Why Labor Mismatch exists in the Philippines?

Many fresh graduates face the realm of unemployment and job hiring, wherein job applicants are in dire need to secure their future. Therefore, the long standing issue of lack of adequate work force has struck the nation.

Labor mismatch exists where certain job applicants apply for a job, which is not the applicants' area of expertise. Moreover, a certain rise of demands for specific jobs (like the BPO industry, mechanical work force, and the like) that makes job mismatch dance into an upsurge. Here are the probable reasons:

Labor mismatch exists where certain job applicants apply for a job,
which is not the applicants' area of expertise.

1. High setting standards for the job position

This is one of the major reasons why job mismatch exists. Employers of certain companies creates an job opening for a certain position; whereas, most of them requires the applicants to possess college degree to apply for the position. Moreover, a certain time frame of should be met to be suitable for the job, and job applications had strict screening process. On the contrary, this is reasonable for supervisor/managerial jobs... but not to some jobs positions really require job experience, as long as the applicant is trainable.

Furthermore, most of the applicants' educational attainment nowadays range from high school graduate (not K-12) to college undergraduates (vocational/associate graduates included). However, few of which possess high-end skill sets like computer literacy, high language proficiency, software skills/proficiency, and the like, which these had a hard time to secure a job through job openings offered at job fairs and classified ads (regardless if online or in print media).

Thus, most of these underqualified (in terms of educational attainment, yet skilled) applicants had no choice but to look for a job that is either high paying and in demand jobs that is off-tangent in their skill sets; or look for any job for the sake of everyday survival.

2. Contractualization

The existence of contractualization saves the revenue of many companies in terms of benefits and tax to contractual workers to do the same regular work for less of the salary. Moreover, contractualization renders as a probationary period for employees to become a regular part of the company. Nevertheless, the contract expiration (or ENDO) for five months subjects the employee to renew the contract over and over again, and never had the chance to be regularized despite the hard work and dedication rendered to the company.

On the contrary, contractualization has a positive light for those who wish to expand their working experience, and to work on other companies than the previous ones. Furthermore, this is an advantage to experienced job applicant to apply for a higher and better position than the previous one, which offers high salary to support their needs.

3. Less job openings on rural areas

There are few job openings on provincial areas because of fewer job opportunities in the province than those in the nation's capital. Moreover, provincial rate is different than the NCR rate, which is Php 444 to Php 481/hour, contrary to Php 300+/hour. Therefore, people are forced to migrate to NCR for a good pay rate.

Furthermore, the struggle of migrating and applying for a job can be twice, or thrice, harder than in the province because the aspiring applicant should have a relative living in Manila, and have enough pocket money to go to and fro on places around Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City, and other relative areas where hiring agents are anywhere, and job fairs are open.

4. High demand only on specific work sector

Most of the in-demand jobs are call center agents (colloquially known as customer service representative) by major business process outsource (BPO) companies like Alorica, TransCom, and others. Few of which requires a specific educational attainment to apply for positions in BPO companies. Other in-demand job sectors include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Management, and Multimedia.

These are the list of in-demand sectors in the labor field.
Image courtesy of JobStreet.com

Thus, no wonder why the pop question to kids and teens of "what you want to be when you grow up" always points on becoming a famous celebrity like being a singer, or being an actor/actress, has been a part of the Filipino culture.

5. Many workers go abroad

Because of the growing pains of looking for an ideal job in the Philippines, many Filipinos desire to work abroad instead. However, applying for work abroad requires a local work experience of at least two (2) years before migrating for work. Furthermore, the salary of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) working on a normal position ranges from Php 40,000 to Php 100,000. Therefore, the migration rush is real for a high-risk, high-reward to put their lives on the road to prosperity.

However, applying abroad is not easy because of the necessary requirements prior to work. Moreover, applying on unauthenticated agencies would endanger career, time, and money into human trafficking and employment scams.

