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Monday, November 12, 2012

Philippine team ready to compete in the 9th ASC in Jakarta

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, November 12 (PIA) –- Filipino Trade skills contenders will show to the world that they are ready for the cutthroat  competition when they participate in the 9th Asean Skills Competition (ASC) in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 10-21, 2012.

Best skilled competitors

The Philippine Team, which is composed of 16 best skilled competitors in the country who emerged winners in the regional and provincial skills competition conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have already left the country to compete with other teams in the ASC.
The Philippine team included the following competitors and experts with their corresponding trade skills area: Jeron Bryan Navarra and Marvin Dale Guerrero in Information Network Administration of Regions III and I; Joselito Ayalde in Web Design, Region III;  Nhar Chelo Agasang and Ardee Mark Sequeton in Industrial Automation, National Capital Region;  Jason Cris Andoy and Wilfred Ralph Gomez in Mechatronics, Region X;  Joseph Yumul in Electronics, Region III; Joseph Art Guinto and Nilo Maquiling Jr. in Refrigeration and Airconditioning, Regions IX and NCR;  Mae Venus Burgos in Hair Dressing, Region III; Analyn Canillo and Myla Charizze Imperial in Beauty Therapy, Regions XI and III;  Pristine Joyce de Guzman in Fashion Technology, NCR; and Ma. Chriszelle Monique Aisa and Aldrin Ramos in Caregiving, NCR.

The ASC was initiated in 1993 during the International Labor Organization/Asian and Pacific Skills Development Programme (ILO/APSDEP) meeting in Japan, where it was agreed that a biennial skills competition will be held among ASEAN member-countries.

It aims to promote and upgrade skills standards in the region and consequently, to the international level which is organized on a cost- sharing basis. To date, there are 10 participating countries and 21 skills areas to be vied for.

Immersion training

The competitors underwent a three week immersion in offices, hospitals and business establishments to practice, hone and master their specialized skills and another week-long mock skills competition to determine their readiness for the international competition at the TESDA Training Center in Taguig City.  
Deputy Director-General for Field Operations Atty. Teodorico C. Pascua reminded the competitors that when they go to Jakarta, Indonesia to compete, they are not only bringing their name, their respective schools / training centers but they are bearing as well, the country's Philippine flag being the official representatives to the competition.

Region IX competitor Joseph Art Guinto, who emerged as the winner in  the TESDA-organized regional skills competition held this March, said he is very happy to be with the team.  In fact, he said this is his first time to travel abroad to compete with other contenders from ASEAN member-countries.

The 17-year old competitor from Barangay Tuburan, Pagadian City said he is grateful that TESDA9 officials have chosen him to be one of the competitors for the RAC trade area giving him the opportunity to compete in a prestigious international trade skills competition.

“Dako kaayo nako nga garbo nga usa ako sa napili nga makaapil sa Philippine Team nga mosalmot sa maong skills competition. Wala nako damha nga sa akong kabatan-on mapili ako nga usa sa mga competitors nga mo-represent sa atong nasud. Tungod niini, akong paningkamutan nga mahimo nako ang pinakamaayo aron mohatag ug garbo ug dungog sa atong pinangga nga  nasud.,” (I am very proud to  be chosen  to join the Philippine Team and to compete in the skills competition. I did not expect that at my young age, I will be one of the competitors to represent the country.  With this, I will do my utmost best to give pride and honor to our beloved country) Guinto said.

Hundreds to compete

The 9th ASC will attract hundreds of contestants from vocational training schools of 10 ASEAN member countries. Participating countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Ben Raymundo Helar, Guinto’s coach said  DDG Pascua  led the official delegation who flew to Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday, November 11.

The team asked everyone’s prayers saying that their success depends on the prayers and support of the  Filipino people.  (GCC/ALT/PIA-Pagadian City)