Grabbing that opportunity the senior high school way

If opportunity doesn’t come, create it! This is a saying that applies best to Jeremie Santos and Kevin Jay Apurillo, both Senior High School (SHS) graduates from Angeles City National Trade School (ACNTS) – one of the schools that piloted SHS Program in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Santos, 20 years old, used to work as a waiter as his family’s breadwinner. But the meager salary is just not enough, “Noong nagtratrabaho pa ako bilang waiter, hirap na hirap akong mag-budget kasi kadalasan talaga kulang para sa aming pamilya.”

Apurillo, on the other hand, has this consuming dream — finish school and find a decent job. “Makapagtapos lang ako ng pag-aaral at makakuha lang sana ako ng magandang trabaho para makatulong sa mga magulang ko ay sapat na sa akin.” But financial difficulties get in the way of his dream.

But then opportunity beaconed. Their luck changed for the better when ACNTS introduced the SHS Program, initially offering four technical-vocational courses: Automotive; Industrial Electricity; Electronics and Cookery in School Year 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.

Santos chose the Industrial Electricity course. He was hesitant at first because of his unfamiliarity with his choice, “Kabado kasi ako kasi hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko yung kurso na pinili ko, pero yun talaga ang interes ko.” In time, however, he was able to adjust to the rigors and discipline of the program offering.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa K to 12 dahil sa naiambag niya sa akin at sa pagbibigay nito ng pagkakataong makapagtrabaho dito at sa labas ng bansa,” Santos shared. Apurillo, on the other, chose the Automotive course where he was able to attain a National Certification (NC) II. He couldn’t be any happier.

“Sa SHS, libre kaming nakapag-aral kung saan nahasa ang aming likas na kakayahan at maging ang academic skills,” he quipped.

Santos is currently working at the Fontana Resort Villas and Park Inn Residences as an Electrical Maintenance Staff. He has also secured a National Certification II in his area of specialization. For his part, Apurillo works as a Sales Representative at Roymed Pharmaceuticals also in Pampanga.