Seeking employment – a bad joke

Humor and comedy is one of the art forms that has become so effective at cutting down political and social ills of society. Late night TV hosts in the US lead the battle as they poke fun, mock and make jokes of politicians and government, especially presidents and celebrities.

In the Philippines, the style is not always personal by targeting a personality extensively, perhaps because in the Philippines, getting personal with politicians even just for fun can send your remains to the funeral parlor.

While comics online in the Philippines are very active, most of them have a nom de guerre or a stage name as an added precaution. But that does not mean the jokes, skits or deliveries are not for real.

In fact there are posts or memes that are so real that it is more than art or humor not just imitating life but depicting realities. I recently saw a video on Cris TV on Facebook where the author presented the obstacle course or Olympic level hurdles that first time job applicants face.

What made the video or skit so different was the fact that the scene was so real that it almost did not look like a comedic critique of the job applicant’s challenges.

Unlike the millions of partial complaints aired by victims of the system, the Cris TV video presented the full picture by giving a very complete list of requirements demanded from first time job seekers.

If you really study it all, you might conclude that part of the reason for unemployment in the Philippines is because the requirements are the equivalent of a wholistic red tape horror story which gives us reason why college should be cut to two-year courses since salaries will never give parents or graduates ROI on their education.

The Cris TV skit features a young man returning from job search, expressing his frustration because employers demand so many things which he presents through several bond papers with the list of requirements.

First was a diploma, then his transcript of records or TOR. Of course he is required to give his resumé. Then his medical certificate, and his NC2 and NC3 certificates. Those certificates are issued by TESDA for skilled workers applying for housekeeping, ship’s cook or similar skilled but manual labor.

Of course no application is complete without a barangay clearance, police clearance, NBI clearance, Philippine Statistics Authority issued birth certificate and recent drug test results.

If you think that all of those requirements require a lot of work and expense, here’s more: you are required to register and submit your Social Security number, PhilHealth membership number, Pag-ibig number or ID as well as your BIR TIN or tax information number.

Little did I know that in some or many companies and localities, an applicant still has to present a cedula and that will entail paying documentary stamp tax, etc.

In a decade when gender bias and image or shape shaming is now recognized and criticized, how do companies get away with asking for two valid IDs and a certificate or reference that you are of good moral character?

There is no common point on which of the many IDs out there are “Valid IDs.” The ID photo requirement is an established tool for bias and discrimination by HR and executives screening applicants even before an actual interview.

In like manner, asking applicants to have “experience” is discriminatory in nature or a sign that the company is a lazy organization not willing to train newbies! Even the demand for a computer literate person with good communications skills may seem normal but literate and good are subjective.

Wrapping up the requirements is that an applicant needs to have a backer. This may be related to government work or positions, but even private companies have also been infected or pressured to hiring those with corporate or political backers.

The skit ends with the “bida” declaring that for all his troubles and hurdles, the companies offer below minimum daily salary. This is a common practice of companies that cloak it under the term “probationary period.”

To be fair, some hospitals and firms actually offer P200 to P300 to undergraduate nurses or those who did not pass the board exams. That is no longer funny!

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Yesterday morning I attended the launch of UAAGI On the Move (UOTM), the UAAGI Auto Group’s premier multi-brand test drive and roadshow tour, at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall from July 16 to 19, 2026.

As part of the Group’s celebration of its 20th anniversary, UOTM underscores UAAGI’s continued commitment to delivering comprehensive mobility solutions and an ownership experience that extends well beyond the point of purchase.

“UAAGI On the Move brings global auto brands, reliable aftersales services and exclusive offers together in one accessible venue, allowing customers to experience various vehicles and make informed decisions firsthand.”

UAAGI chairman Rommel L. Sytin shared that “this activity is a centerpiece of our 20th anniversary celebration, reflecting our commitment to providing comprehensive and modern mobility solutions, while recognizing the continued support of our customers over the past two decades.”

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