RIZAL.  The eldest sibling from a family of seven, Teresita B. Mejarito learned the meaning of responsibility at the early age of eight.  her mother died giving birth to her eighth child.   Months later, her father remarried which compelled her to live with relatives from one place to another.  Conscious of her responsibility as the eldest sibling, she never stopped dreaming that one day she can pull them out from their difficult situation.

Tess did not limit the challenges of her life, rather she challenged her limits.  She worked hard to support her brothers and sisters while pursuing her elementary and secondary schooling, and saved every penny her relatives gave her.

In 2012 , a friend told her about TESDA and the trainings  it offers.  She took up Beauty Care Services NCII at Access Career Excellent Training Center (ACETAC) ,  a passion she always wanted to achieve.  This gave her the chance to be one of the beneficiaries of the TESDA Specialist Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) that was launched last February 2012 by His Excellency President Noynoy Aquino.  Through the guidance of TESDA, she has built her confidence in doing every detail of her work.  Continuously upgrading her skills, she took up Hairdressing NCII last September 2012 in ACETAC and attended several workshops.   Returning the gratitude, she participated in community services and outreach programs in providing free services to the barangays.

Step by step, she is nearing the reality of her dreams.  At age 54, she is now managing her own beauty salon and is presently earning more than what her family needs.  Now she dreams of improving her salon by using more modern equipment to attract more customers.

"Hindi hadlang and edad o anumang pagsubok para makamit ang mga pangarap mo sa buhay," Tess ends with a smile.

By Imee G. Sigua