Isuzu Heart and Smile Project Celebrates 25th Graduating Batch, Marks 18 Years of Changing Lives

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), together with Isuzu Motors Limited (IML), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and World Vision, celebrated the graduation of the 25th batch of scholars under the Isuzu Heart and Smile Project (IHSP), marking 18 years of empowering underprivileged Filipino youth through quality automotive education and technical skills training. Since its establishment in 2008, the program has become one of the country’s longest-running full-scholarship automotive training initiatives, providing deserving students with opportunities to build rewarding careers in the automotive industry while uplifting their families and communities.

The latest batch successfully completed the two-year Automotive Servicing Course at the Isuzu–TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center in Tacloban, Leyte, earning the prestigious National Certificate (NC) IV—the highest certification awarded by TESDA for the program. Through the partnership among IML, IPC, TESDA, and World Vision, scholars receive full scholarships, technical instruction, values formation, and practical industry training, equipping them with the knowledge, discipline, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in today’s competitive automotive sector. To date, the program has produced 473 graduates across 25 batches, many of whom have established successful careers in Isuzu dealerships, automotive service centers, manufacturing companies, overseas industries, and even their own businesses.

During the graduation ceremony, IPC President Mikio Tsukui congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to carry forward the values they had developed throughout their training. He expressed confidence that the technical skills, professionalism, and discipline they acquired over the past two years would enable them to meet—and even exceed—the expectations of their future employers. Tsukui also emphasized that the program’s success is measured not only by the number of graduates it produces but by the lives it transforms, the families it supports, and the positive impact it creates within communities across the country.

The celebration also welcomed the incoming Batch 29, composed of 18 new scholars who will undergo training until 2028, ensuring the continuity of the program’s mission to develop future Filipino automotive professionals. Current students showcased their technical expertise through live skills demonstrations, while outstanding graduates were recognized for their achievements. As the Isuzu Heart and Smile Project commemorates nearly two decades of service, Isuzu Motors Limited, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, TESDA, and World Vision reaffirm their shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities and developing globally competitive Filipino technicians through sustained industry-academe collaboration.

The Isuzu Heart and Smile Project continues to demonstrate how long-term partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions can create lasting opportunities for Filipino youth. By combining technical excellence with character development and industry exposure, the program not only prepares scholars for meaningful employment but also contributes to building a highly skilled workforce that supports the continued growth of the Philippine automotive industry.