not able to finish the degree.

He learned that his uncle had a training about Shielded Metal Arc Welding at TESDA. He was inspired and so he decided to enroll and get a training. Since he had a passion for cooking, he took up Commercial Cooking NC II at the Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte.

“After my training and assessment, I have learned a lot about cooking”, he said. His training at TESDA has helped him develop the courage, the determination and the fire to reach what he is meant to be, to be a professional chef someday. Because of his NC II in Commercial Cooking, he was able to land a job at Almont Inland Resort and Hotel. He worked there for 2 years and the experience has enriched his professional career. He started envisioning to work abroad and to be in the cruise line industry.

Jovani have gone through a lot. The competition is tough because most applicants are Culinary and/or HRM graduates, but he didn’t lose hope. “I put my trust to God that he will help me reach my dreams”, he said. His skills and training at TESDA and the lessons he had learned practicing the skills professionally were his greatest strengths. He didn’t lose his determination and willingness to be in the cruise line industry. And yes, God has been so good to him. “He heard my prayers”, he said. Now, Jovani currently works in an Italian Cruise Line as a Commis de Cuisine, hopefully to be a Demi Chef at the end of his contract. Because of TESDA he was able to reach his dream job and he is able to provide the needs of my family. He is actually a single dad of two lovely ladies.

They are now cruising in South America, most particularly in Brazil and in Argentina. The skills training he had at the Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte were very useful- related to Sauce preparation, Pasta, Dressing and a lot more. He is forever thankful to PTC for the training.

When asked about his message to the youth, he gladly replied, “If you want to achieve your dreams and ambition, never lose determination and courage. “Do not be discouraged even if you did not have or even finished College. As long as you have the skills and the right attitude to work, you will get your dream job. There are TESDA training courses that will develop and master your innate skills and the training also embeds professionalism and right attitude towards work. I am recommending the youth to be trained at TESDA.”

His trainer before is Ma’am HaydaTabilo. She’s really a good and competent trainer to them as he expressedhis gratefulness further. He was looking forward to visit her and the training center when he goes back home soon. “I am proud to be a TESDA Graduate. God bless po.” he ended.

Joseph S. Cuadra was born on 14th of December, 1981 in Santiago, Agusan Del Norte. His parents, Monica and Eulalio D. Cuadra, both have not finished their elementary education.

His mother was Grade 4 and his father was only Grade 3. Life for them was difficult back then since farming and driving motorcycle are the only means of living his parents knew. This gave him the drive to aim high and dream big. His journey of becoming an Industrial Engineer in Saudi Arabia started during his high school days. He was in his first year high school when he started to tinker broken appliances.

This hobby became a vice. He got addicted to it. He used to stay late at night just to self-learn, troubleshoot, repair TV, sound system or any broken appliances his hands can lay on. Until his school acknowledges his skills and entrusted him as the Caretaker of the school’s sound system and designated him to be the operator. During that time, his knowledge in sound system and electronics has widen but not ripe enough to do advance troubleshooting because he had no formal education on the said field. He was barely relying on his own reading at the library and hands-on experience.

Until one day, He met an electrician-electronic technician who was installing house wiring in their neighbor’s house. He asked him the best school to learn electronics. The technician proudly told him TESDA since he’s a TESDA product too. Thus, a week before his high school graduation, Joseph enrolled at the Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte in Cabadbaran in Consumer Electronics Mechanics (C.E.M.) instead of pursuing his tertiary education. That was also the time when they were facing financial difficulties and his parents could not afford to send him to school. “We all had to stop schooling because or newly-born twin sisters were premature. They need to be incubated and they could no longer sustain the expenses coming in’” Joseph said. With his knowledge, he made an improvised incubator at home to help his parents.

TESDA journey begins. The moment he had his very first TESDA class, he told himself that he will never ever missed even a single day because everything he wanted to learn was being taught to them. Being a self-taught, there were areas he could not understand and/or could barely understand but TESDA gave him that enlightenment. “TESDA gave me the room to bring out the best in me,” he said. His potential was always challenged and tested. Mr. Romel Natad, their Instructor and Field Expert that time, was very good at explaining and elaborating electronics concepts and its application. He made electronics fun and easy for them.

Until one day, Joseph was chosen as a PTC-Agusan del Norte’s Representative for a competition in Electronics Application (Youth Category) in the 2nd Agusan Del Norte – Butuan City Skills Competition, September 14-15, 2000. He won and garnered the Gold medal and a cash prize of three thousand pesos (Php 3,000.00). This opened and widened his acquaintances to the electronics technician community of the entire CARAGA region. His little shop got known and since then, plenty of customers are coming in. He also did home service. Thru this, he was able to save ample amount of money to go to college.

