Pinoy PWD bags silver in int’l skills competition

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.