Phoning from the Philippines: Outsourcing to Manila's Call Centres | 101 East

Move over India - Manila is the new call centre capital of the world. With its English-speaking workforce, geopolitical stability and embracement of Western culture, the Philippines is fast becoming the world’s hottest destination for call centres.
Established in just a decade, the outsourcing industry now employs 420,000 workers and accounts for five percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), or roughly $11bn in revenue.
The country is also an attractive backroom for small- to medium-sized companies in Western countries because it is a comfortable timezone to work in and there is cost savings of up to 70 percent.
While the Philippines leads other Asian outsourcing countries in voice oriented services- the country is looking to diversify and offer more complex creative services like animation, game development, copywriting, graphic and engineering design.
An estimated 80 percent of all call centres are in Manila, but outsourcing hubs are also opening in the provinces, bringing roads, airports and jobs to poor areas.
This offers new opportunities and starting salaries that are roughly 40 percent higher than the country's minimum wage.
While the Philippines leads other Asian outsourcing countries in voice-oriented services, the country is looking to diversify and offer more complex creative services such as animation, game development, copywriting, and graphic and engineering design.
While outsourcing has stopped a brain drain that affects other Asian countries, there are concerns that the growing industry will have an impact on other professions which need educated professionals.
But critics, including local industry leaders, argue that universities and the government have not done enough to foster innovation or to educate the emerging workforce in critical thinking.
With just five out of 100 job applicants making the cut as call centre workers, 101 East examines the limitations facing outsourcing in the Philippines.
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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Philippines #PhoneCentre

[@mariejose35]

The Philippines is a beautiful country and the people are amazing..... I like this country

[@ronaangeles3477]

Marie-jose Geeraerts I wish everybody is like you that usually see the beauty and positive things .mabuhay from Philippines ma'am

[@paulstewart1182]

That is a nice comment. You used the word Mabuhay and by coincidence I used to live near the Mabuhay Rotanda, Quezon City. I am homesick but return home in 4 months time. I am from Uk. Salamat, Ingat.

[@ronaangeles3477]

Marie-jose Geeraerts thanks ma'am. every country has their own beauty.

[@freedomfighter1027]

Marie-jose Geeraerts you are so sweet! Thank you!

[@imgunaknockyouout]

You have to be there to really appreciate the wonder that is PHP. Cheap tickets can be purchased on cyber Monday to fly on Air Philippines. I have been there 3 times and I'm going back this March. March by the way is the nicest weather throughout the year. Mabuhay!

[@marcdelacruz8078]

I can't believe this video was uploaded 8 years ago and still timely even today

[@zanderpagal4574]

Hey👌

[@ericobecbec2294]

@@zanderpagal4574 hey

[@miguelormita]

I worked as a call center agent before. I was always nervous and apprehensive. But I have empathy, and I once handled an elderly who asked for my supervisor right away. He was scammed and bought a machine on eBay. After listening to him, I apologized and had been truthful that we can't support his case, and that he has to move on to avoid wasting time, energy and unnecessary pain. He asked whether or not I'm a psychologist, and that he felt better talking to me despite not being able to resolve his problem, and not getting his money back. Active listening, and empathy is the key folks!

[@381najam]

CGX CPL Posting with recordings ( Med B ) 1). 45 states covered. 2). Same day approval 3). CRM access 4). Net7 5). Eligibility checker 6). Per kit sent out $100 No DDV Only experienced & serious centers who have good fresh data, can start immediately, and can submit at least 30+ payable leads a week are welcomed to join this stable and life-long campaign. Skype: Muhammad najam490

[@gg-pr9jq]

*before. Eww

[@lachlangmbh8947]

Indians are better in solving problem. We are still the number one call center in the world

[@kevineleven2600]

@@lachlangmbh8947 attacking someone's gender will never uplift you. Lol anyway you Indians better make your accent understandable.

[@iknowyoucanhearme6483]

@@lachlangmbh8947 lmao you, guys, can claim that title. It's just that Philippines is performing better. The opening of tons of outsourcing companies here are testament to that. Keep being pressed, we love it😂

[@iamsyndromeful]

For customers being hard and harsh to Filipino call center agents, working 9 hours a day, preparing 4 hours travel back and forth to job and still giving you better customer service, a simple “thank you” is already enough to lighten up the day considering most barely make it to 18 USD a day...

[@threexladi]

Do they get a bonus for # of times they apologize, thank you for patience?

