How I lost my job again

Unfortunately, I am unemployed again after being employed for almost 6 months. I still remember the joy I felt when I found a job again after one year of searching. That time, I did not expect that I will be hired immediately. But I never thought it will also end at once and I still wonder why it happened.

Everybody in the office cannot believe the bad news. In fact, it happened so fast that I only realized that it is real when I got home.

With this, I would like to share to you how I lost my job again.

Last February 15, 2010, I was hired as a Manufacturing Supervisor together with a former co-supervisor. We worked in the same company for almost 7 years, so we were excited to work together again. Unexpectedly, both of us lost the job at the same time and the reason is unbelievable.

After more than 5 months of being hired, the Admin Manager together with the HRD Supervisor discussed to me about my probationary status. It was about 3pm and I was busy preparing the products to be shipped-out. I know they need to be completed no matter what happen.

Anyway, the Admin Manager started the conversation by saying sorry that I will lose my job and handed me the termination paper. The first sentence stated that I did not meet the standards required, while the second sentence stated that my probationary employment will be terminated effective August 2, 2010, the day I received the letter.

Although surprised, I try to keep my composure and began thinking how to react. Then I asked them what specific standards I did not meet that caused me to lose the job. According to them, the top management realized that I did not handle the production effectively and they cited a specific condition.

You see, our production line is not a conventional one which means we have no conveyor for the flow of process. But just like others, we have a strict rule of one-by-one process or no batching allowed. Being a Manufacturing Supervisor in my previous job, we have the same rule and I know how important it is to follow this one-by-one process.

However, we experienced unexpected problems such as machine breakdown and lack of manpower. As much as we wanted to, we cannot always follow the rule but we did our best to preserve the quality of the products. There are just things beyond my control and our Manufacturing manager can explain it better.

But what kind of effort I exerted to perform my other tasks? I do not usually count my effort, but I think this time it is necessary to mention them. This is not to cover-up my shortcomings, but to remind them that I know my responsibilities as a Manufacturing Supervisor.

First, my work schedule is 8am~6pm but I know I should come early to check the lines and make a summary report for my manager. I know I cannot make it if I arrive at 7am since he needs it before 8am, which is why I voluntarily come at 6am and sometimes even earlier. I even went on a straight (36 hrs) schedule twice just to make sure that all products will be shipped on time. By the way, we have no overtime pay and I agreed on it before I was hired.

Second, I understand that sometimes we need to extend an hour or more just to finish some reports so I need not to be reminded. I usually go home at 8pm. I even bring home some office work if the target date is very stiff. We also do not have to work on Saturdays and Sundays since we have a compressed schedule, but I usually come on weekends to make reports and monitor the lines.

Third, I conducted an investigation to solve a customer claim issue that lead to the termination of one worker after confirming that he is intentionally not performing his job, skip process that is. In addition, I caught two workers playing games during working hours which lead to their suspension of five days each.

Fourth, I understand that we lack manpower so I did not hesitate to act as a worker for more than a month when they required me to fill-in. This is from 6am to 2pm which means I only act fully as a supervisor 2pm onwards. My co-supervisor had the same experience though and he also understood the necessity of the work.

By the way, I am wondering why the Manufacturing Manager (my immediate superior) and new Plant Manager were not informed about it. Both of them were even surprised upon learning it from us. Therefore, I would like to clarify things. We were not fired. We just did not meet the standards of the top management, whatever that means.

Again, I mentioned them not to lift myself but to remind them that I am very much dedicated to my work. If they did not recognize my selfless effort, so be it. I am not sharing this to attract sympathy. I did not make this post to destroy any name or company.

I am just saying that I did my best but I guess my best was not good enough.

In the end, I know I have to face the painful truth. I lost my job and the more important thing for me now is to look for another employer, as soon as possible.

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My Christmas Work Experience in Japan
My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book
I missed an interview for Mel and Joey Father’s Day Special

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I finally found a new job after one year of searching

Yes, my friends and dear readers. I finally found a new job after one year of searching. For all you know, I accepted the offer of my former employer to avail the Early Retirement Program last September 2008, to pursue a small business and to be a professional blogger. This is because the automotive industry is declining, as well as the electronic industry. I thought it would be better if I establish myself as a businessman.

