Local Discrimination sa Philippines
Letter To The Editor: A Mindanaoan’s Tale Of Racism And Discrimination
Friday, May 02, 2008 09:47:25 PM
http://www.mindanao examiner. com/news. php?news_ id=2008050208472 5
Greetings.
I’m a job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am a graduate of Western Mindanao State University where I finished my Bachelor of Laws.
I applied in ESS Manufacturing Company, Inc. (EMCI) which holds its offices at the 41st, 42nd and 23rd floor of PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati, for the position of Legal researcher/legal indexer.
They called me to take their written examination. The next day, they called me again and told me that I passed the written examination. Furthermore, I have to pass their assessment (I don’t have any idea on what’s their procedure on this). Later, they called me and told me that I passed the examination and was invited for an interview.
On the day of the interview, I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I take my Bachelor of Laws? And I told her that I finished my degree from Western Mindanao State University. She replied: “Pardon again.” I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: “Oh! Mindanaooo.. .” as if there’s an expression of awe and surprise. I felt a bit insulted because I sensed a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.
And they say that they would call within this week if ever they will decide to hire me.
I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We’re not automatons or machines.
Also, as emphasis we have the right to be respected of our roots.
I wrote this letter as a preemptive strike if ever I will not be hired because of the word MINDANAO in my resume.
And as always, I will not be ashamed to be called a MINDANAOAN! I am a MINDANAOAN! and I will always be a MINDANAOAN!
People might say that I am overreacting. No, I’m just offended by the way that certain intelligent interviewer uttered the word MINDANAO. As if there’s an air of derision and disgust. As if such word MINDANAO will put my application into damnation. Into one of their shredding machines or trash cans.
If they are smart as they think they are, they should have noticed the word MINDANAO in my resume before I was called to take their written examination. Also, why did I pass their assessment? I don’t have any clue to how they did it. And only to dump my application because of the word MINDANAO.
They should have had saved me from the expenses of going back and forth from my residence in Ermita, Manila to their place. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought about by the stress of traveling and city pollution.
This goes to show that these Corporate Indios don’t really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these pathetic people because I have Spanish and Mexican blood running in my veins. And I speak a Creole Spanish language called Chavacano. Now, that’s throwing their trying hard Racist attitude back at them.
Also, I wrote this letter to warn other Mindanaoans that these trying hard Racist exists. And we, as MINDANAOANS, should stand up and fight for what we believe is right.
After passing all the requirement, tests, examinations, assessments, etc. then dumping your application in the end because you’re a MINDANAOAN is tantamount to “economic abuse,” as defined by law and construed in a liberal and broader context.
This local racism phenomenon must be stopped!
Thank you very much. God bless us all!
Fernan Soria
P.S. This letter is a rough draft and I didn’t do some editing or proofreading. I have done this on the spot to capture the essence, emotion and energy of my sentiment as a MINDANAOAN.
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Mao jud lagi na, Dugay ra man ko nakabantay aning mga tagalog specially kani taga Metro Manila. Feeling kaayo nila nga sila ang mga 1st class citizen dinhi sa Pilipinas and ang mga tag Mindanao and Visayas ang mga 2nd and 3rd class people. Pero maayo lang man diay sila sa pagpanghinambog, feeling nila kay naa sila sa National Capital Region, sosyal na sila. Pero I am not talking about all of them, naa man japon mga maayo nga taga Metro Manila.
Just like once nga naka adto ko sa Manila kay nag attend ug meeting sa company didto sa Makati, but naa ra ko sa Balay sa Cagayan de Oro naka base kay work at home man ko, then kato mga kauban japon nako sa company nga mga taga Metro Manila. Pagkakita nila sa ako nga gikan ko sa Mindanao, makita jud nimo sa ila tinan-awan nga ubos ila pag tan-aw sa ako. Then pagkakita nila sa ako dala nga gadgets murag nisiga ila mata kay nga murag nag-ingon nga halaka, naka afford lagi siya ug palit ana nga butang, naa diay na didto. Hahahha… nag katawa lang ko kay ang ila mga cellphone and other gadgets low end kaayo. Pero wala ko naghinambog ha, ako lang is kung makabalo sila nga taga Mindanao ka, murag tinan-awan na dayon nila sa imo kay ubos na ka.
Hinaot unta nga ma stop na ni ang local version nga racism kay pariha ra ta mga Filipino tanan, naka lahi lang is ang Mindanao layo sa National Capital Region but still part ra japon ta sa Pilipinas.
My name is Fernan Soria. It is being easy to pester various employes nowadays. I’m a ambitious job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am undergrad of Western Mindanao State Uni and thereI tried to finish my Bachelor of Laws.