[@thyssenheinel6507]

@@threexladi nothing

[@observant1843]

@@threexladi filipinos are apologetic by nature. They repeat those phrases too much not just because it is mandatory, but they really feel soery for you

[@observant1843]

@lelsachu394 Flsjj you have a point, but there are Quality Spiels Structures that limits the "apologetic strain" to one time or one reply per statement of complaint. It depends on the QA policy of the account in question. As for the pay, it is true that we should ask for more but there is a danger of losing the account to lower bidders, which happened to an account i have worked for for 11 straight years. Call centers are not unionized, only DOLE is keeping them in check. And the main problem call centers have is the butterfly employees who jump from one call center to the next, which is a financial loss due to training costs. And if these centers stop hiring people over 25, who would? Age requirements in this country does not favor the old. We can ask for more pay due to the consistent hightened stress levels, but for a lot of us, job stress is better than stressing because you don't have a job. I wish things would be better, but that is the reality. As for automation, it has been here for the longest time, known as IVRs and chatbots, and they are working on empowering the AI behind it, but there are call levels and issue severity levels that require human presence and intervention. We shall see how it goes in the next 5 years.

[@january4920]

@@threexladi no they got nothing but the intention is to let everybody now that we're all human...

[@rafaelcayenne]

18:50 the story of that woman made my day! I mean, she's so happy and satisfied with her job as she's able to take care of her kids and at the same time work in a good mood. She even says that she could do that job for the rest of her life! OMG! That Australian employer certainly have been a bless in her life

[@rafaelcayenne]

She's a beautiful example of a woman raising their kids with honesty and with the results of her work! Greetings from Brazil to you Bheng Celon and to your kids

[@redddias2234]

Filipino people are mostly optimistic, hardworking, and self-reliance, that's why they could easily to move forward for better path of life.

[@RobertGarcia-wv8vx]

Aside from patriotism, wouldn't it have been great if they had become part of the USA. The Philippines got a better deal from the USA and now CHINA would not even THINK to mess with them.

[@rossevanricamara4169]

The only reason most live in poverty is because of the government.

[@SuperPowerfulgod]

LOL hardworking??? They are the laziest people I know. All they do just transferred all the difficult calls to the onshore agent

[@myrnahall6168]

I called my company HR today. She was very professional answering my call. As conversation goes, I heard a roaster,so I asked her location, she said, in the Philippines. Only if I didn't hear the roaster at the background I could not tell her accent. She spoke fluent English.

[@christopherarmstrong2710]

*rooster

[@artjohnson1757]

This is great news, I just hate it when I get someone from India, I just can't understand what they're saying. I use to call HP for help and get India, once I complained and they transferred me to Canada what a relief. My wife is in a group nursing home with ten other woman for five years now, and all the staff is from Philippines, they are the kindest, most loving people I've ever know.

[@energypalace]

Kevin was right. We have to think "Innovation". Make it as our goal, not to just "have a good job". Napagiwanan na nang husto ang mga pinoy.

[@gifttube7451]

Correct

[@khaleesid6567]

I remember our US client telling us before on why they much prefer Filipinos to handle customer service is that they are emphatic, courteous and able to handle stress envronment prefessionally. They throw tech concerns over to Indians since its their expertise but once calls got mishandled they route it to Philippines to save it from cancellation😂

[@ryanburdon8635]

Butch, very smart US raised Filipino that came back to PH to improve his country, you can see it, Canadian here that spent 9 months on 40 Islands in PH, fell in love with the country and the people and culture !

[@zambimaru]

The Filipino Call Workers are much easier to understand. Hopefully this will lead to better opportunities for them.

[@partymariner]

As an American I much prefer filipino reps to thier Indian counterparts....no offense intended. They are easier to understand and IMO are not as rude..not to say all Indians are but I did encounter it!

[@bantay747]

partymariner- I myself a Filipino living overseas. I find Indians are harder to understand when they speak! Having said that I often get phone calls from Indians making up stories for the sake of getting money to many innocent people overseas. I just hang up!

[@melchirpomarva]

last time i applied for call center job the final interviewer rejected me.. because according to him americans will notice my accent is pilipino and there are racist american.. anyway.. i believe he is just stupid to even say that. did he mean that pilipino accent is unacceptable? also almost 80-90% of pilipino call center agents have pilipino accents and 10% is very good at their accents

[@roamaroundgisg7362]

I agree.

