Eleven 'Out of School Youth' from Yolanda-hit areas in Leyte and Samar that Plan International sent to a 3-month live-in schooling at Kananga-EDC Institute of Technology (KEITECH) funded by the ADB JFPR Grant 9175, were recently graduated from their respective courses, are now all TESDA NC II certified, and ready for employment here or abroad, or ready to embark on their own businesses.
The 'Longer & Better' Story:
You will remember these boys from a previous article. That article said we sent seventeen, but only 11 here graduated, hmm. Where went the others? What happened? Nothing to worry, they transferred to BCAT for other courses not offered by KEITECH. But that's another story for a later telling, let's get back to this "graduation"!
Very early today (12SEP2015), Plan Int'l staff from as far as Guiuan and ADB EMY/GMU from Tacloban were on an excited run to the KEITECH Campus in Kananga, to witness their 6th Commencement Exercises. Why so? Because, 11 of the 182 graduates were Plan International Scholars funded under the ADB JFPR Grant 9175. We were there to witness the graduation rites of the 11 kids (in behalf of their families) and bring them back to their communities immediately after the ceremonies!
How did it go? Not quite like your usual high school or college graduation. Only a handful (3 or 4) of the 182 graduates had family members in attendance. But the ceremonies were so prompt and precise, almost like how it goes at military academies!
Once the guests (very few of us) were settled, the program started with a discussion of the venue's emergency evacuation procedures (in case something happens during the ceremonies). Oh ha?! Where else do you see such a 'preliminary', right?
Then... the 'Graduation March'(this is a video, click to play)
Kananga's Mayor Codilla formally welcomed everyone. He even described KEITECH, its purpose, facilities and management - with a lot of thanks to the family behind EDC (Energy Development Corporation)
The handful of guests eagerly listened. Thank you Mayor Elmer, we learned more today!
Dr. Emil Saceda (KEITECH Administrator) presented the candidates for graduation.
Then the boys (rightfully) changed their baseball caps with those yellow helmets!
Graduates received their certificates from Saceda, Banario, TESDA Region VII Director Cleta Omega, Ormoc Mayor Edward Codilla (the younger brod, Kananga Mayor Elmer excused himself for another engagement), EDC President Paul Aquino and Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto
The Leyte Vice Governor congratulated the 182 graduates for maintaining the KEITECH record of 100% of its graduates passing their respective TESDA Certification Exams. Then made a roll-call per municipality, asking graduates to stand and be recognized, afterwhich he inspired them to be part of The World's Greatest Nation Builders.
Dir. Omega, in her message added a reminder, that their English Proficiency Certificates would get them competitively going at industries in other countries.
Guests wondered why the boys, in military fashion, quickly brought their chairs to a stack on one side of the building, but were merrily surprised when they finally did their Graduation Song (and Dance) to the tune of "I Will Survive". Exemplary performance!
Here's a back view video of their perforance c/o Anna:
KEITECH even has a 'mandatory' pictorial session! And our cameras gladly obliged!
End of story? Naaah, not yet...
There was lunch, catered by no less than that famed Ormoc resto called Sutuwaki!
Plus...
We gathered our 11 graduates for some tete-a-tete and banter, and to personally congratulate them for having 'survived' the rigid 3-month course (one almost gave up)!
Posterity shots, of course... and On the stage!
Final 'quo vadis' discussion... 2 of these boys will be back here in a week's time!
And a (not so final) group pose w/ Plan Int'l and ADB folks...
'Byebye KEITECH' time..
Van on the left goes to Leyte towns, van on the right to Eastern Samar towns...
Ayan, sabi na nga hindi pa final yung picture sa taas eh!
Well, what a fun and fulfilling day!
miss those time.. congratulations graduates, congratulations KEITECH
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