Images and Impressions of Jobapalooza '09 — A Call Towards Greater Respect for Filipino Workers (Part 2)

4 May 2009

Jobapalooza '09 was an experience of a lifetime ... at least to me it was.  I have to admit that I find it difficult to organize and present the information and experience that was Jobapalooza. Part of the reason is technical — my scanner has broken down and I have not been able to get a replacement yet.  

There won't be any Jobapalooza '09 without the hundreds of companies and recruitment firms that participated just as there won't be any Jobapalooza '09 without the tens of thousands of jobseekers who have braved the long lines for hours in a desperate search for jobs. 

For whatever assistance it may be to you, here are some of the companies and recruitment firms that participated in Jobapalooza '09 based on the brochures and leaflets that I collected during the event. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement (I'm neither qualified nor do I have sufficient basis to make such an endorsement), only a statement of fact that they were there at Jobapalooza '09: 

It's a bit disorganized,  I'm just presenting them as I go along:

ePERFORMAX (Contact Centers & BPO)

www.eperformax.com

 

This contact information is from their website:

ePERFORMAX Contact Centers (PHILIPPINES) 
Telephone Numbers:
1.888.384.7004
(632)490.2288

Address:  2nd Floor, BPI Buendia Center Senator Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City, Philippines 1200

3rd Floor, JY Square IT Center 1  Salinas Drive  Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines 6000

ePERFORMAX Contact Centers (USA) 
Telephone Numbers:
901.751.4800
1.866-ePERFORMAX (866.373.7367)

Address:
8001 Centerview Parkway, Third Floor
Cordova, Tennessee 38018 

For all other inquiries, please email 
info1008@eperformax.com

(Please do not send employment inquiries to this email address.)

Zamil Group Holding Company

www.isdphilippines.com

This contact information is from their website:

ISD Building, 5439 Curie Street 
Palanan, Makati City, Philippines

Location Map

Telephone Numbers:

(63) 2 551-7452
(63) 2 551-1910
(63) 2 833-1242
(63) 2 550-1523
(63) 2 550-1595
(63) 2 550-1036

Fax Number:

(63) 2 551-9675

Email: isd@isdphilippines.com

Cell Number:  +632 917 8484771

You can communicate with the following ISD Officers through their respective email addresses:

▪ Levi S. de Mesa, President		ldm@isdphilippines.com
▪ Danilo L. Manlapig, Vice President		dlm@isdphilippines.com
▪ Lourdes M. Esporlas, Finance Manager		ludy@isdphilippines.com
▪ Paul Christian B. Urbano, Project Officer		paul@isdphilippines.com
▪ Ely Uganiza, Project Officer		ely@isdphilippines.com
▪ Redentor Alonzo, Project Officer		denny@isdphilippines.com
▪ Levin A. de Mesa, HR Manager		levin@isdphilippines.com

TELUS

www.telusinternational.com.ph

This contact information is from their website:

You won’t find every last bit of information on TELUS International Philippines in this website. Why? Because we believe that there is still no replacement for real dialogue.  If you'd like more information on how TELUS International can do the talking for you and your company, then get in touch with us…

And let’s talk business.

Telephone Number: (63-2)-638-9440
Fax Number: (63-2)-638-9445
 
North American Toll Free Phone Number: 800-306-1586
North American Toll Free Fax Number: 800-275-5727

Email: info@telusinternational.com.ph 

Locations:

31/F Discovery Centre

25 ADB Avenue

Ortigas Center , Pasig City

1605 Philippines

5^th Level - Market! Market!

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

1634 Philippines

Asian Hospital and Medical Center

http://www.asianhospital.com/

This careers contact information is from their website:

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

We are a group of people committed to providing the highest quality of service, care and treatment to our patients, clients, and other health care partners. Through our integrated Competency-Based Human Resources System, we continually assess ourselves and strive to do the best we can at every opportunity.

We believe that each individual is as important as anyone in the organization. We take pride in our people, we recognize and build on our strengths, we respect each other’s differences and we provide an environment where innovation and creativity flourish.

Care to get acquainted? Find out about the outstanding career opportunities here at Asian Hospital and Medical Center and download the Application for Employment Form.

Careers at Asian Hospital and Medical Center Application for Employment Form

For further inquiries, contact us during office hours, Monday to Friday at:

The Human Resources Group
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City,
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Telephone: (63 2) 771-9000 ext. 8421 / 8425 / 8465
Fax: (63 2) 876-5762
e-mail: hr@asianhospital.com

Thank you for your interest in Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

This is a work in progress ... this list will grow longer.   Part 3 will show the other photos I took during the event.

Thank you for bearing with me. 

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Images and Impressions of Jobapalooza '09 — A Call Towards Greater Respect for Filipino Workers

2 May 2009

I spent the better part of yesterday, May 1, Labor Day, at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City to monitor Jobapalooza '09.  I did not expect it to be a long process.  

I arrived at the EDSA station of LRT at 10:30a.m. and from there proceeded by bus and on foot to the SMX Center, venue of Jobapalooza '09.  What happened later is now history. 

A crowd estimated anywhere between 20,000 to 30,000 jobseekers trooped to the event, many of them desperate to find jobs that would sustain themselves and their families. 

The initial bottomline -- it was a BIG SUCCESS in terms of attracting jobseekers and a QUALIFIED SUCCESS in giving jobs on site, reportedly, to several thousand people.  But, it was a DISAPPOINTING FAILURE in terms of treating properly the tens of thousands of people, many of them fresh, young graduates, who lined up literally for hours, their bodies pressed against each other, in front, at the side and at the back of the SMX Center.  

Apologies for this monumental crowd management fiasco should be publicly delivered by people responsible for Jobapalooza '09 and that includes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice President Noli De Castro (who, I understand, was there in place of the President), Labor Secretary Marianito Roque and whoever else was responsible in planning this aspect of the event. Hindi naman siguro napakalalaki ninyong mga tao para hindi humingi kahit kapirasong paumanhin.

I'll start by apologizing to you who may have read about or learned about Jobapalooza here and who may have suffered as a result of confronting those long lines of people. I'm a total outsider to the planning of Jobapalooza '09 but if reading this blog caused you any consternation as a result, I apologize. I hope the next time our government starts planning something of this magnitude again that it will have the sense to invite inputs from people whom they will involve in the event. 

Things like this should never be taken lightly. Hindi lang po matinding gutom, uhaw, pagod, discomfort, hilo, etc. ang naranasan po ng mga kababayan natin.  Pati rin po matinding sama ng loob.  Inis talo po ang tawag doon. Sobrang inis talo!

This report by ABS-CBN lady reporter Niña Corpuz tells a lot about what happened yesterday. The images will remain with us and with the Filipino psyche for a long time and hopefully, will help start transforming our country in a way that has not happened before. Huwag na po tayong pumayag na maulit pa ang mga ganitong eksena:

If you encounter any problem with the above video clip, please click here.

This is the video clip available from gmanews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

The apologies from the people mentioned, if they have any regard for the feelings and sensibilities of the thousands of people who suffered yesterday, would be a signal that this government somehow is still capable of listening. 

But apologies are only a start.  A lot more needs to be done. 

What we need in the Philippines is a new deal for our workers both for those who are employed locally as well as those who are forced to try their fortunes abroad and who send back dollars and other foreign currencies here that keep much of our troubled economy afloat. 

What we need is a program that will create real jobs here so that people do not have to go abroad. Cut down on corruption so that money lost can be funneled into programs that improve the quality of the lives of our people. 

What we need, for a start, is a workers' summit wherein the small workers and not just the big labor leaders can freely express their views that would ultimately be woven into better policies that give greater protection to our longsuffering labor sector. Workerspalooza anyone?!

I'm saying this on hindsight but those who should listen should listen because a lot of people expected much from all the hype that preceded the event. Our countrymen, especially our poor workers, deserve better treatment!

The terribly long lines, several people deep at places, and sustained for hours with little movement could have been avoided if a NUMBERING SCHEME had been adopted. If the jobseekers were given numbers on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis, they did not have to stay rigidly in line and be subjected to its trauma and its indignity. They could have broken off from those long lines with enough confidence to know that when they came back, they have a place that is secured by the number that's been assigned to them. (I'll try discuss these in more detail later.)

This is definitely a work in progress.  More when I return.

Thank you for bearing with me.

Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pinoy!

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I Hope It's True — They're Saying 200,000 Jobs are Available at Jobapalooza '09!

29 April 2009

"Employers who are participating have promised to hire three workers on the spot," that's what DOLE Undersecretary, Minda Padilla, said during a press conference on Jobapalooza earlier today.

About "200,000 jobs from about 1,000 participating employers and recruiters," await job applicants according to the DOLE.

Jobapalooza '09 is on Labor Day, May 1, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.  The main Labor Day program will start at 9:00 a.m at the SMX Hall and will be preceded by a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m.

