In Demand Jobs Abroad for Filipinos

Aside from health workers (nurses, x-ray technicians, med tech, etc.), here are the other in-demand jobs abroad for Filipinos:

Jobs in the US (United States):
- Educators (SPED, IT professors, Instructors, Workshop facilitators, Librarian)

SPED teachers are still in demand. Virginia and Maryland have the highest demands for teachers. You can visit these sites for more details: http://www.facesinc.org/ and http://www.vifprogram.com/

Jobs in Australia:
If you visit http://www.seek.com.au/ there are a lot of vacancies for:
- IT workers
- Accounting and Sales jobs
- Administration (office)
- Engineering jobs
- Construction workers
- Skilled workers (Butchers, Agricultural Workers, Welders, etc.)

You can also sign up and apply on that site (http://www.seek.com.au/). Australia is experiencing a labor shortage so any applications from abroad is welcome. I know in most of the job posts there has a note that says: "Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position." but you may disregard that and try your luck and still apply. ;) If you have the necessary work experience and you are really qualified, the employers will definitely contact you regardless of your location. Good luck!

Jobs in Canada:
- Skilled workers (Construction workers, Electricians, etc.)
- Nursing homes and Hospitals (Caregiver, Nurses, Nannies)
- Hotels (Room attendant, Receptionist, etc.)
- Fast Food Chain (Cashier, Food and Beverage server, Waiter)

You may go to http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/ and check out the vacancies there. Canada is a vast country, it is almost thirty times as large as the Philippines, but its population is only about 33 million. Canada's economy is booming, but because of its very few population, it is experiencing a labor crunch. They really need more people in their work force so Filipinos who will apply for jobs in Canada will most likely be considered. Just make sure you have the necessary work experience.

For more job opportunities, you can also go to the POEA office at EDSA corner. Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City. You can also call the POEA hotline: 722-1144; 722-1155; 722-1187, or email your inquiries at: info@poea.gov.ph or poeainfocenter@yahoo.com .

The WGA Strike is Over

The Writer's Guild Association (WGA) strike is over. Finally we can now watch new episodes of our favorite TV series on Studio 23 (FUSE) , ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV . Yay!

Check the list to see if your favorite TV shows will film new episodes. (List from TV Guide )

A post-strike calendar
By Jordana Camerman
2008-02-08

Will your fave show be back this season, next season, or never?

Meticulously crafted by the kind, obsessed folks at TVGuide.com, the following is a rough approximation of when your favourite programs are expected to return to the air, and how many new episodes you can expect to see before the summer break. Keep in mind that these are estimates, and are subject to change at any time. Fickle, fickle TV execs.

The next few months should be a veritable shooting frenzy, with all these shows scrambling to get new episodes ready to air by April. Who knew there was so much to watch?

24
Expected to return this fall or January '09.

30 Rock
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

Back to You
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future TBD*.

Bionic Woman
No new episodes expected. Ever.

Big Love
Expected to go into production on Season 3 in March. Airdate info is TBD.

Bones
Four pre-strike episodes left. Unclear whether additional episodes will be produced for this season.

Brothers & Sisters
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Chuck
No new episodes until fall.

Criminal Minds
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

CSI; CSI Miami; CSI NY
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

Desperate Housewives
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Dirty Sexy Money
No new episodes planned until fall; three remaining pre-strike episodes will undergo some tweaking and kick off fall run.

ER
TBD.

Everybody Hates Chris
Twelve pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Friday Night Lights
No new episodes expected for this season. Future TBD.

Gossip Girl
Expected to shoot up to 9 new episodes to air in April/May/June.

Grey's Anatomy
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May

Heroes
TBD.

House
Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.

How I Met Your Mother
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

Jericho
Seven episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Las Vegas
Three pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Law & Order: SVU
TBD.

Life
No new episodes expected until fall.

Life Is Wild
No new episodes expected. Ever.

Lost
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Six additional episodes could air this season.

Medium
Six pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Men in Trees
Eleven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Moonlight
No new episodes expected until fall.

My Name Is Earl
Expected to shoot 8 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

NCIS
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Seven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Numb3rs
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.

October Road
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

The Office
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

One Tree Hill
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Prison Break
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Private Practice
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Pushing Daisies
No new episodes until fall.

Reaper
Three pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Samantha Who?
Three remaining pre-strike episodes could possibly surface this season, or be held until fall (see Dirty Sexy Money).
Scrubs
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Four additional episodes will likely be shot; unclear whether they'll air on NBC or go straight to DVD.

Smallville
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.

Supernatural
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Two and a Half Men
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

Ugly Betty
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Women's Murder Club
No additional episodes expected for this season. Future TBD, although one Club member admits, "We're terrified that it's over for us."

* TBD = To be determined

Valentine's Concerts Around the Metro

Its been a tradition of Pinoys to go to dinner dates or concerts during Valentine's day. Here are the events and concerts that will happen around Metro Manila:

Before Valentine's Day:

What: Zeries at 25
Who: ZsaZsa Padilla
When: February 2, 9, 15 & 16 9:00 PM
Where: Captain's Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Call for Reservations: 891-9999 ; 750-8888

What: Liplock (Be Loved & Be Rocked)
Who: Urbandub, Imago, Stonefree, Callalily, Juana, Hilera and More
When: February 8, 2008 8PM
Where: Metro Bar
Call for Reservations: 891-9999 ; 911-5555 ; 374-7505 ; 412-6514