Since most of the openings abroad are the Middle East, job applicants are more cautious to apply for the job because of employers' maltreatment toward their workers. Thus, most of the applicants are scanning for job availability online, instead of travelling into agencies to save time and money.

6. Labor discrimination

Labor discrimination exists either if the applicant is underqualified for the job entry, especially if the applicant is differently-abled (persons with disability). Despite having a lot of technological advances to seek a fair game for those who had disabilities, Human Resource representatives and employers would always seek for those who will pass their standards, and will never give opportunity for underqualified/disabled applicants.

Moreover, the applicant would land a job if he/she is neither computer-literate, college graduate, nor had a backer (backdoor referrer) to get into a job. The jobs he/she would be hired on grunt jobs (like factory worker, construction worker, and the like).


It's hard to admit that labor mismatch is inevitable... if the standards of hiring job applicants will change.

Free VIP Tickets on Ozine 2017 by Riku PH

NOTE: All images used on this article are courtesy of Riku PH.

Ozine Fest is an annual anime convention organized by Otakuzine Anime Magazine's editorial staff. The said magazine is published in the Philippines catering the latest trends in Japanese culture, including cosplay, J-music and anime.

Image courtesy of Riku PH Facebook Fan Page

This year's Ozine Fest will feature Mitsuko Horie, a J-Artist behind Sailormoon, Doraemon and Voltes V's theme songs; Takayuki Miyauchi, the man behind your favorite Tokusatsu theme songs; and more guests. You can only hear them on the VIP section of the event where you can hear them performer, or do a meet-and-greet. However, rates had skyrocketed to Php 300 (for normal pass), and VIP rate would possibly hit at Php 500 - 700 range, as retrospected on the previous Ozine Fest 2016 that features the J-Rock band, FLOW.

However, rest your fears aside because Riku has something in store for those who wish to hear your dear Horie-chan and Taki-kun on stage, live and upfront.

A screenshot of Riku PH's announcement of VIP Ticket giveaway. Courtesy of Riku PH.

Riku has a lottery to giveaway two (2) VIP passes for Ozine Fest 2017 TokuSpirits. In order to join the lottery, you have to follow the instructions on her post. Since the spirits of April Fools was high when the post was created, she assures that the VIP Ticket lottery is fool-proof, and real. Therefore, it's a high-risk, high-reward lottery for those who will join.

Winners will be announced on Thursday, 6th of April 2017... one day before the event.

Yoo-Go! Patreon rush

Yesterday was April Fools' Day. It's really tricky that I punned my friends at Star Mall Shaw Boulevard because I could not attend to "Tomodachi no Wa", which is an Otaku Connection event. However, I was more into something that meets the eye: Establishing my Patreon account.

Why Patreon?

I already had a fixed goal set on creating a Patreon account. However, it took months to further found the achievement grounded yesterday. Since many song cover artists on YouTube had Patreon accounts, I think it wouldn't harm if I do the same. After all, I am fond of writing songs and singing (it depends on the song if it would hack the notes or not)... which gives me a notion to create an account.

Just for everyone to know, I used to create song covers back in college (2010) as means to "serenade ladies". It is funny to read/hear that I do it for that purpose, and yet... nobody got the good answer to me on a Boolean data parameter of acceptance. I tried creating a song cover on SID's song "Natsukoi" as a Valentine present to a certain college classmate. What made me learn to play "jingo jungle" on a song cover lyrics was making pranks on serious songs when I was a kid. The thing that Bubble Gang used to do create parody out of popular songs.

The song covers

When I started creating a set of song covers, I created an album of 14 songs (2011) that took me a month to finish it, along with the recording and production/post-production of the songs. I used a special, yet simple to use program to commence my song covers.

The tricky part is that I can record, and produce (and do post-production) song covers on a computer shop with good microphone output; and to make the covers released like it came out of the studio. However, the entire process requires patience to complete a cover.

As of now, I had created a few song covers, and there are still more to come.

