TRAINEE'S PROFILE: Yves Dominic J. Lastimoso, the Agri-Sports Hunk of Animal Production!

Meet the twenty-year-old boy next door who advocates agriculture and outdoor sports activities. Unknown to many, Yves Dominic J. Lastimoso is a champion of his sports. He began cycling five years ago and since then; he scored medals after medals in Mountain Bike Race that he competed.

On one hand, he discovered his passion for agriculture when he was undecided to take up a bachelor’s degree in college after his senior high last summer. Instead, he ends up enrolling in TESDA–WNAS when a family friend who works at a dairy farm in New Zealand recommends our institution. It was a big change for him taking up Animal Production (Ruminants) NC II since the battlefield was new. Until he developed his passion for farming when he started his training.

 

Bunso, as his co-trainees called him as he’s the youngest, enjoyed the training in TESDA-WNAS because he learned a lot. He admitted that his soft skills improved as well since most of his classmates were matured and well-experienced in life. He thought of becoming self-reliant and independent the first time he survived being away from his parents since he stayed in the barn for almost three weeks to perform various tasks in ruminants production especially milking the dairy cows as early as three o’clock in the morning. The exciting chunk of his training was when he knew how to drive a Carabao-driven carriage (Balsa) to transport fodder and other farm supplies.

 

After he graduated in Ruminants, he moved to Animal Production (Swine) NC II hoping to increase his knowledge in animal production. After his swine training he plans to work in New Zealand to save for his future and when he comes back after a year, he will continue his studies while running a business.

 

He quips that “TESDA provides a short term program to gain skills and knowledge but offers a long-term benefit. TESDA molds me and makes me ready for a bigger future!”  As Yves designs, his master plan at a very young age is a wonderful gesture of success. Because he has much time to re-design it anytime he wants. He serves as a marvelous example of millennials today to plan ahead of his game.  TESDA–WNAS is proud to be part of his plan that prepares a blueprint for a brighter tomorrow. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal

TRIBAL ROOTS – NOT A HINDRANCE TO SUCCESS!

Twenty-two-year-old Daryl Ayog is a proud member of Indigenous People (IPs) who belongs to the Bagobo Tribe in  Marilog District. He comes from an enormous family; in fact, he is the sixth out of his ten siblings.

Daryl Ayog delivers his impression speech in front of his classmates during their Housekeeping
Graduation Rites last September 25, 2019 at Roey's Event Center.

He started his journey in TESDA–WNAS when he took up Agricultural Crops Production NC I and NC III. Afterward, he proceeded to Animal Production NC II before he pursued Housekeeping NC II and NC III. 

Once he recounted having a topsy-turvy ride when he continued his training in TESDA–WNAS because of poverty and lacks financial support. But with his perseverance and commitment, he was able to harvest success. 

 

Last September 2019, he started his career as Room Attendant at Apo View Hotel. The experience of working at a four-star hotel is a perfect stepping stone for his desire to work abroad. For a greener opportunity to achieve his simple dream–to help his family and represent his roots! - By Albrecth Bravo Jr.

A Filipina Councilor in New Zealand visits TESDA - WNAS

Hon. Thelma Bell, a Councilor of Ashburton District Council in New Zealand and Ms. June Ann Simpron, Director of Tranz Education Services Limited, visited TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School on August 22, 2019. The visit aimed to evaluate the training program that TESDA - WNAS has provided in Animal Production (Ruminants) NC II. According to Ms. Simpron, English Proficiency is very important to help our trainees to work in New Zealand. She further suggested that embedding the Basic English course in the program to make them equipped in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills will allow them to become good conversant with the Kiwis.

Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE speaks before the Trainees of Animal Production
(Ruminants) NCII the importance of English Proficiency, aside from the hard skills they
learned to help them work successfully in New Zealand.

