Saturday, December 6, 2008

Support From Filipino Community

We are happyto share below the statement emailed by the Filipino community in Baton Rouge. In behalf of the afffected teachers, we thank our compatriots for their encouragement and valuable support.



A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

We, representing the members of the Filipino-American Association of Greater Baton Rouge (FAAGBR), want to voice out our strong support for the Filipino teachers in their struggle against the injustice and repression of the recruiting agency which brought them to the United States.

We believe that these professionals have been unjustly burdened with exorbitant fees. We are aware of the fact that many of these teachers could barely save up for themselves and their families because of the excessive fees that they have to cover every month for their loans.

What makes it more disturbing is that the agency curtails the personal freedom of these hard-working teachers. Being able to choose a comfortable place to reside is a freedom that we as Filipinos and Filipino-Americans value. However the agency prohibits them from exercising this right.

Further, we are also saddened that these Filipino teachers have experienced such horrible treatment from the agency’s owner. They have been threatened to be sent home to the Philippines if they don’t blindly follow the manipulative rules set down by this recruiter. They have been intimidated with lawsuits if they voice out their grievances.

That these professionals were even discouraged from socializing with the greater Filipino community in Baton Rouge, speaks volume of how this placement agency and its owner seeks to control them.

This is the United States, the land of the free and land of opportunities. These Filipino migrant teachers do not deserve this kind of treatment. These sincere and dynamic professionals should be able to pursue the opportunities they have without fear and intimidation.

Go on, be strong, stand up and follow your dreams in this great and free land! In your quest for fairness and justice, we offer you our moral support and whatever assistance that we may be able to give that would further your cause.

More power to all of you!

Filipino-American Association of Greater Baton Rouge (FAAGBR)

65 comments:

  1. OMG!!! this is definitely gonna stir up trouble... I'm gonna look forward sa gagawin ni Madam Lulu. Maidemanda nya rin kaya ang Filipino community? ABANGAN. . .

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  2. you need to grow up. there are adults ways to handle disagreements. there are some items to wash in public and others to wash in private. you are teaching children, do not act like them. focus on your careers and personal development.

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  3. but this item need not be washed privately because it is on its way to affect thousands of people.

    you grow up too, pro LULU. how much did she pay you???????????

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  4. This is beyond the teaching profession. It is a serious assault to human decency, rights and freedom we enjoy as citizens of this great country.

    There are laws that protect these rights and freedom.

    For those who have helped and assisted the agent
    you have become her accomplices. Do you think you can get away with this?

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  5. yes! a great country indeed, but there is also something called freedom of expression. don't expect that everybody thinks and feels the way you do. accomplice for giving his/her thoughts the way he/she thinks of this situation? very professional indeed! i bet you would now think i am pro lulu huh? so typical! hey, I'M NOT YOU!! then you'd get furious over this comment! sheeesh! what's new....so predictable.

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  6. well, maybe not pro Lulu, perhaps just a person who has a hard time discerning what is right and what is wrong. which side are you on? now, there goes your freedom.

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  7. i'm on my side! why? just cause i'm not on your side doesn't mean i'm wrong. that's why there are disputes because everyone thinks they are right. that's freedom!

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  8. there you go, so PREDICTABLE... both thinks they are right.... i rest my case.

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  9. I second that. He/she does not get it. We Americans are very serious about freedom and know our civil rights. He/she is an outlier.
    In statistics, a point much below the average.
    She/he does not behave normally.
    And must be purged.

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  10. merry christmas!

    may dalawang christmas parties sa saturday na invited ang mga teachers? sa universal at sa filipino community. sinadya ba ito? or jst coincidence?

    teachers, saan ba dapat mag-attend?

    please give your views, may 5 days pa para makapagdecide ang mga tao.

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  11. the choice is easy..where will you be safer and comfortable, that's the party you need to go to.

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  12. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
    You just want to celebrate the Christmas season
    with a party in the presence of your family, friends, colleagues, and the community.

    For sure, if you miss the FAAGBR party we'll miss you. No consequence at all.

    But if you miss the other party at the Hotel,
    well, then you are marked.

    For those who will miss the FAAGBR Christmas party, "Merry Christmass and a Happy New Year".

    For those who will attend neither party,
    ditto as above.

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  13. It is not actually a CO-INCIDENCE. It's a way of separating the GOATS from the SHEEP! Just don't be goats in sheep's clothing! That's worse than being a GOAT!Have fun eating the FOOD that came from the "clean" hands.

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  14. well, at least both are vegetarians.
    but, where will the fox be?

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  15. hehehe, you know what,i can't attend the party cause i don't have a gown huhuhuhu... whether magchoose ako na ako ay si goat or si sheep,ang totoong situasyon ko ay huhuhu,isa akong sisiw na wala pang balahibo. kaya pag hindi ako sisipot sa party ni mam lulu, e dahil wala akong gown at pag sisipot ako sa Filipino Community party ay dahil gusto ko lang mag unwind sa isang lugar na walang required na gown. at kung mamarkahan ang name ko... my karugtong naman siguro yun "ABSENT BECAUSE NO GOWN"

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  16. Hi Guys,

    am confused...

    i am also recruited through pars and universal. however, i have been waiting and waiting to be deployed and it's been half a year already.

    with all these things i'm reading should i continue waiting or should i just withdraw my application.

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  17. to confused,

    There is a hiring freeze in Louisiana. I am not sure the freeze includes teachers. It may still viable, however, keep other options as well.

    More likely you already know the cost you may need to put up with this agent.

    To check up on some leads go to this site:

    http://bbayani.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=cua&action=display&thread=1743

    Good Luck.

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  18. to huhuhu or hehehe,

    We need volunteers to decorate the party room.
    You can volunteer for it. Just let me know here.
    You are not required to attend the party, we just need your help and contribute to the Filipino community. What is the point of being a teacher if you are not helpful?

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  19. I can feel the pressure mounting here despite the snow that's supposed to cool our moods. Supporters of Lulu threaten us that we will be blacklisted with her if we do not attend the party and those who do not readily submit their forms for renewal of their one year visa with Universal to her cronies will be marked .Nobody has the right to dictate what anybody wishes to do,much more judge and determine what a person ought to think and supposed to do. This is a blatant form of oppression. And to threaten us that if we do not attend the Universal Party ,our renewal with the district of EBR is at risk despite our qualifications is a disgrace! She says she has contacts everywhere in the whole of Louisiana and in any state in the whole U.S. most especially with the HR of EBR. That is what she always says and sad though to say, there are some of us here who put our fellows down by reporting our every decision that is contrary to theirs by reporting us to Lulu. Did you ever ask us? Did you ever knew our reasons ?Please give us justice.You are traitors to your own countrymen. If you are sipsip , then do as you please,just dont step on people's privacy and let them think and act like you because we have a mind of our own. If you continue to be like that ,putting up a nice image of yourself to Universal at the expense of others,think twice. You may not believe in Karma but maybe YOU are selfish and YOU are not to be trusted and YOU are a shame to what a real Filipino is supposed to be- a person of integrity and character ; the opposite of what YOU are.

