The Launch of Project SPARK-TLE marked an inspiring milestone in inter-institutional collaboration, bringing together the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) and the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) to redefine Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) in the region. Held on January 22, 2026, at the ASIST Main Campus Function Hall, the event officially inaugurated a three-year partnership aimed at empowering students, faculty, and communities through innovative teaching, research-driven initiatives, and practical, community-focused learning experiences. This dynamic project sets a bold vision for holistic skills development, inclusivity, and sustainable growth in education and beyond.
Project SPARK-TLE was conceptualized and initiated by the project leaders from both collaborating institutions: from ASIST, Mr. Wilfredo C. Salvador Jr., Project Leader; Ms. Verena G. Atmosfera, Project Lead Facilitator; and Mr. Jake P. Delos Santos, Project Coordinator; and from ISPSC, Dr. Emed F. Manzano, Project Leader. They envisioned a collaborative platform to strengthen Technology and Livelihood Education through faculty development, instructional innovation, research integration, and community-responsive programs. The project’s initiatives were developed to align with institutional mandates and national development frameworks, translating shared academic goals into structured, inclusive, and outcomes-based educational programs.
Building on this shared vision for innovation and inclusive education, the stage was set for the formal launch of Project SPARK-TLE, a milestone event that brought together leaders, educators, and stakeholders to operationalize a transformative platform for Technology and Livelihood Education.
The launching aimed to operationalize a collaborative academic and community-engagement platform that promotes innovation, inclusivity, and holistic skills development among students, faculty, and stakeholders. The initiative aligns with national and institutional development priorities and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The integration of Gender and Development (GAD) perspectives ensures equitable participation and access, while the inter-institutional partnership strengthens shared responsibility and coordinated action.
The program began with the formal opening led by the Master of Ceremony, Ms. Verena G. Atmosfera, Project Lead Facilitator, who guided the flow of the activity and set the tone for the launching program. She formally welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the program, ensuring an organized and engaging start to the event.
The Welcome Remarks were delivered by Dr. Marian Loren B. Valera, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, who emphasized the importance of Project SPARK-TLE in advancing quality teacher education and strengthening the integration of theory and practice in TLE instruction. She highlighted the value of inter-institutional collaboration in developing innovative, learner-centered, and industry-responsive academic programs.
This was followed by the Rationale of Project SPARK-TLE, presented by Mr. Jake P. Delos Santos, Project Coordinator. He discussed the conceptual foundation, objectives, and guiding principles of the project, underscoring its alignment with Ambisyon Natin 2040, which envisions a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay” for all Filipinos. He emphasized that by equipping students with relevant technical skills, leadership competencies, and community engagement experiences, Project SPARK-TLE contributes to sustainable and inclusive national development.
The Messages of Support were delivered by Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza Jr., President of ASIST, and Dr. Mario P. Obrero, President of ISPSC. Both institutional leaders expressed their strong commitment to the successful implementation of the project and emphasized its strategic importance in strengthening inter-institutional collaboration, faculty development, and instructional innovation.
A comprehensive Project SPARK-TLE Presentation was delivered by Mr. Wilfredo C. Salvador Jr., Project SPARK-TLE Leader from ASIST. The presentation detailed the project’s objectives, scope, implementation framework, timelines, expected outputs, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. It highlighted the project’s core components, including TLE teachers’ capability building and TPACK training, research and innovation forums, extension programs, teachers’ immersion, skills training and workshops, and entrepreneurship and product development expos across the fields of Industrial Arts, Information and Communications Technology, Agriculture, and Food Technology.
The activity also served as a formal orientation of the project team, focal persons, and institutional representatives from both collaborating institutions. From ASIST, the project leadership and implementation team included Mr. Wilfredo C. Salvador Jr., Project SPARK-TLE Leader and Focal Person for TLE Teachers’ Capability Building and TPACK Training; Ms. Verena G. Atmosfera, Focal Person for the Research and Innovation Forum; Mr. Jake P. Delos Santos, Focal Person for the Extension Program; Dr. Mario Buenafe and Dr. Emalyn C. Bisares, Focal Persons for the Teachers’ Immersion Program; Dr. Calixto L. Valera, Focal Person for Entrepreneurship and Product Development Expo; and Ms. Ann Creia P. Tupasi, Focal Person for TLE Skills Training and Workshops. Also in attendance were Ms. Patricia A. Benedito, Director for International Affairs, and Ms. Lydiason Belisario, Director for External Affairs, who provided institutional and partnership support.
Participants from ISPSC were led by Dr. Emed F. Manzano, Project SPARK-TLE Leader and Focal Person for TLE Teachers’ Capability Building and TPACK Training. She was joined by Dr. Jennifer Chavez, Focal Person for the Research and Innovation Forum; Dr. Benny Derige, Focal Person for the Extension Program; Dr. Zosimo Liberato, Focal Person for the Teachers’ Immersion Program; Mr. Charlie Dasalla, Focal Person for TLE Skills Training and Workshops; Ms. Antonette Garcia, Focal Person for Entrepreneurship and Product Development Expo; Mr. Temy Bambico; and other ISPSC delegates. Also in attendance were Dr. Cynthia Carino, Dean of the Graduate School, Santa Maria Campus; Dr. Jeanno Manzano, Campus Director of Santa Maria Campus; and Dr. Christian Gandeza, Executive Assistant to the President, whose presence reinforced strong administrative and multi-campus support for the project.
Subsequently, Words of Encouragement were delivered by Dr. Noel B. Begnalen, Vice President for Academic Affairs of ASIST, and Dr. Felipinas M. Gasalao, Vice President for Academic Affairs of ISPSC. They encouraged active participation among faculty members and project teams and emphasized collaboration, academic excellence, and sustainability as key factors in achieving the project’s objectives.
The highlight of the activity was the Ceremonial Launching of Project SPARK-TLE, led by the Project Leaders from ASIST and ISPSC, together with institutional officials and project team members. The ceremonial unveiling symbolized the formal activation of the project and the shared commitment of both institutions to its successful and sustained implementation.
An Acceptance Message was delivered by Dr. Emed F. Manzano, Project Leader from ISPSC, who formally conveyed ISPSC’s acceptance of its roles and responsibilities in the project and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to collaborative implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
The program concluded with the Closing Remarks delivered by Dr. Calixto L. Valera, Focal Person for Entrepreneurship and Product Development Expo, who emphasized the importance of translating project initiatives into tangible instructional innovations, entrepreneurial outputs, and meaningful community impact. A photo opportunity followed, participated in by ASIST and ISPSC delegates, after which fellowship, snacks, and a committee meeting were conducted to further strengthen coordination and implementation planning.
Overall, the Launching of Project SPARK-TLE served not merely as a ceremonial event but as a strategic catalyst for sustainable educational and social development. It established a clear operational framework aligned with the ASIST Strategic Plan, particularly in enhancing academic excellence, research, innovation, and community partnerships, and laid a strong foundation for the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project’s future initiatives.