Hon. Bell shared that they are sourcing out many migrant workers to move in New Zealand because they are struggling with the low employment rate with the locals, in dairy farming. With added skills such as driving, carpentry, and masonry will show better successful employment.

With the English literacy for trainees, Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE, TESDA XI Regional Director, approved to integrate Basic English Proficiency with Kiwi accent in Ruminants qualification. He pointed out that the skills gained by the trainees in TESDA–WNAS were pieces of evidence of having world-class training. Proof to that was Hon. Bell’s validation of having known several Filipinos working at the dairy farms in New Zealand.

Hon. Thelma Bell, a Councilor of Ashburton District Council in New Zealand, tells the
trainees on the demand of Farm Workers in New Zealand.

Mr. Felipe C. Hiquial Jr., Vocational School Administrator, backed up to support for improving the communication skills of trainees and to help them in passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam for migrant workers. It elated him to know the positive feedback from Hon. Bell herself and assured to keep the quality standards of graduates to compete with other countries. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal

Photo opportunity with visitors. (Seating from Left-Right) Ms. June Ann Simpron,
Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE, Hon. Thelma Bell and Mr. Felipe C. Hiquial Jr.

Reaching the Middle Earth, a Success Story of Joshue C. Mugas

“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” I can relate a famous line by Ralph Waldo Emerson to Joshue Calderon Mugas’ journey going to the Middle Earth. Before he gets there, he worked on his dream, make sacrifices until he sets his footprints in New Zealand, the 100% Middle Earth, just this year. 

At the farm where Josue C. Mugas works as a Farm Assistant.

His dream began when he saw a television ad back in the 80s featuring a breathtaking scenery with magnificent landscapes and a herd of cows strutting effortlessly, where celebrity endorsers back then not highly regarded as of today. His passion flared until he grew up and stayed focus on achieving his dream!

Jojo has an impressive resume before he joined TESDA-Wangan National Agricultural School. He is a Civil Engineer, Civil Service exam passer, worked as a Construction Project Manager, and a Safety Officer. He got a lucrative job and earning wages more than enough for him and his wife. But his dream way back in his childhood hadn’t faded, yet it keeps on lingering.

Joshue C. Mugas received his New Zealand Certificate for Primary Industry Skills Level II at 
National Trade Academy in Christchurch.

He left his job when he started his training in TESDA-WNAS to take up Animal Production (Ruminants) NC II. The program comprises competencies to prepare him to raise ruminants for milk, meat, and breeder production. Including housing maintenance, farm implements and the surrounding area, providing forage, performing breeding of ruminants, raising of dairy and meat-type animals. His sacrifices paid off when he received his National Certificate in Animal Production Ruminants NC II.

Last April 2019, he packed up his dreams and flew to New Zealand. He faced various challenges upon arriving at Christchurch where he stayed, as the cool weather and the difficult accent. But, he thrived when he got his New Zealand Certificate for Primary Industry Skills Level II at National Trade Academy in Christchurch last June 13, 2019.

The breathtaking landscape in New Zealand, the Land of the Middle Earth. 

On June 17, 2019, he signed a contract with Waterton Dairy LP as a Farm Assistant. He confessed that his current job is harder than his earlier job as a Civil Engineer. Because as an engineer he plans and supervises people unlike as a farm assistant, he is being supervised. But in terms of salary, it’s 300% way higher than his wage as an engineer. But the job itself is easy, it is repetitive that finally becomes a lifestyle.

He plans to continue his studies and practice his civil engineering career in New Zealand. And by 2020, he plans to invite his wife for vacation and try to help her find a job. So that by the time she gets back to the Philippines, she will process her working visa and they will live together in the Middle Earth.

With great will and determination to achieve his goals, his simple childhood dream has now become a reality. Especially when that simple dream coupled with prayers and hard works. Because we shape our destiny by constantly working on our dreams. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal

BREAD AND PASTRY ENHANCEMENT TRAINING

 Ms. Erma Nadera, Bread and Pastry Production NC II Trainer, invited the Technical Baker of Zeelandia Mr. Alexis Linganay to conduct an enhancement training on ASEAN Breads and Doughnuts on July 13, 2019, at the Bread and Pastry Laboratory in TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School. 