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  20. that's just it, you all have a mind of your own. sa kanila kuntento sila sa agency samantalang sa inyong pakiramdam ay inaabuso kayo. best to settle it directly to the one concerned kung hindi marami talagang matatapakan pagnagtatagal pa ito. nakakalungkot na tayong mga pilipino lang ang nagtatalo sa ibang bansa.

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  21. Setmefree, we have heard a lot of intimidation from lulu and her teacher-minions. yes, we too are being threatened if we will not attend the party or if we will not renew through the agency. but isn't it that in our recent meeting with the EBR HR, it was pointed out that we are practically free to choose how we process our renewal? and regarding the christmas party, my friends and I have decided that we wil NOT attending Lulu's party as our sign of protest. now we are thinking maybe we will show up the Filipino community's party instead...

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  22. attending lulu's "party" will only magnify her belief that she is really in control of teachers' lives. we are letting her eat us all up if we are to attend ...simply because she will use our attendance in her favor, claiming that inspite and despite the others initiatives of bringing out the truth as to how aweful she and her agency is, and how her exploitation, threat and intimidation work, she still has the support of the teachers.

    i dont think her effort of throwing a party is a sincere peace offering and a christmas present for us all? what then, her crocodile tears will flow and yet she still will intimidate the teachers and implement evil plans to those who stand for truth and justice? come on...lokohan na to.

    much has been spilled, support from individuals and organizations have been given to the teachers, ebr has officially stated its stand on renewal and employment --- all of these lean to the teachers and not to lulu.

    so what is the point of going to her party?

    because teachers still fear the pinoy witch? because of a one-time free food and drink?

    we all know what is fun in real sense...truth, justice and peace! let us all start enjoying those.

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  23. To Fed up and Gurong Gala: Thank God ,I admire your views. Ang hirap pala ng iba nating mga kasamahan,pinepersonal na ang atake sa atin sa sobra nilang kasipsipan. I don't know why they have to imply that as if it's only Universal who has the right to renew us, and to threaten us! Maybe they are ill- informed of their rights or sad to say ,pretend to see the truth because of personal reasons? In times like these, you can really see who can be bought by money and who cannot. Those who can be bought by a one -time stomach treat of partying and those who cannot .To you Anonymous, this world is a cruel place to live in. You cannot simply remain neutral and not have a stand . There are just 2 choices: apparently - RIGHT and WRONG. We have to decide. And hindi nang-aapak ng kapwa deserves their respect. Now, respect is earned, not demanded upon a person . If one does something righteously , She ought to be respected .We feel we have been abused and it's sad to say others didn't believe they've been .
    It's ironic that some would say they don't like the way Universal treats them but here they are now,very pro Lulu.In fact, they are the ones complaining about their low salaries and talking to everyone yet the first ones to get excited to buy their gowns,too. To reason out that the food is a waste if they don't attend is funny yet sad because they don't have the right perspective of what they are working hard for.

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  24. who is right or wrong depends on how one sees the situation. you feel that YOU are right but don't judge the others who are not on your side because they have their own reasons that you could not possibly fathom. freedom ika nga. their being nuetral seems like they are more open minded because they see both sides. they weigh which side is favorable for them and use it for their advantage. devastated pride and torn emotions can cloud your thinking. di mo lang alam maraming natatapakan sa kaguluhang ito. you are all educated naman at matatapang di tulad ng mga "balimbing" at mga taong "ill-informed of their rights" di ba? so go face your "enemy" and settle this problem professionally. kayo ang mga "bagong bayani" ika nga. and to believe in the statement that "the food is a waste if they don't attend", nakakatawa talaga. di naman seryoso na katuwiran yan.

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  25. How's the party? Hope you enjoyed it being one of the minions . Now ,that's not being neutral either,right? Anyway you use it for your advantage.Go face your enemy,so at least why not have a Name?

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  26. The party??Well speaking of the party,we have attended it ,yes we did. And guess who's who? The lady and her faves! Apparently.We were there to eat food out of our own sweat ,and to figure out that the food was served late ,of course so that we'll be prevented to go to some other party either.

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  27. Some commented it was such a waste of gowns. The ambiance was like a barrio fiesta.

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  28. my name? you first. you want to be free right? so say your full name out loud and proud.

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  29. Anyone who attends Lulu's Christmas party is just plain stupid? I've been reading this blog for some time and it still amazes me that most of you seem to live in fear of this woman. She's a crook, a thief, and a liar. Her year in prison didn't rehabiliate her. Why on earth would anyone even consider having this woman do the renewal paper work. The school system does not require you to do so. Why not find a lawyer who is going to charge a fair price and not take 20% of your montly salary. It defies logic!

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  30. "The greatest want of the world is the want of men- Men who will not be bought or sold.Men who in their inmost souls are true and honest.Men who do not call sin by its right name.Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole.Men who will shout for the right though the heavens fall."

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  31. mabuti na rin at marami ang nagpunta para marami ang witness sa palpak na party. alam nyo bang maraming hindi nakaupo kahit naka dress to impress? ang liit kaya ng room at maraming hindi nakakain when the food was served. may late order pero eleven plus na nakarating. kaya umuwi na lang ang marami dahil bored na.

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  32. the party was a chance for lulu to prove her sincerity to the teachers that she is there to give them at least a merry christmas party but still duh!

    what does she think of the teachers?

    and yes, sorry to say, what are the teachers thinking? lulu will really open up and get out of her way to make the teachers happy by throwing an unorganized party? what if ebr people showed up as what lulu and minions said so? (that is why many teachers came, for the ebr people presence). would it be more embarassing?

    uh-oh...well, lulu promised a new year party will be not like that disaster...

    lets wait and see

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  33. The simple fact that she instills in the minds of the teachers that the EBR officials will be there is as always a tactic to force the teachers to attend because their principals and superiors will be there (and where the poor teachers never even saw just one??}. This is intended to imply that she is powerful, has authority and influence . AGAIN , another one form of her many strategies @LIES / LIES /LIES/LIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME .ORG.COM.

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  34. Oh well,according to those who attended, the party stinks! It is clear that the party was intended to distract and draw away the teachers from attending the party of the Filipino community which is held at the same date. Got it?