But fate has not been kind, as my wife and daughter suffered from Dengue fever last January 2009. That tragedy prompted me to start looking for a new job the next month, while selling different kinds of stuff just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, things got worst than ever and I am just glad that friends supported me all the way.

Below is just among them who helped me find my new job.

Last December 2009, a former co-supervisor saw me selling toys on the streets of Lipa City, Batangas. He readily asked for my resume and told me that he will pass it to their company once they will have an opening, especially for the position of production supervisor which was my last job. Actually, even my former subordinates see me and unselfishly help me one way or another.

Come January or last month, he sent me a text message asking me if I was called by their office for an interview. I told him I haven’t received any, not until the last week of the said month. It was 5:30 pm, and the technical exam will be on the next day, which was Wednesday at 8:30 am. The message said that I need a scientific calculator since the exam will be more about Algebra and Trigonometry.

However, I was wondering if I will pass the exam since it has been 16 years that I solved one which was the ECE board exams last 1993. But indeed, I am more worried where the heck I can borrow a scientific calculator considering that I don’t know anyone who has one. I asked all of my friends but none of them have one. Eventually, the same former co-supervisor who got my resume ended up borrowing a scientific calculator so I can use it during the exams.

Fortunately, I passed the technical exam and I cannot say that it was hard or an easy one. I just solved the problems as much as I could. Afterward, I was asked if I am willing to be interviewed by the HRD manager on the same afternoon as well as the Production Manager who will be my immediate supervisor if I will be hired. Of course, I agreed although I am just wearing casual clothes since I thought it will only be an examination day.

The next day, I received a text message from the same office telling me to prepare for the final interview on the next day which was Friday at 3 pm. This time, it will be a panel interview composing of three top Japanese personnel including the company president and two other local managers. This time, I wear formal attire but I almost came late because my son has an unexpected half day in school and wife is not around to watch over him at home. Although it broke my heart to leave my 8-year old son alone in the house for hours, I had to do it.

We were three applicants for the same position which is Production Supervisor and I learned that only two are needed. Incidentally, one of the applicants is also my co-supervisor on my last employer and I can say that he has been a good one. While I hope that both of us will be hired, I think the chance for each of us is fifty-fifty. But just minutes after we left the company, I received a congratulatory text message informing me that I am hired. I was asked to report early the next week for the salary negotiation and the list of required documents, and I learned that the other two were also hired.

In short, I found a new job with a span of less than a week. I passed the medical exams last week, and submitted all the required documents for employment last Monday. I have 2 sets of company uniform, in which I will start to report for work on Monday, February 15. I decide not to reveal online the name of the company, but it is located at FPIP, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It is only around 30-minute commute travel from our place, minus the traffic, lol!

For the meantime, I hope that all the job seekers out there can find a job since I know how hard it is to be jobless. Don’t stop searching online and elsewhere; and be ready when it comes.

Although venturing into a business is a smart decision, it is still better if you have a regular source of income before you get into it. We never know what will happen next, and we should always be prepared for the worst that may come.

However of course, I will not stop blogging since it is already a part of my system. In fact, I think I will have more ideas to share especially in terms of job searching and being employed.

Wish me the best of both worlds!

Related posts:
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I Have a Girl Friend for More Than 25 Years
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My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

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I now have a Sony laptop

This year 2010 has started to me with a warm surprise, since I now have a Sony laptop. It's not totally brand new, but I really love it since it was a gift to me by someone very close to my heart.

For all you know, I sold my desktop PC last May 2009 when I got broke and it started when my wife and daughter suffered from Dengue fever at the same time a few months earlier. From that time on, I am just renting on an Internet cafe and my blogging time has been affected.

Anyway, the laptop is white and a Sony VAIO VGN-N130G model. It does not have a lot of multimedia controls and plugs, but it is all that I need for now. It's lightweight, and I suppose it is around 6 pounds only. I assume the dimensions are 15" x 10" x 1.5", and it just fit to the bag pack with a slot for laptops included in the gift. According to the specs, the battery life is 5.5 hrs but I have yet to discover it.

