Fate has been good for Gesucamo C. Manubag, or Zhim as his peers call him, who was chosen to undergo a six-month on-the-job training at Sodexho Singapore, an international restaurant last October 2006. Thanks to Center for Hospitality Arts Management, Philippines (CHAMP) for its partnership with Hospitality Services Philippines, Inc. (HSPI), a manpower company specializing in deploying Filipino hotel and restaurant executives and staff worldwide.

A local from Cebu, Zhim's motivation to reach for success is his family. His life experiences are enough justification on how hard he worked for a living just to provide something for his family and to attain an education as well. Financial difficulty is the main reason why students with low economic status tend to choose certificate programs instead of a four-year college degree. However, short courses had proven in the case of Zhim that ambition, determination and right quality of education can indeed take you places.

If not for the newspaper ad, Zhim would not have discovered CHAMP's program wherein students can earn and learn at the same time. He took the crack, gained both experience and monetary benefits while studying under CHAMP's cost-effective curriculum. And after his six months training with Sodexho, he will have the opportunity to be absorbed by the employer upon the completion of his Food & Beverage course.

I was so happy when I found out that I got the internship. I know that there will be a next intake of CHAMP students this coming October. If anyone else would like to have the same opportunities that were given to me, I would not hesitate to tell them to go to CHAMP. Who would have believed that in a few months, I would be going to Singapore? CHAMP has truly changed my life, and I now see a brighter future ahead for me and my family, Zhim uttered in high spirits and optimism before he left the country.