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  35. ANO BA KAYO? Para naman kayong mga walang utang na loob! Makakarating ba kayo dito sa land of the FREE kung wala ang PARS at Universal ?? At least ako kahit papaano, hinding-hindi talaga makakapunta dito on my own. It is really my dream turned reality. How abou you na nakarating lang dito ay sobra namang nagmamayabang. Just come to think of it ,and don't ever think about us who are close and grateful to MAM LULU as SIPSIP as many of you say because we're NOT. Just being practical. We have a mind and life of our own,mind your own business pls.lang.

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  36. Naku po , hindi po talaga kayo SIPSIP.He,he,he. Obvious ba?

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  37. Mga Pare ,tapos na yata kayo sa kagagawa ng paperworks nyo ano? Better for us to do our jobs and show da best to our principals,love our students and our jobs,because dat is the best way we can be rehired and have a longer tenure. Sipsip ika' nga doesn't last for a lifetime. He who dines with the devil must have a long spoon.

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  38. hindi na lang tayo mag react pa... basta isispin na lang natin na hindi nga dumating ang mga taga EBR. Tactic lang yon lahat, pati nga ako na loka sa tactic. thanks ha sa pag bigay parangal sa mga gurong galing sa ibang district na dumayo sa party... for a grand 'sit on the air'...isang karangalan yon kasi nag tiis pa rin hanggang sa party time.

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  39. This blog has been here for quite sometime. I do not know if this matter is already filed in court. IF IT IS, then, LET THE COURT decide! Guys, the insults that you give to each other would certainly not help. It will only worsen the situation and you know who wins at the end, the accused will continue laughing as she sees you guys quarreling. One technique in warfare is "divide and conquer" and this is happening right now, direct to our face.
    This thing happened to Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Rizal and those whom we considered hero.
    We we were already under commonwealth government, but Quezon and Osmena (those whom we considered statesmen) fought for a free Philippines, we were free! Peru celebrated some years back because they already are a commonwealth of US. We could have gone way ahead of Hawaii. But, our comrades, choose otherwise.
    History is repeating at Louisiana now.
    As long as you continue to attack each other, then, you will end up to be losers and the "Lulu" you are talking about will have the last laugh.
    You have come to this place legally, ergo, you have the rights to be protected. BRING THIS CASE TO COURT, and LET THE LEGAL BATTLE begin. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT, follow court procedures, and rest assured you will be vindicated in the end. ALL THE BEST. and Merry Christmas to you guys!

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  40. Amen.
    Some of the posts are here just that. To distract
    and divide the people. Do not be tempted to respond to those anonymous posts. I myself is guilty of that. They can only write personal stuff. They can not talk character and integrity.
    They can only do 'philosophizing' and personal attacks.

    I have given you some infomation regarding regulation agencies, labor codes. etc. Please do the right thing and contact those agencies.
    The more inquiries they receive, they will notice more.

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  41. This blog is just half and a month old but has served much its purpose from raising the conciousness of the teachers to uniting them to common cause.

    This blog also served the purpose of bringing out the truth from the simplest to the most complex, the darkest and the meanest.

    And this blog has helped much in lowering some rates imposed upon us and has tamed dramatically the roaring animalistic instinct of the one who must not be named.

    And yes it is true, this blog still has not done enough...

    At least...or should I say, at most...
    this blog has started and did something not most of the teachers and their supporters as well as critics have done to answer pertinent issues and concerns.

    Still, we are more than hopeful of more favorable turn of events. Truth sets free!

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  42. It is dissappointing that you are fighting for whatever issues you want in this blog..
    If you are really sincere to what you are fighting, come out, don't hide. hiding yourself through this blog is cowardness- who do you think will believe you??????
    We went to the agency and asked their service to help us find a job. Now that we are here, we realized that the agency did something wrong. If the agengy is violating a law, we might not be here,, I belong to the july batch.

    I remember the time that the agency called us to sign a contract, everything was explained. They keep on reminding us that if we dont agree to the contract then do not sign, but you signed the contract.

    They arranged everything for our convenience,from the airport to the doorsteps of our apartments,what else we can ask for?

    Not everyone agrees to what you are claiming so please if you have a sincere motives, come out, go to the central office , file a complain ( so that they will believe you).

    We are a group of july batch teachers, we dont agree to what you fighting.... so please dont speak for us! YOU DONT HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF FILIPINO TEACHERS! WE ARE HAPPY AND GRATEFUL TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED BEHIND THIS PROJECT! MS LULU, SIR MEL, AND EBR.

    DO US A FAVOR, GO AND FILE A LEGAL COMPLAINT.

    You are

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  43. to pinoy teacher :

    act now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  44. Good for the "lucky few" (?) who claim to have glory with the agency.

    So you have a different experience huh? Signing the contracts with ample time reading them..understanding them? Were you explicitly explained of the charges and process? Were you given OFFICIAL RECEIPTS? Did you ever have an experience being threatened and intimidated? Were you housed in a place you really like with your own chosen housemates? Were you never told not to be friends with anyone? and so on and so forth..

    Are you sure you are in the July batch? or are you sure you are indeed one of us?

    Legal complaint? ... i better not talk about it here...

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  45. Never use the word "Filipino Community", better name the organization you belong or a particular identity that would be exclusively for you and your associates. The way it is, it's Filipino fighting another Filipino in a foreign land.
    (which is not surprising! marami yan sa California, Chicago, sa Reno at Las Vegas, Nevada) There is already enough fighting way back home.
    The courts here are different from ours way back home.
    Exchanging of words is not a battle of the educated.
    Again, file everything in court. And let THIS SIMPLE ISSUE DIE AN AWEFUL DEATH,
    THINK. THINK, AND THINK INTELLIGENTLY.

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  46. Anonymous, how sure are you that we are not on the process of filing legal complaints against your criminal Ma'am Lulu Navarro and her corrupt agency?

    You seem to think that you are the only one whos intelligent and who is thinking. You said "Exchanging of words is not a battle of the educated." But you are always here reading the posts and exhanging words with us. Are you then admitting that you are uneducated?

    But i would like to contradict you on that shallow statement of yours. Exchanging words and ideas is in fact an intellectual process. Unlike your Ma'an Lulu who does not know how to listen and exhange words cordially, and to get her way she will only resort to intimidation or threats of a lawsuit.

    And you said: "The courts here are different from ours way back home." Nobody here even asserted that the courts here are the same with that in the Philippines. What's your point? But frankly there are a lot of similarities as well as differences in both courts.

    Further, you think exploiting other human beings is just a "SIMPLE ISSUE"? Playing with people's lives is just a "SIMPLE ISSUE"? Violating other poeple's rights is just a "SIMPLE ISSUE"? Shame on you.

    So here is my suggestion to you "THINK. THINK, AND THINK INTELLIGENTLY."