[@janellagarcia08]

I agree

[@geaanderson8525]

@@melchirpomarva I am an Australian of Filipino descent, it’s not racism 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Filipino accent is hard to understand. You probably don’t have a neutral accent. You probably are very hard to understand for non Filipinos. Call centers cater for their clients. I hang up on Indian all centres because they talk differently. Not the accent, they way they speak to me puts me off. It’s not rudeness, the connection is not there. Filipinos are naturally friendly people so they connect to their clients easy.

[@laurarosario733]

They are just great and they care a lot about their job and others , because I had an issue and they followed up and it could be resolved I’m just very grateful of this people !🙏🏻♥️gracias desde la Republica Dominicana🇩🇴

[@lopattike]

I love their English accent..easy to understand compare with Indian..

[@hemagurunh9731]

Raja Dewa and Scottish, good lord anytime I phone any company it's either Indian or Scottish accent O_O

[@levindevin2355]

Hafiz Mohamad thanks a lot. we're doing our job and we'd be more than glad and happy to improve more to make our customers happy and satisfied with our services. We hope to see our industry promote and encourage more youth to grow and secure their career journey here. Your feedback matters to us because we value your demands is our business.

[@AlokShinde2106]

Shut your Mouth Hafiz. We Indians are more talented than Phillipinos

[@gucmanmier6654]

alok shindi lol.🙉🙉

[@AlokShinde2106]

it seems you need Burnol LOL

[@tansongpinoy1354]

Thank you for Positive Report for my country. That cover deserved clap 👏👏👏

[@mvn3949]

Very true point made at 16:00. They should not focus and make a big deal out of "outsourcing" but also focus on areas outside of outsourcing companies to maintain their corporate growth and jobs. Outsourcing jobs are likely to move to other neighboring countries in the future, companies would want to reduce their costs.

[@iKickItLykeAdidas]

What was said around 16:00 is so true! My mother is filipino and she wants me to get a job, but I really would like to learn skills that can help me educate others. I have no particular high paying job in mind.

[@bloodymirpoutin3825]

Go for STEM-related jobs like computers or eng'g..

[@Dimitrycone]

It is good to see the Philippines recovering, keep up the good work of moving forward. The Philippines is a fantastic country.

[@dezlynvlog6876]

Go..Phillipines! ..they have strong professional customers service & very polite.

[@grahamcracker121]

Bheng, you have the perfect accent. Very pleasant and easy to understand. More call center workers need that accent. Keep up the good work!

[@MsColdCanada]

People easily come and go... yes and that is an indicator of the quality of the job. High turn over indicates that workers are not satisfied with working conditions.

[@ronnkenan1088]

Filipinos never cease to impress me.

[@eeriesounds9250]

Hahaahaha kunwaring foreigner pero Pilipino lang din to

[@harishaneef26]

For a graduate in a third world country , the outsourced jobs can be a great start but thats about it . It should be just a start not a life long career. Anyone who takes this as a life long career is making a huge mistake. The skills one develops from this kind of jobs can be used to further enhance ones career prospects but if one sticks with the same outsourced job , then he or she will be losing out on a lot of opportunities for a better job with a better pay and a better work life balance

[@threexladi]

As a single American senior citizen, I can attest to daily marriage proposals. Cute young Indians, #1. Pakistanis running close behind!

[@abcxyz9168]

Easy for you to say. For many of these people this is the best that they are able to do. Didn't you hear, it's either go overseas or this type big job. Overseas jobs for these people tend to be domestic help for women. And for men, it could be in one of the oil producing countries in the middle East, that would probably working in an oil field/oil refinery. So, if you were in their position, taking this type of job makes so much sense.

[@abcxyz9168]

@lelsachu394 Flsjj did you think I was putting down these workers? Obviously, you didn't understand what I had written.

[@NetSkillNavigator]

You are correct. Call centre jobs are just a stepping stone

[@NetSkillNavigator]

@@abcxyz9168 you have a very poor mindset. You don't think beyond just having a call centre job

[@TheVaneza08]

watching this 2021...WOrk from home really blooms because of this covid 19 pandemic..

[@ClowderBeatsAnimals]

Watching 7 years on and yes we have to focus on innovating and become creators instead of mere consumers and outsourcing pawns.

[@Saricelina]

It is refreshing to see Philippines making progress and sustaining her future

[@chryssesandchaos]

This was back in 2013, it's now 2017 and the BPO industry in the Philippines is still alive and kicking! If ever the BPO industry would transfer to other Asian countries, well it would take a long while for that to happen. So far, the Filipino english communication skills is still way better than any of our neighboring asian countries.

