Editor’s Note: Mr. Arthur Paul Torres has been appointed Next Gen Home Learning Program Director with headquarters in Plaridel, Bulacan. From being the School Principal and Campus Administrator of the Next Generation Technological College (NGTC) San Simon Campus in school year 2024-2025, he was given the role of Integrated Marketing Manager before he was assigned to his original post to spearhead once again the home learning program, which has gained momentum due to changing times and technological advancement.
With home learning, location and time becomes irrelevant because the NGTC approach is one that combines a teacher-led environment and the flexibility of being modular for those who wish to continue learning even if they are constantly on the move or just prefers learning at their own phase and time.
This message was intended to be released before Christmas but there was a delay on my end as we were dividing the time between family and work during the holiday, but it was all worth it.
Thank you to our parents for choosing to journey with your children, to our students for doing their best each day, and to our teachers for faithfully supporting families along the way. As a community, we move forward together; learning, growing, and becoming better, one day at a time.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

As another quarter, and the year 2025 comes to a close, we are reminded that learning is not something that happens only in screens, modules, or virtual classrooms, it happens first and foremost at home.
Home learning is beautiful because it allows families to walk the learning journey together. When parents choose to be present, intentional, and engaged, children thrive. Teachers and schools play an important role, but they are partners; the family remains the child’s first and most influential classroom.
As we always do, we celebrate not only academic achievements, but also the quiet victories at home: the patience shown by parents, the consistency built through daily routines, and the time intentionally given to children — because love, especially for our children, is best spelled T-I-M-E.
Why home learning is on the rise
Education is the cornerstone of a strong society, and in the Philippine setting it remains one of the most important responsibilities of parents. As an educator, I have seen many students reach college without strong foundations in communication, critical thinking, and independent learning. Large class sizes and rigid systems often limit individual growth. Homeschooling offers a focused alternative that allows children to learn at their own pace while building skills needed for higher education and future work.
Homeschooling also addresses growing concerns about safety, values, and family connection. It allows parents to guide daily influences, strengthen relationships, and preserve a child’s love for learning through personalized and flexible education. Children often learn more efficiently when pressure is reduced and learning is integrated into real life. While not for every family, homeschooling is a credible and growing option in the Philippines for parents who want to be actively involved in their children’s long term success. NGTC will now be offering home learning in both campuses| The Editor

Letting Go, Handling Life

Acceptance does not weaken resolve. It sharpens it. When reality is acknowledged, decisions improve. Stress becomes manageable. Focus is restored. This inner strength allows individuals to respond with intention rather than react with fear.

As 2025 draws to a close, two words stand out with clarity: Letting Go. This is not a retreat from responsibility. It is a deliberate decision shaped by experience. In an environment marked by constant change, holding on to outdated expectations, fixed plans, and familiar comforts has become a liability rather than a strength.
In the real world, letting go is understood as a necessity. Strategies are revised. Structures are streamlined. Leaders move forward by releasing what no longer serves the organization. The same principle applies beyond the workplace. Personal growth now demands the same discipline and maturity.
Looking ahead to 2026, four words define the mindset required: I can handle this. These words reflect readiness, not ease. They acknowledge pressure while affirming capacity. They speak to resilience built over time, not confidence borrowed from circumstances.
This perspective is closely tied to spirituality, a concept often misunderstood. Spirituality is not about religion. It is about accepting reality as it exists. It is about strengthening the inner self so that challenges can be faced with clarity and balance.
In today’s demanding landscape, the most effective professionals are not those who attempt to control everything. They are those who manage themselves well. They let go of what drains energy and commit to what builds capacity.
“I can handle this” is not a declaration of perfection. It is a steady assurance grounded in preparation, self-awareness, and perspective. It reflects leadership that is calm, measured, and dependable.
As the years turn, letting go may be the discipline that defines 2025. Handling what comes may be the posture that carries us through 2026. Together, they point to a quiet strength that remains essential in both business and life.
So, I just have two words for 2025 – Letting go. And for 2026 the four words I can utter is “I can handle this.
Spirituality is about accepting realities. It is not just about religion. It is about strengthening our inner self so that we can handle everything that is in front of us.

NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE’S ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: A STRATEGIC PATHWAY TO SKILLS, STABILITY,AND LOCAL OPPORTUNITY

Sources used in this article include TESDA employment

and graduation statistics, national policy documents,

and government surveys from official TESDA releases

and Philippine Information Agency reporting

In a rapidly evolving labor market where traditional college degrees no longer guarantee employment and the specter of brain drain continues to erode local talent, Next Generation Technological College (NGTC) is set to unveil its Enhanced Development Program (EDP)— a comprehensive educational model that integrates technical skills, industry credentials, enterprise training, and career pathways to equip learners from kindergarten to career transition with work‑ready competencies and entrepreneurial adaptability

A National Imperative: Skills, Jobs, and Futures

Statistics from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) illustrate why such reform is urgent and strategic. In 2024, nearly 1.4 million Filipinos graduated from TESDA‑accredited courses, with over 1.2 million applying for competency assessment and approximately 872,000 achieving certification as skilled workers—an assessment rate of more than 90% among applicants. Statistics from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) illustrate why such reform is urgent and strategic.
In 2024, nearly 1.4 million Filipinos graduated from
TESDA‑accredited courses, with over 1.2 million applying for competency assessment and approximately 872,000 achieving certification as skilled workers—an assessment rate of more than 90% among applicants. More critically, data from TESDA’s 2024 Study on Employment of TVET Graduates (SETG) revealed that 83.34% of technical‑vocational (tech‑voc) graduates secured employment after training, upfrom 79% the previous cycle. This figure climbed even higher in key regions such as Central Luzon, posting a 90.07% employment rate—a testamentto the resonance between skills training and industry demand.

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