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  47. anyone willing to make an anonymous interview please email me at okakoikawok@gmail.com

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  48. To: july batch teachers

    This is how a civil and lawful employment agency would behave in accordance to California civil code. Although I removed certain section not pertinent to the employment agency in question.

    Review you contracts and compare what should have been done in the first place. The manner upon which the contracts are written in accordance with existing laws.

    This is now the perspective that everyone should appreciate. You are all now in the United States. This is the country of laws and not of men (and women). Everything we do is in accordance with laws ,moral codes and community standards.

    You will discover lot of inconsistencies. Whenever there is disagreement, there is this yardstick so to speak which is the law. Not because I have my opinion and you have yours, I do not claim mine is right but rather I use the law as a guide to arrive at the most justified decision. Afterall, no one is above the law including this employment agency.

    This is the California culled somewhere.


    CA CIVIL CODE

    1812.503. (a) Every employment agency subject to this title shall maintain a bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in
    this state. The principal sum of the bond shall be three thousand dollars ($3,000). A copy of the bond shall be filed with the
    Secretary of State.

    1812.504. (a) Every employment agency shall give a written contract to every jobseeker from whom a fee or deposit is to be received,
    whether directly or indirectly. The original of the contract shall be given to the jobseeker at the time the jobseeker SIGNS the contract and BEFORE the employment agency accepts any fee or deposit or the jobseeker becomes obligated to pay any such fee or deposit.

    The contract shall contain all of the following:
    (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the employment agency, and, if the employment agency has more than one office or
    location, the address and telephone number of the principal office or location providing services to the jobseeker.
    (2) The name and address of the person giving the order for help, the date and consecutive number of the receipt of the order by the
    agency, and its manner of transmission.
    (3) The name of the jobseeker, the name and address of the person to whom the jobseeker is sent for employment, and the address where
    the jobseeker is to report for employment.
    (4) The date and consecutive number of the contract.
    (5) The amount of the fee to be charged and to be collected from the jobseeker, including a statement that if the employment is terminated, the fee may not exceed gross earnings of the jobseeker in that employment, and the amount of the fee paid or advanced by the prospective employer and by whom paid or advanced.
    (6) The kind of work or employment.
    (7) The daily hours of work; the wages or salary, including any consideration or privilege; the benefits; and any other conditions of employment.
    (8) If any labor trouble exists at the place of employment, that fact shall be stated in the contract.
    (9) A CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE which shall not be later than 180 days from the date of the referral or signing of the contract,
    whichever occurs first;
    (10) Any other term, condition, or understanding agreed upon between the agency and the jobseeker.
    (11) The following statement, with the caption in type no smaller than 10-point boldfaced type and the remainder in a size no smaller than that generally used throughout the contract, and in full
    capitals, boldface, or italics:

    RIGHT TO REFUND

    "If you pay all or any portion of a fee and fail to accept employment, the employment agency shall, upon your request, return the amount paid to you within 48 hours after your request for a
    refund.
    "If you leave employment for just cause or are discharged for reasons other than misconduct connected with your work within 90 days
    from the starting date of employment, the agency shall reduce your fee to that payable for temporary employment and shall refund any
    excess paid within 10 days of your request for a refund.
    "No fee larger than that for temporary employment may be charged to you for employment lasting 90 days or less unless the agency's fee
    schedules, contracts, and agreements provide for a further charge if you leave employment without just cause or are discharged for
    misconduct in connection with your work.
    "If any refund due is not made within the time limits set forth above, the employment agency shall pay you an additional sum equal to
    the amount of the refund."

    (b) All contracts shall be dated and shall be made and numbered consecutively, both copies to be signed by the jobseeker and the
    person acting for the employment agency. The original shall be given to the jobseeker and one copy shall be kept on file at the employment agency.
    (c) The full agreement between the parties shall be contained in a single document containing those elements set forth in this section.

    1812.505. (a) (1) An employment agency shall provide a copy of the agency's jobseeker fee schedule and payment terms to any jobseeker
    from whom a fee or deposit is to be received, prior to the jobseeker being interviewed by a counselor. The jobseeker fee schedule shall
    indicate the percentage of both the projected annual and first month'
    s total gross earnings represented by those fees.
    (2) In the schedule, the various employments or salary ranges by which the fee is to be computed or determined shall be classified,
    and in each class the maximum fee shall be fixed and shall include the charges of every kind rendered by the agency in each case or
    transaction on behalf of the prospective employee. Changes in the schedule may be made, but no change shall become effective until
    posted for not less than seven days in conspicuous place in the agency.
    (3) A copy of the schedule in effect shall be kept posted in the employment agency in a conspicuous place, and the posted schedule and
    the changes therein shall be in lettering or printing of not less than standard pica capitals. The date of the taking effect of the
    schedule and of each change therein shall appear on the posted copies.
    (4) A copy of all fee schedules, and of all changes therein, shall
    be kept on file at the employment agency, retrospectively, for a period of one year.
    (b) No fee charged or collected shall be in excess of the fee as scheduled.
    (c) No employment agency shall accept, directly or indirectly, a
    registration fee of any kind.
    (d) No employment agency may take from a jobseeker a confession of
    judgment, a promissory note or notes, or an assignment of wages to cover its fees.
    (e) The employment agency shall give a receipt to every jobseeker from whom a deposit is received. No other deposit or prepayment of
    any kind may be required by an agency. If the jobseeker accepts employment, the deposit shall be applied to the fee to be paid by the
    jobseeker.

    (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) and this subdivision, in no instance in which the employment accepted is subsequently terminated
    shall the fee charged or obligation to pay incurred by a jobseeker be
    greater than the total gross earnings of the jobseeker in that employment. This provision shall be stated in all agency contracts
    issued pursuant to Section 1812.504.

    (h) (1) If a jobseeker accepts employment in which the jobseeker is to be paid on the basis of straight commissions, or a drawing
    account against commissions, or either a drawing account or salary plus commissions, the fee payable by the jobseeker may be predicated
    upon the projected total gross earnings during the first year of employment as estimated by the employer.

    (2) Upon the conclusion of a jobseeker's first 12 months of employment, a computation of his or her actual total gross earnings
    may be provided by the jobseeker to the agency, and, predicated upon appropriate proof of earnings, an adjustment in the fee shall be made
    in which either the agency shall refund to the jobseeker any excess fee paid by him or her or the jobseeker shall pay to the agency any
    deficiency thereon.

    (3) If the jobseeker's employment is terminated prior to the conclusion of the first 12 months of employment, the actual total
    gross earnings of the jobseeker for the period of employment shall be projected to 12 months on a pro rata basis as though the jobseeker
    had been employed for the entire period of 12 months, and a computation shall be made thereon. The fee paid or payable by the jobseeker shall be predicated upon that computation as though the jobseeker had been so employed.

