Gil is a person with disabilities. At a tender age of one, he was stricken with polio and it left him unable to walk. He never experience the "first step"of a toddler, much more taste how it feels to put his feet on the ground and walk. But this disability did not discourage him to purse his dreams.

        Confronted by financial difficulties, Gil had no choice but to stop going to college. But not for long, for his faith in God and determination to improve his well being, led him to the Commission on Higher Education which awarded him a scholarship grant for a Computer Engineering degree at the University of Mindanao. And that's where his innate skills in computer aided drawing was discoverd by his present coach, Engr. Paulo Gavino. When he was invited and encouraged by Engr. Gavino to train on Computer Aided Design (CADD) for future skill competition, he did not think twice. He always dreamt of competing in the international arena.

        Hospicio "Dodoy" D. Arcala was born on May 21, 1947 in Negros Oriental to parents who have toiled so much in tilling the lands. When he was two months old, he was afflicted by Polio. Since its was during the liberation, his family did not have enough resources for his medication, resulting to his disability. His grew up in the neighboring province of Negros Occidental where he developed his passion for tailoring. He was 20 years old when he worked as Shop Assistant, thereby exposing him to the intricacies and nuances of his trade.Being single then, he eagerly acquired experience and gained the right attitude, Knowledge and skills that proved to be very beneficaial in his fight against poverty.

        The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Asuncion introduced him to the Skills Competitions. After winning the Gold Medal in the 2001 Philippine National Skills Competition in Davao for the Men's Tailoring, Dodoy bought a Bible out of his cash prize . Some amount he saved for the education of his two children and for the improvement of his shop. He is also very happy that he earned the full support of his Local Government Unit. He earned so much recognition from the local officials that for three (3) Straight months the streamer announcing his victory was practically in the main thoroughfares of the town. Of course his winning streak was also converted into increased sales in his shop and more coutomers coming in to avail of his services.

        Persons with disability are ususally looked down upon in society. This is because in most cases, PWDs have low level of education,unskilled and unemployed.This is not true in the case of Marvenice Ascucion.

        His achievements included winning the gold medal in the Provincial Regional and the 10th Phillippine National Skills Competition where he bested other PWDs from various parts of the country.Last September 27-31,2002 he led the five-man team who represented the Philippines in the APEC IT Camp for Youth with Disabilities in Seoul,Korea.In this competition,Philippines won the 3rd place Award of Excellence in the Wed Page Design Contest.

4. Manny P.Bagsit
Floristy

       Manny,the youngest among seven (7)children was born with a hearing disability.Despite his disability,he is loved by his family as well as his townsfolk.

        His artistic talent started to be recognized when he volunteered to join the flower arrangement training in his school.Because of his interest in floristry,he was chosen to join the NCR Regional Abilympics in May 2001 and won first place.He again bagged the Gold Medal during the 11th National Skills Competition held in Davao City on September 2001.

       Dennis Balan was the youngest among two siblings.Born on August 2,1970,he was the only deaf in his family.He studied at the Philippine Association of the Deaf Demonstration School from 1980 to 1990 where he consistently received academic distinctions.He continued his college course at CAP College School for the Deaf where he took up a two-year Associate in Arts in Information Technology from 1990-1992.

       Dennis was one of the recipients of the 2000 Apolinario Mabini Awards presented by Her Ecxcellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last April 2001.He was also the Most Outstanding Deaf Achiever for Culture and Arts during the Deaf Awareness Week Celebration at DLSU-College of St.Benilde and the coveted International Very Special Arts Festival Awards in Brussels,Belgium in 1994.He was also invited as special guest lecture in various photography and dance arts classes.

     Jose dela Cruz, is a deaf Special Education Teacher III at the Philippine School for the who became first teacher qualified for teaching the hearing impaired in the Philippine history.He was an alumnus of this institution who graduated from elementary and high school as both valedictorians.

        Latest addition to his achievements was winning the Gold Medal in the 10th Philippine National Skills Competition in Davao City on September 29,2001 the said also attended the two international meeting of Deaf Way II Conference and Festival at Gallaudet University,Washington,D.C.in July 2002 and Sharjah International Biennieal in Dubai,United Arab Emirates in 2003 recently.

       Simeon started his career as a Stone Craft Man at the Northern Luzon Association for the Disabled (NLAD)after finishing his secondary education in 1990.He made it for one year laying stones and pebbles in pieces of woods and later shifted his attention to Brass Making at the same institution.It was during these "brass days"that his skills in jewelry making were polished and his ability in welding was honed.

        Actually, his family would always be the last to know that he would be joining competitions.When he was scouted to join the Regional Skills Competition,his family was not aware until the day of the contest.It again happened when he went in Davao City to represent the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Jewelry Making for Abilympics Category in the 10th PNSC.He only told his family when he asked the help of his brothers to take care for his kids for the delegation was about to start their journey for Davao.They could not believe him at first until he showed his uniform.His wife learned about the whole thing after the competition when Simeone showed the news articles of his winning

        Arcie, as he is fondly called, on his 30 summersis the eldest of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Agaton Milagroso from Balite, Malolos, Bulacan. A polio victim since the age of three, he never regretted having such disability. He is thankful that he is gifted with knowledge and skills that are "superlative" compared to able-bodied individuals.
        According to his expert, Mr.Edgardo R. Santiago, right from the start of the competion, he was very confident that Arice could bring honors for the region. He noticed the resiliency of his competitor in mastering his craft. He also observed that Arcie really determined to go for the gold, as this will definitey open more oppurtunities of him.