Here's a sample of my English song cover of GATE II ~Sekai wo Koete~, with an English title of "GATE II ~Beyond the World~" 

DISCLAIMER: I only own my voice. No copyright infringement intended.

I was a bit dismayed on Google because I could not access my original account. However, I was able to create a backup account to sustain the need for speed (of uploading the covers).

I would like to invite everyone to be my patron on Patreon. I would not only be happy but also I could dish out a compilation of song covers in the future for those who wish to have a copy of the songs.

Faults of Playing Airsoft in the Philippines

Airsoft is defined as a goal-oriented, and mock play of military weapons using plastic pellets as ammunition, and firearm replica as the weapon. Nevertheless, since the game is competitive and dynamic in nature (because of the variety of game modes used to play airsoft), Airsoft has been considered as a sport, which has local and international competitions.

Airsoft is defined as a goal-oriented, and mock play of military weapons using plastic pellets as ammunition, and firearm replica as the weapon.

However, there are faults observed along lurking on Airsoft communities. Even though I am not yet playing the sport, and had been a part of the Reserves (which could be a good focal point for the sets of basis), it could be better if I lay them all down despite bashers call it a "noobish pulse". Whatever written here is merely an opinion from a military point of view.

1. Misusage of uniform

An anonymous airsoft group using the SRDU -- the black
digital camouflage currently used by the Army Scout
Ranger Regiment.

Here in the Philippines, there are many men who wish to become real soldiers... or to be a soldier for a day. However, Airsoft operators should consider the legislatures enforced on the respective countries you belong because the usage of military uniforms along civilians (or those who hadn't received proper military training) vary per country.

In the Philippines, a certain legislature known as RA 493 prohibits the misusage of military uniform, especially if the person is not affiliated in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and any military personnel (including reservists) does not receive any letter orders or legal orders to wear uniform on public places. Furthermore, misusage of uniform is a violation of the AFP Uniform Code. Regardless if the uniform will be exclusively worn on the playing grounds or not, Airsoft operators should reconsider on not using unit patches used in the AFP (or the corresponding military counterpart overseas of your country).

On the contrary, there are airsoft teams who use MARPAT, SURPAT, or any foreign camouflage patterns, which is fine. The important point is the uniform itself... which points also to misusage of patches (military tabs are included). 

There will be certain instances that any airsoft operator will encounter a real soldier, who experienced the real training. Therefore, mocking up like the "real guy" does not work because they will be asking you certain things only real trainees of the specialized course only know, especially if you happen to encounter a real member of the Scout Ranger/Special Forces class or unit. I strongly suggest not to use the "real uniform" and even the military patches because it's misusage would lead to imprisonment, and confiscation of the uniform.

I heard on some folks in the Army (even in other branches of service) that soldiers really confiscates the uniform if caught red handed wearing it outside the military installation... which will left you on your bare skin (undergarments not confiscated).

2. Gun discipline

Gun safety and management is one of the skills every Airsoft operator should learn. These includes pointing, handling, and safekeeping of your Airsoft loadout. Since airsoft uses replica firearms, operators should consider the airsoft handgun/rifle as a real one.

There are cases of injuries in the game that lead to blindness, or physical injury. Therefore, you should be careful upon wielding the weapon because the misusage of your airsoft gun can constitute to crimes akin to a real firearm (e.g Illegal possession of firearms, serious physical injuries, and the like) that any Airsoft operator do not intend to go into.

Even though there are off-the-game incidents of shooting to civilians using airsoft rifle, better be careful with your raifu waifu.

3. Wearing of uniform

You're doing it wrong, Carl.

Cosplayers are good portrayers of anyone they desire to imitate. This is just a good example about wearing foreign uniforms properly. There are airsoft groups inspired on foreign armies like the Red Army, JGSDF, and others. 

