Maids, factory workers excel in computer courses

The graduation ceremony of students from the Filipino Computer Club Dubai held recently at Taj Palace Hotel showed that anyone can excel in the IT world.

This was proven by Fredelle Charlene Pascua, who topped the Introduction to IT and MS Word courses.

She is among 200 students who underwent courses in basic computer, MS PowerPoint and MS Word at the Philippines Labour Office in Satwa.

Pascua is working as a domestic helper in Dubai. She attended free computer courses during her day off every Friday and was pleased with the result of her determination and patience in completing the courses in spite of her present status.

Although, she missed to receive the most coveted award, she requested the club president to read her message on behalf of the course graduates in her absence.

A majority of the students are housemaids, factory workers, sales ladies and staff members. Gina Marie Nuevas, who topped the MS Powerpoint class, presented her group's PowerPoint Presentation slides.

The course started on January 31 and continued for three months under the patronage of Engineer Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres, the club President, a certified Microsoft authorised instructor and head trainer.

Cyril Boadita, director of Jobtrack, was the resource speaker. He discussed the job trends and gave tips on job hunting. He appreciated the efforts of the club in providing assistance to fellow Filipinos and said they are one of the best workers in the world.

Meanwhile, a club's new executive committee for 2003-2004 was inducted by Atty. Vicente Cabe, the Labour Attaché.

The new office-bearers are Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres, President; Sonny Ancheta, Vice President; Rizalina Abuel, Secretary; Lea Hernandez, Assistant Secretary; Alexander Tivi, Treasurer; Michelle Tayao, Assistant Treasurer; Francisco Carpio, Auditor; Maria Lani Braga, Assistant Auditor; Gina Marie Nuevas, PRO Internal; Eugene Tivi, PRO External.

The committee's chairpersons are: Teddy Yu, Ways and Means; Milo Torres, Professional Devel-opment and Research; Ernesto Ordonez, Membership and Discipline; Jagat Rubio, Publication; Constancio Eleosida, Technical Support and Logistics; Antonio Misajon, Socio and Cultural.

Since its inception in 1996, more than 8,500 Filipinos have graduated through the various computer courses being offered under the aegis of the Philippines Embassy and POLO/OWWA in Dubai.