[@xerdc4142]

Chryssesandchaos ....And Filipino english is getting better and better.

[@cjconcepcion5930]

wut

[@applesauce0211]

and google has an ai secretary that is getting better and better at making human like phone conversations...neural networks will make bpo industries everywhere obsolete

[@headhunter895]

India now focuses more on kpo's based on medical, finance and software, which requires more skilled people rather than good English.

[@bloodymirpoutin3825]

yes but be aware that the A.I or robots will take away your jobs in just a matter of time..

[@Casper.1996]

no bpo's cant pay you that much. but having to stay with your family and friends is WORTH MORE THAN any difference in the amount you earn abroad.

[@rosebir7529]

perfect!

[@evatomenio5]

Agree...

[@lalakuma9]

2:00 I've noticed that Filipinos answering calls for Citibank usually have only a slight accent, but this is the first time I actually see a Filipino deliberately hiding her accent.

[@levindevin2355]

lalakuma9 we have to. And we hide even our names and location.

[@federalfinder]

Citibank call center employees generally tell you they're in Cebu. I've never had one deny where they are... I'm guessing it's in IT Park.

[@realamazingworld6756]

They should embrace their accent in the culture. Why deny it

[@frankpapaloukaz5384]

Who are you ? Are you an analyst!

[@angelowong7030]

Feeling expert u idiot

[@enajyram73]

thank you for your kind word...god bless to you

[@rannem952]

The Philippines is a great country and I love Filipinos, the way they talk or speak tagalog "Mabuhay". they're really great. - Pinoy kasi ako kaya love my country and people 😬😬😬

[@justinlpugh]

I absolutely love our Manila support.

[@miwanabanana]

Bless his heart the guy trying to innovate in the Philippines. So thankful he is trying. But there's too much graft and corruption to fix Philippines. Keeping the citizens poor and undereducated benefits the politicians and wealthiest Filipinos.

[@threexladi]

Unless you can SING LIKE STEVE PERRY!

[@bobingalls4643]

The Philippines was an obvious choice for operations saying how they have good manners, great customer service and English speaking ability.

[@junlimartiongson997]

Saludo ako sa mga call center agent, keep it up guys.

[@eriann20]

You cannot really blame the people for wanting to have a good job rather than to be innovative. Isn't the physiological need more important than the others according to Maslow's Hierarchy of needs? And by need, in the Filipino culture, is not only for oneself, but the immediate family as well.

[@fauxmanchu8094]

eriann20 Very good comment!

[@mariphosaabines2006]

After getting to that level, they need to move up. Surely, that is discuss in Maslow's Hierachy of needs too.

[@abrahamdsl]

/ And by need, in the Filipino culture, is not only for oneself, but the immediate family as well. / which should eventually change, be deprecated

[@alexrc5981]

I totally agree with you Bro

[@madje18]

Typically Multinational companies or huge corporations in the Philippines are only hiring employees from top universities. We are overpopulated so people who can't a job in local companies are turning to call centers.

[@danishpinay]

I used to work as a Call Center Agent for three years in the Philippines. Awake at night and sleeping in the morning :p We Filipino's always aim for 100% CSAT = Customer Satisfaction. We listen and try to solve customers inquiries.

[@Jaya-ce8qb]

Youre always so nice. Thank you so much.

[@vanallen1666]

In USA the minimum rate of call center agent per hour is 12 to 15 dollar and that is around 750 pesos in your currency, the estimated monthly salary USA is about 2.5k or less that is around 125k in peso while in Philippines basic call center salary per month is 10k to 20k that is around 200 to 400 dollars in USA, so paying 2,500 dollars is equivalent 6 to 10 call center agents so it means call center agents manpower are cheaper in Philippines

[@kristinedeligero4593]

I can still remember how my family would help me decide as to what career path I should pick, will I get a good job, or if the job in demand abroad. Sometimes what you really want to do in life is not even an option. The thing is we were programmed to believe that the only way to be successful in life is to find a good stable and high paying job. We need to alter that mindset. To us, we have to help our future generation mold themselves to be good in what they are passionate about. We are already in this golden era where we could earn from our hobbies and talents. We should teach them how to be innovative and creative. Until the government will start supporting start ups, idealist, and young entrepreneur ; our country will just continue producing man power.

[@ronaldinan2619]

Couldn't agree more. Very well said.

[@KevinLeversee]

Great work guys happy I could contribute

[@semi5alpha]

No words, main man, to thank you!

[@guccigangm2602]

#Philippines the Mecca of English speaking ! Smart people happy People !perfect ! #English the money language.. #educated Filipinos, fun agents .

[@jhoohnan19]

Honestly, i used to work in a bpo when i was 19yrs old. Bpo helped me a lot to finish my college degree and because of that i was able to invest my own house. Its true that it is sad that instead of developing our skills we are being push and enticed to work in a bpo because of money. And the disadvantage that i experienced was after i graduated in college i was being rejected several times when i tried to apply because they prefer someone with experience in my field of study. The stereotype here in the Philippines is that you cannot get the job even if you want if you dont have the experience but how can you get the experience if they dont give you a chance? I felt like all my sacrifices for all those years to finish my degree so i can practice the field of my study is just a waste.

[@uchihasasoritachi6402]

And these jobs you mentioned that rejected you are struggling now due to the Pandemic, but the BPO industry stay strong and growing.

[@myyou7335]

Hello maybe you needed to train more. Contact uni for available projects or maybe start as an intern.

[@emjay2805]

even cashiers require college graduates and pleasing personality. whereas in BPO you can get in as long as you can converse in english that can be easily understood you'll land a job.

[@seurn7801]

I was 18 when I was hired to a call center and I'm working from home. Was lucky enough to have gotten a job to help my family during this pandemic. I'm on my 8th month now and already 19. My contract ends next month, going back to studying soon :)

[@vickyprice6984]

Sometimes in Phils employers practice discrimination and so it gets harder for tge new graduates to find a job to start with...

[@haydeeobedoza8313]

Philippines is lovable country....

[@pacgotrobbed]

I like filipino agents they are very sweet and caring about their clients.

[@angelicab4824]

Lol sinasabi mo yan pra ma-uplift sarili mo. 😂

[@gmpsyche]

It's always been a consensus that we have a long way to go in terms of innovation in science and technology. This becomes more critical now with globalization.

[@ashbradford]

That was an awesome cover of Payphone. I want that song!

[@shinkaname7473]

so this vid was made a few years ago and as far as I am concerned, some of my friends applied to BPO companies. In my own opinion, BPO helps a lot of financially-struggling people here in the Philippines, commonly the working students. However, I just noticed that SOME, okay??? some BPO workers are not able to save or invest for themselves because they tend to live a lavish lifestyle and brag about buying new gadgets or travelling nationwide every now and then. As a result, they encounter problems with their monthly budget.

[@ymonpaulo]

Imagine a 60% savings on operation expenses. There are still call center companies that deprive their employees with high salaries

[@Jacek0Mazur]

as part Filipino I'll have to agree on that statement at 16:00 and it part has to do with tradition,

[@jonathaneffemey4892]

Thanks for posting.

[@alejandropalma8742]

I'm a language line solution interpreter I love thier accents I enjoy getting calls from them.

[@alejandropalma8742]

@Elisabelle Marie Alza (843elialza) you can't be perfect unless english is one of you're native languages. Filipinos have an accent that you can highly tell, i like the accent. I don't hate asian countries infact I want a Korean wife. It just really depends on the person. When it comes to customer service the ones I dont like are the people from India its really difficult to understand them. Although I'm no longer a Spanish interpreter I enjoyed those calls from Asia.

[@kosaragolemshinska]

Yup, I worked in a couple of call centers in Bulgaria and the commute alone would take me 3 and a half hours per day. The most stress was coming from management, of course, as they always tasked staff to perform more functions for the same salary. I quit both jobs after around half a year, and I can confirm my health wasn't as good afterwards, not to mention I lived to work, so anything else had to be put in the background indefinitely.

[@multiracialfamily]

.

[@bloodymirpoutin3825]

don;t worry girl.. the A.I will make your life easier in just a matter of time.

[@littlesparrow34]

I knew somebody who prefer to work nights. Now the person is nearly 60 and still prefer doing night work. It all depends with the person. There are people who have less threshold doing night work and there are people who are naturally like owls in the night.

[@abd12459]

I wish there is an update of this documentary

[@Lunaxklk]

Very complete report. It covered all the bases.