Participants of the workshop on ASEAN Breads and Doughnuts are very attentive to
Mr. Alexix Linganay, Technical Baker of Zeelandia, during the discussion.

Thirty-seven (37) scholars and hopeful bakers joined the workshop who are currently enrolled in Bread and Pastry Production NC II under Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) and Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP). The training aimed to introduce the recent trends and techniques in the baking industry while developing their entrepreneurial interest to venture into baking business as their additional source of livelihood.

Hands-on demo on Doughnut making with Mr. Linganay

The training design was very stimulating because aside from the lecture and demo of Mr. Linganay, it also involves hands-on exercises that the trainees enjoyed. It empowered them to become productive through the additional knowledge they got relevant to their bread and pastry qualification.  

Outputs of the ASEAN Breads and Doughnuts demo.

With the new techniques they gained, their entrepreneurial spirit was likewise awakened because of the easy guides on “how to” were imparted to them and the good quality ingredients were accessible through Zeelandia. After the baking demo, trainees had a free-taste session that makes them more motivated. The training ends well where all trainees received handouts, loot bags, and certificates that they can use for their future undertakings. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal

Participants have a photo-ops with Mr. Alexis Linganay after receiving their certificates.

WNAS Tablea and Dark Chocolate Production

 TESDA-WNAS creates an impact not only in TESDA Davao Region but even at the national level. After securing the third spot Income Generating Project (IGP) in the whole TESDA-Philippines, WNAS TABLEA continues to make waves. This single-origin Tablea is a bestseller product of its kind because we make it from pure fermented cacao beans. This premium commodity is the favorite pasalubong of our visitors in TESDA-WNAS and graduates in our institution who are now working overseas. 

WNAS Tablea, produced by Agricultural Crops Production

Just recently, Davao City bids to be the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines. It is true since Davao City and Davao Region at large is the biggest producer of cacao beans with 80% total in the entire country. Even a major player in the export industry of cacao beans in the international market.

TESDA-WNAS supports the attempt of our local government through integrating Cacao Production to the skills development training program of Agricultural Crops Production. Cacao is one of the high-value crops that TESDA-WNAS produced. We have a 7-year partnership with ACDI/VOCA that is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in implementing their 1st phase project which is the Cacao Project. 

Dark Chocolate Mango Flavor

From producing pure Tablea, TESDA-WNAS ventures to Chocolate Making. Value-adding the existing Tablea Production to cater to a wider market with interesting preferential demographics. Likewise, to fulfill the unserved and under-served markets, to grow the awareness of WNAS Tablea and Dark Chocolates. TESDA-WNAS administration that makes up greater revenue supported such a feat.

With the value-adding concept, the volume of Tablea Production becomes notably high. According to Ms. Erlinda Ferrer, Agricultural Crops Production NC I and NC III Trainer, they can process an average of 30 Kilograms of cacao beans every month, half of the cocoa liquor is for the 62% Dark Chocolate production.

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Flavor

They make two flavors of Dark Chocolates; Mango and Strawberry flavors. They added pop rice for the Mango flavor and placed in a gold packaging. Meanwhile, peanuts serve as extenders for Strawberry flavor and put in silver packaging. They are selling Tablea for Php 35.00/pack @ 100 grams net weight, and Php 50.00 for Dark Chocolates with the same weight.

With the great demand of Dark Chocolates locally and internationally, TESDA-WNAS is up for the challenge. It is about time to advance the research on cacao processing and more value-adding techniques to maximize the potential of cacao. Also, the need to access of the state-of-art technology that generates efficient management of the cacao beans, by producing bean-to-bar concept, to enhance the marketability of the WNAS Tablea. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal