Why Applicants Fail to Get the Right Job

Philippines  is one of the largest sources of overseas workers; while we take pride in the number of dollars sent from their remittances, a number of Filipino families  take a sad flight to have their families work abroad. With very promising compensation and migration opportunities, OFWs take the risk and so are the millions of graduates.

However, earning a diploma  is not at all a guarantee to earning the best  job. In fact, call center agencies only hire 10% from the 100 applicants simply because they lack or don’t have the right skills to get the job.

We can partly blame our education systems because their curricula don’t strictly enforce quality education and that their skills don’t match the industry’s needs.

Government agencies who manage HEI’s must  assess closely how colleges and universities  manage their academic programs and how their graduates fare in employment. The economic recession only aggravates unemployment rates.

It is no question that a good number of students would rather drop from school and work. But, can diploma really earn a job? Indeed, it can, but,  students who don’t have access to good schools make this a challenge. Thus, online colleges become more handy and practical. Programs cover  finance, secondary education, management and others. However, make sure that they these online colleges are legitimate and accredited by regional and/or state accrediting entities and member of non - traditional education communities.

Gone are the days when learning is within four walls of a classroom, and with this boundless possibility for online education, earning the right skills and legitimate degree becomes a hard – core reality and armor to getting the right job.

With academic skills along with other soft skills, applicants can have better edge compared to their counterparts.

When Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Unites Every Filipino

Last November 14, 2010, the entire Philippines along with boxing fanatics worldwide cheered as Pacman had shown another best fights in the boxing history as Pacman conquered the Mexican tornado, Margarito for Super Welter belt championship.

And as expected, the roads were clear and almost mute while most Filipinos tuned to pay-per-view or local viewing of Las Vegas - hailed fight.

In fact, only Pacman's fight becomes a neutral ground for every Filipino; crime rates decline, political and social bickering stop.

While we wish that Pacman can fight every day, I can only hope that the efforts of Pacman to unite his countrymen can indeed go deep seated otherwise all his efforts simply come and go.

Why Filipinos Celebrate Early Christmas Holidays

Whenever September kicks in, most of the  Filipino communities start to put in Christmas decorations, and you bet that Christmas songs are on the air. Needless to say, Filipinos have four (4) months to prepare, enjoy and celebrate the holidays. We start buying gifts for our godsons ad goddaughters, write  holiday cards  and book family reunions among others.

Filipinos are known for happy and jovial moods and whenever there are occasions, holidays or otherwise, it is only natural that Filipino families and friends bond together for celebration. I guess, it is by this culture that the entire year of the Philippine calendar is packed with endless government and religious holidays that most Filipinos are happy about. We always have a reason or two to celebrate, may it be baptism, weddings, birthdays or simply passing  through exams.

While this culture seems to be harmless, it can be quite disastrous since it encourages people to work hard to spend more and the vicious cycle continues that most Filipino families are really scarce of savings or retirement fund. Further, it also enforces passive attitude towards work since holidays fill most of the working days.

But, this culture can be quite an overstatement, it defines and enlivens us. In fact, as early as now, we are anticipating loved ones and friends coming home for family reunions.

I simply love being Filipino but best of all, I love Christmas more.

The Struggling Plight of Teachers

Today, I quite feel awful. As a teacher for a decade, I had several happiest and worst experiences ever with students, co-teachers, administrators and parents. I am quite passionate with my profession that I normally extend my services to them even beyond what is required.

But, what actually discourages me is to see students failed from my classes. I pity them but I pity their parents more. Now, that grades are soon to be due and that graduating students' grades are computed earlier, I had a bad news to tell my graduating student, she failed and will be missing her graduation this March.

She cried and pleaded all right but I could not give in since my class records show that she doesn't deserve a passing remark. She is quite persistent that she saw me twice this day and keeps on texting me. I am really pissed off when she requested for special projects or exams to make up.

Students and parents must indeed understand that grades are earned. Teachers are only there to make sure that learning is assured and properly monitored. But, if students choose to least prioritize their studies, I don't think, teachers on their right mind will make up grades just to make them make through. I help students who help themselves. But, I guess values are subjective to some individuals. How far will parents and students go just to change their grades?

I am no idealist but I just want to teach values of integrity and dignity as much as I want to impart lessons. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! I only hope people will share this plea. Most likely, Philippines and our leaders and even corrupt and corrupting families and individuals will least likely exist.