The day's celebration will be capped by the Jobapalooza '09 Concert featuring Gary Valenciano and Rivermaya.

Here's the video clip from gmanews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Please note that there will be other Jobapalooza '09 events all over the country running simultaneously with the main Metro Manila celebration. Here's the full announcement from the DOLE:

In celebration of Labor Day: More than 20,000 jobseekers register for JOBapalooza '09

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

More and more new graduates and jobseekers are riding on the wave of opportunity by registering with the country's biggest jobs fair dubbed "Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! JOBapalooza '09" Labor Day approaches, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today reported.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said that based on the latest DOLE preliminary report, more than 20,603 jobseekers have already registered for JOBapalooza '09, which shall be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City on May 1, 2009.

More than 1,000 local firms and overseas recruiters would offer more than 250,000 productive job opportunities to new graduates and jobseekers.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m., the main Labor Day program will commence at 9:00 a.m. at the SMX Hall, followed by the launching of the DOLE Hotline and the reading of Labor Day Manifesto, and the awarding of livelihood and training certificates/vouchers to disadvantaged sectors and workers under various DOLE and government thrusts (WIN AP, DOLE-AMP, Phil-Health, Ye-Ye, PGS, and OWWA).

Simultaneously, a Livelihood Display and Sale, complemented by entrepreneurship slideshows, training/livelihood seminars, and medical missions, will proceed in the area from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will be capped by the launch of Hatid Saya (Alay sa Manggagawang Pinoy sa Ibayong Dagat) courtesy of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Trade Unions concert, a spectacular fireworks display in honor of the Filipino worker, and finally, the JOBapalooza '09 Concert dubbed "Alay sa Manggagawang Pilipino" featuring Gary Valenciano and Rivermaya.

Roque said that JOBapalooza '09 is a collective offering of the Philippine Labor Movement comprising the country's labor federations and the country's Three Plus (3+) Social Partners (which include management, government and other sectors). He cited the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization (PTGWO), All Workers Alliance Trade Union (AWATU), Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS), Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW), Philippine Organization of Labor Unions (POLU), and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), for presenting the Labor Day jobs fair in partnership with major sponsors Globe, Banco de Oro (BDO), SM Shoemart, PHIL-JobNet (www.phil-job.net), JobStreet.com, STI, Philippine Online Chronicles (POC), the City Government of Manila, and the City Government of Pasay City, as well as the DOLE's National Capital Region (NCR) Office, which is supervising the event.

As this developed, the DOLE's Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) continues to encourage new graduates and jobseekers to avail of the available opportunities by registering for the JOBapalooza '09 using the Internet links at http://www.phil-job.net, or the DOLE's website at http://www.dole.gov.ph. Walk-in applicants are also welcome at the SMX on the Labor Day itself.

Roque emphasized that on top of the main"Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! JOBapalooza '09," more job/livelihood fairs will highlight the nationwide Labor Day celebrations in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas under the supervision of the DOLE Regional Offices (ROs), at the following tentative venues on May 1, 2009: Region I (Ilocos Region) - SM Rosales, Pangasinan; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - Baguio Convention Center/SM Baguio Job Fair; Region II (Cagayan Valley) - Paseo Real, Tuguegarao City (job/trade/livelihood fair) and Faustino L. Dy Gymnasium, Cauayan City (registration of professionals); Region III (Central Luzon) -- Pampanga (SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, SM City Baliuag, and SM City Marilao); Region IV-A (CALABARZON) - SM Sta. Rosa (livelihood fair); Region V (Bicol Region) - SM Naga City; Region VI (Western Visayas) - Robinson's Place, and Gaisano City, both in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Region VII (Central Visayas) - Cebu City Sports Complex (overseas fair), SM City Cebu Jobs Fair, Provincial Capitol (local fair); Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) - ZC Golden Boys Grille, Nunez Extension, Zamboanga City; Region X (Northern Mindanao) - SM Cagayan de Oro City; Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) - Kidapawan City Gymnasium, South Seas Complex, and KCC Mall of General Santos City; and CARAGA Region - Luciano Convention Center, GP Rosales St., Butuan City. 

source: Information and Publication Service

More when I return. 

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Job Openings Posted sa Jobs Board ng Bayan

26 April 2009

Jobapalooza '09 is still a few days away.  While waiting for it, the Jobs Board ng Bayan appears to be a good source of leads for job openings. I've mentioned them before in passing in this blog. 

Their home page lists a number of active job openings. The job openings are posted by position, industry, date of posting, company and province. 

