From Piece to Masterpiece: How Dreams Were Welded into Reality
by: Judy Ann Telmo
“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
— Joshua J. Marine
At just 27 years old, Kyle Lynard Prava Tayag has transformed from a young man with limited means into a welding engineer with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), proudly serving under the 542nd Engineering Battalion with the rank of Private First Class. His journey is more than just a success story—it is a powerful reminder of what determination, opportunity, and sheer willpower can achieve.
Born in Brgy. Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Kyle is the fourth of eight children in a household that knew hardship intimately. The Tayag family were beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)—a social safety net that provided them with some stability amid economic challenges. His mother, Jonalyn Prava Tayag, was more than just a parent; she was also a 4Ps Parent Leader, actively engaging in community development and advocating for the welfare of families like hers.
Kyle graduated from high school in 2015, and while many of his peers may have had a clear path forward, his own journey was filled with uncertainty. He wanted to pursue a meaningful career but lacked the qualifications to take the next step. It was Sir Gerald C. Melmida, a dedicated Implementing Project Development Officer II, who recognized Kyle’s potential and encouraged him to apply to the AFP. However, Kyle quickly realized he lacked a key requirement: a technical training certificate.
That’s when the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD-SLP) became a turning point in his life. As a 4Ps beneficiary, Kyle was selected to receive fully-funded technical training in welding. It was a chance he did not take for granted.
Kyle enrolled in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC I and later SMAW NC II at VMA Global College and Training Centers, Inc. in Bacolod City.
SMAW NC I: August 15, 2016 – September 30, 2016 (Funded by SLP REG GAA 2016)
SMAW NC II: August 14, 2017 – September 28, 2017
DSWD-SLP covered all major expenses, including tuition fees totaling nearly PHP 40,000, accommodation, travel costs, and allowances. Kyle only had to shoulder his food expenses. This support empowered him to complete the training and obtain his national certifications—keys that would open the doors to a better life.
With these certifications, Kyle secured his first job as a welder at Triumph Company in Bacolod City, where he earned PHP 350–400 per day. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest, skilled work—and it gave him confidence. No longer just a dreamer, he was now a provider, equipped with real skills and a clear direction.
And then, on June 1, 2019, Kyle’s most important goal became a reality: he officially joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines. No longer held back by a lack of credentials, he entered the military not only as a soldier, but as a Welding Engineer—a title that symbolized just how far he had come.
A Brother, A Provider, A Pillar
But Kyle’s journey didn’t stop with personal achievement. He became the backbone of his family, stepping up to take on responsibilities that many his age might shy away from. According to his mother, Kyle now supports two of his siblings currently in college:
One sister, a pep squad scholar at La Salle University, receives PHP 10,000 annually from Kyle for enrollment, along with a PHP 8,000 monthly allowance to cover housing and daily expenses.
Another sibling is pursuing Electrical Engineering at Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan. Kyle regularly sends financial support to help sustain this sibling’s educational journey as well.
Beyond financial support, he also helps his other siblings secure jobs, teaching them how to navigate the working world. As his mother emotionally shared:
“Proud gid ko kay Kyle, kay ka-responsible na sa iya klase nga bata.” (I am very proud of Kyle because he is such a responsible child.)
“Siya ang nag-shoulder sang obligasyon nga kami nga ginikanan ang dapat nga responsable sina.” (He has taken on responsibilities that we, as parents, should have fulfilled.)
Kyle’s success is no longer just his own—it has become the foundation on which his entire family is being lifted.
Building a Better Tomorrow
Through his stable income in the AFP, Kyle began investing in the future. He purchased two motorcycles: a Raider worth PHP 90,000 and a Honda Click 125 worth PHP 75,000. These were not luxuries—they were assets, earned through discipline and hard work.
He also bought several household appliances, including a television and two refrigerators, and is currently funding the construction of their family home, an ongoing project worth approximately PHP 350,000.
Kyle even ventured into entrepreneurship. He set up a piso net café with eight computer units, investing PHP 10,000 and incurring monthly costs of nearly PHP 8,000. The café thrived briefly, earning PHP 12,000 per month, until Typhoon Odette devastated the business. Still, Kyle remains undeterred, calling the experience a valuable lesson in resilience and planning.
Gratitude and Groundedness
“Dako gid nga bulig nga maka-graduate nga libre ang allowance sa sulod sang 45 days nga training.”
(It was a huge help to graduate with a free allowance during the 45-day training.)
“Pagka-recommend, gin-grab ko dayon kag gin-push ang oportunidad para ma-pursue ang pag-apply ko sa AFP.” (When it was recommended, I immediately grabbed and pursued the opportunity to apply to the AFP.)
Kyle expresses profound gratitude for the DSWD-SLP. The opportunity was more than financial aid—it was a chance to break the cycle of poverty. It allowed him to dream big, pursue a dignified career, and become a source of strength for his entire family.
His journey illustrates the power of government support paired with individual determination. He took a chance, worked relentlessly, and transformed each challenge into an opportunity.
A Life Reforged
Kyle Lynard Prava Tayag’s life is a masterpiece forged from the pieces of hardship, sacrifice, and vision. He stands not only as a Welding Engineer but as a symbol of what the human spirit can achieve when given the right tools and support. From a child of poverty in a rural barangay to a respected soldier, engineer, and provider, Kyle’s story reminds us that:
Dreams don’t die in hard times—they’re forged there.
Through programs like DSWD-SLP, and through his own unwavering spirit, Kyle has welded his dreams into reality—one spark, one weld, one opportunity at a time.
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