In 2001, he had his formal education at Caraga State University (CSU) Cabadbaran Campus and graduating BSIT major in Electronics, Batch 2005. College life was never hard for him because TESDA had equipped him with all the knowledge and skills needed at school. “There were times I got exempted from exams because I am way too advanced for the class”, he said. He was also able to share his expertise to his fellow classmates.

Then another competition came. He joined the Electronic Technology-Open Category of the 3rd Agusan del Norte Skills Competition, September 11-13, 2002 and won as the Bronze Medalist. “Thanks to TESDA for honing my skills and potential. From there, I was able to self-support my studies”, he said. Earning money came easy because customers came to his shop in Santiago, Agusan del Norte. He became financially stable and was able to finish his four-year course smoothly.

In 2006, he decided to venture to Manila to apply abroad. By God’s grace, he was hired immediately upon presenting his TESDA certificates and winning in TESDA competitions. There were no further questions asked of him. Joseph landed a job at Saudi Ceramics Company at Riyadh, KSA as Electronic technician. There, he was able to use his electronics expertise.

His future started to lick into shape. His skills were further polished and upgraded by learning electrical, mechanical and automation. Because of hard work and dedication to his job, the company saw his potential and decided to send him to a Technical Training in KSA. He successfully completed his SIEMENS S7 PLC SYSTEM HANDLING on April 17, 2010 conducted by SIEMENS Automation (TETRA TECH).

From a mere electronic technician, he became a Technical foreman handling all maintenance work for machineries such as electronic repairs, electrical installation, hydraulic and pneumatic troubleshooting. He was also able to give his brother and his friend a job at his workplace without any difficulties. He was able to assist their parents financially and send their siblings to school.

After five years and six months, he decided to look for a greener pasture with the possibilities of bringing his family with him. Zamil Steel Industries located at KSA hired Joseph as their Electronics and Electrical Maintenance Engineer. There, he was exposed more on electrical works and repairs of CNC machineries such as lathe machines, CNC plasma cutting machines, welding machines, cranes and heavy equipment, etc.

Hunger for more knowledge, he decided to take various trainings to pump up his career in “Industrial Motor Controller and Servicing Techniques for Industrial Motor Controls”, “Basic Programmable Logic Controller and Hands-on Wiring Industrial Motor Controllers”, Advanced Programmable Logic Controller”, “Introduction to Variable Speed Drive – Introduction to AC Drive”. Cathodic Protection for Buried Pipeline System” and “Software Based Basic Power System Analysis”. These are all conducted by Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) Eastern Region Chapter, Saudi Arabia.

“All these trainings and field experience allowed me to take the Registered Master Electrician (RME) Examination conducted by PRC-Philippines, through IIEE KSA. Finally, he became a Registered Master Electrician upon passing the RME 2012 Examination. In addition to that, the company gave him a merit of Outstanding Performance.

After two years and two months in Zamil Steel Industries, he decided to fly back home and stay with his family. He was able to find a job at GAMA Food Corporation in Cagayan de Oro City as Maintenance Supervisor. However, as he was about to sign the contract, he received a call from Gulf Steel Works, KSA offering a better salary with Family Status benefit. Without any doubt, he accepted the job as Industrial Maintenance Engineer. The company has been very satisfied with his performance because the expenditures for broken machinery parts had lowered.

Currently, he is now living with his family at Al-Jubail, KSA. Joseph continue to hone his skills by watching YouTube videos, reading and practicing CNC and PLC programming. Learning did not stop when he graduated at the Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte. Instead it opened a wider world for him. “Great things happened because TESDA gave me that opportunity to grow professionally”, he said.

He became an electronics expert, self-supporting student, a college graduate, an electronic technician, a foreman, an RME and finally a certified Industrial Engineer accredited by Saudi Councils of Engineers, all because of TESDA.

However, his journey doesn’t stop there because being an OFW is not forever and he will continue to dream big. He will always go back home and settle here. Right now, he is building one of his dreams ... a house and owning an Electronics and Electrical Supply business in the Philippines. Joseph also wanted to have a little shop where he can share and train people who would like to learn about electronics, electrical installation, PLC, etc.

“I always encourage people to enroll in any TESDA course because TESDA build DREAMS and change lives." TESDA gives your life skills. TESDA empowers people with 21st century skills and expertise for higher compensation. So, when life hits you hard and broke you financially, don’t quit! Life doesn’t end there. All it takes is a dream. Hold on and reach out to that dream. Stay focus! Persevere and always aim for excellence. Dream big! Believe and you will Survive,” Joseph said.