[@LG-wv5eq]

I like the Filipinos they are polite respectful and easy to understand

[@fayediamante]

Going abroad for work is a blessing. My filipino parents chose nursing so that they could go abroad. If they didn't go abroad I would not be as privileged as I am today and now the new generation will not be able to experience new cultures as they would if they went abroad. Yes, there is no place like home but one of the greatest things is coming from a 3rd world country and making a good life in a 1st world country to give your family many chances in their future. Really all filipinos want is a better life for their children than they were able to achieve.

[@littlesparrow34]

But that's now changing. There are many Filipinos who excelled financially who are from poor families with non- degree education. They are just so innovative and creative, hard working that they pile up riches through entrepreneurship, that even a nurse from the US can't stand up in comparison to their wealth made in the Philippines within just 20 years. I knew this guy who used to e poor child of a farmer, but now he owns 25 gasoline stations, 15 grocery stores in towns and cities, big multi million apartments and mansions in capital cities and a stakehold holder investor of a huge Mall etc. This is not just a one off guy, but a few Pinoys from humble beginnings. They have vacations abroad in luxury. I'm awed by their successes that I wish to return home to the Philippines and innovate, start my enterpreneurship but perhaps it's a wishful thinking. Being employed and bossed around is not nice and being put at certain limited range of income. If earning 100- 150k there's slim chance getting 500k doing the same job. But in business it seems infinite.

[@johnwonder8720]

I remember dealing with a call center in Atlanta Georgia last year. I havent dealt with anybody that rude in years. The Filipinos are so much nicer and more professional. They can move all the call centers there , its OK with me.

[@po20035]

Smart people! Keep it up!

[@S_t_i_c_k_y_R_i_c_e]

I love Filipino call centres they are professional and also fun and easy to talk to🇰🇭🇧🇷🇦🇺😀😀

[@btran213]

the stay at home free lancer lady is a bosslady. good for her

[@MichaelHBallard]

Call centres in Canada had (has) a high burn out rate in the IT support industry.

[@Elizabeth-uj8vn]

Interesting.. happy for them

[@hadsiduds]

he's actually very hands on. perfect combination of American business mind and Filipino heart :)

[@jayarsalazar4728]

Philippine english are so much better to comprehend.

[@ziamikal09]

been working in BPO for a decade now..and I feel like I never really love this job/industry..im just here cos of money..I was able to travel, improve my family lifestyle cos of the money I bring home, then this pandemic happen, still employed..but it made me think abt my life choices..If I decided to be brave and leave BPO industry back then, maybe I got a job that I enjoy doing and wont feel like im lost everyday...its such a shame that its all too late now..I was not able to save enough to open my own business and I cant compromise getting a job in a diff field cos im afraid not getting HMO for my family members under our company benefits pahabol para sa mga tangang pinoy and wanna comment na "pasalamat ka nga may trabaho ka eh" I didnt say na di ako thankful, alright?...iwasan maging toxic, nakakahawa kayo.

[@vidronin]

Beng Celon @ 19:30 wow! I am so touch!

[@pennskyre]

It's family first. I would support my family over my career development.

[@nomaddownunder2837]

I applied many times but was never hired in a call centre back in the Phlippines. One comment was my accent is not neutral. Now living in a western country I realized I am never meant to take calls but make calls. Lol..

[@russeljoycecabanez1929]

Omg this made me lol 😂

[@oragonkita3092]

The same with me..im not dat good in english and evry time i applied i always failed in the final interview,, becaus3 of my pronounciation and grammar

[@tokyocommute]

same here if i had been accepted probably i will not become engineer here in japan.

[@nutlover3609]

Cool cool now clean my toilet

[@amaliahmontefalcodelmoral651]

Lucky you!

[@aq1q]

wow, that was really informative. Great investigative journalism. Its a breath of fresh air compared to the crap I have to see in CNN.

[@jtringo]

The Depth Of Understanding Is Very Shallow

[@GarthLovesTRAVEL]

absolutely YES!. I love that this is helping the country and people who need jobs. philippinos are much better versed in american english and life than the indians. They are basically our sister country apart from canada. They are also wonderful people. very kind and have a big heart. I seriously have a hard time understanding indians on the phone who cant speak english very well.

[@bhengcelon]

Thank you, Bibi H for your kind words :-)

[@ehkimraven]

excellent not even south korean get this level of pronuntiation what a skilled country to develop english nature speakers

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

If South Korea was colonized by the US just like what happened to the Philippines, then Koreans would probably be able to pronounce English words a lot better. Many Indians, Singaporeans, HK residents and Malaysians were able to speak English because of their British colonizers.