Except for the DVD slot which I tried at once, it also uses Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition for its Operating System, and I am not yet thinking of upgrading it. The keyboard is soft touch and the former owner seem to took good care of it.

It may be an old model to some, but I am very happy that I have a laptop and I will take good care of it. I will do my best to acquire an Internet service provider again soon.

I just wish that 2010 will be better year not only for me and my family, but also for all of us.

Related posts:
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I Have a Girl Friend for More Than 25 Years

Yes, I have a girl friend for more than 25 years. Her name is Angelita and this is her real name. I am sure there's a very good reason why our names are the almost the same, and lasting this long maybe one of them.

And yes, I am happily married for more than 13 years and my wife knows about her. In fact, they eventually became friends too.

But if you think me and Angelita are not attracted to each other, then you're wrong. The attraction though is not what you are thinking, it's actually more than that.

With this, I invite you to read our one of a kind love story.

I met her when I was 17 when we transferred to their community in Quezon City after our house burned. I don't know her exact age until now, but I assume I am older than her by 4 years. That time, my father cannot afford to send me to school so I am helping them by selling cigarettes and fetching water for our neighbors. Angelita's family was one of my consistent customers, and that started a different kind of relationship. By the way, she is the eldest child in the family of three girls.

Unlike other teenagers who seem to be happy-go-lucky, Angelita prefers to stay at home cleaning their house and watching TV. Since we have no TV at home and we were just 2 houses away, I got used to watch TV in their house almost every night. Her family is very accommodating, and although they had some doubts later if I am courting Angelita. My family even thought so, but I am glad I did not. She's not my type,lol!

Anyway, we have a lot of common interests and the best one is to get off our place to live a better life. As you know, we lived in a slum area in Novaliches, Quezon City where poverty and crime are normal sight seeings. However, we also had fun moments like talking about our movie idols. Hers was Megastar Sharon Cuneta, and mine was the King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr. I made some poems for her before, and one of them is related to the movie Kahit Konting Pagtingin which starred by both actors. The title of the poem is Though a Little Bit of Love, which is the English meaning of the said movie title.

Years later, I had to move to pursue my college but we still maintain constant communication. She was among the first one to be happy when I graduated, and I owe a piece of my accomplishment to her. If I did not meet her, I might meet others who may be a bad influence to my studies.

Eventually, I met my true love and had my own family but my relationship with Angelita stays intact and getting even stronger. In fact, my family considers Angelita as a family member too. As I told my wife, getting jealous about Angelita is one thing she should not do. It is an absurd idea, and I will just die laughing.

But what bothers me somehow is that she is not getting any younger, and she does not yet found the man of her dreams. I am not even sure if she dreams about it, although I wish she would. I remember one time I asked her what kind of man she wants, and she said. I want someone like you, but not you..

By the way, you might wonder why I do not call our relationship as friendship. This is because it is beyond friendship, but not even close to a love relationship. It's hard to describe it but I made a poem for her more than a decade ago, entitled Thicker than Blood, wherein I gave the best explanation of our relationship.

Now that it has been 25 years since we met, I just wish our relationship will last another 25 years and even more. I am just glad that both of us reached our common goal which is to get off that place and live a more decent way of life.

Ironically, we never had a photo with only the two of us so I have nothing to share to you guys. Every time we tried to, there is always an obstruction and it feels weird.

But for the meantime, I wish she could have time to read this post. I know she will be happy to know how important she is to me, although she already knows it 25 years ago.

Related posts:
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Merry Christmas: Losing my Religion but Keeping the Faith

Merry Christmas! It is Christmas time once more, and most Christians will be celebrating the holidays with their families and friends. Well, I also join the tradition somehow but I do not consider myself a Catholic or a member of any Christian religion.

Yes, my readers and friends. I am losing my religion but keeping the faith. It is my personal choice, and I am happy with it. I am neither trying to convince anyone to join me nor I am condemning the Catholic church. But I hope you do not mind if I share my thoughts here.

In my resume, I write Christian Baptist since my wife and children belong there. I have high respect for the pastor and his family, and I consider them as a family friend. Although we see each other frequently, I last went to their church more than a year ago and that was when we were new in the community.