“SUCCESS IS WITHIN US, YET YOUR PASSION WILL UNLEASH IT”; a strong word from a man who persistently aims to achieve his goals in life.

This story proves that poverty is not a hindrance of success.

Many Filipinos become qualified to work abroad by taking up vocational courses from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The TESDA program serves as an open door of individual’s success story, besides the key of it is YOU. One who benefited by this program is Mr. Sandro G. Deloso. A simple boy lived in a destitute state becomes a skilled-man working as a pastry chef in a well-known hotel.

Sandro Gumaod Deloso was born on June 29, 1989, the youngest child of Percilito Deloso and Prisca Deloso who both worked as fishermen. They had established a very simple life in the barrio of Binuangan, Tubay, Agusan del Norte. It was a good thing that the kindness of the sea, which was their primary source of food, forsaken them not as they strive for their life.

Living in a house composed a lot of family members is uneasy to handle. Since his parents were financially struggled, only three out of their ten children continued education up to their career. Anyway, Sandro has three brothers and six sisters. When he was a child, he had a great interest in cooking and hoped to have comfortable life someday, that’s why he was determined to finish education despite of their status.

Even Sandro is the youngest, he never ceased to strive for his goal. In elementary, he finished in Binuangan Elementary School. Afterwards, he moved to his eldest sister, named Lenilva Deloso Lariba, as a working student so that he can take high school level. Sandro was a night school student in Agusan National High School.

In the morning, he did mundane household chores in his sister’s house, and then at night, his usual role was a student. By the help of his eldest sister & family, he fortunately finished his studies.He supposed to take college in Northern Mindanao Colleges Incorporated but he didn’t make through, for some reason. Besides, he didn’t whinge nor loses hope for that. In his young age, he experienced being a construction worker and even a waiter just to sustain their needs.

He had been a baker to his sister’s small business and it progress continuously. Aside from that, he was once a merchandiser in Gaisano Mall Butuan City. He meets the love of his life there who also worked as merchandiser. Back then, they couldn’t afford yet their wedding day of his partner, Gina Lasula due to some problems they were facing. So, he doubled his effort for the family he built. He worked as pastry chef in Rose Bakeshop Butuan City with a salary about 280 pesos per day with allowance around 1,000 pesos. As he lifted himself up saying, “Don’t just stay to your career’s comfort zone. Learn to step higher, and never lack your mind to innovation and experience.”

In 2009, the TESDA Provincial Training Center in Cabadbaran City has gladly opened an opportunity for him to develop his skills more. First, he was enrolled in Commercial Cooking NC II then he proceeded to Bread & Pastry Production NC II. Without an iota of doubt, now his skills become his expertise. He learned a lot from the TESDA and according to his interview, until now he is very grateful for the TESDA Provincial Training Center, especially to his trainer Ms. Hayda P. Tabilo, for molding him better than before. The quality training from TESDA made him what he is right now.

He graduated in TESDA-PTC Agusan del Norte with two Certificates of National Competencies; Commercial Cooking NC II and Bread & Pastry Production NCII. “I am proud to be TESDA graduate. TESDA has a big help for me to achieve my dreams as Pastry Chief and I’m beyond grateful for it”, he said.

His journey and challenges did not just end there. In 2016, he was offered for two years working as pastry chef in certain Bakeshop in Saudi, Arabia. It was a stressful dilemma working abroad away from your family, yet he had to take the risk for them.

Aside from aiming high rate salary, his ultimate desideratum of accepting the offer was to learn about chocolate art which is an interesting part of artistic culinary he wanted to. But things didn’t jibe his expectation. To his surprise, it was not a Bakeshop where he was in, but a Burger Station. He felt a bit dismayed and down about the extent of his unexpected status, however, he accepted it.

On the other hand, the owner of the company start-up a new shop named Apple Restaurant and Coffee. Sandro was chosen to create recipes they could include to their menu. Luckily he was promoted as a manager, yet all the scrumptious recipes were his proportion. His salary there went about P25,000.00 a month or more.The two years sacrifice in Saudi made him realize that his family is his weakness yet his great strength. For him, a life without family is an incomplete success.

In 2018, he finally arrived his way back to his home. As days went by, he made the decision to marry his wife. They were legally married on August 1, 2018 which sponsored by the program Kasalan Ng Bayan sa Butuan. They lived a happy life somewhere in Baan Riverside Butuan City. Now they have two sons; one is nine years old and the youngest is four. He currently works in Watergate Hotel, Lime & Zest as pastry chef. He was officially employed on August 15, 2018 with a salary about 12,000 per month. Every classy cake out from the oven in the Lime & Zest is still the recipes’ proportion of him. He is exploring more his vast knowledge and discovering new ideas to the extreme innovation.

