Prompted by a desire to learn more about air-conditioning, Evelyn Lapuz decided to enroll in the Domestic Refrigeration and Aircon Mechanic course offered by the Philippine Consulate General through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt would mean additional skills for me,\u201d said Lapuz, who works as an underwriting and claims supervisor at Century Insurance Co., Ltd. \u201cBesides, the class was offered on weekends and I have free time so I wanted to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lapuz was among the 38 graduates of the second batch of the course, which has seen a dramatic increase in demand among female Filipinos on Saipan.<\/p>\n
From having only two female graduates out of the 54 members or 4 percent of the first batch, the number rose to eight female graduates or 21 percent of the second batch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very pleased that we have from this batch more female graduates who are very eager and determined to learn these skills. Their participation in the class was very significant,\u201d course instructor James R. Abuy of Pacific Islands Club told Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
The class, which began on Nov. 5, had its graduation ceremony on the day they took up the business management component of the class from Jun D. Ba\u00f1adera Jr. or on Nov. 19.<\/p>\n
The ceremony held at the Filipino Workers Resource Center was followed by a festive celebration and get-together at the Kilili Beach Pavilion along Beach Road.<\/p>\n
Lapuz, having received her certificate of completion, is bursting with pride. \u201cI\u2019ve already learned the basic skills like how to clean and maintain my own air-con units. I feel like I can do anything because I\u2019ve learned a skill that\u2019s learned mostly by men. It\u2019s easy if you have the resolve to learn and be trained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another female graduate, Anna S. De Guzman, couldn\u2019t agree more, now that she knows the difference between a condenser and an evaporator. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy aircon broke down recently and I was the one who checked to see what was wrong with it and save money in the process. I really learned a lot,\u201d said De Guzman, who has taken almost every course offered by POLO. <\/p>\n
Abuy, a master electrician licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, disclosed that not all of the graduates were green in this field. \u201cActually, there were technicians among the group and they shared the knowledge they have with the rest of the class.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abuy said the class, which was divided into five groups, demonstrated cooperation and teamwork as they themselves brought tools to supplement their lectures and facilitate a better understanding of the lessons.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope their learning doesn\u2019t end here,\u201d noted Abuy. \u201cApplication of their new skills is key. They have to apply what they learned and explore some more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abuy said his dream for both batches is to see them all get U.S. certifications. Three of his former students, he said, recently passed the certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about it a lot. I encourage them to take the test and the two classes have plans to merge for their review and I\u2019m willing to assist and support them the best that I can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Domestic Refrigeration and Aircon Mechanic is one of the three courses offered by the Consulate through POLO for the fourth quarter of 2011.<\/p>\n
The Basic Computer Operations I \u2013 Batch 54, which held its graduation ceremony on Nov. 20, had 21 graduates, seven of whom are females.<\/p>\n
The Fruit and Vegetable Carving \u2013 Batch 3, meanwhile, had 43 graduates, 37 of whom are females. Their graduation ceremony was on Oct. 22.<\/p>\n
Labor representative Carmelina F. Velasquez said she wants to see the graduates \u201ctranslate into action\u201d whatever skills they gained.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially, it\u2019s just for domestic use and application. But hopefully and eventually, they are able to put up their own business in the Philippines in line with the livelihood courses they have learned,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Having their own businesses, Velasquez said, will have a \u201cmultiplier effect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to encourage them to have their businesses in the Philippines to create jobs and help in addressing the unemployment problem in our country,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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