SvelT'i's Lavieen : the high-tech version of your B.B. cream | Lumbago | Cellushape | Hollywood Vita Facial

Stressed at work? Exhausted at home? Worried about monthly bills? Paranoid about the pandemic Covid-19? So many unexpected and taxing stressors in our life  that make us agitated which can affect our whole body including our hair, nails, and skin. 

Have you ever noticed that you break out more when you’re stressed? This is because stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems. Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. It can also make it harder for skin problems to heal.

Q&A with Dra. Rowena Aguilar-Joven M.D.
SvelTi's Medical Director

We can't control people or events. But we can control what we choose to do about it  Let your skin shine despite the gloomy weather and a depressive atmosphere. Your radiance can shine through the shadow of anxieties that a lot of your friends carry. As for those pesky blackheads and pimples that can get you feeling down, they can vanish from the affected parts of your face. You will walk through life with a renewed confidence in your own beauty, starting with a flawless skin. 

Last March 11, Svelt'i launched its state-of-the-art laser technology that has elevated the standards of skin care to new heights — Lavieen. 

Lavieen Thulium Laser

Also known as B.B. Laser, Lavieen uses thulium laser to emit pulses of searing, soft light into your skin, penetrating deep into its epidermis and dermis layers. That means both layers of your skin are being treated with rigorous medical precision: the surface, which is regularly exposed to skin, dirt, and other risk factors; and the inner parts which actually produce the collagen and other substances that are responsible for healing and rejuvenating your skin. This makes the treatment of Lavieen more effective and long-lasting. The laser lights do not just remove the external effects of the pollutants (which is important, by the way)---but they release the nutrients that are already in your skin to combat any toxins that enter your body, weeding them out and their effects. After one treatment, your skin does not just glow --it also becomes healthier and more resistant to disease and the breakout of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and other blemishes. 

You can see the positive changes after just one session, so better keep your camera and Instagram account right beside you in your treatment room. 

One session only takes 30-40 minutes. You can easily go back to the office, home, or your shopping spree, looking fresh-faced than the people around you. There are no side effects, and no surgery is needed. The treatment takes place in a very private comfortable room. The nurse in charge will go through your medical history and give you personalized advice as to how Lavieen can be maximized to bring about your desired results. The procedure is very relaxing because you will spend it lying on a medical bed as it is being administered. You can even sleep while the nurse does her work! 

The nurse will cleanse your face first before activating the Lavieen laser tech on it. Once the laser pulses are emitted into the blemishes you want removed, you will feel a trickle of heat that esembles a soothing electrical touch. The nurse can adjust the intensity of the laser, depending on your level of comfort. You will notice that no other equipment is needed: no tweezers or other surgical tools to pry those pimples out. What you will also see immediately after the treatment is done is a glowing face that looks bright and attractive, sans make-up!

SvelTi’s also offers new non-intrusive services remove back pains, bulging body parts, and aging effects on the skin 

Lumbago treats back pains caused by a high-pressure iifestyie. Cellushape reduces bulging body parts, such as arms and legs, which have been caused by an accumulation of cellulite. Hollywood Vita Facial removes wrinkles and other blemishes from the face, while infusing it with nutrients that can make its skin even healthier. All of these treatments are non-intrusive, require very little downtime, and show their results very quickly. 

Lumbago for a limber back 

Lumbago relieves the patience of the stress-induced pain in a mere 40-minute relaxing therapeutic session. The patient lies on a very comfortable bed as the machine stimulates his nervous system with short, steady bursts of electricity. The electricity sends signals to the patient’s brain, prompting the nervous system and the surrounding muscles to relax. The warmth and heat generated by the process also crushes the cold particles in the body that have caused the patient’s back to stiffen.

Cellushape

Cellushape: a more flattering look replaces the plumpness 

Ceilushape is designed mostly for women patients who are the ones who tend to suffer the build-up of cellulite. it manifests in fatty, loose skin that bloats up arms, iegs, thighs, buttocks. Though it is harmless from a medical perspective, cellulite does make the skin iook iumpy, uneven, and ultimately unflattering. it is attributed to the growth of fat ceiis which inevitabiy push up against the epidermis. The affected body parts become plump and acquire a rotund shape. Cellushape is an ultrasound-iike treatment that focuses on the bulging body parts, and send sound waves to penetrate the skin and break down the fatty substances. The treatment is done in a very relaxing environment, with the patient lying down comfortably on the bed as the nurse administers the treatment. For less than an hour, Cellushape concentrates on the fatty tissues, slowly melting them from within. After the treatment, it activates a massage-iike procedure that flushes out the now pulverized fats from the body. 

