20 AP Renewables scholars graduate from Don Bosco

Daniel Rey Celso, one of APRI’s scholars at Don Bosco, proudly received his diploma with his father, Henry Celso. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF APRI

On 13 January 2024, Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center presented its 197 graduates during its 22nd Commencement Exercises. Twenty of the graduates were scholars of AP Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power and the biggest geothermal power producer in the country. 

The APRI scholars finished the 15-month technical-vocational training courses on Agribusiness, Agro-Mechanics and General Electricity, which are essential to the agriculture-based economy of Albay province. Aside from the course training, each scholar was given free board and lodging and monthly allowances. 

One of the scholars from Tiwi, Albay, Daniel Rey Celso, finished his vocational course in General Electricity A1 and received two awards during the graduation rites, the “Perfect Attendance Award” and the “Conduct Award.” 

“Mahirap mabuhay kapag hindi ka nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Noong hinikayat ako ng mga ate ko na magtapos ay talagang nagpursige ako nang mabuti” (It’s hard to survive if we fail to complete schooling. I really pushed myself when my older sister encouraged me to finish my studies), he said.

“May isa pa po akong kapatid na kasalukuyang pinag-aaral sa kolehiyo ng iba ko pang kapatid. Kaya noong nalaman kong may ganitong scholarship grant ng technical vocational course ang APRI sa pamamagitan ng Don Bosco ay agad ko po itong kinuha upang makatulong din po sa kanila” (I still have one sibling in college that my other siblings send to school. That’s why when I heard that APRI is granting a technical vocational course in Don Bosco, I immediately applied so I could also help the family), he added.

Celso has landed a regular job as a quality control assistant at Yamashita Mold Philippines Corporation. 

According to Bro. John Dominic Coral, SDB, technical director of Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center, “APRI is helping the institution fulfill its mission in taking care of young people, especially the lost, the last and the least, by helping them become good Christians and upright citizens.  We are so grateful for the unwavering partnership of APRI with us.”

APRI vice president for external affairs Leonardo Robel extended his congratulations to the new graduates. “We thank the scholars for not giving up. With 20 graduates now, we hope that you (the graduates) will continue to be catalysts for change for you, your family and your community.”

Since 2011, 286 students (123 from Makiling-Banahaw and 199 from Tiwi) have graduated under the program. To ensure employment, scholar graduates are periodically hired by APRI or its contractors. This year, another 10 new scholars are expected to finish their vocational courses.