22-yr-old Pinoy wins gold in ASEAN Skills Competition

Mark Anthony Guiao got the Gold Medalist and 'Best of Nation' honors in 2016 ASEAN Skills Competition

MANILA - Mark Anthony Guiao from Central Luzon won the gold medal in Mechanical Engineering Design - Computer Aided Design category of the 11th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Skills Competition (ASC) held last September 19-29 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A biennial event, the ASC is said to be the biggest vocational education and skills competition aimed at promoting further develoment of TVET. It also fosters technical cooperation among member countries, and encourages close cooperation among TVET (technical-vocational education training) stakeholders.

During a recognition ceremony organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Monday, Guiao shared he will never forget all the experiences he had in the competition.

The 22 year-old BS Computer Engineering graduate said he has learned to push for excellence, and aim higher, realizing that by doing so, he will be successful.

His advice to Filipino teammates was to manage their time wisely. "Never give up. Just push a little bit harder," he added.

In an interview with the Philippines News Agency, Guiao said he suffered from mental block during the last day of the competition.

"I found it hard to analyze drawings on the last day. I felt like I cannot do the test," he revealed.

Guiao cited that too much noise from the visitors and those at the venue was the main reason why he experienced mental block.

He told his coach about the problem. "My coach and Mr. (Elmer) Talavera (head of Philippine delegation) guided me and gave me their support," Guiao stressed.

Guiao just graduated last March from Eastwoods Professional College Bataan. He said he just had about six months of preparation/training for the competition.

"I visualized the things that I would do. I created a strategy which I could use in case I won't be able to finish the test," he noted.

Here are the complete list of Pinoy winners in the annual tilt:
Mark Anthony D. Guiao
Gold Medalist, “Best of Nation”
Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD

Joven H. Hayagan
Silver Medalist
IT Software Solution for Business

John Horris D. Soriano
Bronze Medalist
Electronics

Junnel E. Cagampang
Bronze Medalist
Mechatronics

Gelmar A. Coniendo
Bronze Medalist
Mechatronics

John Louie S. Pioquintio
Bronze Medalist
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

Jalanie M. Dimacaling
Bronze Medalist
Web Design

Shane Gabriel T. Macapagal
Medallion of Excellence
Graphic Design

Arianne S. Liwag
Medallion of Excellence
Industrial Automation

Dan Kervin D. del Mundo
Medallion of Excellence
Industrial Automation

Tristan Joseph L. Amargo
Medallion of Excellence
IT Network Systems Administration

Allen Jay B. Desamparado
Medallion of Excellence
IT Software Solution for Business

Arbethnel B. Ilagan
Medallion of Excellence
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

Rommel M. Florita
Medallion of Excellence
Welding

Meanwhile, as a reward, Guiao received Php 100,000 cash prize from TESDA on Monday. He said he didn't get any cash reward in Kuala Lumpur, but just the medal. [By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata, PNA]