Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Women entrepreneurs, program partners celebrated in HERStories
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, held the “iSTAR: HERStories – Celebrating the Transformation of Juana Entrepreneurs” culminating event last May 6, 2025 in Taguig City.
The activity recognized the most inspiring women entrepreneurs trained under the iSTAR Program and honored outstanding partner organizations that helped bring the initiative to life.
The iSTAR Program is a pioneering effort launched in 2021 by Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA to equip women with digital and entrepreneurial skills for managing retail businesses. Implemented through partnerships with five non-profit organizations, iSTAR has empowered thousands of women in the country.
In his speech, TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez highlighted the importance of recognizing inspiring journeys and the continued empowerment of Filipino micro-retailers through iSTAR.
“TESDA is here to make sure that your success is not just one-off, that your journey doesn’t end in the training, that you find sustainable entrepreneurship. TESDA is here to help you—from training to trabaho, from learning to success,” Sec. Kiko said.
Ten inspiring HERStories were selected from among numerous entries nationwide. These featured women entrepreneurs come from both micro (with an initial capital of below ₱10,000) and small (initial capital of ₱10,000 to ₱50,000) business categories, representing the diversity and strength of Filipina entrepreneurship.
Among the recognized entries were Juniel and Salome Lucero of Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC); Marlita Tomas and Wina Cainglet of Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. Skills and Knowledge Institute (ASKI); Adela Andoy of TESDA Women’s Center (TWC); Catherine Gallano of Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF); Hilda Gudin of Tagum City Council of Women Foundation Inc. (TCCWFI); Riziel Jimenez of ASA Philippines; Maritel Gipulan of First Community Cooperative (FICCO); Jenette Raton of Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. (ASKI); Gloria Tolosa of NWTF; and, Shirly Cañezares of Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC).
The stories serve as testaments to the success of the iSTAR Program in empowering women to build sustainable livelihoods.
Moreover, the event also recognized the top-performing Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) partners whose steadfast support made the program’s success possible. Leading the list was LMPC as the Top 1 CFE Partner, followed by ASKI in second place, and TWC in third.
The HERStories celebration not only commemorates the conclusion of the iSTAR partnership but also creates a platform for recognition and continued inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Through HERStories, TESDA and Coca-Cola Philippines reaffirm their commitment to supporting inclusive, women-led economic empowerment and creating lasting change across Filipino communities.
Ph competitors intensify preps for WS ASEAN 2025
The country’s top young skilled professionals have officially begun the more intensive second phase of their preparations for the highly anticipated WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 skills competition.
The training camp, which spans three months, is designed to hone the knowledge, technical skills, and values of the Philippine delegation in 32 skill areas. The initiative is led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in close partnership with national and regional experts, industry partners, and training institutions.
“This is more than just preparation—it’s a commitment to excellence. We are developing not just world-class skills, but world-class confidence and character,” TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez said.
It can be recalled that from January to May of this year, the competitors underwent the first phase of their training in their respective regions.
For the next three months, they will undergo simulations featuring actual tasks that competitors are required to complete. The breakdown of how marks are allocated and assessment methods are also among those that will be tackled. In addition, competitors will take part in behavioral training designed to strengthen their mental and emotional readiness for the high-pressure environment of international skills competitions.
The competitors in 27 skill areas will continue their preparations at TESDA facilities in Taguig City, including the Human Resource Development Center, Regional Training Center – National Capital Region, Pasay-Makati District Training and Assessment Center, MuntiParLasTaPat District Training and Assessment Center, and TESDA Women’s Center.
Competitors for the remaining 5 skill areas are housed in off-site venues at the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education, Lyceum of the Philippines University campuses in Batangas and Manila, PTC-Pilar in Bohol, Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, and at the facilities of the Information and Communication Technology and Cybersecurity Industry Association of the Philippines.
This training camp recognizes TESDA’s partnership with the private sector. Partners such as Hytec Power Inc., Yalong, FESTO, Loreal Philippines, Lorae Institute, Hocheng Philippines, Hypertech, and Unitec Pipe Manufacturing have provided training equipment, tools, and supplies to develop further the skills of all competitors in various skill areas.
TESDA emphasizes that this collaboration aligns the competitors’ skills with global industry standards, ensuring that the Philippines not only hosts but also competes at the highest level when the ASEAN Skills Competition begins in August 2025.
“We are inspired to raise the bar for technical excellence in the region. Our youth are ready to prove that Filipino skills are among the best in ASEAN,” added Secretary Kiko.
The biennial WorldSkills ASEAN Competition, which is set for this August 26-28, at the World Trade Center Manila, brings together talented youth from across Southeast Asia to demonstrate their expertise in a wide range of skills, aiming to elevate vocational and technical skill standards in the ASEAN region to meet global benchmarks, while inspiring young people to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
Ph, China strengthen partnership on tech-voc implementation
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China-Philippines Silk Road Institute Foundation and various Chinese technical vocational institutions to help ensure that the Philippines’ tech-voc sector remains at par with international standards.
The agreement was formalized last October 29 in Zhejiang, China during TESDA’s weeklong benchmarking activity in the country, and centers around elevating skills development, promoting competency standardization, and facilitating international educational exchange programs.
This partnership also aims to establish robust mutual cooperation in developing and updating competency standards, expanding international internships, and conducting targeted skills training across various high-demand sectors.
These sectors include construction, information and communication technology, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.
TESDA Deputy Director General for TESD Operations, Vidal D. Villanueva III, head of the Philippine delegation, highlighted the importance of partnering with other countries and tech-voc institutions in elevating the country’s tech-voc sector.
“This partnership reinforces TESDA’s dedication to fostering global partnerships that bring new learning opportunities and updated competency standards to Filipinos,” DDG Villanueva said.
“This collaboration is expected to yield significant advancements in skills training and facilitate meaningful exchange programs for trainers and students alike,” the TESDA official added.
This two-year partnership underscores TESDA’s commitment to repositioning Philippine TVET for global competitiveness while enhancing the employability and skills of Filipino workers to meet the demands of the modern workforce.
The TESDA delegation also visited various Chinese institutions to learn their best practices in various sectors as well as discuss standards development. These included: Quanzhou Vocational and Technical University; Zhejiang Agricultural Business College; Zhejiang Economic & Trade Polytechnic; the Zhejiang College of Construction; and, Tourism College of Zhejiang.
The benchmarking activity in China was held from October 22 to 30, in collaboration with the China-Philippines Silk Road Institute Foundation.
(Details from Rogelio Llovit, Jr. Information Officer V, Public Information & Assistance Division)
