CITE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.

Over 600 current scholars and scholar-graduates of SM Foundation Inc.  gathered at SM Seaside City Cebu on Oct. 13, 2019 for their third general assembly. About 200 scholars taking up one-year program in Production Technology and Diploma in Engineering Technology come from CITE.

The scholars started their first few hours in the morning with a holy mass officiated by Fr. Adriano A. Satura at the Centerstage cinema.

After the mass, everyone took photos of themselves at different areas inside the mall, which is located at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

The program then started with a welcome message from Linda Atayde, SM Foundation executive director for education programs. She shared with scholars the journey of SM founder and patriarch Henry Sy Sr.

Marissa Fernan, vice president of SM Prime Holdings Inc., talked about the importance of paying forward and the will to change one life’s course.

Fernan was instrumental in the construction and opening of SM City Cebu in 1993. This was then followed by the opening of SM City Consolacion, SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu and SM Seaside City Cebu, and various corporate social responsibility projects together with SM Foundation Inc. and SM Cares.

Others also gave their inspirational messages to the scholars—Anton del Prado, mall manager of SM Seaside City; engineer Mark Paul Magallanes, assistant mall manager of SM Seaside City; and Mark Castro, SM Store branch manager-SM Seaside City.

The program ended with a movie screening of the “Lion King” remake. SM Foundation helps uplift the quality of life of the communities where SM is present. (from Sunstar Daily)

Cultural heritage takes glitz and glamour to a different level during the 6th TVET National Congress on November 8, 2019 at SMX  Convention Center.  This year’s theme on local tradition seeping into the core of Industrial Revolution 4.0 seems to be in style as top executives and members of TEVSAPHIL (Technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines) sashayed down the runway to primp and pose.

CITE and other Region 7 representatives showcase creations of Dexter Alazas of Hablon de Cebu, a handloom weaving in Argao.

TEVSAPHIL is a national association of schools and organizations in the technical vocational education and training industry. The association was established to represent private TVET institutions. TEVSAPHIL and TESDA have always been a notable developer of individual careers and of the nation as a whole.

TESDA Sec. Isidro Lapeña who spoke on behalf of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte narrated the World Economic Forum report on “The Future of Jobs Report” citing that 4IR (Industry 4.0) will displace some workers and at the same time create new opportunities for others. The reports says emerging professions will rise 27% across all industries in 2022.  About 26.8% of jobs in the services sector were identified to be at risk of being automated followed by 12% from industry sector such as machine, equipment and plant operators.

However, with the approval of EO no. 83 by President Duterte on the Adoption of the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP),  a new compass will be set up to align policies and implementing programs to support the development goals and objectives of the national government. The said plan, according to Sec. Lapeña aims to create a conducive and enabling environment, ensure the preparedness of the workforce for 4IR, provide growth industries with quality workforce, address basic sector needs, and instill values and integrity in TVET.

As automation improves human productivity and remove the redundancy of admin work, people can now focus on solving complex issues. Sec. Lapeña identified five 21st century skills needed to survive in 2020 such as critical thinking, creativity, people management, and coordinating with other.

TESDa has identified skills requirements in the conduct of  the Skills Needs Anticipation (SNA) and  Workforce Skills Survey (WSS) to ascertain skills for 4IR, essential skills, green jobs, and digitization.

TEVSAPHIL, a  the pioneer association of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools in the country, is gearing to present the transformation of these leading industries (agriculture, automotive, textile, culinary, robotics, native crafts, etc.) as the country moves towards more sustainable progress.

CITE puts to test its emergency response and firefighting capabilities during a Fire Drill on November 7, 2019 as part of its safety awareness program at the start of the second semester.

About 500 students from SHS and diploma program participated in the orientation conducted by  FO2 Ramil B. Herrera and FO1 Raymund Jade Lauglaug of Talamban Fire Sub-Station (TFSS).

“We should hone our capability to quickly respond to emergencies especially for schools with large occupants (like CITE), “ according to FO1 Lauglaug in an interview. FO1 Lauglaug underscored the importance of training and re-training not just for students but for staff as well. “Students do come and go, but teachers should equip themselves with know-how how in responding emergencies,” he added.

He added that the regular fire drills are an opportunity to educate the students on the importance of immediately reporting fire incidents to authorities to prevent loss of lives and minimize destruction of properties. CITE has a safety brigade led by Mr. Rey Gimena. It has also a response team of students who are well trained in emergencies.

Prior to the drill, TFSS personnel conducted a walk-through to probe the fire exits and fire extinguishers at the school and assess the employees’ skills and knowledge on fire suppression and evacuation.

In-plant training is part of college life. It aims on improving our technical knowledge into a much better experience. Our plant exposure is very important not only to teach us students regarding our field of choice but also to show us the truth about working in the industry.  It allows us to to experience work and learn at the same time.

Tsuneishi Technical Services (Phils.)  Inc. (TTSP)  is well-known for being a competitive shipbuilding company.  It is a Detail Engineering and Production Design company which serves the manufacturing, fabrication and construction needs of shipyards within the Tsuneishi Group in the Philippines as well as in Japan and China. At the same, it is also open to opportunities of serving the non-captive markets.

