By Jovenir F. Bataican
Open Windows

IT IS ALWAYS WITH CAUTION that job interviewers are told about the necessity to scrutinize the employment history of every applicant. As always, “keep an eye for hoppers.” It goes without saying then that job hoppers, they who’d jump from one job to another within a year or so, have always carried the stigma of being “unstable, restless and volatile.” I believe it’s high time the stereotype is re-examined.

First, it would be downright ignorant of an interviewer to ask this question to the rank and file or production workers. Business realities have since taught us that companies skirt overhead cost by hiring contractuals. Even in cases where the workers have shown potentials, the blind eye is cast in favor of keeping the revolving door open and thus the cost manageable. For those who know your labor statistics very well, you shouldn’t be surprised that a great deal of these production workers log a number of employers in a short period of time. It is therefore unfair to begrudge these people (especially if they could present clearances from previous employers) why they seemed to hop around. In fact, taken in a new context, this could be seen as perseverance. An applicant who doesn’t waste time in applying as soon as his previous contract ends, shows determination and resilience.

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By Aileen S. Quijano

IT WAS Tuesday, 8.45 A.M. Two text beeps and the sound of my cell phone wailing rudely interrupted me from a deep, well-deserved slumber.

I peered with one eye at the offensive screen of my phone and barely made out a blinking number I did not recognize. Pressed the red button. A second later, my phone sang again. With a voice hoarse from sleep, I answered a curt “hello?”
The frantic voice on the other end sent an alarm and woke up the sensible me. “Hello, is this Aileen? This is Charlene’s mother. I believe you’re her friend and office mate before?”

It took me a moment to put a face on the name. “Yes, yes ma’am. I know Charlene.”

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By Nicko Real

All the stupid fights we’ve had,
Had left us with these unanswered questions,
It’s better to talk this one out,
And know the reasons behind all these.

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By Kaira Zoe K. Alburo

THERE’S so much wisdom in the simplest of things that if people actually took time away from the folly of self-importance, they would see it right in front of them—at the tip of their noses or in front of their computer screens.

We try so hard to contemplate the meaning of life, but the answers can sometimes be caught when you aimlessly wander alone in Ayala Center (simply because you have no purpose at all for going there, hence, aimless) and things suddenly begin to add up and actually make sense.

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By Nicko Real

Stretched red dress,
Transformed and exposed,
Weaved together,
Beyond my deepest thoughts.

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