    (i) If an employment agency sends a jobseeker for employment and the jobseeker accepts employment other than that position specified
    in the bona fide order for employment to which the jobseeker was sent, but with the same employer, then the agency shall be entitled
    to a fee for the employment of the jobseeker, payable by the jobseeker, computed under the terms of the fee schedule in effect in
    the agency at the time of referral, provided that the jobseeker accepts employment within 180 days of the date of referral. The expiration date of the referral shall be stated in the contract.

    (j) (1) No employment agency shall divide fees with an employer, an agent, or other employee of an employer or person to whom help is
    furnished.

    (2) No employment agency shall charge any jobseeker a fee for accepting employment with such employment agency or any subsidiary of
    that agency.

    (3) No employment agency shall charge any jobseeker a fee when help is furnished to an employer, an agent, any employee of an
    employer, a member, or person who has a financial interest in the
    employment agency.



    1812.506. (a) If a jobseeker paying or becoming obligated to pay a fee, or making a deposit on a fee for placement fails to accept
    employment, the employment agency shall, upon request by the jobseeker, repay the amount of the deposit or fee to the jobseeker.
    Unless the deposit is returned within 48 hours after request, the employment agency shall pay to the jobseeker an additional sum equal
    to the amount of the deposit. A notice to this effect shall be inserted in all contracts between the agency and the jobseeker, and
    in all receipts given to the jobseeker for cash payment in advance of employment, and in the schedule of fees posted in the office of the
    agency.

    (b) (1) All employment provided by any employment agency to any jobseeker from whom a fee is to be received shall be considered
    permanent only if it lasts longer than 90 days. If a jobseeker leaves the job or is discharged within the first 90 days of employment, the agency shall make a refund or reduction of the fee to the temporary fee amount unless the agency's fee schedules, contracts, and agreements specifically provide for a further charge if the jobseeker leaves employment without just cause or is discharged for misconduct in connection with his or her work.

    (2) "Just cause" or "discharge for reasons other than misconduct"
    includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    (A) Wages or salary less than that agreed upon between the
    jobseeker and the employer.
    (B) Receiving a payroll check which is not honored by the bank upon which it was drawn.
    (C) Working hours, working days, or working shifts significantly different than those agreed upon between the jobseeker and the
    employer.
    (D) Receiving a work assignment, subsequent to accepting the job, which is substantially different from that agreed upon between the
    jobseeker and the employer.
    (E) Being assigned to a job location different from that which was agreed upon between the jobseeker and the employer.
    (F) The jobseeker's lack of physical ability to perform duties connected with the position agreed upon between the jobseeker and the
    employer unless the provisions of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3)
    apply.
    (G) A lockout or strike causing loss of pay.
    (H) The jobseeker's lack of physical ability to perform duties connected with the position unless the provisions of subparagraph (E)
    of paragraph (3) apply.
    (J) The jobseeker's entry into active service in the armed forces.

    (K) Physical or economic destruction of the business.


    1812.508.

    (6) Any person may refer complaints concerning employment agencies
    to the proper law enforcement agency for action.

    (c) (1) Where an employment agency job advertisement includes a description of the placement fee associated with the advertised job,
    the employment agency shall describe the placement fee in a manner which either clearly indicates whether or not a jobseeker shall be
    responsible for the placement fee.

    (k) Any violation of this section with the intent to directly or indirectly mislead the public on the nature of services provided by
    an employment agency shall constitute unfair competition which includes any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts or practices and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising.
    Any person or entity that engages in unfair competition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred
    dollars ($2,500) for each violation.

    ReplyDelete
  49. To you Gurong Sulong, (whatever AND WHOEVER you are!) You are still new in America and you are behaving that way. IF INDEED, YOU HAVE FILED THINGS IN COURT, THEN, LET THE rule of law take its course, It appears to me that YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY IDEA OF COURT PROCEEDINGS! Once a thing is filed, DO NOT TALK ABOUT IT!
    The issue is still simple, why? because there is a proper authority and forum to settle it, and that is the court. (Is it difficult to understand? or are you just trying to prove something?)
    MY point is simple, when I said "exchange of words" I am referring to the words here in this blog, try to count how many are opinions and how many are ideas.... try to read everything here in this blog and try to find out if they are all ideas....you have to make a difference between opinions and ideas. THERE IS A LOT OF CHARACTER ASSASSINATION HERE. And it does not augur well.
    If your intention is to arouse the consciousness of teachers here this forum where people worldwide can read is not the place. Go to the right person, there are not hundred of teachers who are affected. You are only talking and fighting for a group in EBR.

    Remember, with your style, you are dragging the whole Filipino in Louisiana.

    I do not know who you are, but the way I see it, you have a big problem, you have a messianic conflict. I'M SORRY FOR THAT.

    I AM A FILIPINO BY BIRTH BUT WAS NATURALIZED as a citizen of this country.
    I am not connected in anyway to whatever you are thinking... I am settled, am accomplished...but I feel for Pinoys who are not treated WELL.

    Is that the way you behave in the Philippines? I wonder what kind of students you have.

    WITH YOUR ARROGANCE...YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE! (mark this word)

    Let me tell you, I have been to the 50 states in the US and practically the whole world, and I have never seen a Filipino who is as arrogant as you.

    Slow down. There is much more to life. You might not notice them.

    SEE YOU AT THE CROSSROADS!

    PS.

    THIS RESPONSE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR GURONG SULONG.

    To those who are really sincere in this fight, Let the Court decide and soon you will be vindicated. Keep working and make significant change in your respective classrooms.

    To you Gurong Sulong, No one is superior in America, we have our concerns way back home that is why we are here. No matter who you are or whatever you are in our country, in here, we are all in square one! REMEMBER THAT, and from that reality we rise.

    ReplyDelete
  50. To Anonymous,

    Why are you so mad? Why are you so angry? Simmer down.

    I am just reacting to the points you raised earlier. I believe I also have the right to comment and give my opinion. You stressed that you are against character assassination but it seems that that is what you are trying to do. If you reread my comments I was only reacting to your ideas and/or opinions. In fact I was always using quotes from your comments.

    However, in your case, you are prejudging my character and you are even predicting that I would not succeed in life just like you. If you are already successful, rich, well-traveled, then I am happy for you but you don’t have to brag about that here.

    And please don't judge me, my background, my character, my skills. You even declare that I am not sincere in this fight. How were you able to say that? Are you God?

    You are accusing me that I am arrogant and yet that is exactly what you are showing.
    Try to look in the mirror first before you accuse others. For your reference, below is the dictionary entry for the word.

    ar•ro•gant (ār'ə-gənt) adj. – (1) making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud; (2) Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance; (3) Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others.

