ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (PIO) — The honor to officially host the WorldSkills Philippines Zamboanga 2027 and a Medallion for Excellence highlighted Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University’s (ZPPSU) participation in the three-day WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026, held at Clark, Pampanga from September 8 to 10, this year.
Led by University President Dr. Nelson P. Cabral, the ZPPSU delegation engaged with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority officials, government leaders, dignitaries, academic and industry partners, and other stakeholders, strengthening partnerships that support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Hundreds of young skilled Filipinos from 18 regions competed across 30 industry-driven skill areas participated in the said competition with the theme “Your Skills, Your Future.”
Among them was Jocel B. Tumenez, a 2nd year BS in Industrial Technology, Major in Garments and Textile Technology student from the College of Engineering and Technology and Region IX representative, who earned a Medallion for Excellence in Fashion Technology under Creative Arts and Fashion, demonstrating exceptional creativity, precision, and competence.
This milestone reflects not only the student’s dedication to excellence but also the university’s continuing efforts to develop industry-ready and globally competitive students.
“What better way to hone their skills than through the WorldSkills Competition, where they are trained and challenged to meet world‑class standards,” TESDA Director General Sec. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez emphasized.
The Clark experience also provided the ZPPSU WorldSkills Core Team, chaired by Vice President for Administration and Finance Prof. Josephine L. Sulasula, with valuable exposures, lifelong learning and opportunities for benchmarking and linkage-building, advancing the university’s commitment to academic excellence while strengthening collaborations that can further support its skills development programs.
These engagements are expected to help empower its students and faculty for future national and international skills competitions and contribute to the university’s hosting preparations for the next country’s premier skills olympics.
The hosting opportunity places ZPPSU on the national stage for the WorldSkills Philippines Zamboanga 2027, with Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZSCMST) as co-host and Region IV-A (Calabarzon) as co-chair.
“The university is ready. We are ready to bring WorldSkills Philippines to Zamboanga City,” Dr. Cabral said. (Written By: Rio L. Landingin/JRA/Public Information Office)