Cellushape can take more than one session if the ceilulites on the affected body parts prove stubborn, especially if they had been prevalent for a long time. interestingiy, some thin peopie can use Cellushape, not to trim own fat, but to shape their iegs into a more fleshy appealing appearance. 

Patients is advice to drink a lot of water after undergoing Cellushape. 

Hollywood Vita Facial

Hollywood Vita Facial: Fresh, smooth, and shining 

Unlike most other facial treatments, the Hollywood Vita Facial makes its effects last longer. Blemishes, wrinkles, and other anti-aging effects are removed quickly, to be replaced by a fresh, smooth skin that is attractive because of its purity and sheen. The ’new look’ can last for days and highlight the patient’s best facial features even with just minimal make-up. 

The secret to Hollywood Vita Facial lies in its nutrients. The treatment essentiaiiy places antiaging, natural elements on the patient’s face while it is being cleansed. Its combination of vitamins and minerals is then embedded under the skin where their substances bring about the needed changes. Coilagen, for example, rejuvenates the face and provides it stronger mtection against pollutants, dirt, and anti-oxidants. Omega-3, which is usually found in seafood and walnuts, prevents the onset of acne, irritation, itchiness, and inflammation. 

Vitamin E is responsible for making the cells on the face regenerate. 

One Hollywood Vita Facial treatment removes fine lines, reduces the pores, and tightens the skin. Oftentimes, the skin glows with an eye-catching radiance, making the patient look younger and even happier. 

Svelt'i Timog Branch

5th Flr South Insula 61 Timog Avenue, 

Diliman, Quezon City

+63 918 878 3584

(02) 8332- 7546 

Ortigas Branch

Ground Floor Millenium Place Meralco Ave. Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City

+63 917-5783584

(02) 8281- 9227

Maynilad: Water supply situation, distribution, challenges and solutions

Water is one of the most important substances on earth. All living things must have water to survive. If there was no water there would be no life on earth.

It is most important that the water which people drink and use for other purposes is clean water. This means that the water must be free of germs and chemicals and be clear.

Recently, members of Mommy Bloggers Philippines visited Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) to understand and know more about the raw water sources, water supply situation, its preparation for summer, how do daily rotational water service interruptions work, when will it end and what can consumers do to help diminish the impact of the reduced raw water allocation. 

Here are some facts about Maynilad:

📌 Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is the water and wastewater services provider for the West Zone of the Greater Metro Manila area. It is the largest water concessionaire in terms of customer base in the Philippines. 

 📌 Maynilad is managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, Inc. which is owned and operated by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings Inc. (DMCI), and Marubeni Corp. The MPIC-DMCI consortium took control of Maynilad on January 24, 2007. 

 📌 Maynilad’s concession area covers a total of 540 square kilometers. 

 📌 Maynilad operates and maintains 4 water treatment plants, 22 wastewater plants, 36 pumping stations, 32 reservoirs, 28 in-Iine boosters, and has laid 3,137 kilometers of water pipelines since 2007, bringing the total of water pipelines laid to 7,713 kilometers. 

 📌 Maynilad’s customer base has expanded to 1,453,979 service connections or more than 9.7 million people. 

 📌 For this quarter, 59% of Maynilad customers enjoy 24-hour uninterrupted water supply while 46% are provided with water service at a minimum of 7 pounds per square inch (psi) pressure. 

 📌 After launching one of the largest and most ambitious NRW reduction programs in Asia, Maynilad successfully brought down its non-revenue water (NRW) level to 25% by the end of December 2019. 

📌 Maynilad is an agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manita Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain areas), Quezon City (certain areas), Makati (certain areas), Caloocan, Pasay, Parahaque, Las Pihas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon-all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario-all in Cavite Province. 

Q& A

Maynilad Tap water potable? Yes. Maynilad has over 1000 water sampling points from Valenzuela to Cavite City. Every month, water smples are collected from these points for physical, chemical and bacteriological examination. This is to ensure that water in the West Zone is potable. 

What causes daily rotational water interruptions? Last June 2019, the NWRB reduced raw water allocation for the MWSS in an effort to preserve the remaining water in Angat Dam, which plunged to below-criticall levels due to scant rainfall. The reduced allocation forced the water concessionaires to implement daily rotational water service interruptions throughout their respective areas.

What causes the delay of supply resumption? These include the volume of withdrawal grom the pipelines as customers start getting water, the topography of an area (low-lying areas feel the supply resumption earlier than those in highly elevated areas)_ and the actual raw water supply that enters Maynilad's treatment plants for the day (lower volumes received means less water for distribution). Since simultaneous withdrawal of water from the pipelines affects water pressure, Maynilad strongly advises consumers to just store enough water that they will need for the duration of a service interruption. Drawing too much water after service resumption will not only prevent the supply from reaching highly elevated and fringe areas, it may also cause the hoarder'swater bill to spike. 

