She would say that her mentor has a huge influence on her because she was moulded to become the better version of herself. The thought of empowering those who do not have confidence in themselves specially the women who are trying to get into a Non-Traditional Trade such as welding motivates her even more.

            Back in her younger years, Irene can be considered a young dreamer and an active part of the society where she even got a chance to become a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman in her hometown in Gubat, Sorsogon. She graduated at Bicol University of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) with a degree in Agricultural Technology and became a qualifier in the Farmer Youth Exchange Program organized by Worldwide Farmers Exchange (WFE), Hawaii, USA “I became one of the qualifiers for the Exchange Program in Hawaii but because of the strong competition I was not chosen. I did not give-up and I keep going because I know that God has a plan for me”, Irene said.

            Her loss became a starting point for another career path, after the interview for the Exchange Program she decided to make a side trip to the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City. She was surprised because her best friend in college was attending a program in Welding. She was baffled because it is usually a program for male but with her curiosity she inquired and eventually enrolled in the free six-month pre-employment skills training in Welding in August 2003 up until February 2004.

            When she finished her training, she immediately found employment with Riofill Corporation. Her work included assisting full welding stainless pipe railings using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process. She also worked with various other welding companies such as Tozen Mechanical Products, Inc. as Tungsten Inert gas (TIG) Welder, Altaweld inc. as Sales Representative tasked with marketing demonstrating welding products distributed by the company, EEI Corporation as a plate Welder, and at the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Gubat, Sorsogon as a Welding Trainer.

            Her mentor in TWC encouraged her to become a trainer and eventually, she became an On-Call Trainer from 2010 to 2014 in Shielded Metal Arc Welding while she attended various trainings to upgrade her skills in welding such as the Trainer’s Methodology and Assessor’s Methodology that TESDA is also offering for free.

            In 2014, she got a big opportunity to become a welder trainer in Brunei where she earned 2,200B$ with additional allowance per month. But after five years she went back to the Philippines to settle down with her husband who is also in the Welding Trade and they are now happy with living with their two great sons.

            Currently, after her work abroad, she found out that TWC is looking for a trainer in welding, “I am very glad because TWC opened its door for me and since 2019 I am the proud trainer of the welding program”, she said with a smile. Finally in closing she said,“I am very satisfied with my career as a trainer most specially when I get to inspire more women to take the Non-Traditional Trades and become successful with their chosen fields such as being a Lady Welder. I believe that TWC will continue her mission and more women will surely be empowered!”