    So try to read again what you have just recently written and try to reflect on the definition of arrogant. I don’t want to assume or even speculate what kind of person you are as oppose to what you are doing. I will leave that to the readers of this blog.

    And you even have the gall to say: “Remember, with your style, you are dragging the whole Filipino in Louisiana.”

    Now, it seems that you don’t understand the concept of blogging. The purpose of blogging is to express ideas and opinions. I can’t understand why you are so against it. It is precisely this blog format that allows you to say the things that you already expressed. A blog is not a forum to resolve disputes and that is clear to everyone, we do not argue that fact. But it is simply a venue to express oneself and read other people’s views. If you don’t want to blog, then decide not to read the posts and comments here.

    Yes, I have read ALL entries in this blog, and I say that most of them are important opinions and ideas. And yes there are a few that you may consider out of bounds or maybe too flimsy but that is relative. The bottom line is we all have the right to speak our minds as this is a free country. Of course I do not personally support character assassination just like what you are doing but I will defend your right to express your opinion here.

    Let us go now to the differentiation of an opinion and an idea. All opinions are ideas. Every person’s opinion has an idea, it may be bad or good idea, but it will always have an idea, a thought. However not all ideas are mere opinions, like when I say, “The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound.” And by the way, opinions can be factual too like if I say, “According to researches, human activity is the main cause of global warming, so the human race should start rethinking its ways”. Maybe you are confused as to the meanings of ideas and opinions.

    Now, you do not know what we are doing in the background and what other teachers are doing also, so don't assume that we are only throwing empty words here. Don’t pretend as if you know the steps that we are taking, because obviously you don’t. The problem with you is that you are underestimating the teachers, you are underestimating this movement. You seem to think that we are not capable of understanding the situation and the processes.

    Then you said, “IF INDEED, YOU HAVE FILED THINGS IN COURT, THEN, LET THE rule of law take its course, It appears to me that YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY IDEA OF COURT PROCEEDINGS! Once a thing is filed, DO NOT TALK ABOUT IT!”

    Here you go again assuming so many things. Who told you we have filed a suit already? Of course we will not tell you or declare here what we are doing. Can you at least assume that you don’t know anything about our efforts? You always pretend that you know all. You make it sound that because we don’t subscribe to your opinion and the steps you are suggesting, it means we are all “uneducated” as you have stressed.

    In this blog, we are indeed merely “exchanging words” because that is the purpose of blogs. As I have underscored, blogs exist as outlets for people to be able to express and communicate. But separate this blog from whatever action we may take or we are taking against the abuses of Lulu Navarro and her agency.

    And again don’t you pretend as if you know the intricacies of the issues involve here. Don’t say that this is a “SIMPLE” issue. You seem to think that all we have to do is file a case in court and let the court decide and tadddaaan everything will turn out fine. Are you serious? Do you really think it is that easy?

    For your information, Anonymous, what is at stake here are our lives and the lives of our families back home. We are buried in debt, we are being threatened and intimidated, the opponent is a criminal who has displayed her monstrosity in several occasions. So do not say this is “SIMPLE” for this issue involves complex factors. And whatever actions we do, we make sure we do it right.

    P.S. THIS RESPONSE IS NOT ONLY FOR ANONYMOUS BUT FOR ALL TEACHERS TO READ.

    ReplyDelete
  51. gurong sulong! you know a lot. continue fighting the way you do, time will tell. sulong!

    for the rest of you guys, go on what you believe is right, stand to your grounds and be firm with your principles.

    ReplyDelete
  52. To those who are reading this blog , please see the two sides of the story! Most of the teachers who created this blog are teachers whose lifestyles do match to what they are earning, some of them love to go to parties even it is school days, some of them buy expensive clothes and love to hang out with beers, when they run out of money they look for people to be blame! How they can become good teachers of your kids?

    They complain about the placement fee and apartment rent, why not call savoy and find out what's included in their rent and for the placement fee, it was all explained to them, you have to pay for the service they are providing, there is no such free service( service was provided). they are lucky to have an agency that provides everything. I hate to say this because it is my personal experience- I came last 2006 withn a J1 visa, I grabbed the opportunity , my agency in the philippines does not have a counterpart agency here.
    (we were 8 in the apartment and each of us paying $650 a month).

    Teachers in Baton Rouge are LUCKY, their agency have arranged everything for them.

    To my friend who is working hard for his family in baton Rouge, do not be disturbed by these people.

    To all the teachers that value hardworking to ac
    hieve dreams, dont let others ruin your dreams, you are here for a reason....to help the system....

    ReplyDelete
  53. Haha! To the anonymous above, it is clear that you are really simply engaging in character assasination. I know some people behind this blog and they are dedicated, simple, hard-working and highly-qualified teachers.

    "Expensive clothes... Hang out with beers..." What? Thats the smartest argument you could come up with in trying to defend the convicted criminal Lulu Navarro and the abuses of her agency?

    Well I do not want to even waste my time giving counter-arguments against your sorry logic. I believe readers of this blog are smart enough to see how pathetic your thinking is.

    My advice to you is to read the earlier postings and comments.

    ReplyDelete
  54. the anonymous blogger before teacher 43 is really illogical!

    how will she know the characters of the teachers behind this blog? does he/she really know the people behind this initiative? he/she will be surprised to know who are the teachers and other people supporting our cause. i will not go further on this.

    how will the teachers party during weekends when teachers wake up as early as 4 am to catch up with carpools and classes?

    how will teachers party if school works are brought home to ensure work is done professionally with dedication?

    can the blogger present in facts that teachers supporting this blog are less effective in the field? because i can prove that there are teachers not supporting this blog who are definitely not effective. but that is not the issue that should be tackled as teachers have different capacities and it will only divide our ranks. i just want to make it a point that the blogger should be more factual in the presentation of arguments.

    why does the blogger cannot separate the factual issues and concerns truthfully faced by the teachers to his/her opinions?

    i subscribed with teacher 43...it is a waste of time to present counter-arguments.

    do not worry anonymous blogger..you will never be part of our struggle...and its fruits.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I second the motion. No need to respond to anonymous(dec 21, 1:12 pm).

    ReplyDelete
  56. Deduct Educator Expenses on Tax Form 1040
    Congress extends the tax benefit for out-of-pocket expenses.
    NEA Member Benefits

    The U.S. Congress has extended the provision for educators to deduct out-of-pocket expenses on their tax returns. When filing the federal tax form 1040, educators should find the line where classroom expenses can be listed as a deductible item.

    In October 2008, the U.S. Congress extended the tax benefit for the 2008 and 2009 tax years as part of the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act,” the much-publicized financial rescue measure.

    Eligible educators can deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed expenses on line 23 of Form 1040 when filing the 2008 federal tax return.