It might be out of our comfort zone still it gave us new path, new insights, and new knowledge in life. Our experience has given us challenges that were unusual to us, as we were Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology students. It’s new to us but still we are ready to face whatever obstacles we might face in this career. Though it is hard but we’ll keep on fighting to reach our destinations, our goals.

TTSP delights its customers with its strengthened brand equity and technical services through competitive quality, cost-efficient and on-time delivery. On the other hand, TTSP strengthens its employees through healthy competitive benefits, not only onto their customers and employees but they also showed us how to be socially responsible by reaching out to our community.

Being in this type company which values their customers, employees, and the community is a great privilege for us CITE students. They had given us the best experience, best insights, and the best mentors. They nurtured us with the best advice and know-how in shipbuilding that we will be using in our future careers. Here we know that we are not better than each other, but are better than what we used to be.

TTSP taught us never to give up. They taught us to be brave and take risks in our every move. They guided us with tender advice every time we’re in doubt. But there’s only one important thing that they left on us, “Don’t be afraid to start over again. This time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience “.

This gave me a thought that when life brings you down, be brave and face it, because success is much sweeter in this way. Now we are enjoy our training and cherish every moment with it because right now is the oldest we’ve ever been and the youngest we’ll ever be again. (Jude Oybenes, Mechanical Engineering Technology Trainee)

Psychology Today has reported a study that shows children with supportive mentors have grown to become more intellectual, emotional and interpersonal beaming with self-confidence and self-awareness.

Mentoring, in any form, has created positive impact on children. Those who are mentored have better staying power in the school and are less likely to become dropouts. In the future, they create life goals of their own.

At CITE, young mentors have become someone that children look up to and trust. Mentoring sessions in Barangay San Jose on Saturdays included storytelling, arts and crafts, and games that are productive and drawing out creativity from children. Mentors also had time to talk to about 20 children aged 3-5 about their family, homework, and their simple lives as kids.

Young Mentors Organization chairman Jushua Avila said that being a mentor is a rewarding experience that allows himself to live his younger self. Another member, Jhon Carl Abelleja said that getting close to the kids reminds him of his younger siblings in Compostela Valley. The training these mentors get from Mrs. Editha Erana, helped more than 25 current members equip themselves with Montessori skills to teach children get through their assignments and projects. The training which zeroes in on learners has provided opportunity to the mentors themselves to develop virtues like patience and kindness.

Says Jushua, a weekly meeting with children may not seem like to be a huge impact, but definitely each encounter is treasured by both the mentor his mentee as long as both shall live.

CITE joins campers from other private schools during the 4th Students’ Congress held through RAFI Kool Adventure Camp Youth Development Program on October 21 and 23 in Balamban.

Dubbed as iQuest: Youth Leadership, the program intensifies the skills of young leaders and increase self-awareness and social responsiveness through learning experiences and group dynamics. CITE young leaders Jose Saquilabon and Crystal John Aloyan were joined by SAO staff Viador John Viajar II.

The event was organized by Cebu City Private Schools Administrators’ Association, Inc. (CCPSAA) in partnership with the DepEd Cebu City. Photo grab from RAFI Kool Adventure Camp.

There is no doubt that being a student can be stressful. When one experiences significant life changes, relationship and family issues, and academic pressure, it can contribute to changes in mental health.

Many would fear when recognizing a mental health issue within themselves, as they might not be able to figure out where it came from. At times, conditions can be debilitating making young people  retreat inward rather than seek help. That is why a good way to alleviate this issue is to raise awareness among young people and provide help.

A very sensitive topic indeed, but spate of mental health cases has gripped many young people nowadays.

Experts during the seminar sponsored by Arczone Professional Development, Inc.  at UP Cebu Performing Arts on October 25, 2019  have raised real-life issues and increased awareness among young people which included ways to promote good mental health.

Speakers included Dr. Carlo Magno, Gabriel Sebastian Lizada, Dr. Adelaida Gines, Theresa Amita dela Cruz, Dr. Hector Perez, and John Christopher Castillo.

CITE participants included Goldwyn Carbellido, Jereco Gonzaga, Christianver Zambrano, Raul Araneta Jr., and Virgel Borbon. Communications staff Chris Wayne Comendador joined the group.

Eleven Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from 7 barangays in Mandaue and Cebu City made their appearance at CITE  during the first leg of orientation series on CITE diploma program on October 5, 2019.

The officials toured the facilities and received a comprehensive overview of the scholarship program and the placement of 3-year diploma program in the Philippine Qualifications Framework. 

In attendance were D’ Andrei Christian Pono (Mantuyong), Jane Ailyn Seno  and Eijii Tawason (Tawason), Dominic John Beltran and Mary Hazel Truz (Cambaro), Kay Bongo  and Angie Montebon (Paknaan), Vince Ray Sanchez (Ibabao-Estancia), Miraluz Dosado and Dallie Mae Cabatingan (Casili),  and Joane Suson (Pagsabungan).

On hand to welcome the visitors were members of working committee headed by Chris Wayne Comendador, Rhiane Matas, Eljon Lauria, and Jundryl Oplado.

Another batch of officials from Cebu City are expected to attend the diploma orientation come October 12.