Is water discoloration upon resumption of service normal? Some customers may experience slight water discoloration upon resumption of service. Discoloration is a natural consequence of service interruptions, a stage returning flow of water tends to scrape the mineral deposits from the internal lining of pipes. Consumers are advised to let the water flow out until the supply clears. If discoloration persists, consumers are encouraged to report it to Maynilad for further investigation.

When will the daily rotational water service interruption end? The implementation of daily rotational service interruptions will be in effect for as long aa the raw water allocation given to Maynilad from Angat Dam is below requirement. Per NWRB, reduced allocations will remain in effect until June 2020. Continuous monitoring of Angat and Ipo Dmas are being done to check if the water levels improve enough to raise the allocation. 

What can consumers do to help diminish the impact of the reduced raw water allocation? According to NWRB, if every one of 15 million Filipinos saves four liters of water a day, we can collectively save 60 million liters per day. Such water savings can go a long way in ensuring that water levels in Angat Dam will recover enough gor NWRB to increase allocation for the MWSS.

While Maynilad is doing its part in managing supply, consumers can also help by using water responsibly.

Conserving water is increasingly important these days. Not only is it beneficial for the environment, but it's also useful for saving money in these challenging economic times.

Here are some doable ways to conserve water at home.

1. Turn off the faucet while washing dishes.   

2. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and shaving.

3. When taking a bath, use dipper from pail instead of running water from shower.

4.  Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.

5. Use pail and dipper instead of sprinklers when watering plants.

6.Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.

7. When cleaning your sidewalk or driveway, use a broom instead of a hose.

8. Water your plants and lawn early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it’s cooler. Don’t water your plants during windy days or high noon.

9. Collect the water you use for laundry, then reuse it clean the bathroom.

10. Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.

Be water conscious.

Share away!

Sapat ang tubig kung responsable ang paggamit!

Mommy Bloggers Philippines x Maynilad

Join the Century Tuna Superbods 2020 Go-see

Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards

Do you have what it takes to be a Century Tuna Superbod? This 2020, the country’s number 1 canned tuna brand says, “Everybod can be a Superbod!,” as it enjoins everyone to embark on the Superbod journey.

If you think you have what it takes to be this year’s Superbod, join the Manila go-see event at SM Mega Fashion Hall on February 22-23, 2020. The contest is open to men and women with Filipino heritage who are 18 to 60 years of age. Anyone within the age group can join as long as they have the passion for health and fitness as a means to become a better version of themselves. Thirty finalists (15 male and 15 female contestants will be chosen) will be selected in the final callbacks.

Finalists will be judged on the following criteria: 20% will be given for both their transformation story and social impact; then 30% will be awarded for body and personality, all totaling to 100%.

A total of ₱1,600,000 is at stake, with grand winners bringing home ₱500,000 each. Two runners up will both take ₱200,000 each while the rest of the 26 finalists will receive a ₱10,000 cash prize, along with other exciting perks and freebies.

For more details, visit Century Tuna’s Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/centurytuna. 

#FishEveryDay #EverybodCanBeASuperbod

#CenturyTunaSuperbods2020.

Valentine's day gift ideas, it's hidden meanings in 143 words

Even if gift-giving is your love language, finding the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your life partner isn't easy. 

Do you know that every gift has a hidden meaning behind them? Let's take a look at it.

❤ Flowers - I want to leave my name in your heart

❤ Chocolates - I love you

❤Diary - I want you to keep our memories

❤ Ballpen - I put half of my heart in it

❤ Letter - I am missing you

❤ Tie - I want to have you

❤ Perfumes - remember me always

❤ Necklace - I want you by my side

❤ Frames - please remember me

❤ Belt - I want you by my side forever

No matter which gift you pick, there's no doubt that he'll/ she'll love it because it came straight from your heart. 

💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
So, that's the end of my 143 words blogpost. Hihi. Binilang mo ba?

This blog post is part of Mommy Bloggers Philippines February 2020 Blog Hop.

Check out the cool blog posts from my fellow moms!