To me, religion is different from faith. In every Christian religion, we can always find loopholes depending on our interpretation of the Bible. For example, we cannot find the term Christmas in the Bible although Catholics celebrate it as the birthday of Jesus Christ.

If we will check the real history of Christmas, it did not begin with Christ. Northern Europeans called it “Jul” (a term remembered in the English word Yule, which now means Christmas); in ancient Rome it was the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or "the birthday of the unconquered Sun”. Through sacrifices and feasting, pagans celebrated the beginning of the Sun's revival.

Well, I guess this issue is still being debated by historians. Nobody knows when it will end and who will win.

Nevertheless, I also cannot understand why Christmas is being brought up to children as a gift giving day, which is why Santa Claus is getting more popular than Jesus Christ to them. Sad to say, the tradition is being highly commercialized while the poor children feels miserable if they do not receive a new toy for Christmas.

It is also hard for me to accept that I need to pay for the wedding, baptismal, and even prayers for the dead! I always thought that the gift from God is free.

Meanwhile, giving tithes will lead us to endless debate so I will not discuss it here.

But as for me, miracles do not need physical images. I strongly believe that miracles happens everyday and it starts when we still wake up every morning. I should know, there were a lot of miracles that happened to me in which I shared one of them in an Inspirational book.

In the end, there might be no perfect religion but I am pretty sure there is a perfect God whoever He is. I only believe in the things with logical explanation, and it does need to be scientific or biblical.

I have a high respect for any religion, as long as they do not force me that they are right and I am wrong in terms of faith. Faith to me is a freedom to choose what we want to believe in regardless if it is logical or not. If we want to change our mind, we are also free to do so. After all, God gave us this gift of free willing.

Yes, I may be losing my religion but I will be keeping the faith forever.

But if Christmas is all about unconditional love, sacrifice, and forgiving; then I suppose we need to treat each day as Christmas day whatever religion we belong to.

Merry Christmas!

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My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

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How to Buy from Street Vendors especially during Christmas

Here in the Philippines, street vendors are almost everywhere and I am not ashamed to say that I am one of them. Actually, I started being a street vendor when I was 10 years old and it was an on-and-off career for me until I turned 19.

But on July of this year, I went back to the streets again to make money. For almost half a year, I have been selling different toys from balloons to toylights and other similar items.

Since I am spending almost the whole day in the streets, I think I can share some tips on how to buy from street vendors especially during Christmas.

First of all, you need to understand how street vendors make money. Most of us buy wholesale items which is widely known for cheap products, then we sell it on the streets and making nearly 100% profit or more on each item depending on the product. For example, a toy that can be bought at Php8 from Divisoria can be sold as much as Php20. However, it is only being sold on a per dozen basis minimum.

The suggested retail price depends on the place where the street vendors are selling. The farther the selling place from Divisoria is, the higher the retail price is since the transportation cost will also be higher.

But definitely, you can ask for a decent discount especially if you will buy more than one. Nevertheless, you should also consider the sun heat and rain these street vendors are enduring just to make money. Besides the fact that most of us do not have a selling permit which means that we can be caught by the authorities anytime.

However, you should be very careful with what you buy. Be strict when checking for the quality and test it as much as possible. Make sure that you really got the item that you checked since they can easily switched it from a defective one. Count your change before leaving since most of them are walking and you may not see that vendor again.

If you are buying clothes, be good in estimating if it will really fit you since you they do not have a fitting room. Shoes can be fitted, but watch out for Peeping Tom.

On the other hand, I strongly suggest that you do not buy canned goods and related items no matter how cheap it is. They are absolutely unsafe to eat. In addition, be a keen observer when buying street foods. Check how they are being prepared, and watch the hygiene of the street vendor before you buy.

More importantly, please do not buy pirated DVD or CD. They are totally useless, especially the new releases of a film or event. Besides, you are not being helpful to the entertainment industry.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of modus operandi that you should be aware of especially if you are alone.

Some of them will offer you their goods and services for a very cheap price. Once you stop to check the item, there might be some people who look like they want to buy too. But the truth is, they are pickpockets and snatchers just waiting for the right timing. This is why you should not wear attractive jewelries while on the streets, as well as using cell phone.

