Cebu student wins STEP competition

A graduating high school student of Pajo National High School in Lapu-Lapu City beat 15 regions in the national level of the 7th Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines Skills Development Competition held last November 19 to 24, 2008 in Baguio City.

Robin Jason Buenavista reaped the national grand prize in the fertilizer computation category.

Rizalina Catamora, the coach of Buenavista, said that she “felt positive they would make it to the national level as Buenavista demonstrated mathematical and linguistic proficiency even at the division level.”

Buenavista competed at the Baguio City National High School on November 22 against delegates of 15 other regions, after he was declared the official representative of Central Visayas to the national tilt.

This was after he bagged the grand prize in the regional STEP competition held at the Negros Oriental National High School in Dumaguete City from November 5-7.

Buenavista received a gold medal, a trophy, a certificate, and cash.

This year, PNHS has accumulated innumerable laurels from various categories. Aside from Buenavista having copped first place in the fertilizer computation in the regional level, the school also won 3rd prize in the debut cake decorating represented by Mary Ann Booc with Mrs. Ilma Arriola as coach; 5th prize in the dish gardening category represented by Andrew Espinosa with Mrs. Shiela Marie Yap as coach.

For the division level of the STEP skills competition which took place in Mari-gondon National High School last October 25, the winners were 1st prize – hair trimming and facial (day) make-up with Wendy Delicano as delegate and Mrs. Dalila Pal as coach; 1st prize – curtain making with Robert Berjame and coach Mrs. Yolita Augosto; 1st prize – fruit and vegetable carving with Mona Grace Lapot and coach Reizel Paradero; 1st prize – dish gardening with Espinosa and Yap; 1st prize – fruit basket weaving with Regemar Catamora and Rizalina Catamora as coach.

Jesmar James Elarmo bagged 2nd place in the electronic poster making category with Mr. Bonifacio Ycong, while Bernard Gepilga ranked third in the net weaving category with coach, Ms. Geraldine Cane.

Mrs. Conchita Amores-Oyao, the school head of the PNHS, said that these achievements rouse the administration to exert invaluable efforts that would, eventually, lead the students to surpass previous records they had set.

The STEP competition is an annual gathering meant to showcase and strengthen the skills of students in the fields of home technology, industrial technology, agri-fishery, and information and communications technology. — Maria Eleanor E. Valeros, Copy Editor   (THE FREEMAN)