What: From REX With LOVE
Who: Rex Smith
When: February 8, 9 & 10 // 8 or 9:00 PM
Where: Casino Filipino - Pavillon, Angeles and Tagaytay
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: Toni Gonzaga -- Catch Me
Who: Toni Gonzaga with special guests Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, and Vhong Navarro
When: February 9, 2008 // 8:00 PM
Where: Aliw Theater
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: A Hearty Dinner Show with Fun
Who: Nina, Mark Bautista, Marissa Sanchez, Maricris Garcia
When: February 9, 2008 // 6:30pm
Where: Le Pavillion, Roxas Blvd.
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: David Pomeranz Valentine Concert
Who: David Pomeranz
When: February 9, 2008 // 7:00pm
Where: Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: Close Up Lovapalooza Frost Fest 2008
Who: Various Artists
When: February 12, 2008
Where: NBC Tent The Fort
Call for Reservations: Free Admission

What: Souls In Love
Who: Jay R, Kris Lawrence and Karylle
When: February 13, 2008 // 8:00 PM
Where: Teatrino Promenade, Greenhills
Call for Reservations: 891-9999 ; 722-4532 loc. 116

What: Ol 4 Luv
Who: Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go
When: February 13, 2008 // 8:00 PM
Where: Araneta Coliseum
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

Valentine's Day- February 14, 2008

What: On This Day - A Valentine Show with David
Who: David Pomeranz
When: February 14 - 8:00pm
Where: PICC Plenary Hall
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: Love Memoirs
Who: Ms. Joey Albert, Ms. Louie Reyes, Mr. Ding Mercado and Mr. Eugene Villaluz
When: February 13 & 14, 2008
Where: Captain's Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Call for Reservations: 891-9999

After Valentine's Day:

What: MYMP... A Valentine So Perfect
Who: MYMP
When: February 16, 2008 // 8:00pm
Where: Meralco Theater
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: Rico J. Puno Sings at Casablanca
Who: Rico J. Puno
When: February 16, 2008 // 7:00pm (cocktails), 8:00pm (show)
Where: Casablanca Casino, Hotel Stotsenberg, Clark, Pampanga
Call for Reservations: 911-5555

What: Love, Nina
Who: Nina, Christian Bautista, DJ Jack
When: February 22, 2008 // 8:00pm
Where: Metro Bar
Call for Reservations: 891-9999 ; 911-5555 ; 374-7505 ; 412-6514

What: Neyo - Live in Manila
Who: Ne-Yo
When: February 29, 2008 - 8:00pm
Where: Araneta Coliseum
Call for Reservations: 911-5555; 74-2222 ; 374-9999

What: Romance In D (A Play By James Sherman)
Who: Various artists
When: February 29; Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2008
Where: On Stage Greenbelt
Call for Reservations: 891-9999

Maroon 5 Live in Manila

Maroon 5, the group who brought us the songs "She Will Be Loved" and "Sunday Morning" will perform live in Manila this March 5, 2008, Wednesday at 8pm at the Araneta Coliseum. I am so stoked!!!

Unfortunately, the prices of the tickets are pretty steep. As of today, General Admission, Upper Box A, Upper Box B and Lower Box tickets are already SOLD OUT. :(
Here are the ticket prices:

Patron VIP - P 10,500
Patron (Reserved Seating) - P 7,875
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) - P 5,250
Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) - P 3,938
Upper Box B (Free Seating) - P 2,625
Gen. Admission (Free Seating) - P 1,575

You can visit TicketNet for reservations and more details. Or call the Ticketnet hotline at 911-5555.

Call Center in the Philippines : A Bleak Future?

In the past few years, the business process outsourcing/call center industry in the Philippines has experienced a significant boom. A lot of companies worldwide established their call centers here because of the lower labor costs/overhead and the abundant number of English speaking workers. Before, Filipinos searching for jobs had to wait for years to get employed and wait even some more to get a raise. But because of the huge demand for call center representatives, job hunters nowadays have an easier time landing good paying jobs at call centers. (last I heard starting salaries range from P 13,000-20,000, that’s for those who have no CSR experience yet, the offer is greater for those who are experienced already)

However, a couple of days ago NBC Nightly News (now airing on Crime Suspense Channel/RPN 9) reported that many of the US companies are bringing the offshore jobs back to the US, mainly due to the increasing number of frustrated and irate customers. Many of them complain about the inadequacy of the call center representatives' technical skills and their ineptness in English.

Here are some of the horror stories at call centers I found on Youtube, most of them are from India according to the uploaders of the videos, but hey we never know ;) :

To avoid customer backlash, a growing number of US companies (eg. Jet Blue, AAA, etc.) are bringing the jobs back to the US and are now shifting to US home-based call center agents. Like an offshore call center, home-based contact centers are cheap. However, it is more advantageous for the US companies to run home-based contact centers because they can easily oversee the operations because the workers are from the US, and on top of that they can be assured that customer misunderstandings/disagreements would be kept to a minimum because the agents are native English speakers. According to NBC Nightly News report, there are already about 150,000 home-based agents in the US and their numbers are steadily growing. Experts think that this trend will continue and the numbers of US home-based agents will continue to grow in the coming years.

I think that this move plus the imminent US recession will hamper the growth of the business process outsourcing industry, specifically the call center industry, in the Philippines. I'm not belittling our agents and the capabilities of our workers, but if we want to stay competitive we should start to address this problem. The BPO/call centers here should be more stringent in screening the job applicants. They should provide a lot of trainings and seminars to their employees that would equip them with more skills and hone their English speaking skills. Filipinos shouldn't rest on their laurels just because they’re working in a fast-growing, high-paying industry. As we all know, the business climate is dynamic, everything changes fast, what could be the hottest industry today would be gone tomorrow.

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