In order to promote the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum exits among learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched an initiative featuring the success stories of the graduates.
DepEd launched the first-ever “MasSHSigabong Tagumpay sa Trabaho at Negosyo Pinanday: The SHS Graduates’ Success Stories” which highlighted inspiring tales of SHS graduates.
“I wish the greatest success for the success stories program as it is a new and different way of preparing and educating our learners not only for university education but also for jobs not existing at this time but will eventually emerge as the society and needs evolve,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn Andaya explained that through the initiative, DepEd wanted to promote the SHS exits “to inspire our students to look into the different exits, study them closely, and find out what is best for them.”
Life after SHS
After completing the SHS program, six SHS Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) track completers shared their experiences as they are now part of the country’s workforce.
Jennica Mae M. Serrano from Legazpi City; James R. Paña at Oliver N. Laurio from Misamis Oriental; Jonas M. Ornoza from Romblon; Mark Angelo I. Espineda II from Davao; and Jerick C. Dominguez from Siquijor shared their most unforgettable SHS moments and lessons that they would impart to the future generation.
Serrano, who is now a fast-food chain employee, said that through his experience in SHS, he learned how to interact with others despite being deaf. “I had to work hard and persevere because I need to join ‘hearing’ in Senior High School and they helped me do my best, I wanted to socialize even when communication was difficult,” Serrano said in Filipino.
Choosing the TVL track, Serrano believed that she will be successful in her career path. “I also tried to follow what the hearing was doing because I was learning and they helped me to become a responsible deaf,” she added.
Meanwhile, four SHS-TVL alumni entrepreneurs Mark Lawrence D. Cayabyab from Pangasinan; Jayson D. Sarmiento from Bislig City; Jestoni A. Rubantes from Pasay City; and Kennedy Jhon T. Gasper from Isabela also recalled how they overcame their challenges and inspirations behind their achievements. Sarmiento, now a milk tea shop owner, shared that entrepreneurs need to be consistent in their business line, sustain product and service quality, and most importantly, display good customer service.
“My family has been my inspiration and motivation in business, especially my brothers and sisters because I still have many dreams for them,” he said.
More SHS graduates under the Academic, Arts and Design, and Sports tracks namely Vence Julian M. Polido from Cotabato; Eljohn S. Crisostomo and Layca P. Alferez from Surigao Del Norte; Francis Zion B. Jerusalem from Lanao Del Norte; Jean Pauline J. Maglangit from Misamis Oriental; Jared Philip L. Lodronio from Albay; and Adrean L. Tolosa from Pasay City also expressed how they envision their lives 10 years from now.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio also congratulated the graduates and expressed hope that they will all achieve success in their endeavors.