BDU's are intended to be bloused along the trousers, to follow the proper cover and concealment according to the uniform, and to equip only what is necessary according to the uniform code. It is important not only to properly wear the uniform but also to follow the discipline instilled on the portraying army/unit the airsoft team imitates/portrays.

It is of greater importance to take care of your BDU/airsoft gear to launder it without any optical brighteners, and/or super brightening agents.

On the contrary, wearing private military contractor (PMC) gear depend on the user since PMC's gear and outfit is user defined. Furthermore, PMC gear is suitable in close quarters battle (CQB), and does not offer good concealment in military simulations, especially in jungle warfare.

4. Cover and concealment

Coloration is also important in the concept of cover and concealment. One does not simply use a black vest/chest rig over a woodland BDU. In other countries, black has been considered an obsolete color complementary to the uniform. However, black could be a good alternative for those who wear urban-oriented uniform (e.g. ACU, black suit, PMC gear, GIGN-like uniform, SWAT).

Cover and concealment does not work this way.

Therefore, consider the following colorations:

• Urban = Gray/Black (where black really depends, but just an alternative to gray)
• Woodland = Ranger Green or Olive Drab (consider the brightness of the green on the uniform before choosing either Ranger Green or Olive Drab)
• MARPAT/MultiCam = Coyote Brown
• Desert = Tan/Khaki
• NWU Blueberries = Black
• USAF Airman Battle Uniform = Sage Green

Be careful on choosing the vest because every vest's color per product brand vary and differ to its color counterpart. For an instance, Cordura's Coyote Brown is different from the coyote brown of other tactical vest/chest rig brands.

Nobody cares if the operator wears neon colors or bright colors as your base of uniform that are against the rules of cover, camouflage, and concealment. The piece of advice offered here is for survival purpose, and to negate quick detection from your enemies.

Airsoft is a great sport that is hefty on the budget. Therefore, Filipino Airsoft Operators should consider the safety of the game before we spoil our aims. Nevertheless, if you know to play the game, have it your way. However, it is important to enjoy the game as we get to know more about the faults in the game.

All about the Gakuen

I've been an anime convention goer since 2014. However, I've stumbled and joined onto a group as the Team OKE Gakuen.

Team OKE Gakuen (or Team Otaku Karaoke Enthusiasts Academy) is an anime singing contest interest group, which ultimately intends to (1) promote anime culture through singing, (2) promote the popularity of anime singing contest just like the cosplay community, and (3) to perform for fun. This group had been managed by veteran AniSingCon participants since 2012 (or sooner), notably founded by Kapitan Messi Chan Spears (KMCS). The team captain sincerely created the group as a sanctuary for AniSingCon performers, and to fulfill the group's advocacy.

The group's admins guest on an event hosted by Anime Manila. Image courtesy of Team OKE Gakuen's Facebook Page.

OKE Gakuen joined on anime conventions with the contests like Otaku Expo, Ozine Fest, Best of Anime, Ozine Anime Figure Special, J-Pop Singing Contest (hosted by the Embassy of Japan) and other minor anime/J-Pop inclined events and conventions. Furthermore, the group guests on some anime affiliated groups like Otaku Connection, Anime Manila, and others.

The team had produced notable performers who won on big Anime Singing Contests such as Team RNR2DWorld (Rock & Roll 2D World), FuReRu (Fred and Ruu), Tsukino Aoi, and Hino Fujiwara.

So far, the group had grown strong with old and new faces alike, while the group keeps on instilling their mantra to every member aboard their team. At first, the team captain intends to make the group secret to avoid issues with other people and groups, which is akin to the cosplay community with certain bashers and drag-pullers. However, when the group launched their first event known as the OKEfest: Ongaku Festival, the event made the group's mantra feasible, and be known by others the performers' potential in musical performance and the art of singing.

Nevertheless, the group still believes in keeping their advocacy, and to inculcate the masses not to downgrade the general mind set about Karaoke Contests and/or Anime Singing Contest as a minor event/competition, but as an event worth watching for (while having fun on stage).