Thirty six hearing-impaired hopefuls graduated in Housekeeping trained by TESDA under the direction of Ms. Buenafe S. Sta. Rita, ARD/Provincial Director, TESDA Region 7 after undergoing training for 15 days.
The training, held at the University of the Visayas Hotel & Restaurant Laboratory, was a complete transformation for the hearing-impaired, knowing that they would be landing a job soon after finishing the course. Knowing this, they were so happy they clapped their hands soundlessly.
With the help, generosity and compassion of kind-hearted couple Dodong and Nena Gullas, the success of the training program was made possible with the assistance of Interpreter Alberto Hilacan and other volunteer-interpreters like Dolly Amomonpon, whose daughter Christine Amomonpon was one of the graduates in Batch I. And one unforgettable moment about the graduation – the event happened to be Dodong and Nena Gullas’ 7th wedding anniversary. Msgr. Esteban Binghay who celebrated the Mass, blessed the couple, and prayed they will have good health, happiness and more years to enjoy life together.
We know that so many of the students have finished courses in BSEEd, Computer Science and other courses, but everytime they apply for a job, they are always rejected.
Thus, Dodong and Nena Gullas’ fervent prayer and hope was first “they are so grateful to Sr. Sto. Niño and Mama Mary, as well as to Ms. Buenafe Sta. Rita of TESDA for giving us this mission and passion to help the hearing impaired.” Dodong said: “Today the 36 will graduate and I hope that our special friends, pinalangga ni Sr. Sto. Niño will find a place in the sun like a normal human being. Our wish and desire, if we can, in our humbly way, is to uplift and improve their quality of life…then we can say, we have done our share!”
How wonderful it would be if those who have more in life can share their blessings the Lord has showered them with…then life would be more meaningful, and this world will be a better place for us all!