To give you an idea, this is a screenshot of their job postings by position listing jobs for junior merchandiser, pharmacist, product representative, store supervisor, account manager, accountant, accounting staff, civil engineer, etc.:

If you click at a particular company that has posted jobs openings in the site, it will show you the jobs listings that are current and those that have already expired:

 

This kind of organized, logical presentation helps jobseekers by informing them of the positions that are most probably still open and it also gives them an idea of the various positions that in the future a particular company may need applicants for.  

The Jobs Board ng Bayan website is here. I really hope you'll find something there that could help you land a job you'll be happy with.  I'll appreciate if you can tell me about your experience with their site and their services. You can either post a comment here or email me at rollyocampo@yahoo.com.

It's a difficult world out there and I wish all of you God's best!

 

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Jobapalooza '09 Mobile Caravan - The Biggest Job Fair in the Philippines (Mid-April Update)

14 April 2009

Here's an update from the DOLE website on Jobapalooza '09.  

They are bringing the online registration of jobseekers to the barangay level through the Jobapalooza '09 Mobile Caravan. The caravan which is a joint project of the DOLE, STI and the Manila City government was launched yesterday, April 13, at the Freedom Hall, Manila City Hall. 

The online registration for Jobapalooza and Jobstreet.com is intended to facilitate the selection of qualified jobseekers, sort of a pre-screening process. Those who qualify for interview will receive emails from the prospective employers.  

The rest of the mobile caravan schedule follows: 

• April 15 - Villamor, Pasay (am); Mabulay, Pasay (pm). 
  
• April 18 - Patricia Sports Complex, District 2 (am); Don Bosco Technical School, Tondo, District 1 (pm). 
  
• April 22 - Rasac, Alvarez St. cor. Avenida, Rizal Ave., District 4, Manila (am); Pasay City Hall (pm). 
  
• April 23 - Caloocan City Hall (am); Malabon City Hall (pm). 
  
• April 24 Quadrangle of Muntinlupa City Hall (am-pm); DOLE Regional Office, Cagayan De Oro City (am-pm). 
  
• April 27 - Baguio (am-pm). 
  
• April 29 - Dapitan Sports Complex, Instruction St. District 4, Manila (am); Theresa Sports Complex, Theresa St., Old Sta. Mesa, Manila District 6, Manila (pm).

Please read the full story below:

Jobapalooza Mobile Caravan to bring free online jobseeker registration at barangay level

Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in collaboration with STI College and the Manila City government will launch on Monday, April 13, the Jobapalooza Mobile Caravan to bring to the barangay level the online registration of graduates and jobseekers and consequently help employers find needed skills during the biggest and simultaneous nationwide Jobapalooza Job Fair on Labor Day.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said STI would bring the Jobapalooza Mobile Caravan equipped with Internet-ready computers to various barangays in Metro Manila to help jobseekers register online with the Labor Day Jabapalooza where participating employers would look for workers who meet their requirements. The caravan will also be brought to Baguio City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Roque said the STI Jobapalooza Mobile Caravan would start the online registration of jobseekers during the April 13 launching at the Freedom Hall, City Hall of Manila. The online registration will be continued in the afternoon at San Andres Sports Complex, San Andres, Manila.

The rest of the Jobapalooza-STI Mobile Caravan schedule is as follows:

April 15 - Villamor, Pasay (am); Mabulay, Pasay (pm). April 18 - Patricia Sports Complex, District 2 (am); Don Bosco Technical School, Tondo, District 1 (pm). April 22 - Rasac, Alvarez St. cor. Avenida, Rizal Ave., District 4, Manila (am); Pasay City Hall (pm). April 23 - Caloocan City Hall (am); Malabon City Hall (pm). April 24 Quadrangle of Muntinlupa City Hall (am-pm); DOLE Regional Office, Cagayan De Oro City (am-pm). April 27 - Baguio (am-pm). April 29 - Dapitan Sports Complex, Instruction St. District 4, Manila (am); Theresa Sports Complex, Theresa St., Old Sta. Mesa, Manila District 6, Manila (pm).

The DOLE Chief hailed STI for exercising its corporate social responsibility by providing free services that would help employers and workers find skills and jobs.

"STI is bringing to the grassroots services that facilitate matching of skills and jobs and thus, the employment and economic upliftment of needy workers," Roque said as he urged other firms and organizations to complement such efforts to help workers cope with the global economic crisis which is necessary in the country's survival and recovery from the crisis.

