BAGUIO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) proved its culinary excellence anew after one of its scholars won in the WorldSkills ASEAN Manila held at World Trade Center in Pasay City on Aug. 26 to 28.
Agee Docayso, a graduating Diploma in Culinary Arts Technology student of the Cordillera State Institute of Technology Education (CSITE), showcased exceptional skill in preparing multi-course dishes.
“Everything was judged based on preparation, cleanliness, performance, dish presentation and taste,” Docayso told the Philippine News Agency on Monday.
“I just concentrated on my task and did what I was trained to do,” he said.
TESDA-CAR has built a strong reputation in the cooking category, consistently bringing home awards since 2014.
Chef Mary Kristine Iris Pasion, Docayso’s coach, said in a separate interview that their mindset from the start was to aim for gold.
“We were confident we can get the title. We have been consistently bringing home awards in the category since 2014 and we had hoped to get the gold once again,” Pasion said.
“When we wake up and meet our trainees, it had always been a gold morning.”
Pasion said previous winners from TESDA-CAR included Joshua Lizardo (2014 in Vietnam), Jonathan Supsupin (2022 special edition) and Allen Gacweng (2023 Singapore).
TESDA-CAR training center administrator Felixberto Matute said Docayso’s preparation began in April with a comprehensive program. Multiple experts monitored his progress to ensure readiness.
“Our experts were not just preparing them in cooking but also improving their attitude and focus. It was a well-rounded training from morning until late afternoon,” Matute said. **Liza Agoot
