AVRC II Marks 41st Anniversary

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC II) recently celebrated its 41st anniversary through dance, music and testimonials.

“Kadtung nawala ang akung eyesight, nawad-an gyud ko ug paglaum ug sukad ato wala naku gawas-gawas sa amung balay. Ug sa dihang dunay instrumento nga naghatag naku ug higayon nga maka-sulod ko diri sa AVRC didto nibalik ang akung kompyansa ug paglaum sa akung kaugalingon (When I lost my eyesight, I also lost hope and isolated myself from others by staying inside the house. Fortunately, I met a person who became instrumental in facilitating my entry to AVRC. Slowly, I regained hope and self-confidence),” said Clemente Z. Sarino, a visually-impaired graduate of AVRC II, during the anniversary program held in the AVRC II compound in Labangon, Cebu City.

Now, Clemente leads the Helping Hands Organization of Persons with Disability, Incorporated. Sarino is the president of this organization of licensed massage therapists of AVRC II.

“Kaniadto ang among giserbisyohan kay sa may Mactan Airport ug sa terminal sa Supercat karun makita nami ninyu sa nagkalain-laing malls sa Cebu (In the past, we only cater massage service at Mactan Airport and at the Supercat terminal. Now, you can see us also in various malls in Cebu),” added Clemente.

A group of persons with disability (PWDs) who are visually impaired, hearing and speech impaired and orthopedically handicapped showcase their dancing prowess as they proved that they can also execute technically difficult dance steps and precise footwork through cultural dances like Itik-itik, Kuradang and Tinikling.

Kate Pantionial, a visually-impaired graduate, rendered ‘The Jubilee Song’ to showcase her angelic voice at the delight of the audience.
Reliable partners and stakeholders who have contributed to the success of AVRC II were also present like Tzu Chi Foundation, Dep-Ed for Alternative Learning System (ALS), Albert Schweizer Familienwerk Foundation Philippines, Inc and Cebu Doctor’s University
AVRC II has been at the forefront of providing human resource development to PWDs in the Visayas region through various skills enhancement program.

As a non-residential institution, AVRC II provides various courses ranging from Massage Therapy, Electronic Motor Repair, Computer Electronics, Basic Sewing, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Commercial Cooking and Cosmetology. (PR – Kerwin Macopia)