Valentine's Day Tips For TeamBahay Couples 


Best Valentine’s Day Date And Gift Ideas For Married Couples 


Inexpensive Date Nights For Tired Parents


Unique Valentines Gift Ideas 


Valentines Day Gift Ideas For Her 


Milky Vanilla Heart Gelatin – Valentine’s Day Dessert Treat 

Solane provides cooking stations for Taal evacuees

Hundreds of evacuees affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano became beneficiaries of the relief operations organized recently by top LPG solutions provider Solane. Food, cooking equipment, and Solane LPG were generously provided to evacuees who were able to use the Solane LPG cooking stations set up by volunteers from the company. 

“Solane is happy to be giving back to the community in any way we can. Through this tragic incident, we saw the opportunity to step up by setting up cooking stations so we can provide hot and freshly cooked meals to as many evacuees as we can,” said Isla LPG CEO Ruben Domingo.

Solane cooking station in Batangas Sports Complex

Solane conducted a series of relief operations in various evacuation sites. At the Batangas Sports Complex, a team of Solane volunteers put up a cooking station to offer noodles and coffee to at least 3000 estimated evacuees. At the Batangas Provincial Capitol where more than 700 evacuees stayed, the Batangas Divers Association partnered with Solane to provide LPGs for their cooking station. Meanwhile, in Barangay San Jose, Batangas, Solane donated five sets of stove and LPGs to at least 900 evacuees. 

The Taal relief operation is one of the several outreach initiatives of Solane in Batangas. Solane also regularly holds community drives such as barangay health initiatives, sports tournaments to promote a healthier lifestyle and good camaraderie, and Balik Eskwela to provide educational materials and school equipment to public schools. 

Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty world premiere: A modern retelling of a classic story

A beautiful princess who was cursed by an evil fairy so that she will fall on a sleep death after pricking her finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel, only to be awakened after a hundred years by true love’s kiss this is the story of Sleeping Beauty which has gained worldwide popularity through narrations in various media. 

Casts,Director and Choreographer of Ballet Manila's Sleeping Beauty

Ballet Manila, the Philippines’ most solidly trained classical ballet company, will bring this classic fairy tale to life with the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty featuring an original choreography by Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde. As part of the ballet company’s 24th performance season, On Pointe’, this grand spectacle will also be the last installment of Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Tn'logy The shows are scheduled on January 18 at 6:00 PM and January 19 at 3:00 PM at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila 

Jasmine Pia Dames as Princess Aurora
Romeo Peralta as Prince Philip

Sleeping Beauty will be a modern retelling of the story of Aurora, Prince Philip, and Maleficent with new elements that were conceptualized by the prima ballerina herself with the help of Ballet Manila’s co-artistic director Osias Barroso, who is also the show’s choreography assistant and rehearsal master. 

L- R Director / choreography assistant/ rehearsal master Osias Barroso , Ballet Manila CEO and director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Jasmine Pia Dames, Romeo Peralta during the Q&A

A production that reflects the company’s sophisticated talent and creativity, Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty will be different from the classic ballet by Ivan Vsevolozhsky and Marius Petipa. It will explore the origins of the story and explain what urged Maleticent to cast the spell on Aurora.

New characters will also be introduced such as the Keeper of the Golden Plates, and the royal couples from the other installments of the Princess Trilogy. Moreover, Macuja Elizalde further modified the story by shortening the show and removing its divertissements. With these and more, Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty will truly give a fresh and contemporary take on a story that has been around for centuries. 

However, Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty is not only about new characters, interesting crossovers, and unexpected twists. With this show, Ballet Manila’s goal is to preserve traditional aspects of ballet. The production will stay true to the story’s central plot about first love, enchantment, and goodness prevailing over evil, as well as the ever-majestic music of Peter Tchaikovsky. 

All in all, Sleeping Beauty will showcase how Ballet Manila has always identified with the classics and the Russian Vaganova method, and will manifest the company’s classical ballet abilities. 

But more than a spectacular presentation, Sleeping Beauty is an apt offering to start 2020 as the company rises from the recent tragedy after its home, Aliw Theater was ravaged by fire. With Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Manila is all set to show Filipino ballet fans that they will continue to dance, beautifully. majestically. 

Leading the ensemble is principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames who will take on the role of Aurora, while her fellow principal dancer Romeo Peralta will be her love interest, Prince Phillip. Other cast members include Mark Sumaylo, Rissa May Camaclang, Joan Sia, Gerardo Francisco, Rafael Perez, Alvin Dictado, Shaira Comeros, and Emma Harris. 

To buy tickets for the shows, visit any Ticketworld outlet, call 891 9999, or go to www.ticketworld.com.ph . 

For more information, visit 

https://balletmanila.com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/BalletManilaOfflcial/ .

