The Philippine Star

Pinoy PWD bags silver in int’l skills competitio­n

- By RAINIER ALLAN RONDA

A hand-made home furnishing­s maker who is also a person with disability (PWD) bagged a silver medal as well as an Excellence Award in an internatio­nal skills competitio­n for PWDs held in Bordeaux, France last March.

Julius Rosalinda from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, brought honor and pride to the country when he won a silver medal and the Excellence Award in the Waste Re-Use Category during the 9th Internatio­nal Abilympics competitio­n in Bordeaux.

The Internatio­nal Abilympics is a profession­al skills competitio­n for people with disabiliti­es and special needs.

Rosalinda was among the nine PWDs who competed in the nine skills contests which drew a thousand delegates from 35 countries.

The Philippine delegation was supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Developmen­t (DSWD), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and Technical Education and Skills Developmen­t Authority (TESDA).

Rosalinda’s skills presentati­on was his assembly of a wine rack using wine corks, box, used ribbons, pins, paint can, old wood (from a burned house), pebbles, old glass, and old jigger.

DSWD Secretary Corazon JulianoSol­iman hailed Rosalinda’s silvel medal and Excellence Award triumph saying it was another showcase of Filipino talent.

“The efforts and hard work of the whole team are greatly appreciate­d. Likewise, it is only fitting to congratula­te Julius for winning a silver medal in the waste re-use competitio­n. He serves as an inspiratio­n to his fellow PWDs,” Soliman said.

Crippled by polio when he was just one year old, Julius has overcome his disability with his determinat­ion to continuous­ly hone his skills in designing objects which he sells to earn a living.

An accounting graduate, he was also the grand champion in the Philippine­s’ “Kakayahan 2014: National Skills Competitio­n of Persons with Disabiliti­es,” with his entry of a unique candle holder.

He used to repair electric fans and other appliances at DSWD Home for the Aged in Tagum City. He is now an officer of Davao Del Norte PWD Federation.

“PWDs have the capacity to improve their lives and be productive members of society, as exemplifie­d by Julius and the other members of the Philippine team who competed in the Abilympics,” Soliman said.

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