"Okay lang nga agmaymaysa nak nga lalaki... isu gamin ti hilig ko" — Dulatre stitches his dream as the only man in PSWDO-Kalinga sewing training

FEATURE

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — As sewing machines hummed in unison and pieces of cloth slowly took shape into finished creations, one trainee quietly challenged a stereotype that has existed for generations.

He was the only man in the room.

Surrounded by five women during the 15-day Basic Sewing Training conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Kalinga, Esmeraldo G. Dulatre never saw himself as different. He simply saw himself as someone pursuing a passion that had been woven into his life since childhood.

"Okay lang nga agmaymaysa nak nga lalaki, isu gamin ti hilig ko."

("It's okay that I'm the only male because this is what I love.")

For Dulatre, those words were never about courage—they were simply the truth.

A childhood stitched with inspiration

A resident of Dagupan Weste, Tabuk City, Dulatre's love for sewing began at home while watching his mother patiently work behind their old sewing machine.

As a young boy, he watched with amazement as plain pieces of fabric were transformed into clothes and useful items through skill, patience, and creativity. Fascinated by the craft, he would sometimes sneak behind the machine to try it himself.

"Nabuybuyak idi ken inang ko, tapos sublatek idi jay makina mi," he recalled.

Those childhood moments planted a dream that never faded.

Years later, when he learned that the PSWDO was offering a free Basic Sewing Training, he immediately enrolled—not because he wanted to prove that men could sew, but because he wanted to become better at something he genuinely loved.

Breaking stereotypes one stitch at a time

Throughout the 15-day training, Dulatre learned the fundamentals of sewing—from proper machine operation and fabric preparation to measuring, cutting, and producing finished garments with precision.

Being the only male participant never intimidated him.

Instead, it strengthened his belief that skills should never be defined by gender.

In a society where sewing is often viewed as women's work, Dulatre quietly challenged that perception—not through speeches or campaigns, but through dedication, consistency, and a willingness to learn.

His story reminds people that talent has no gender and that passion should never be limited by outdated expectations.

Sewing a better future

For Dulatre, sewing is more than a hobby.

It is a practical skill that can help support his family and create new livelihood opportunities.

Every stitch represents another step toward self-reliance, another chance to earn an honest living, and another reminder that learning is never wasted.

His journey also carries a message for other men who may hesitate to pursue skills traditionally associated with women.

"Kadagijay lalaki nga kasla kanyak, padasen yu ti maki-training iti panagdait ta napintas ag lalo kadagiti ubbing pay. Mayat daytoy nga trabaho," he said.

("To men like me, don't be afraid to join sewing training. It's a good skill to learn, especially for the younger generation. This is good work.")

More than the only man in the room

Among the six graduates recognized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Dulatre may have been remembered as the lone male trainee.

But that is not what defines his story.

His story is about choosing passion over prejudice.

It is about believing that no dream should be abandoned because of society's expectations.

It is about honoring the lessons passed down by a mother whose simple act of sewing inspired a son to discover his own purpose.

As the six graduates received their certificates, Dulatre carried home more than proof of completing a training course.

He carried home a skill that can change lives, a dream strengthened by perseverance, and a story that reminds every aspiring learner that opportunities belong to those willing to pursue them.

With every stitch he makes, Esmeraldo G. Dulatre continues to weave not only fabric, but also a powerful message: there is no such thing as work for men or work for women—only work done with passion, dignity, and purpose.