Another old trick to fool people is when you go to church, and it is most common to Catholic churches. There are ladies who will pin a religious item to you, pray awhile then ask you for payment for the item. Therefore, it is like forcing you to buy from them. This strategy usually happens when you are alone, or with your young children. Be very careful to react because that lady is not alone, and you might be hurt. If you do not like to buy, then do not allow them to pin the item to you.

But generally speaking, most street vendors are kind and they just want to make money. I happen to know some Muslim street vendors, and all they want to have a decent living since their place is always at war.

Buying from street vendors is fine, only you should be a smart buyer.

Related post:
My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

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My Christmas Work Experience in Japan

Six years ago, I had my first and only Christmas work experience in Japan. I was fortunate to be chosen by my former employer to undergo production training along with other 9 fellow Filipino co-workers.

Actually, I was a Manufacturing Supervisor in my job but my work in Japan is to be a production operator. It did not matter to me at all, anyway. Although I have to leave my family for six months, it was fine with me since I will receive a salary way up higher than my basic pay.

Anyway, we left Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 4am on December 8, 2003 and arrived at the Narita Airport, Japan at around 7pm the same day. Their time zone difference I suppose is only one hour.

It was winter so the weather was very cold although snow has not been really falling yet. The next day, we had an orientation about our job and started to work. Before we went home, we learned that the temperature is 5 degree Celsius and we were freezing to death.

It did not take a week when the snow started to fall. I used to wake up earlier than everybody so I was the first one to witnessed the falling snow. It was really amazing for a first timer like me, so I went down and played with it.

A few days later, it was raining snow which started to file up in the streets. All of us played outside and did not care if our Japanese neighbors are laughing at us. In fact, we made a Snowman. Well, it was really a Snow woman as you can see in the photo. By the way, I am the guy in the middle wearing a pair of sunglasses.

Then, Christmas day came and it was an ordinary working day for us according to their culture. When we got home, we had a small party along with some Japanese co-workers. We called our families in the Philippines, and the Japanese were amazed how important it is to communicate with our family.

As the days went by, we learned so much about their culture and vice versa. More importantly, we realized how serious they were at work. This is one of the great lessons I learned in life, to give your best in what you are doing.

Unfortunately, our contract was cut to less than 5 months since we will be replaced by Chinese workers who will receive a lower salary.

But in general, we enjoyed our stay and I hope I can have the opportunity to work in Japan again. However, I still want to live here in the Philippines together with my family.

As they say, there is no place like home.

Related post:
My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

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My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

For the very first time, my life story is now in an Inspirational Book and it is truly my honor. Actually, the book is composed of 27 inspiring life stories of different bloggers around the world and was perfectly complied by Jenaisle who is also a fellow Filipino blogger.

Last year, I met her online and asked me if I want to share my life story which will be included in an inspirational book. Since I consider my childhood a very colorful one, I did not hesitate and readily share her the hardships during my childhood. After all, I really want to share it to everyone hoping that it can inspire others.
Nevertheless, my childhood is not really full of hardships as I also consider it as a miracle. I say this because there were people who came into my life when I needed them most, and when I did not even expected.

To give you an idea, I grew up with a broken family and started working at the age of 10 and lived where severe poverty is a common way of living. That time, anger has no place in my heart but rather the will to survive.

I knew that there will be time that I will be complete and my life will change, although I just don't know when and how. But I also knew I cannot accomplish my dreams by myself, and there will be someone who will support me in whatever I do and always believe in me. Although that someone is not a stranger to me, it took awhile before we really know each other completely.

If you're interested to know who that someone is, here is my life story as told by Jenaisle which she considered as An Angel in each One of us.

By the way, I am cordially inviting to buy a copy of the inspirational book entitled Inspirational Thoughts and Stories of Bloggers from all over the World at Ebay.

I am sure you will also be inspired by other stories of fellow bloggers.

Post update: December 21, 2009

If you like to buy the book from me, I am willing to give you a decent discount. Just send me an email to afvc_623[at]yahoo[dot]com, or leave a comment on this post.

If you want to receive my future posts regularly for FREE,you can subscribe in a reader or by Email. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to Contact Me anytime.

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