[@jungshook8207]

yep..i agree but its also linked to their language.. koreans, japanese as well as chinese can't speak english fluently because the way their vowels, kanjis and what not doesn't really suit with english alphabets.

[@juonisback]

At least South Korea is one of the most developed and innovative nations in the World, and they don't need to be fluent in another language unlike Philippines. So many Filipinos brag so much about being good in English compared to other Asian countried when that's the only trait they could have and to be proud of LOL

[@andreiquizon7538]

@@juonisback you're just envious, well' at least we could communicate in English without interpreter unlike south Koreans they were pretending that they are good in English but not really.

[@irishconcepcion2900]

@@juonisback we have adobo

[@AelinDoUrden]

Love it!

[@maalat]

great job for mom to work at home...great mo... loves her kids so much. I suggest though that she needs to organize, clean, and scrub her home.. when she has time.

[@susank.4945]

Hey, so I have Filipino coworkers teaching English over there. We make so much more doing the same job as they do because the clients want an " authentic" N.American English speaker. This proves that knowing "American style English" can only get you so far. People CAN tell when you are not where you claim to be. Even the Chinese youth can. I actually felt sorry that we get paid a premium and can work from home for basically the same thing. They work in a video call center.

[@MultiSciGeek]

It's kind of sad that all this outsourcing makes people divert from what they actually want to do in life and end up in some small office just for the money. At the same time it also helps develop the country, but I really think the Philippines should take control of what they do and be more innovative and creative (kind of like those animation studios). Even if people stop outsourcing jobs to them they have something to continue and something to be known for. The working from home alternative instead of leaving the country also seems to work because you are working comfortably around your friends and family, instead of all those busy high pressure jobs in all those offices or far away from home focusing only on money and "technology". I hope the Philippines develops, but doesn't end up like India or China - overpopulated and full of depressing jobs. They should finish their schooling, be happy with their jobs and lives and help their country in the process. I think they have a very good chance now, Philippines looks like an awesome country which isn't totally "developed" (destroyed) yet.

[@nonchalant5315]

if they want to work there, regardless of what they have finished in college, that's up to them, I don't think it's the outsourcing business that's taking them away from what they really want to do.. people are just being practical and opting for the job that offers more money. very little people will "honor" their degrees from the University

[@angienatoyn]

I think the key is for the government to really encourage and provide incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation. The generation right now is really just doing its best to earn and grow it's wealth. When there is enough wealth, then it needs avenues to use it. The next generation will be the drivers for non-call centre employment and activity, but only if there is a proper foundation that is in place.

[@fauxmanchu8094]

Angie Natoyn Very good, insightful comment!

[@lynverdeverdeflor2818]

MultiSciGeek

[@mariphosaabines2006]

I agree with that. If someone would take the lead, surely, they could make a huge different. They have the talent. They could do more than these.

[@jaysonnaol9920]

Great News!!!

[@madamlakwatsera5674]

The Filipinos are easy to adapt & very resilient people.

[@grvc44]

I'M working in the BPO and we have indian bosses. i must say they are very Good at managerial and operation.

[@animeboi4702]

I'm a Mexican. Mexican are hard workers. But what you said are true about the Pilifinse. Mixicano and Pilino are connected in History. They are very kind people and talented also. More power to them and God bless Amigos!!! - 💙from, Mexico.

[@Saricelina]

Love Manila, foods and people!!!

[@minaalisasis2413]

Give more important ,their working condition , some no cars, rental room , far places, and stay , late at work crowded vehi cles in the street, good job is that for call center, salaries, time schedules food alllowance for bus or jeep fare, its a very , younger really wants to work in city proper, family stays far in province or barrio, so needs to stay in abig city, provide big company to hire more workers vall center fof prosperity in life, let be great , call center, for better works students to work and to strentghtened the speaking english , fashion in different languages, and meet people , to another country , great work more call centers, great salary,

[@marcuschen7158]

This is the only quite positive documentary I’ve ever watched from the PH

[@APR_LNN]

Just like in America. We go to work for the cash even though we hated the jobs. Filipinos are becoming to be like Americans. I liked the gal working at home. She is very smart!

[@junge1984]

roger that! they're far more pleasant too. i had a bad experience with Expedia once and the call center employee was very helpful. i thought she was american until i asked and she honestly said "we're in the phillippines!" also love the ending to this video with Maroon 5's Payphone lol

[@michaelbrophy8965]

I love when I get the Filipino call centers.