He said STI stewards would assist jobseekers in registering with Jabapalooza online. Afterwards, the jobseekers will be linked to fill up registration forms at Jobstreet.com. Jobseeker credentials will then be sent to participating employers who will in turn email those who are qualified for interview.

Roque also said that upon registration with the STI Mobile Caravan, jobseekers would get an emailed ticket to the Jabapalooza Job Fair and concert, which would be held at SM Mall of Asia on May 1.

He said the concert dubbed "Alay sa Manggagawang Pilipino," will culminate the May 1 Jabapalooza Job Fair with trade union bands and the country's top bands and artists paying tribute to all Filipino working men and women here and abroad.

The Jabapalooza Job Fair will also be held in other regions of the country on May 1. Jobseekers who could not register with the mobile caravan may register with Jobapalooza by logging on to http://phil-job.net.

Those who are qualified would receive final instructions on their application during the May 1 Jobapalooza Job Fair in their respective regions.

Source: Information and Publication Service

Jobseekers who won't be able to catch up the mobile caravan may log on to http://phil-job.net. 

You might also find something useful at http://www.jobopenings.ph, Ang Jobs Board ng Bayan.

May you find the best jobs out there!

30 April 2009 Update:

Please see the latest Jobapalooza '09 post, I Hope It's True — They're Saying 200,000 Jobs in Jobapalooza '09.

2 May 2009 Update:

Please see an assessment of Jobapalooza '09, Images and Impressions of Jobapalooza '09 — A Call Towards Greater Respect for Filipino Workers
.

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Jobapalooza '09, The Biggest Job Fair in the Philippines

28 March 2009

The following news item is taken from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) website.  The article is entitled "Labor unions to spearhead Labor Day Jobapalooza '09. "  Jobapalooza '09 is billed  as the biggest simultaneous job fairs event in the country. It brings the promise of local and overseas jobs across the country for those who will be fortunate enough to find favor with participating employers and recruitment agencies.   

To hasten assistance to workers affected by the global crisis, the country's largest labor unions will lead the conduct of the biggest simultaneous job fairs in all regions nationwide on May 1, 2009, Labor Day, in collaboration with the government and the private sector, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said the social partners have recognized the need for collective action and mutual collaboration in mitigating the effects of the global crisis on the workers and the economy, adding they agreed to lend a hand in helping workers particularly the displaced as well as new graduates find jobs locally and overseas through the conduct of job fairs all over the country.

Roque said the trade unions and labor groups unanimously approved to celebrate Labor Day with the conduct of what would be considered, so far, the biggest job fair dubbed "Labor Day Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! Jobapalooza 09," which will be held simultaneously in 16 regions on May 1 in collaboration with sponsoring firms, employers, recruitment agencies, local government units, Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), and the DOLE and other government agencies.

He said that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would launch the main celebration on May 1 at the SMX Convention Hall at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City. The DOLE with the social partners in other regions would also spearhead a similar event in their areas of jurisdiction.

The DOLE Chief also said that about 1,000 employers and recruitment agencies nationwide would participate in the Labor Day Jobapalooza to offer hundreds of thousands of local and overseas jobs to workers particularly the displaced and new graduates.

He said that even as the economy continues to exhibit resiliency, efforts are needed to facilitate the employment of workers through job fairs to diminish the crisis' impact on the people.

Roque hailed the organized sector and the sponsoring firms for cooperating with the DOLE in planning for the conduct of the Labor Day Jobalooza on May 1 as part of the national efforts to promote employment and, thus, mitigate the effects of the global crisis on the workers and the economy as a whole.

Apart from the job fair, there will also be skills demonstration, livelihood products display and sales, and distribution of training and scholarship certificates. To cap the night, an "Alay sa Manggagawang Pilipino" concert featuring the country's top bands will pay tribute to the country's working men and women at the MOA grounds near the SMX.

The participating trade unions are the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Associated Labor Union, Philippine Transport General Workers Organization, All Workers Alliance Trade Union, Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services, Alliance of Filipino Workers, Philippine Organization of Labor Unions, and the National Association of Trade Union.

The sponsoring partners are Globe Telecom, Banco De Oro, SM, Jobstreet,com, STI, Philippine Online Chronicles, and the City Government of Manila.

I'm just a little curious as to how large or how small a percentage of those who attend these job fairs actually land jobs.  Those who have had experience with these job fairs are most welcome to send in their comments and share their experiences.

30 April 2009 Update:

Please see the latest Jobapalooza '09 post, I Hope It's True — They're Saying 200,000 Jobs in Jobapalooza '09.

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