The Regional Training Center – Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC), Davao held its first-ever graduation rites since the onset of the global pandemic in 2019. The 2022 1st Commencement Exercises was celebrated last February 24, 2022 at the Training Center’s Mini-Theater, Buhisan, Tibungco, Davao City.
With the theme, “TESDA Kaagapay ng Pamilya at Sambayanan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” RTC-KorPhil pushed forth with the Commencement Exercises as the COVID-19 restrictions of the City Government of Davao loosens.
A total of 42 candidates participated in the ceremony which was held both in-center and virtually. Candidates for graduation belonged to the Diploma in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Technology (DABET) with five candidates, Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Technology (DHRT) with 18 candidates, and the Food Processing with 19 candidates.
Engr. Constantino B. Panes, Jr. Ed.D., Center Administrator of RTC-KorPhil, Davao in his welcome message expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the graduates and to the trainers for being patient with the circumstances brought by the pandemic with regards to education and delivery of quality skills training.
“I am very proud to say, as the head of RTC-KorPhil, that we are happy to serve all of you for the past three years and more. That despite how the COVID-19 pandemic challenged each and every one of us, we were able to overcome the circumstances,” Engr. Panes, Jr stated.
In her speech, Ms. Lourdes M. Mission, President of the Mindanao Technical-Vocational Association, Inc. (MinTVET) and guest speaker of the event, emphasized the importance of choosing our battles since life itself is hard.
“Life will never be easy, it will be hard. TESDA KorPhil is making it easier somehow. Tooling and re-tooling you of your skills to be of service to your families and communities… As you share your purpose in life or as you shape your purpose in life, you will build your dignity. Then you can choose your hard,” Ms. Mission expressed.
After which, the graduates declared their words of loyalty to their beloved Alma Mater, their tribute to their parents and then culminated with the singing of their graduation songs.
The 2022 1st Commencement Exercises symbolizes the rite of passage of the graduates from life in TESDA towards the vast world of employment and other livelihood opportunities where the graduates can apply their learning in TESDA in real-life situations. TESDA aims to reach the underserved communities and the poorest of the poor and enable the delivery of quality TVET learning to the Filipino people and the commencement exercises perfectly depicts the culmination of such milestone for RTC-KorPhil and its graduates.