It is now 20 years since the Filipino through a "People Power revolution" got united towards the common goal of freeing himself from the bondage of dictatorship and socio-political oppression.

As part of my own commemoration, I have been participating in discussions particularly on the PCIJ blog by submitting some comments.

I wish to share my insights on EDSA: 20 Years After by reposting the comments that I've  submitted.

From Edsa 20/20: Jim Paredes:

blackboard said,

February 13, 2006 @ 11:43 am

There is no such thing as taking a vacation from being a Filipino. We can deny our identity but we can never give it up. A true Filipino never will- inspite of all the miseries. Its all we got- being Filipino. Have we tried everything to effect change? I guess not. What we have regressed to is constant bickering and one-upmanship. Let us try being united with a common goal for Philippines for a change. We have attempted that at EDSA 20 years ago, we just didn’t sustain it.

From Edsa 20/20: Carmen Deunida, a.k.a. Nanay Mameng:

blackboard said,

February 13, 2006 @ 11:33 am

To me, calling the EDSA revolution as EDSA 1 or EDSA revolution is a misnomer. It was never the place, it was the people that made it as it was. It was not the politicians or the military- it was the PEOPLE. Like a movie with sequels, the other EDSAs that followed never measured to the first. The first was out of a need to topple a dictatorship and rise from political and social oppression, the next EDSAs were just a result of political shrewedness, adventurism and opportunism with the people as unwitting participants. And we wonder why EDSA has lost its mystique and potency? We have tainted its spirit. We eventually gave up or are giving up to the “system”. EDSA was about people empowerment and we empowered the wrong people. It is not late to reap the lessons of People Power (sadly after 20 years)- we as a nation can make Philippines better- TOGETHER! Without ulterior motives, without selfish desires. Enough with too much politicism that have gnawed our moral and national fiber. Not because we WANT to make this country better, but because we NEED it.

I would like to share this lecture to everyone. May we learn something from the "great old man", the founder of the University of Pangasinan, Dr. Blas F. Rayos, Sr.

… Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning!

At this moment, I am a little passionate for obvious reasons: 1. I am emotionally excited with the 81st Foundation Anniversary of our university in whose campus during my college years (1954-1964) my life was tended to educational pursuit and guided towards what I am today; and 2. The great man, Dr. Blas F. Rayos, Sr.- founder of this university- is not physically present anymore to tune in for inspiration in doing our obtaining tasks in the campus to enhance the university standard and improve students’ performance. May his wisdom continue to shine in the campus, in the offices, in the classrooms, and in every mind as it was in his time.

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The University of Pangasinan celebrated its 81st Foundation Anniversary last February 6-10, 2006. The theme of the said celebration was: “Revisiting the University of Pangasinan at 81: Towards Building a Community Within”. The university being the oldest private university in Region I and with its illustrious tradition of excellence, has touched a lot of lives- people who in one way or the other, have contributed to nation building especially in province of Pangasinan. It is but fitting that on the said occasion a write-up on the founder is penned.

Dr. Blas F. Rayos was born of a farmer-fisher folk in a barrio of Lingayen, Pangasinan on February 3, 1895. As a grade school pupil, he had to study his lessons on the back of his father’s carabao; which he has to take to the pasture after school hours. While he had struggle to overcome poverty, he consistently finished his courses, from the primary grades to the university, at the top of his classes.

From grade school up to university, he was a working student, He obtained three degrees from the University of the Philippines: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Master of Arts in Education. He obtained his Doctor of Education degree at the University of Manila where he was the dean of the College of Education.

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Love.

It is what Valentine's Day should be about. But I guess that is not the problem. What confounds it most is the multitude of definitions and perceptions we have about the four-letter word.

Among the abstract concepts, love probably has the most meanings (or attempts to give meaning to it) and the most translations in different languages. It is intrinsic in all cultures, it is a defining trait of humanity- it is what makes us human.
Its meaning is lost not in the translation, but in its usage and its misuse and abuse. We further muddled it by equating it with a lot of things- sex, want, money (love could even mean mahal i.e. expensive), pleasure, gifts and material things, among others.

Without being preachy about it, Pope Benedict XVI placed love in its proper context in his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est.
Lest we allow ourselves to be eaten by the commercialism of Valentine's Day, be reminded that it is about love. It is not about queuing at the motel, dining at the most expensive resto or a bunch of Holland tulips or wearing someting red or giving a card. It is not just for couples or romantic fools. Or just for the young.

Valentine's could be for a child giving his parents a card with an asymmetrical heart (it doesn't even have to be red), a septuagenarian couple enjoying an early morning walk (still holding hands after all the years and despite the Alzheimers), a group of friends celebrating their single-blessedness, patriots uncessantly fighting for this beloved country or a single person preferring to enjoy his being "alone" in self-reflection or as a respite from the rigors of life and its idiosyncrasies.
Because love is for everyone. And expressed in a gazillion ways. Hey, it doesn't even have to be Valentine's Day to celebrate or show love.

Loving and being loved is for everyday.

The Call Center Industry

The call center industry has been dubbed as the country's latest sunshine industry.

In an article entitled “Call Centers To Generate More Jobs” (Tuesday, January 10, 2006), Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas exclaims that she sees bright prospects in employment in 2006 with the call center industry expected to expand and generate more jobs for the Filipino workers.

Farmout Central Intouch Inc.

At the forefront of this growing industry north of Manila, is Pangasinan-based Farmout Central Intouch Inc.

Incidentally, Farmout Central Intouch Inc, a call center in Pangasinan, is looking to hire at least 25 agents for a daytime campaign from 6:30am -5:00pm Mondays to Fridays.

The company prefers applicants who are at least in the college level, with pleasing personality, and with an above average command of both written and oral English. Interested parties are asked to call 515-8750 up to 52 and look for Arlene to set up your interview appointment. Applicants are advised to bring their resumes to the interview.

Qualities of a Call Center Agent

I believe that interested applicants will have a distinct advantage if they possess the specialized skills of a good call center agent as posted in the Labor Market Intelligence Report Issue No.16 of the TESDA. The required competencies are as follows:
* Demonstrable customer care orientation;
* Good communication and listening skills;
* Proficient in English, working knowledge of other languages would be an advantage;
* Must be computer literate particularly in Word processing and use of internet applications.

English proficiency
I know that English proficiency is very important in such line of work or industry, as the call center agents will be exposed to English speaking international clients (whether or not they are accent-neutral). Click to test your English proficiency.
There are a lot of online tips, handouts and exercises on grammar, spelling, and punctuation that may accessed through the use of Google search.

Fast and Accurate Typing Skill
Applicants should have a typing skill with 90% accuracy and typing speed of at least 35 words per minute.

Take the FREE Typing Test and measure your Typing speed and accuracy!

Listening Comprehension

Good listening comprehension skills is not just an advantage, it is a must! Take the English Listening Comprehension Quiz

To all the applicants: Good luck!