ILOILO — Menzies B. Fagarita stood before 252 Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) Molo Campus graduates on Aug. 5, 2026, not as a distant speaker but as living proof of what a small opportunity can become. Her journey from a ₱5,000 seed grant to owning two food stores turned the ceremony into a powerful moment of hope and possibility.
A Familiar Face with an Extraordinary Story
Fagarita once sat exactly where the graduates sat, a Culinary Arts trainee in 2022 with big dreams and uncertain steps. She recalled the doubts, the early mornings, and the moments she almost gave up. Yet four years later, she returned as the commencement speaker, carrying a story of quiet triumph that resonated through the hall.
Her business, Takoshii, began as a modest food stall built from her savings and a government livelihood grant. Today, it has expanded to a second branch in Hibao‑an, serving Japanese‑inspired street food that continues to attract loyal customers. The graduates listened intently, seeing in her the possibilities that lay ahead.
Turning a Modest Grant into a Thriving Business
The ₱5,000 seed capital from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, channeled through TIIC, became the foundation of her entrepreneurial dream. Fagarita used it to buy initial ingredients and packaging, stretching every peso with careful planning. She stressed that the amount was small, but it was enough to start when paired with relentless hard work.
Behind the success were countless sleepless nights, slow sales days, and painful mistakes. She learned to adapt her menu, manage her finances, and treat every customer as a blessing. Her advice to the graduates was simple: never be ashamed of starting small, because every big venture begins with a single step.
Support Systems That Build Dreams
Fagarita credited the Iloilo City Government—first under former Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and now under Mayor Raisa S. Treñas—for making technical education truly accessible. Free training, daily allowances, and transportation assistance removed the barriers that often force aspiring students to abandon their dreams. These programs, she said, are life‑changing when fully embraced.
The partnership between TIIC and DSWD provided not only skills but also the start‑up capital that launched her business. She highlighted how government support, combined with personal determination, can transform a trainee into an entrepreneur. Her gratitude extended to her mentors, whose constant encouragement echoed the Hiligaynon phrase “Trying hard ta ya!”—a reminder that giving one’s best is always worth it.
Words That Light a Path
Addressing the graduates directly, Fagarita reminded them that their certificates were not the finish line but the key to new doors. Some would find employment, others would build businesses, and many would continue learning. Whatever path they chose, she urged them to remain humble, keep learning, and trust the process.
She shared the lessons that carried her through the hardest days: resilience, adaptability, and faith. The graduates cheered when she said that skills are the greatest investment because no one can take them away. Her final message was a call to action—to dream big, start where they are, and never stop trying.
A Brighter Future Through Technical Education
The ceremony celebrated graduates from six programs: Reflexology, Housekeeping, Emergency Medical Response, Computer Literacy, Culinary Arts, and Geriatric Care. Each diploma represented not just a skill set but a lifeline to better livelihoods. Fagarita’s story proved that tech‑voc education is a genuine pathway to economic independence and community growth.
