sa aplayan

Sa wakas lumabas din ako ng bahay, nagbihis nang maayos, at pumunta sa isang jobfair. Halos maburyong ako sa kahihintay na ma-process. Halos kalahati na ng araw nang tawagin ang pangalan ko.

Ang setup doon, may apat na set ng nakapabilog na mga upuan. May isang taga-screen sa bawat isa. Pakiramdam ko ay parang nasa isang counselling session ako. Yung mga napapanood sa TV at pelikula. Tipong "Hi! I'm yosibreak and I'm an alcoholic."

Sa iba't ibang antas ng galing sa pag-iingles, ganito ang mga hirit sa mga "tell me about yourself" eklat:

"Hi my name is Drea, I am an undergraduate. I had to stop going to school because I had to work and earn money. I worked for four years in a company in Ortigas but I was one of those were asked to leave for the company's survival. Then I worked in Farmer's Plaza as a salesgirl for 3 months. I am applying for a position here in a call center because I have to earn more. I have two kids and my husband is jobless. I also have to send money to my mothere back in the the province. She needs help in supporting my brothers...."

"Hi! My name is Joan, I am applying for customer service agent. I am a nursing graduate from De La Salle Cavite. I used to work in food chains. I also need to help my family..."

"Hi I am Alice and I am 49 years old. I used to be an executive secretary in a construction firm. I read about the job fair and I thought I should apply and be a call center agent rather than do nothing at home..."

Halos hindi ako nakikinig sa mga sinasabi nila. Nade-depress lang ako. Para sa kanila at para sa akin. Ewan ko ba kung bakit sinasabi nila ang mga ganon. Nagpapaawa ba sila para tanggapin o sadyang ganyan lang talaga tayong mga pinoy tungkol sa mga sarili nating buhay.

Pero itong isang ito, nakakatawa na lang. Tinanong siya kung bakit nag-a-apply sa call center habang ang background nya ay solid IT. Sabi nya:

"Im here to help out."

help out mong lelang mong panot.