LINEMEN of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) in Lezo, Aklan earned the praise of netizens after a video of their 20-minute dance performance atop electrical poles went viral.
Lawyer Ariel Gepty, acting general manager of Akelco, said this year's culminating activity for Akelco's Basic Lineman Course highlights the presentation of the 30 new linemen. He said they had trained day and night for 36 consecutive days.
"On the first day of their intensive training on the Basic Lineman Course, there were supposed to be 35 of them, but only 30 of them survived and will be immediately deployed by Akelco," Gepty said during the culmination activity Tuesday afternoon, August 2, 2022.
The viral video taken by Litratista De Akean has generated 205 shares and 464 reactions on Facebook, as of Thursday afternoon.
During their 20-minute presentation, the linemen first presented a lively dance performance atop moving electrical poles.
In the middle of their presentation, they sang the "Lineman Song," which emphasizes the hardships they experience as linemen.
Jharell Tolentino, one of the linemen who graduated, said they usually sleep at 11 p.m. and wake up at 2 a.m.as part of their endurance and reliability training.
"Many of us wanted to quit, but our trainors advised us to endure because we will soon reach our finish line. At the start of the training, I was given a penalty of 50 pushups for being late. We have created the motto, 'we fail, we fall, but we must still climb the pole," he said.
Arthene Mirano, the class valedictorian, said on the first day of their training, their trainers, despite the intensive training, always find ways to cheer them on and boost their morale.
The newly recruited linemen will serve Akelco not only on a day-to-day basis but also during disasters such as typhoons and fire incidents.
Lezo Mayor Mary Lenette Fernandez, for her part, said many residents are quick to complain when unexpected brownouts strike but are not wary of the hazards faced by linemen.
Just last week, Aklanon lineman Eruel Cuadrante, 36, died in the line of duty while fixing faulty electrical wirings in Barangay Tinaytayan, Dumarao, Capiz. (SunStar Philippines)