[@vivafilipinas6101]

Eleven percent of 109 milllion population in the Philippines works abroad which is about 10 million which makes it is one of the largest diaspora populations in the world, spanning over 100 countries. Most of these are young and gender-balanced. Glad that some of this labor force are now confined to work within the country and not abroad--although still serving foreign businesses.

[@richardnone5644]

there is no question that many philipon are exploited in the USA they are great people who speak very clear English better then many Americans and they are very Tech savoy which makes them perfect for call centers they will pass India very soon i was there last year ang going back again for the month of april i love the place richard in the tropics

[@MrALenCar321]

People who work in call centers in India are the ones who fail in life or can't get a job as an software engineer or any other qualified position. I work in the healthcare industry so i am an example of a failure.

[@JoOquialda]

I used to work in a call center and would never forget an american caller who declined to discuss his concerns with me because they have this religion which forbids them to talk to non american person. I still have that call in my dreams. lol

[@bellusdaza6818]

Well gurl, one of no call was b'cos I'm not from America.

[@threexladi]

That person must've been one of our ignorant 'hicks'.

[@threexladi]

Juana - I feel sure that that woman's husband left her for a Filipina.

[@threexladi]

Her husband left her for a Filipina.

[@c0da625]

I wonder what religion he has...

[@alexyp]

they will keep up with the need, the Philippines use to only require 4 years of English ( just high school ) , a recent bill passed has made it something like 10 years of English required now, soon there will be even more that are good enough to do these job's over there.

[@KevinLeversee]

good point. I do my part I hope

[@lalakuma9]

I went to an international school in the Philippines when I was a teenager. The representation of Filipinos that I got to see might be skewed, but among my many Filipino classmates, only a few of them were really interested in math, sciences, and technology. They were usually more interested in business and art classes. I feel like the lack of interest in computer science & engineering might be because of their culture. The documentary says that IT jobs might go to Indonesia. That's because Indonesia has focused on math & sciences in their education system for decades, ever since my parents' generation (I'm Indonesian). There's even a misguided belief that if you're not good at math & science, it means that you're not smart. So the interest in developing those industries are already rooted in Indonesian culture, even though Indonesia's education system is overall pretty bad.

[@diahan9896]

yeah. I agree. But not that they have a choice. Business course are much cheaper than Engineering courses, Architecture and such..

[@iamnoone348]

Business will make you more money.

[@Airstrip1000M]

Actually theres a lot of IT graduates here in the country. But the problem here is that there are not enough companies to take them with, like what happened to nursing graduates there is a huge outflow of nurses that not all hospitals can accomodate them. thats why many of them is now working in the call centers.

[@beaglesrfun5896]

But there is no stability in that career. STEM (physical sciences, technology, engineering, math) courses are the way to go, and will propel the Philippines in the competitive years ahead. I would encourage young Filipinos to pursue STEM careers instead of law, arts, etc.

[@randomly_random_0]

this is now changing. Many Filipinos now are taking science and engineering courses. I am a graduate of Information Technology. I might work in Japan soon

[@VanCityInterceptor]

I believe India has gone beyond just call centres. With all the startups and tech giants having big software hubs around the country. It's a good thing that India has moved beyond the call centre business

[@ShineVlog]

wait slowly philippines they will kick you out

[@amaliahmontefalcodelmoral651]

Smooth Defense! But, yeah! You're Probably Right!

[@groundhogx2941]

No. India still calls me 50x per day.

[@KevinLeversee]

thanks!

[@KevinLeversee]

nice thoughts man.

[@blascavada496]

Favorable comments are good to savor especially when they come from people of other countries...this means Pinoys have done something beyond the ordinary...acceptable ...this should serve as a motivation to do more and never to think that we have done what we needed to do to excel, we must remain motivated to do greater for that is our destiny.

[@johnwest360]

Now the pay is getting lower and lower

[@RobertGarcia-wv8vx]

Same here in USA unless you have a profession or employed in something requiring technical expertise. I heard that deported "Dreamers" find good jobs in Mexican call centers or in jobs requiring good English skills.

[@reihalondres9518]

I worked in a BPO company medical acct for 3yrs and 8mos.. the compensation is good tho, the main problem with this kind of job is the deterioration of health since you worked in a graveyard shift.

[@filcomuk8742]

Payphone from Maroon 5 @22:58 - love it!