I applied Convergys which holds its office at Ortigas for the position of call center agent since nobody has been accepting me. I don’t know why. I also want to apply to TeleTech, Sykes and People Support.
They called me to take their exam. On the same day they inform me and I didn’t passed the interview.
I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I took my Bachelor of Laws? I told her: from Western Mindanao State University and I am not a terrorist. She replied: Pardon again? I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: what are you trying to say?… As if there’s an expression of awe and surprise. I knew that she was thinking i am terrorist because I sense a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.
I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We’re not automatons or machines. I am so hurt and ofended, so so much. That is why I am always online avenging myself and letting all know that I have a victim complex that’s why I am victimizing corporations now.
And as always, I will not be ashamed to say that Manilenos are terrorists!
People say that I am overreacting and experiencing some sort of paranoia. I’m just offended. I am hurt and I won’t stop till I get a job coz I can’t pay for food anymore. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought by the stress of traveling and city pollution.
This goes to show that these Indios don’t really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these Pathetics because I have Spanish/Mexican blood running in my veins even if I don’t look like one I pretend to think I have.
Also, I wrote this letter to rally other Mindanaoans to boycott Manila and terrorize its population online.
I’m from Cagayan de Oro and I graduated from Xavier University. I have been working at EMCI since 2007. After reading your letter, I realized why you were not hired. And it had nothing to do with your being from Mindanao.
Even in draft form, a good law graduate should never construct sentences like the ones that you had written. Especially, when you want to point out that you are good enough for the job.
I can’t accept a law graduate of a Zamboanga-based college to write like that.
Kung naa man galing local discrimination dri sa Pinas, gi-tagaan pa hinuon nimo sila og usa pa ka rason na dili maganahan sa atoa tungod semo gisulat.
Regards,
David Llanos
There is an internet blog release stating that Fernan Soria or Soria Fernan “apologize to all Filipinos i n Manila and Luzon whom I may have offended with my re [...]“. Whoever is circulating this false blog release is hell-bent on ruining the name and reputation of the guy who wrote about Local Racism and applicant’s right to be respected of their roots. Well I tell you punk or whatever you may conceived yourself to be, Fernan Soria or Soria Fernan is just a pseudonym. He is not that hungry for personal fame. He simply wanted to inform the public about the sad reality that Mindanaoans job applicants like him encounter in Metro Manila nowadays. And if you feel that you are the ones being offended, well, “bato bato sa langit, ang matamaan huwag magagalit”. Or as my former Yakan teacher in history says, “bato bato sa langit, ang matamaan masaktan sana.” It’s easy to pretend to be someone nowadays in the internet. It is easy to steal identities. But one for thing for sure, Fernan Soria or Soria Fernan or whatever his name is, is NOT apologizing to anyone for anything. Porque? Cosa ba el disuyu culpa? Grande culpa ba hace sale con el verdad situacion? Si quien man tu tampa Fernan Soria or Soria Fernan ta mira yo grande gad contigo ya paga. Ara ta protecta camo el nombre del di inyo compania cay tiene uno gente ya escribi contra con ustedes. El uno gente hende man reclama si hende ele agraviado, natural lang. If they are smart enough, they should have noticed the word MINDANAO in my resume before I was called to take their written exam. Also, why did I passed their assessment? I don’t have any clue to how they do it. And later they would dumped my application because of the word MINDANAO. They should have had saved me from the expense of going back and forth from my residence in Ermita, Manila and to their place. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought by the stress of traveling and city pollution. This goes to show that these Corporate Indios don’t really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these Pathetics because I have Spanish/Mexican blood running in my veins. And I speak a Creole Spanish language called Chavacano. Now, that’s throwing their trying hard Racist attitude back at them. “bato bato sa langit, ang matamaan masaktan sana.” -Sir J. S.
This guy is an IMPOSTOR. He is not Fernan Soria. Please don’t believe what he write. He even made a fake multiply account: http://fernansoriasis.multiply.com/:
“# Fernan Soria Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
My name is Fernan Soria. It is being easy to pester various employes nowadays. I’m a ambitious job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am undergrad of Western Mindanao State Uni and thereI tried to finish my Bachelor of Laws.
I applied Convergys which holds its office at Ortigas for the position of call center agent since nobody has been accepting me. I don’t know why. I also want to apply to TeleTech, Sykes and People Support.
They called me to take their exam. On the same day they inform me and I didn’t passed the interview.
