‘If you work hard, nothing is impossible’

Yan Che Pangelinan, 30, didn’t have a car so she walked to school for at least 20 minutes and another 20 minutes back home every weekday for over three months. To pay for her tuition, she would clean the school building, the yard and the restrooms. The single mother persevered, and she was able to complete a basic sewing course. She hopes to find a job soon.

“If we work hard enough, nothing is impossible,” said a tearful Pangelinan, her compelling story earning the praise of the crowd that included Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan, lawmakers, parents and students.

Because of her patience and hard work, she was able to inspire six other jobless people to also attend school.

Pangelinan was one of the 24 students who received their certificates of course completion from the Northern Marianas Trade Institute in Lower Base on Tuesday night.

Anthony Pellegrino, president of the Northern Marianas Trades Institute and owner of several businesses in the CNMI including Saipan Ice & Water and Saipan SyAqua, led the presentation of certificates to the 24 graduates of three classes: 13 in core curriculum A taught by Ignacio Camacho; six in core curriculum B taught by Mike Anthony; and five in basic sewing taught by Susana Paras, owner and manager of F&S Creations.

“We have completed a milestone. …We will be able to join workers on jobs we’re interested in and jobs where we are needed,” Pangelinan said. “I am a single parent, I have a 5-year-old son, and I would do anything for him. I didn’t have a car so I walk to school. …I want to become somebody to show my son.”

Pangelinan came to Saipan in 1998 to work as a sewer at the now defunct Neo Fashion. She married in 2000 and gave birth to a boy. In May 2007, her husband beat her up and subjected her to abuse, she said, forcing her to separate from him.

Now a single parent, Pangelinan, who lost her garment job, said food stamp is not enough to feed her and her son, so she looked for a job that also gave her a chance to study.

“I thank the Northern Marianas Trades Institute for giving the chance. I have an opportunity that I would otherwise not have,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, said NMTI is a new but promising institution; one that fills a void that existed for many years. He said in the past, the community was focused on the traditional academic model of education.

With NMTI, the educational system has expanded to embrace technical and vocational training.

“You should all be proud of yourselves for having the discipline to commit to the completion of this program,” the governor told the graduates.

He also lauded Pellegrino and other founders of NMTI “for having the courage and the vision to establish this trade school for the benefit of our local workforce.”

Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremonies, said schools and the government can provide the education and training, but it’s up to students “to make sure your success are in your hands.”

“Your skills as tradesmen and tradeswomen will move the Commonwealth to a brighter future. …You’ll be among our most importance workforce,” he said.

On March 31, Fitial signed a local bill into law that allows more local students to benefit from the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance scholarship. Saipan Local Law 16-8 will help attract more local students to trade schools like the Northern Marianas Trades Institute, said Quitugua, author of the bill.

Salmino A. Santos, a core curriculum A graduate, called on the government and the public to help the Northern Marianas Trades Institute and its students.

Speaking of the students’ patience and hard work, Santos said, “Some of them had no rides, some of them came to school without a book or a pen…But they leave the school with knowledge.”

Stallone Defang, 21, who completed core curriculum B, said he learned a lot from attending school, and is waiting for a SHEFA scholarship to pay for his tuition. He will continue his studies at NMTI.

“I want to put up my own business providing carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical services,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Rose L. Igitol, student counselor at NMTI, said the core curriculum courses teach students basic safety, construction math, employee ability skills, communication skills, and introduction to hand tools, power tools, blueprint reading and rigging, among other things.

Collier N. Siksei, 36, was among those who completed core curriculum B. He said he will continue his studies at NMTI to become a certified technician. “It’s still a long way for me to go…but NMTI opened the door for me,” he said.

At 40, Herman I. Okaruru Jr. was among the eldest students at NMTI, but he said he doesn’t mind at all. Just like the others, Okaruru said he will continue his studies for two years and eight months to become a certified electrician to be able to work again. He said he’s a former lineman at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. a long time ago.

“I encourage people on the island not to give up on their desires…The NMTI is important to our future,” he added.

The core curriculum A graduates are: Max S. Keller, Juan R. Limes, John Roman Lisua, Custer N. Madracheluib, Vincent R. Mendiola, Jason L. Nekaifes, Joaquin Pangelinan, Michael Clinton A. Reyes, Misael L. Romolor, Jesse Elroy C. Santos, Jerrimey H. Solomon, and Jesse John Stephen.

The six core curriculum B graduates are: Kay M. Amandus, Stallone Defang, Young S. Lim, Herman I. Okaruru Jr., Collier N. Siksei, and JR S. Welley.

Completing the basic sewing course are: Kartenia E. Achime, Augustina P. Jaimatoon, Yan Che Pangelinan, Juana L. Pua, and Nieves O. Romolor.

Pellegrino and the other NMTI board members also presented certificates to the donors of the school, including Carl Brachear, Bank of Saipan, Construction & Material Supplies Inc., Duty Free Saipan Limited, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute, established on April 1, 2008, is a private, non-profit organization designed to provide local residents with the training and skills necessary to become skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen. NMTI, under the sponsorship of the Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy, has been designated a National Center for Construction Education and Research Accredited Training Unit since September 2008.