She would say that her mentor has a huge influence on her because she was moulded to become the better version of herself. The thought of empowering those who do not have confidence in themselves specially the women who are trying to get into a Non-Traditional Trade such as welding motivates her even more.

            Back in her younger years, Irene can be considered a young dreamer and an active part of the society where she even got a chance to become a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman in her hometown in Gubat, Sorsogon. She graduated at Bicol University of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) with a degree in Agricultural Technology and became a qualifier in the Farmer Youth Exchange Program organized by Worldwide Farmers Exchange (WFE), Hawaii, USA “I became one of the qualifiers for the Exchange Program in Hawaii but because of the strong competition I was not chosen. I did not give-up and I keep going because I know that God has a plan for me”, Irene said.

            Her loss became a starting point for another career path, after the interview for the Exchange Program she decided to make a side trip to the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City. She was surprised because her best friend in college was attending a program in Welding. She was baffled because it is usually a program for male but with her curiosity she inquired and eventually enrolled in the free six-month pre-employment skills training in Welding in August 2003 up until February 2004.

            When she finished her training, she immediately found employment with Riofill Corporation. Her work included assisting full welding stainless pipe railings using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process. She also worked with various other welding companies such as Tozen Mechanical Products, Inc. as Tungsten Inert gas (TIG) Welder, Altaweld inc. as Sales Representative tasked with marketing demonstrating welding products distributed by the company, EEI Corporation as a plate Welder, and at the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Gubat, Sorsogon as a Welding Trainer.

            Her mentor in TWC encouraged her to become a trainer and eventually, she became an On-Call Trainer from 2010 to 2014 in Shielded Metal Arc Welding while she attended various trainings to upgrade her skills in welding such as the Trainer’s Methodology and Assessor’s Methodology that TESDA is also offering for free.

            In 2014, she got a big opportunity to become a welder trainer in Brunei where she earned 2,200B$ with additional allowance per month. But after five years she went back to the Philippines to settle down with her husband who is also in the Welding Trade and they are now happy with living with their two great sons.

            Currently, after her work abroad, she found out that TWC is looking for a trainer in welding, “I am very glad because TWC opened its door for me and since 2019 I am the proud trainer of the welding program”, she said with a smile. Finally in closing she said,“I am very satisfied with my career as a trainer most specially when I get to inspire more women to take the Non-Traditional Trades and become successful with their chosen fields such as being a Lady Welder. I believe that TWC will continue her mission and more women will surely be empowered!”

            Cherry was the winner of the TESDA Women's Center (TWC) Idol Award, Self-Employed Category.She is a graduate of Food and Beverage Services NC II and Bartending NC II. Cherry is now an entrepreneur, managing a Mobile Bar provided by Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. (GSMI). She was one of the scholars of TESDA-GSMI scholarship program at the TWC. Her JCAB I-mix mobile bar caters to the cocktail needs of clients and bar services during various events where their services are hired. She employed seven of her classmates in this mobile bar. Here, she and her team earns a net income ranging from P25,000.00 to P30,000.00 per month. She started her own business in April 2015 without an initial capital.

            Cherry shared some of her insights: "There are a lot of changes in my life. Before, I was just working as a helper in a carenderia. Then, I worked at Kenny Rogers for two years, but now I have provided employment to my classmates. There are also a lot of changes in myself. Now, I am more responsible, determined, and always thinking about success." When asked about her training at the TWC, Cherry replied, "It was a great experience. It inspired me a lot. All that I have learned from my training, helped me to establish my own business." And with that, she can now provide financial support to her mother.

            She also mentioned about her future plans. "I want to expand my mobile bar; I want to have another set of new tools and equipment. I also want to gain more clients and give the best cocktail catering service. I am also thinking of ways for better marketing strategies. If I will have another set of mobile bar, I will establish it in a food park."

            She finished FBS NC II in December 2014 after six months of skills training. She also took Bartending NC II for three months and finished in March 2015. Cherry was a third year college student in BS Economics at the PUP before she enrolled in TESDA. She was not able to finish her college degree due to financial constraints. She is the youngest of five siblings in the family.

            Maribel is a proud daughter of a farmer who resides in the beautiful province of Bicol. Living in a simple life she would recall that her dream was to become a teacher, "I can still remember the days when I am playing with my childhood friends back in the province where I take the role of a teacher and they will be my students", she recalled while laughing.

            Her family was really proud of her for her dedication in her studies wherein she became a consistent honor student, a Valedictorian in Elementary and became a Salutatorian in High School and was given a scholarship to continue her College at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics.

            "To make ends meet for my family and for me to pay may fees in school without troubling my parents I worked as a private tutor for elementary students and as a street vendor of grilled products", she added. And when she finished her studies she felt like she needed to do something more to help her family from poverty, thus going to Manila became her only option.

            Like any promdi, she became anxious and afraid of what was going to be her life in the city. But her family became her inspiration to move forward, "I worked hard in the city and worked as a cashier, private teacher, pharmacy assistant and Refrigeration and Air-Condtioning (RAC) Company Secretary so that I can send money for my family in the province", she said.

            In 2017, she took the Licensure Examination for Teacher (LET) and passed it. Her dream of becoming a certified teacher was at her reach but for some reason she lost her confidence and the will to teach because the thought of teaching in a school made her scared of not being able to become a good teacher.

            Because of the lack of confidence in teaching her sister recommended her to upgrade her skills and find a new career thru a skills training at TESDA Women’s Center (TWC). "In my eagerness to find a stable job I enrolled in TWC and took up Barista NC II because there are a lot of Cafe here in Manila and i am confident that i will find job after my training". During the course of her training and the additional life-long skills being provided by TWC, Maribel eventually regain her confidence and purpose in life. Her trainer saw her improvement and her dedication and asked her to take Trainers Methodology and become a Trainer.

            After graduating in TWC, she first worked at Seattle's Best Coffee and after a while she took the suggestion of her mentor to be a certified trainer in Barista and begun her trainer's methodology while working as an Assistant Trainer at TWC. Because of her diligence and persistence she is now currently the Trainer of Barista NC II at TWC.

            In closing, Maribel shared her life lesson saying, "Do not settle for less, be a dreamer and as long as you are alive there is still a chance for a better life. Our future is in our hands don’t waste it instead utilize it!"