    Out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed even if you do not itemize deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A. This deduction is for expenses paid or incurred during the tax year.

    You are an eligible educator if, for the tax year, you are a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide.

    To be eligible for the deduction, you must work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education, as determined under state law.

    You can deduct up to $250 of expenses for:

    * Books
    * Supplies
    * Computer equipment (including related software and services)
    * Other equipment
    * Supplementary materials that you use in the classroom



    For courses in health and physical education, expenses for supplies are qualified only if they are related to athletics.

    Qualified expenses are deductible only to the extent the amount of such expenses exceeds the following amounts for the tax year:

    * The interest on qualified U.S. savings bonds that you excluded from income because you paid qualified higher education expenses,
    * Any distribution of a qualified tuition program that you excluded from income, or
    * Any tax-free withdrawals from your Coverdell Education Savings Account.

    ReplyDelete
  57. hello guys....sana di tayo mawalang ng trabaho sa ginawa natin. otherwise yari ang mga pamilya natin umaasa sa pilipinas

    ReplyDelete
  58. I have been reading this blog for the past days. I am one of the teachers being deployed to the US by the Universal Placement and the Pars Placement. Yes, it is true that the first few years are extremely challenging but I will become smooth in years to come.
    We, teachers have arrived in the US with H1-B visa, meaning our stay is only temporary unless we will be petitioned by our employer to live and work permanently. We might lose our job any moment (I hope not). No one is ever sure who will have his job tomorrow. Some brag that we are competent teachers that the school districts will not give us up. Very funny and assuming!!! I thought it was rather a boast in its greatest sense. We are not citizens of the United States. We are petitioned only to fill in the gap on teacher shortage. Now that recession has been gobbling the country, many citizens have been interested in the job. I have a lot of friends employed in teaching and non-teaching jobs who are also in the brink of losing their jobs. Remember guys, that frugality is the name of the game in the US nowadays. Also remember, the doctrine FIRST-IN -FIRST OUT. It is already happening in California.
    Guys, it is good to have Filipino values and maintain them. However, such values might not work here in the US. We are here to solve employers’ problems and not the other way around. I thought it would be good to view the situations with a positive and hopeful perspective. Let us face our situation with grace and with a marked degree of professionalism. People who live in gossip, complaints and animosity will not see the beauty of life being intertwined with challenges. People want instant comfort. That might not happen here in an instant. It takes a great deal of perseverance and positive outlook in life. Many Filipino in the US started with a lot worse situation than we have now. Years of perseverance and patience, they reaped their success in the end.
    I remember the times when we lined up in the Philippines for interview for US teaching jobs. We were extremely nice. We signed the contract calmly. We knew it would cost us something. We knew what we would have to do the following year. Now, that the contract is in its execution, many of us are revolting. Why did we sign the contract in the first place? I assume that the contract is not the reason for your revolt; it is rather your loan in the Philippines and your personal obligation to your family. Do not attribute your financial difficulty to Universal Placement. Your financial difficulty is a product of your own decision. You did whatever had to be done. There are consequences in your own action.
    I am sure if it the agency were owned by Americans, we will not react the same way we react now. Because the agency is owned by a former Filipino citizen, you thought that Filipino values including an act of charity and benevolence should be in the picture. Business is business. I hope we know that. Contract is contract. It is a mutual agreement.
    I am very thankful to Lulu Navarro. I arrived in the US without a family and friends to start with. She found me a place to stay. It is not her job to look for housing but she did it because she knows that it is hard for us to find a place and have access to transportation initially. She is not a housing agency but she is going out of her way for us to continue with our life. It is challenging yes. Please forget about instant comfort as we are in an entirely new environment.
    Whether or not housing is good, what matters is we are housed. It is a lot better than looking for apartments or houses ourselves. I am sure we cannot find one as we did not have our SS number and credit history to start with. Did we have money to pay upfront for deposits and similar charges? Lulu did this for all of us. Some people are just inherently negative. All they want is to take and take and not give or share. Let us learn to be appreciative too.
    On the other hand, it is a fact that a number of us borrowed money from the financing agency in order to fly here. However, it is our choice to borrow. Never were we forced to borrow money from these financial institutions. It might have been suggested or recommended but it was never ever forced. I am in the same situation so I also experienced the same. All agencies in the Philippines have partnership with these financing institutions. I assume that the interests are big as they are loans without collateral.
    I just hope that our employers will not get tired of our drama. It is our personal drama and I do not see any reason why employers have to be included in the casting of our own drama. Employers do not want dramas. We solve their dramas. I am not surprised when our employer will get rid of us because of dramas. Now, will you still boast that you are competent teachers and that you are teachers to die for? I doubt it. I hope that we will not be labeled as drama queens and drama king because of our own action. I hope not. The worst scenario to happen is losing our job, the domino effect is more terrible than you imagine. Think about your own actions guys. I suggest that you just work and impress your employer within your job description. Do not include them in your drama. We are Filipinos and our employers are not. Chances of cultural differences and misunderstanding are at a certain degree. Filipinos have their own thinking so do foreigners. I hope you will not lose your job and your family will suffer very badly as a result. This is my opinion. Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I have been reading this blog for the past days. I am one of the teachers being deployed to the US by the Universal Placement and the Pars Placement.
    >> Being deployed? Is it still occurring? <<

    Yes, it is true that the first few years are extremely challenging but I will become smooth in years to come.
    We, teachers have arrived in the US with H1-B visa, meaning our stay is only temporary unless we will be petitioned by our employer to live and work permanently. We might lose our job any moment (I hope not). No one is ever sure who will have his job tomorrow.
    >> True. Even citizens are also affected by this crisis.>>

    Some brag that we are competent teachers that the school districts will not give us up. Very funny and assuming!!! I thought it was rather a boast in its greatest sense. We are not citizens of the United States. We are petitioned only to fill in the gap on teacher shortage. Now that recession has been gobbling the country, many citizens have been interested in the job.
    >>It is your opinion.>>

    I have a lot of friends employed in teaching and non-teaching jobs who are also in the brink of losing their jobs. Remember guys, that frugality is the name of the game in the US nowadays. Also remember, the doctrine FIRST-IN -FIRST OUT. It is already happening in California.
    >> I do not know what you mean by this, FIFO. There is also LIFO (last in first out). These concepts are used in merchandise.>>

    Guys, it is good to have Filipino values and maintain them. However, such values might not work here in the US. We are here to solve employers’ problems and not the other way around. I thought it would be good to view the situations with a positive and hopeful perspective. Let us face our situation with grace and with a marked degree of professionalism.
    >> You are hired to teach and not to solve employer’s problems. Those are not your concerns and are done on a different level.>>

    People who live in gossip, complaints and animosity will not see the beauty of life being intertwined with challenges. People want instant comfort. That might not happen here in an instant.
    >> I think you are wrong here. You deal with generalities without supporting these with facts. The people I met can not move about their
    personal business without the ‘prying’ eyes of the ‘tsutsu’. They just want their freedom to associate, meet or do anything. I have first hand information how the recruiter treated some teachers. For example, remember the incident that occurred in the orientation of the new teachers few months ago. They were witnesses.>>

    It takes a great deal of perseverance and positive outlook in life. Many Filipino in the US started with a lot worse situation than we have now. Years of perseverance and patience, they reaped their success in the end.

