Beyond His Dreams

 Beyond His Dreams

“I never dreamed of becoming a Distinguished Alumni, having been awarded as such is beyond my dreams,” Norman stated.

Every success has its beginnings and most beginnings are not easy especially if you are both physically and financially challenged, and this is true to Mr. Norman R. Caraig.

“When I was six years old, I met an accident that resulted to the amputation of my left arm. I attended elementary school with low self-esteem due to my condition and it was made worst by those who bullied me for that. Sadly, there was no anti-bullying campaign or law during those days so I was a victim. Those bullying experiences made me distant to people so I became a loner. I focused in my studies and pursued to be always on top of the class. I specifically thought I will be on top of those bullies and then I started to gain respect from my classmates. I remember when I was in grade 2 till grade 5, I was a model student in English Reading”, Norman shared.

He pursued Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in Batangas State University under the scholarship of Butor Foundation, but he lost the scholarship because of the grade requirements. It was also very untimely that his father’s contract abroad ended. For a family of eight siblings, those times were really tough and his parents became incapable to send him to college so he stopped college for three years.

While waiting for an opportunity to be able to get back to college, he started attending triathlon trainings, running in marathons and joined 50 meters swimming competitions. He also went biking for miles to spend his time until he also joined cycling competitions. It was then that he met his father’s friend who helped continue his college though he can only help him for two years. He then took Diploma in Computer Studies at STI College Balayan with the goal of finding a job right after graduation.

During his years as a DCS student, he showed great perseverance and dedication in his studies. He was really good at his chosen field and excelled in programming. He was one of the team who represented STI College Balayan in the Tagisan ng Talino (TNT) academic cluster competition for Web Programming dubbed as Web Warriors in 2005 and that was his first Championship in programming.

In the same year, he championed the regional Technological Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Abilympics Skills competition in Software I.T. Solutions and was qualified to compete in the nationals. The Abilympics is a competition organized by TESDA for physically challenged or person with disabilities.

He also championed the Abilympics Skills competition in Computer Programming and that qualified him to represent the Philippines in the Skills Competition in Japan in 2006 dubbed as the Asean Robotics Computer Programming.

His exceptional academic performance earned him made him graduate With Honors with a Guaranteed Hire Program Award (TESDA Level) in Diploma in Computer Studies in 2006.

After further evaluation on his academic standing and extra-curricular activities, he was awarded the Student of the Year (SOTY) in 2006 that prized him the cover page of STIMULI on Feb.2006. The SOTY award was given to students who have excelled in academic and leadership skills inside and outside STI campus and was selected nationwide.

Having received those awards and having brought honor to his Alma Mater, the STI administration gave him a chance to pursue a bachelor degree and he took Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming while working as a Student Assistant.

He always performed his best in every opportunity and reliable not only on academics but also proved his leadership qualities. He was elected president of the Young Computer Programmers Association, the BSCS student organization in 2006. At the end of term, he was awarded the Best Club President for successful activities conducted during his term.

Aside from heading the school organizations, he was also an active volunteer in the ABS-CBN Halalan Quick Count and in the Parish Pastoral Council Responsible Voting Quick Count.

He also served in the Council of Leaders, the student government of STI College Balayan for 3 consecutive terms as Councilor and as Project Coordinator. He graduated BSCS with Academic Recognition and Programmer of the Year Award in 2008.

Currently he works at STI College Balayan as a full-time IT Instructor and System Administrator with TESDA certifications on Assessors’ and Trainers’ Methodology, competency in Computer Programming NCIV and 2D Animation NCIII. He is also an accredited TESDA Assessor in the said competencies.

In 2010, he passed the competency assessment conducted by TESDA Competency Assessment and Certification Office-Manila from the trainers all over the Philippines with NCIII accreditations and was qualified to train in Singapore for the Pedagogical Training in Instructional Design and Delivery.

With all his achievements, he never stopped enhancing his skills and developing his self to be able to deliver well in his profession. He took Master of Science in Information Technology at Batangas State University and Master of Arts in Information Technology Education at the Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas.

He is also, to this day, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus actively participating in its various activities while as an I.T. Instructor , he never failed to share to his students the knowledge he has that from a student champion like himself he was able to develop champions among STI students.

Norman R. Caraig, a Distinguished Alumni Awardee for School Level 2015, has made STI College Balayan truly proud of his achievements and his STI family believes he has come into a full circle from being an exemplary student, trainer and educator that even his awards cannot equal all the contributions he made to his family and Alma Mater.

“I only wanted to finish my studies and have the better job that I desire but opportunities came. Now, giving inspiration to others is a gift that no value of money can equal. To my students, I can only tell them to study hard, always give it your best shot and whatever happens, always look at the positive side”, Mr. Caraig pronounced.

by: Terranya M. Tiamson, photo: Renzo Bagtasos, ST101A