The chapel is done in the classic style with a reredo depicting the Nativity of Our Lord. Located conveniently at the building’s third floor, “ it will serve as a beacon to encourage people to pray more” the bishop said in his homily.

The whole ceremony and concelebrated mass was attended by the students and employees at the sixth floor by video link.

The MEPCO plants – the Refrigeration plant in Taytay, Rizal and the Airconditioning
plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna now sponsor more than one hundred Dualtech trainees for both the Manila and Canlubang schools.

Mr. Yukiharu Kubota, MEPCO President said, “This reality is one of the major considerations in our decision to support the government’s Dual Training System and exercise our social responsibility. This is also in celebration of our company’s 35th Anniversary as we express our gratitude and continuing commitment to the Filipino people, customers and business partners.”

In his address to the graduates, Mr. Sakamoto shared his vast experiences for 30 years in Keihin Corporation which taught him valuable lessons in life. For him, “life doesn’t go as expected.” It occured to him many times that what he desired and dreamed about had not always happened. Achieving one’s target entails a lot of hard work. As one encounters difficulties and commits mistakes, he advised the graduates to practice the 4Ps which has become his guidelines: to make a detailed plan; make a second plan if the first plan was not achieved; to be passionate and full of enthusiasm; and to have enough physical strength. One has to learn from his mistakes and try to reflect on them. Learning is a continuous process and that each one has to develop ability to create a better future for the industry and society.

Keihin is considered the world’s number one motorcycle carburetors producer. They produce over four million sets of motorcycle carburetors, over two million units of automobile engine control system and over one million units of automobile aircon system annually. Keihin has more than 8,000 employees in its 19 plants in Japan and 16 in USA and other Asian and European countries.

Unocal Foundation through its company affiliate in the
Philippines – PGI (Philippine Geothermal Inc.) with facilities in Mak-Ban area straddling over Laguna and Batangas gave a financial grant through Consuelo Foundation under its 5 e’s project to Dualtech Center for equipping its new computer laboratory in its school in Binondo, Manila. The laboratory will be used in running e-skills and e-learning materials and tests for students. By July 2003, a similar laboratory will be equipped at Dualtech Center Canlubang Campus in Calamba City.

Shown here are representatives of the three foundations cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate the laboratory and launch the project in a simple ceremony.

TESDA recently joined Dualtech Center and
Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) in training some students as candidates for LTP JAR-66 Category A Training Program which includes exposure in Aircraft Overhaul, Base Maintenance and Line Maintenance.

The P1.0 Million fund assistance given to the twelve lucky scholars includes full tuition fee, daily expenses for food, transportation, board and lodging while they undergo their training in Dualtech.

The five scholars from Panganiban, Catanduanes last year are now on their 18-month in-plant training. Three were placed at Lufthansa Technik Philippines and two at Matshushita Electric Philippines Corporation.

Mr. & Mrs. Victorio C. Valledor with their twelve lucky scholars

One hundred thirty two graduates received their diplomas last June 21 and July 05, 2003. Fifty three of them will work with our company partners, sixty five are being processed while the rest will pursue degree courses.

Ford Motor Company Phils. will employ twenty two graduates. Other companies that are presently screening graduates for employment are: Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Frankie, Fukuwara, Wilkins, Iriso, Honda Parts, Epson, La Tondeña, Micro Mechanics Int’l., Daiho and James Hardie.

“You will all be happy to work as aircraft mechanics especially in LTP. This profession will give you a bright future” he said.

Paarman at the same time challenged the graduates to show LTP what they have learned during their 18-month-long training (excluding the six-month electromechanics course in Dualtech). “I am so proud that these boys, who when they first came here

hadn’t even been near or flown in an aircraft, are now aircraft mechanics. It is time for them to prove themselves in this field and to continue on with their training because in this job, training is a continuous process.” Paarman said.

The JAR-66 Category A training program is a relatively new course recognized worldwide and is well suited to modern MRO businesses. LTP, LTT and Dualtech implement the training course through a combined effort. This program for new recruits aiming to start a career in aircraft maintenance leads to qualification to become JAR 66 Category A line maintenance certifying mechanics.

In an expression of their gratitude to LTP and Dualtech’s effort to shape their future, the graduates presented certificates of appreciation to both Paarman and Ramon B. Santos, Dualtech President and CEO.