    >> I have sisters who dealt with employment agencies before. They did not pay a single dime. Sorry, I did not experience this and did not go through an agency.>>

    I remember the times when we lined up in the Philippines for interview for US teaching jobs. We were extremely nice. We signed the contract calmly. We knew it would cost us something.

    >> Was this the first time you signed a contract? Where did you sign the contract? Was there a third-party witness present when you signed this contract?

    Did you initialed each page? Was the contract notarized after you signed it?
    Did you ask if this was an “approved” contract? There are so many questions to be asked.>>

    We knew what we would have to do the following year. Now, that the contract is in its execution, many of us are revolting.

    >> If you have read my blog regarding the legalities involved in contracts then you would have an understanding why others are revolting. There is no need to elaborate here the concept since you only want to read what you want to read. Employment agencies under the law can only charge a fee of up to month’s salary- whether upfront payment or by installment. What language can’t you understand here?>>

    Why did we sign the contract in the first place? I assume that the contract is not the reason for your revolt; it is rather your loan in the Philippines and your personal obligation to your family.
    >>Your assumption is wrong. The reason is to recoup what is not supposed to be paid and to pay partially for the loan in the Philippines. Another reason is to stop this agency from doing business in the Philippines and the U.S.>>

    Do not attribute your financial difficulty to Universal Placement. Your financial difficulty is a product of your own decision. You did whatever had to be done. There are consequences in your own action.

    >> Of course, this is of personal responsibility. And now, it is being corrected
    by questioning the practices of the employment agency.>>

    I am sure if it the agency were owned by Americans, we will not react the same way we react now. Because the agency is owned by a former Filipino citizen, you thought that Filipino values including an act of charity and benevolence should be in the picture.
    >> Sorry. Your assumption is wrong again. Americans or not, the employment agencies are subject to US laws. Please go back what this person had done in the past. She was involved in Medi-Cal scam in the state of California. There is no need to elaborate here. Please read the other blogs not the ones you only want to read.>>

    Business is business. I hope we know that. Contract is contract. It is a mutual agreement.

    >>I agree totally. The business is also under the laws of the U.S. and laws have to be followed. No business is above the law. Once again, you failed to include this very important concept in your argument. Please read the blog about contracts so will know certain aspects about contracts. Contracts are also governed by Civil codes under the state of California laws.>>

    I am very thankful to Lulu Navarro. I arrived in the US without a family and friends to start with. She found me a place to stay. It is not her job to look for housing but she did it because she knows that it is hard for us to find a place and have access to transportation initially. She is not a housing agency but she is going out of her way for us to continue with our life.
    >> There is no such thing as free lunch. Your response is elementary as if you are very innocent of what happened regarding the rentals snafu. Some teachers did not have a choice but to accept and live in the apartment complex. You paid rent which is above the published rate and your beloved Lulu got a total of $12,000 a month just to refer you and others to that apartment compound.
    And you are thankful.>>

    It is challenging yes. Please forget about instant comfort as we are in an entirely new environment.
    Whether or not housing is good, what matters is we are housed. It is a lot better than looking for apartments or houses ourselves. I am sure we cannot find one as we did not have our SS number and credit history to start with. Did we have money to pay upfront for deposits and similar charges? Lulu did this for all of us.

    >>I got an apartment when I got here and did not have a SS. I did this all by myself. Do you think Lulu will do this for free?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Approve. Na tumbok mo. the December 28, 2008 3:04 PM blogger is tooooooooo simplistic. Mag isip naman at lawakan ang paningin. idilat ang mga mata.

    ReplyDelete
  61. hahahaha. puro na lang blog. Wala naman nararating, ang latang maingay walang laman. Nagtatago sa mga alyas at kung ano ano pang mga pangalan. Takot sa labang harap harapan. Nagtatapang tapangan. duwag din naman. Kung gusto nyo na laban, harapin ang kaaway, sa korte mas maganda. Sawang sawa na ako sa mga ganito. Satsat Satsat. Tayong mga guro puro satsat.

    >>Nagsalita ang nagtatago. Bakit hindi ikaw ang lumabas?

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi all! My name is Brett Hardgrove and I’m a partner in Percy & Company [www.percyandcompany.com], a strategic planning firm located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One of our new programs for our healthcare clients is nurse retention, and part of that package is nurse recruitment. As I understand from a conversation with Pam Barker (assisted in bringing 40 teachers to Shreveport from the Philippines), there are several Filipino nurses at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. I would like to interview several of these nurses about their experience and satisfaction working in the US, but I have no contact information so I’m trying to network through various associations and the internet.

    If you can assist me - or know someone who can - please call me. My cell number is 225.978.3727 or you can reach me at my office (225.346.0115). Or if you prefer, you can email me at b.hardgrove@percyandcompany.com.

    Ideally, I would like to take several of these nurses (and a couple of Filipino teachers, too) to dinner – my treat of course – and talk about the process of coming state-side to work and their satisfaction. Please note that our program would not charge any agency fees or hidden fees to our nursing recruits, as our healthcare clients are willing to pay us a finder’s fee.

    Sincerely,

    Brett Hardgrove

    ReplyDelete
  63. Strategic planning firm? To conduct satisfaction interviews in a blog and networking? May we know your office address here in Baton Rouge po? Me nurses po akong kakilala sa Pinas ,marami,but they hate overpricing and hidden charges . Much more ,they learned what happened to me here in the U.S. that until now,I haven't got any sensible amount sent to my family (other than my payments to the credit corporation with whom I was indebted due to overcharges of my agency - PARS Int'l. and Universal Placement )after working here for almost a year.

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  64. Mga Kababayan,mag ingat sa mga recruiters na nagbibigay ng libreng dinner. Baka masikip and venue at delayed ang food at may hidden agenda,sounds familiar ba?

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  65. yung masyadong sipsip kay lulu, mag-isip isip na kayo, kasi kapag tapos na ang 10% nyo kay lulu, papalitan na nya kayo ng bagong magbababayad ng placement fee, yun ang talagang plano nya, kaya nga ayaw nyang malaman ng iba ang kanyang ginawa sa atin, buti na lang mabait si bro hindi nya hinayaan yun

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