At 28, Arlene Yago stands as proof that dreams do not expire. They wait. And when courage meets opportunity, they rise.
A resident of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Arlene’s path back to school was never straightforward. She became a young mother in 2016 and quickly learned how to balance responsibility with quiet ambition. Determined to build a better future for her child, she completed Senior High School and earned her Bread and Pastry NC II at Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences. She later worked in a small bakery in Daet, Camarines Norte, helping support her family while holding on to a deeper hope that she could still grow.
When their barangay announced a scholarship opportunity in Electronics under the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program, Arlene applied. In 2025, she officially became a SKIL scholar.
“Nagtry lang ako,” she recalls. “Hindi ko po inaasahan na makukuha ako.”
But she was chosen.
The opportunity came at a deeply emotional time in her life. Prior to her acceptance, Arlene had devoted much of her time caring for her father after he suffered a stroke. A former van driver known in their community for his generosity and tireless work ethic, he would leave home before sunrise and return with simple pasalubong for his family. Though he and Arlene’s mother were unable to finish their own schooling, they carried one constant message for their children: finish your education.
Shortly after she began her training in October, her father passed away.
The grief was overwhelming. For a moment, she considered stopping. The weight of loss, motherhood, and daily responsibilities felt too heavy to carry alongside her studies.
It was her mother who gently urged her forward. And in her heart, she heard her father’s voice: “Mag-aral ka para sa akin.”
She chose to continue.
Each day now begins before dawn. At 5:00 a.m., Arlene prepares breakfast, tends to household responsibilities, and ensures everything is in order before leaving for training. Her mother helps care for her child while she attends classes. It is a shared commitment, built on sacrifice and love.
Through the program, Arlene earned her NC II in Electronics, an achievement she once thought beyond reach. During her on-the-job training in Laguna under Panasonic, she underwent hands-on assessments involving power supply troubleshooting, breadboards, washing machines, and CCTV systems. The technical demands were rigorous. The environment was unfamiliar. At times, she felt nervous and unsure.
Still, she pressed on.
“Nag-aral ka naman, ipursige mo na,” she would remind herself.
Beyond technical skills, Arlene gained confidence and resilience. She learned that adaptability and strong relationships are just as important as technical knowledge. “Hindi lahat ng makakasalamuha mo pare-pareho,” she says. These are values she believes she inherited from her father.
In a field still largely dominated by men, Arlene stands as one of the eldest and one of the few women in her batch. She carries herself with quiet determination, showing that age and gender are not barriers to growth. She has seen how electronics training has opened doors for many, including fellow trainees who relocated from Bicol to Laguna in pursuit of better opportunities.
To future scholars who may hesitate because of their age or circumstances, she offers simple but powerful encouragement:
“Hindi hadlang ang edad sa pag-aaral. Hangga’t kaya mo, magpursige ka. Huwag kang tumigil.”
Arlene’s story is not only about earning a certification. It is about honoring a promise.
As a 2025 SKIL scholar, she joins a community of beneficiaries supported through the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal program, an initiative backed by Shell Pilipinas Corporation that has been equipping individuals with technical and vocational skills since 1982. Over the decades, SKIL has supported more than 7,000 scholars nationwide, providing access to training in fields such as automotive, electronics, welding, and refrigeration. Through these pathways, thousands of families have gained opportunities for stable employment and improved livelihoods.
For Arlene, SKIL is more than a scholarship. It is the fulfillment of her father’s dream. It is proof that even in moments of loss, purpose can take root. And it is a reminder that education, pursued with courage and love, can transform not just one life, but an entire family’s future.
Today, she moves forward not only for herself and her child, but in quiet tribute to the man who once rose before dawn to provide for his family, and who believed that one day, his daughter would finish what he could not.
