Ricky Reyes' Skills 2 Bilib

MANILA, Philippines - Ricky Reyes’ latest project, Skills 2 Bilib aims to equip the ordinary Filipino with technical know-how and basic knowledge not only for gainful employment but also for a business venture.

Skills 2 Bilib kicked off last January and contunues to touch more lives in the provinces and municipalities. The Jan. 28 to March 24 leg saw Ricky doing the rounds of public schools in Metro Manila to meet with thousands of graduating students.

The program has been in the following schools for the past months: Mataas na Paaralang Neptali Gonzales in Mandaluyong with 1,200 student-beneficiaries; Pateros National High School with 980 beneficiaries; Signal Village National High School in Taguig with 850 beneficiaries; Benigno Aquino National High School in Makati with 500 beneficiaries; Pasig City National High School with 900 beneficiaries; Navotas High School with 850 beneficiaries; and the schools in Caloocan City with 1,200 beneficiaries, Tala High School, Kalayaan High School, Bagong Barrio High School and Maria Clara High School.

In Quezon City, Carlos Albert High School had 980 beneficiaries; 600 in Parañaque High School; 940 in Pedro Diaz High School in Muntinlupa; 1,150 in Dalandanan High School in Valenzuela; 800 in Bancal National High School in Meycauayan, Bulacan; 990 in Bacoor National High School in Cavite; 770 in Taytay National High School, Rizal; and 450 in Malabon National High School.

“About 80 percent of our attendance comes from impoverished families. Those whose parents cannot afford to send these children to college. Those who are likely to become out-of-school youths,” Ricky says.

With Skills 2 Bilib, Ricky put together a team of experts which teaches these kids and inspires them to learn vocational and technological courses. One of the team’s main functions is to help these youths get scholarships from several government and non-government agencies.