Education has the power to transform lives, provide the stepping stone to fulfilling one’s dreams and pursuing bigger aspirations not just for oneself but for one’s family and community as well.
This year, five Alternative Learning System (ALS) students from Muntinlupa City received the education that could help change their lives for the better. They took the Bread and Pastry Course facilitated by the Muntinlupa City Technical Institute (MCTI), and sponsored by the Insular Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Insular Life, in partnership with the Bayanan Alternative Learning System (ALS) Center.
The Foundation furnished the kitchen equipment and baking ingredients for the course, Bayanan ALS Center provided the kitchen facility, and MCTI conducted the training.
The five students — Josephine Briso, Mary Grace Santos, Reynold Dolleton, Diana Potenciano, and Aiza Grampa learned about the Bread and Pastry Course through their ALS teachers, who emphasized the importance of such opportunities. All of them share a passion for baking and have now all gained the NCII or National Certificate II issued by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Receiving an NCII certification means that the students passed the assessment, demonstrating their competence and qualification for that skill.
Gaining the skills and confidence to realize lifelong dreams
Both 46 years old, passionate cooks and homemakers, Josephine and Mary Grace want to put up a baking business they can pass down to their children. Diana, a 23-year old visual artist, wanted to go out of her comfort zone and enhance her creativity through baking, while Reynold, a 21-year old home-service hairstylist, envisions a future where he runs both a bakery and a salon, and possibly travels abroad. Aiza, a 37-year old church volunteer, wants to establish her own baking business with her sisters and fulfill her dream of helping others have their own livelihood.
“Pangarap ko po talaga magkaroon ng sariling tindahan o magkaroon ng business kasi pwede ko rin po ‘yun ipamana sa mga anak ko (It has always been my dream to own a store or have my own business that I can pass on to my children),” said Josephine.
Mary Grace believes it was divine providence she was given the opportunity to be part of the course.
“Galaw din po siguro ng Panginoon kasi kailangan ko rin po talaga ng trabaho. Mahalaga po sa amin ‘yung NCII para katunayan na nakapag-aral kami ng pagbake ng tinapay at lalo pong mas maenhance ‘yung pagluluto namin (I think it’s also God’s will because I really needed a job. Receiving the NCII is proof that we have really taken the Bread and Pastry Course and enhanced our skills),” she said.
Being thankful for opportunities received and lessons learned
The scholars appreciate not just what they learned from the course, but also from their peers, and are grateful for the opportunity given them.
“Isa po sa natutunan ko sa bread and pastry (course) ay yung pagkakaroon po ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan po, matutong makinig sa mas nakakatanda sa iyo (One of things I learned from this course is the importance of unity and helping out, and listening to people older than you),” said Diana.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ibinigay na opportunity na makapag-aral po ako ng bread and pastry-making. Sana po mas marami pa po silang matulungan na gaya po namin. (I am thankful for the opportunity that they gave me to study bread and pastry-making. I hope they could help more people),” Raymond said, expressing his gratitude to the Insular Foundation.
Aiza, likewise thanked the Foundation, expressing her desire to pay it forward.
“Sana nga po dumating din sa time na maging gaya niyo po ako na makatulong din po sa iba (I hope that that there would come a time when I could also help others like you have),” she said.
Aside from Bayanan ALS Community Learning Center, Insular Foundation has been supporting the ALS Centers of Pedro Guevara Elementary School in Manila, Muntinlupa City Jail, Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, and Tankulan in Bukidnon.