The Beginning…

I have been working for 4 years now as a BPO representative. I started this kind of job when I was 18. I wasn’t able to finish the tertiary level of my studies. Although working was fun, it also has times when you feel frustrated about things. I always think na sana eh grumaduate muna ako bago ako nagwork. This has been my only complain to my parents, but I really couldn’t blame them for making me stop college. Biktima kami ng kahirapan, and it would only be selfish of me if I continue college, knowing that my family wouldn’t be able to eat three times a day. So from then on I decided to go and find work.

This is how my call center life started…

I was rehearsing for a cheer dance competition, and then my mother called and asked how I was doing at school. I replied and proudly said that I am seriously making time for my school works while I am in a dance crew at our alma mater. My Mama was so proud of me. The next day my Mama called again,  I greeted her “Happy Birthday Mama!”. She was so amazed at how energetic I was that day. Then she paused and asked me if I could go back to my hometown in Pangasinan. I said “Opo makakababa po ako mamaya dyan, tatapusin ko lang yung rehearsal naming.” At first I was thinking that she would’ve missed me that much that she requested me to go home.

So I went home, I was surprised that they all looked like they are into something really worse. I started to feel weird and awkward seeing their faces like that. I asked them “ Oh! Anu problema nyo bakit kayu parang tnaga? (while laughing). Sabi ni Mama, “kasi ganito yun anak. Nagtry kasi akong mag-apply sa call center work…..” I already had an idea what’s going to happen and said “TAPOS…” She smiled and said, “Hindi ako nakapasa eh.” My dad and brother laughed at my Mama and she joined na din afterwards.

While eating supper, she asked me if I could join her to go to someplace. I said yes! I was clueless where we were going. Then I saw this signage that said “ Now Hiring Agents”. Right there and then it sunk in that she would like me to apply for the post. I was shocked and “ Mama anu ginagawa natin dito? Mag-aapply ka ulit?” She laughed and said “ hindi anak, ikaw ang mag-aapply.” I gazed at her and said “Seryoso ka? Eh panu pag-aaral ko?” she looked at me and said “hihinto ka muna anak, at hindi na natin kaya.” I was speechless and I don’t know what to say. So I thought, sige subukan ko na lang. It was my intention not pass the application process, so I could continue studying (kasi nga naman eh scholar ako ng school that time). While doing the listening test, it hit me that although I wasn’t paying my tuition I would still need to come up with my board and lodging expenses, in which I do not have the liberty to have.

Nagturn over ang decision ko from not passing the application process to at least trying the possibility of the BPO industry. So the process went on and from 70 aspiring candidates, we were down to THREE! Tatlo na lang kaming natira (to think some applicant had experiences from other BPO companies huh.)

I was on my final interview and this American guy who was interviewing me was so handsome. He is a drop dead gorgeous almost demigod ang dating ni kuya. I smiled at him and he began asking  me questions. We went on and on, then it was done. He said “We will just call you to confirm if you got the ob or not.”

I was still hoping na sana hindi ako makuha sa work. So we head back home, my mom asked me to go back to Baguio and packed all my things.

So I did, and said all my goodbyes to my friends and professors. After that natanggap ko na yung confirmation and my schedule contract signing. It was September 18, 2008, they scheduled me to have my contract signing at September 23, 2008. Good thing na ganun yung nangyari kasi it was my 18^th birthday nung 09/22/2008.

Ibig sabihin lang nun eh on the first day of my 18^th year as a person living on this planet eh I had my very first exclusive contract at a BPO Company in Pampanga. There…. So it began…