THE DEPARTMENT of Education shared some inspiring stories of students during the launch of MasSHSigabong Tagumpay sa Trabaho at Negosyo Pinanday: The SHS Graduates’ Success Stories on Wednesday.

Six SHS Technical-Vocational Livelihood track completers who are now employed —Jennica Mae Serrano of Legazpi City, James Paña and Oliver Laurio of Misamis Oriental, Jonas Ornoza of Romblon, Mark Angelo Espineda II of Davao and Jerick Dominguez of Siquijor — relived their most unforgettable SHS moments and the lessons that they want to impart to the future generation.

“Naranasan kong magsikap at magtiis dahil naihalo ako sa hearing noong Senior High School pero no’ng tinutulungan ako ng mga hearing na gawin ang best ko, ginanahan akong makihalubilo kahit mahirap ang komunikasyon. Sa pagpili ko ng TVL track, naniniwala akong magiging successful ako, lalo na sa cookery. Sinubukan ko ring sundan ang ginagawa ng hearing dahil ako ay natututo at tinulungan nila akong maging responsableng deaf,” Serrano, who is now a fast-food chain employee, said.

Four SHS-TVL alumni entrepreneurs — Mark Lawrence Cayabyab of Pangasinan, Jayson Sarmiento of Bislig City, Jestoni Rubantes of Pasay City and Kennedy Jhon Gasper of Isabela — recalled how they overcame their challenges.

Sarmiento, now a milk tea shop owner, said that entrepreneurs need to be consistent in their business line, sustain product and service quality and most important, display good customer service.

“Naging inspirasyon at motibasyon ko sa negosyo ay ang aking pamilya, lalo na mga kapatid ko kasi marami pa akong pangarap para sa kanila,” he said.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones highlighted the importance of sharing success stories to learners.

“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,” the education chief said.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio lauded the achievements of SHS graduates.

“Higit sa pagbati ko para sa nagtapos ng Senior High School na nakapagtatag ng mga lumalagong negosyo, nakatagpo ng magandang trabaho, at nagpatuloy sa pag-aaral gamit ang kanilang kasanayan, kaalaman, at katalinuhan, lubos akong natutuwa na ang inyong kasalukuyang naranasan ay karugtong ng pagsisikap ng buong Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa patuloy na pangangalaga ng inyong kapakanan sa tulong ng dekalidad na edukasyon,” San Antonio said.