Punlaan School has reached yet another milestone as it celebrated the 30th Commencement Exercises last April 2, 2025. Recognizing 98 students in the Dual Training Program in Hospitality and Culinary Arts this year, Punlaan School continues to grow and strives to offer this program to many more underprivileged young women from various provinces in the country. This year, scholars hailed from Benguet, Camarines Sur, Bataan, Mindoro, Samar, Butuan, and Zamboanga among many others.
The Dual Training Program consists of almost a yearlong training in school, and another 7 months in the partner-industry venues. This year, the Top Graduates had undergone their training in Grand Hyatt Manila, Novotel Araneta City, Fairmont Makati Hotel, Herald Suites, and Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant.
The batch’s top student, Nirel Evite, delivered the Graduates’ Speech, giving credit to the endless support of her classmates, teachers and mentors, and her family which motivated her to strive harder each day. She is also a recipient of the Skills Award for Food and Beverage Services, and is set to continue her engagement with Grand Hyatt Manila.
Mr. Allen Ferrer, Talent and Culture Manager at the Raffles and Fairmont Makati Hotel, who graced the event as the keynote speaker, welcomed the graduates not only to the workforce, but also “to a global tradition of care”. He highlighted the importance of nurturing authentic connections with each and every person, which is the heart of the service industry.
Concluding the ceremony with a hopeful message, Punlaan School Director, Ms. Maria Theresa Nabatar, gave much emphasis on the value of gratitude. As the school marks its 50th year anniversary this May 2025, she thanked all partners and donors, staff, and parents for the support that Punlaan has received in the past years. She invites all to a journey of the next years of the school where many more underprivileged women can gain not only skills and values, but also hope in the fact that there will always be people who will forward the mission of Punlaan.
Punlaan School extends its gratitude to its Industry Partners namely ALC Bistro Inc., Cafe Mary Grace, Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant, Estrel’s Caramel Cakes, Fairmont Makati Hotel, French Baker, Grand Hyatt Manila, Herald Suites, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, I’m Angus Steak House, J.Co, Lugang Cafe, Merienda by Pan de Manila, Novotel Manila Araneta City, One World Deli, Park Inn by Radisson, The Plaza Inc., and UCC Vienna Café.
The school also recognizes the contributions of its donor foundations namely SM Foundation, George Ty Foundation (GT Foundation), Marubeni Foundation, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation (AY Foundation), LINCCO Foundation, Coles Medlock Foundation, Limmat Foundation, Vicherey Corporation – Teresita Cusi, General Metal Container Corporation of the Philippines (GEMECO), Primeiro Partners Inc., Soroptimist Quezon City, All for Punlaan Initiative, Punlaan Development Board, Christine Chua, Ellen Remo, Hilda Del Rosario, Jessie Soriano, Sheena Valera, Shirley Antonio, Pia Reyes, and Sheila Oviedo.
View the official photos at https://punlaanschool.edu.ph/gallery-image/.