126 proud graduates of TESDA/TUCP Workers College (TWC)/ TUCP Party List free training for work program’s pledge of excellence

March 22, 2011, Quezon City – “I will win. I will be a good worker. I will be better than the next person,” a pledge of excellence of every graduate as they say goodbye, reminisce the last 5-7 weeks of training and look forward with confidence to the changes and challenges awaiting them.

Resembling a traditional graduation ceremony, the 126 graduates of three courses, Finishing Course for Call Center Agents (FCCCA) National Certificate (NC) II, Housekeeping NC II and Pinoy Hilot/Wellness Massage NC II were formally presented to proud parents, trainers and TUCP officials. “It feels good to finally graduate. I am proud of where I came from. I am proud of being a recipient of TWC’s training program,” said Jennylyn Saavedra, a graduate of FCCCA course.

Bro. dela Cruz, TUCP Youth Director, reminded graduates of much bigger challenges in life than completing the training. He stressed that TUCP, TUCP Party List with assistance from the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA), prepared graduates to succeed from those employment exams, gruelling interviews and revalidas, and tiring OJTs.

“I’ve had my share of failures, of being rejected after series of employment interviews and examinations. But I never gave up. TUCP Workers College did not only teach us communication skills but also prepared us to accept every rejection as a challenge to do better,” shared Kristina Ocampo, who delivered the graduates’ response on behalf of FCCCA scholars. After almost a month of intensive company (in-house) training, Ms. Ocampo signed a work contract with a Philippine-based call centre.

Joey Apaw speaking on behalf of housekeeping graduates, said he is proud of being a product of TWC and TESDA’s exacting standards. “I am no ordinary housekeeping graduate. I am a TWC person,” Joey exclaimed.

Leonardo Pangilagan of Pinoy Hilot encouraged fellow graduates to practice their skills and help popularize the traditional Filipino way of massage. He also committed to continue his education with TWC and work with TUCP and its advocacy and solidarity work.

Bro. Alejandro Villaviza assured graduates of TUCP’s support in helping them find jobs, bring better services, quality training courses for more families and communities, better opportunities, better protection for and the exercise of their rights, and help them enjoy the fruits of their efforts.

He thanked TUCP Party List Representative Raymond Mendoza and former Senator and TUCP’s General Secretary Ernesto Herrera for getting TESDA support for the college. He particularly acknowledged TESDA’s continued scholarship programs.

“To our new students, we will mould you to be better students and workers. To our graduates, go spread the good news! There is hope; hope for many can start at the TUCP Workers College,” concluded Bro. Villaviza.

Celebrating with graduates and proud teachers and parents were other TUCP vice presidents, Bros. Zoilo dela Cruz, Jr., Victorino Balais, Jesus Villamor, Alvin Fidelson, Sis. Esperanza Ocampo, and TUCP Chair Women’s Committee, Sis. Florencia Cabatingan.

TWC graduates are one with Wisconsin workers

Sis. Anna Lee Fos, TUCP Human and Trade Union Rights Monitoring Officer, briefed the graduates regarding the workplace rights and collective bargaining issues confronting the Wisconsin workers and the youth and other states in the US and called on the graduates’ support. The graduates committed to work with TUCP in all its campaigns and advocacies.