Until now, Sandro is much grateful to all the people behind his accomplishment. From nothing to something, he dauntlessly climbed to the higher peak. Indeed, the predicament of his life taught him how to be inevitable fighter to one’s dreams. Apparently, Sandro is still looking forward for the next chapter of his career. As what he said, “Life is full of opportunity, like TESDA, so don’t limit oneself to the greener pasture.”

To be successful doesn’t require fictional wand like what Fairy Godmother had, nor does Genie in a Lamp who just snap effortlessly then everything turns real. Besides, it’s about our knowledge, skills and great passion. Knowledge will take you to your career, Skills make you more professional, and Passion gives you power and strength to surpass all boondocks of failures, doubts and even poverty.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will provide you the tools to develop and unleash the hidden great unknown within you. Through our dedication and effort, believe that soon, one of your stories will be in the TESDA’s wall of success.

Fifty-six years old Elenita E. Cadeniag, a resident of P-3, Barangay Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte is married to Datu Manlagdaan Virgilio D. Cadeniag, an Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and Chieftain of Barangay Simbalan. They are blessed with two children namely: Abigail June E. Cadeniag, 19 years old, a 4^TH year Bachelor of Education student at Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, Butuan City and Angel Faye E. Cadeniag, 16 years old, an incoming Grade 11 student at Simbalan National High School – Senior High.

Elen as she is fondly called is a plain housewife who helps his husband in farming and raising livestock for their livelihood. She also serves as president of the Simbalan Mabongahon Workers Association, Inc., which was established on May 2016 and registered with the Security and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue on December 2017. Of the 38 farmer-members, six are male and 32 are female.

Together with her members, Elen took the skills training in Process Foods by Fermentation and Pickling Leading to Food Processing NC II from October 1-13, 2018 at their Barangay Hall under Jovelyn B. Macasibar, Food Processing Junior Trainer of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF), Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. During this 9-day skills training, they were able to perform the following tasks for Process Foods by Fermentation: Cocowater Vinegar Making, Fish Paste “Bagoong” Making, and Bangus Deboning and Marinating while for Process Foods by Pickling: Chayote Mixed Pickles and Papaya Pickles.

After the skills training, Elen with her co-trainees took the TESDA national competency assessment at the NMSF Food Processing NC II Assessment Center. All of 20 of them were found competent.

“Although most of us already know how to make especially pickles but we found out that there’s a big difference once we undergo formal training. We were able to learn the proper techniques in processing foods by fermentation and pickling,” Elen said.

“During the celebration of the Araw Ng Buenavista” last March 4-8, 2019 we displayed our processed food products like Chayote-Mixed Pickles, Mixed-Vegetables Pickles, and Papaya Pickles. From this endeavor, we were able to earn additional income. A big help for our respective families indeed,” she added.

For now Elen and her members are looking for additional capital to make food processing a sustainable business venture of the association.

The skills training their group availed is under the Special Skills Training Program (SSTP) in compliance with Section 111.10 of the TESDA Circular No. 3 Series of 2018. It aims to empower the indigenous people and cultural communities and rebel returnees for them to thrive in today’s world. The beneficiaries not only availed of free skills training, but also free TESDA national competency assessment, and free entrepreneurship training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte provincial office.

DARWIN P. RABUYA

Graphic Art Designer /Camera Man

Desert Riders Magazine

Doha, Qatar

Darwin is a son of Mr. Dionesio C. Rabuya and Josephine P. Rabuya and a resident of San Jose, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. At the age of 23 he is now helping his parents by sending his siblings to college and provided the financial needs of his parents.

Darwin started his journey in Butuan City after he finished High School by migrating to the city and grabbing the opportunities to pursue his studies. He took up Tech-Voc courses on Shielded Metal Arch Welding (SMAW) NC II and later Computer Hardware Servicing (CHS) NC II at the Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology (PECIT) and acquired his NC II in CHS.

Because of his strong determination and positive work values , he used his skill in computer and joined TV 5 of Butuan for one year, then transferred to the Local Government of Agusan del Sur as a Cameraman -Job Order employee with a salary of 6,000/month.

Much of his desire to help his family but his income is not enough to send his other siblings to college, that’s why he decided to apply for a job abroad bringing with him his skill as NC II holder in CHS and experience as Cameraman.

His sacrifice ended up with a good start in Doha Qatar because he was employed as Cameraman and Visual Art Designer of one of the prestigious magazine in the Middle East – Desert riders Magazine.