I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I took my Bachelor of Laws? I told her: from Western Mindanao State University and I am not a terrorist. She replied: Pardon again? I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: what are you trying to say?… As if there’s an expression of awe and surprise. I knew that she was thinking i am terrorist because I sense a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.
I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We’re not automatons or machines. I am so hurt and ofended, so so much. That is why I am always online avenging myself and letting all know that I have a victim complex that’s why I am victimizing corporations now.
And as always, I will not be ashamed to say that Manilenos are terrorists!
People say that I am overreacting and experiencing some sort of paranoia. I’m just offended. I am hurt and I won’t stop till I get a job coz I can’t pay for food anymore. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought by the stress of traveling and city pollution.
This goes to show that these Indios don’t really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these Pathetics because I have Spanish/Mexican blood running in my veins even if I don’t look like one I pretend to think I have.
Also, I wrote this letter to rally other Mindanaoans to boycott Manila and terrorize its population online.”
I respect your opinion, bro.
“David Says:
June 24th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I’m from Cagayan de Oro and I graduated from Xavier University. I have been working at EMCI since 2007. After reading your letter, I realized why you were not hired. And it had nothing to do with your being from Mindanao.
Even in draft form, a good law graduate should never construct sentences like the ones that you had written. Especially, when you want to point out that you are good enough for the job.
I can’t accept a law graduate of a Zamboanga-based college to write like that.
Kung naa man galing local discrimination dri sa Pinas, gi-tagaan pa hinuon nimo sila og usa pa ka rason na dili maganahan sa atoa tungod semo gisulat.
Regards,
David Llanos”
The guy who posted the June 17th comment in this site is not Fernan Soria.
And that same guy even made a FAKE multiply account http://fernansoriasis.multiply.com in order to make a PARODY of http://fernan45.multiply.com.
Very clever these people nowadays…
————————————————————————————–
To David Llanos:
Sir, how should a law graduate construct his sentences?
Do you know the whole story about what really happened to Fernan Soria or whatever-his-name-is?
Are you there at the interview?
Or are you one of those “Corporate Indios” who cannot even read?
Have you read the whole letter?
Have you read these sentences:
“They called me to take their written examination.
The next day, they called me again and told me that I passed the written examination.
Furthermore, I have to pass their assessment (I don’t have any idea on what’s their procedure on this).
Later, they called me and told me that I passed the examination and was invited for an interview.”
Yes it is clear and unambigous that Fernan Soria was informed beforehand that he passed the written exam.
Ergo, there is nothing wrong with the way he write or “a good law graduate should never construct sentences like the ones that you had written” issue.
The issue is simple. Local Racism.
Sir David Llanos you should take reading lessons, too…
As an old adage goes:
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
-Sir J. S.
P.S. Syempre natural gyud na dili sila maganahan sa atoa tungod sa akong gisulat na wala may klarong daut… hehehe…
I agree with David Llanos. It has absolutely nothing to do with your being from Mindanao.
Has it not occurred to you? Have you not considered the fact that maybe, just maybe, the reason why you were not accepted to EMCI as legal researcher/indexer, neither in Convergys, was because you couldn’t express yourself well in “good” English? Oral, written, and what not?
And yes, to put it bluntly, it’s paranoia! For you to say “I knew that she was thinking i am terrorist because I sense a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.” Now, you can mindread?
And for you to say “… I’m not a terrorist” to an interviewer… that is so uncalled for.
Again, for the nth time, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOUR BEING FROM MINDANAO… wake up… try to re-read your blog again, or better yet, have it checked by a professional copyeditor… maybe then, you’ll realize why.
Grow up and move on already. And start acting like a pure-blooded Filipino… not Spanish!
to David Llanos and AJ Patalay:
nice try …but try harder….i think you just need to learn how to read…better yet try to hire someone who can teach you how to surf the net……..here let me direct you to the original letter as posted by the Mindanao guy –> http://zamboangajournal.blogspot.com/2008/05/letter-to-editor-mindanaos-tale-of.html
now, read your comment again.
kung magsturya mo mura pud mog mga true dah, di man gani mo kahibalo mag dukdok ug PC tsk tsk tsk
ps:
im not related to this Mindanao guy or something but you guys are full of sheyt…klaro kaayo nga mga ignorante! basaha nang tinuod nga gi post sa tao oy! letse!
Well said Mr. Visayan guy…Mura sad ug correct ning si Davis Llanos ug Aj Patalay dah..mu-react gani mo kanang insakto dili kay pataka ra sad mo ug yawit bah..mura man sab mo ug saying nga, “To refuse an insult is an offer.”..Bwahahaha! Kaon sa mo bayabas duha.