Revisiting multiple intelligences at the National Week for the Gifted Annual Conference

(L-R): PCGE advisory board members Dr. Liezel Angeles, Dr. Elizabeth Vivien Magbata, Dr. Melanie Donkor and Prof. Mauricia Borromeo, Mikaela Samson, PCGE president Dr. Leticia Peñano-Ho, Ryan Tumbocon, and PCGE advisory board members Dr. Perry Esguerra, Prof. Hercules Calanta and Annabelle Sangalan.

The Philippine Center for Gift Education (PCGE), Inc. in partnership with PROMIL® FOUR spearheaded the annual National Week for the Gifted Conference, a 2-day seminar held at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place in Quezon City. With the aim of promoting discussion and learnings on giftedness, the seminar’s focal point was revisiting multiple intelligences, as discussed by experts and keynote speakers. 

THE ALL-NEW GRAND CHINA ACROBATIC CIRCUS at Smart Araneta Coliseum

Araneta City’s entertainment mecca, the Smart Araneta Coliseum, brings in to the country the multi-awarded performances of the China National Acrobatic Troupe in a Christmas Show titled  “The All-new Grand China Acrobatic Circus.”

The Grand China Acrobatic Circus presents the daring, the splendid, the bold and the spectacular. It features mind-blowing tricks, death-defying acts, graceful choreography loaded with color and excitement deftly presented by internationally renowned and multi-awarded Chinese acrobats.

The Circus themed performance is set to give Filipinos personal firsts experience of heart-stopping shows, daring and thrilling performances guaranteed to be a hit among audiences young and old. 

One never-to-missed act is the Rose Bud contortionist, a mythical fox in a trance of contortion and coquetry. Another jaw dropping act is the Peking Opera’s Huadan (heroines) in Diabolo, where performers in majestic suits intrinsically play the Chinese Yo-yo.

The All-new Grand China Acrobatic Circus will run from December 25, 2019 to January 4, 2020 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Enjoy a 25% discount on every purchase of ten (10) tickets by using a Mastercard Debit, Credit, and Prepad card in any Ticketnet outlets. The promo can also be availed via www.ticketnet.com.ph and the Araneta City Mobile app by using the promocode MCARANETA25. 

Interested buyers may also call 8911-5555. 

The Grand China Acrobatic Circus Mastercard Promo runs under DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-21402 Series of 2019.

Press Release: PH volleyball teams grateful for support that took them to the 2019 SEA Games

Despite challenges in the beginning, crucial support for the men’s and women’s volleyball teams came through.

 PH men and women’s volleyball team for the 30^th SEA Games

For the Philippine volleyball teams, their drought of medals at the SEA Games for over a decade is a huge challenge to overcome—especially after a long, storied history of victory and domination in the regional tournament back in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

While the mission was always to get Philippine volleyball back to its winning ways, the road to accomplishing that was not always easy. For various reasons, the sport was plagued by a lack of tangible support. If previous national teams were able to win, they had to do so in spite of all of these circumstances.

Sports enthusiasts and volleyball fans cheer for the Philippines’ finest athletes competing at the SEA Games in Manila

In 2019, however, things changed for both the Philippine indoor and beach volleyball teams. Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., the organization that helped form the Philippine volleyball teams, reached out to companies such as Rebisco for a partnership, allowing them to step up and provide everything the country’s volleyball delegates need in order to train and perform even better not only at this year’s SEA Games, but also in other tournaments around the world.

“Rebisco showed interest in helping the national team and initiated everything. With their help, as well as contributions from different organizations, we were able to train for the games earlier,” said men’s indoor volleyball team captain John Vic de Guzman. “We also received income and allowances every time we trained, as well as better training facilities and equipment such as the Arellano University gym which we were able to use thanks to Mr. Pete Cayco, and the Ronac Fitness Center, which we were able to use thanks to Ms. Peachy and Dindo Medina from Uratex.”

“Before, only 12 to 14 players could train, but with the support of different organizations and Rebisco, around 20 players can now join, allowing for bigger tune-ups and scrimmages,” said women’s indoor volleyball team captain Aby Maraño. “We also got more local exposure after featuring us on social media and commercials, as well as international exposure as they helped us participate in more tournaments and training camps outside the country.”

“Each athlete dreams of representing their country, there’s no better feeling. Now we’re more prepared because more corporations like Rebisco are helping our team,” said women’s beach volleyball representative Sisi Rondina.

Lahat lalaban, para sa bayan,” says Alyssa Valdez on the PH team’s campaign in the 30^th SEA Games. (Photo from Alyssa Valdez (@AlyssaValdez2) on Twitter)

With the crucial support Rebisco is giving the Philippine volleyball teams, the country’s delegates stand a stronger and better chance to win big at the 2019 SEA Games and reclaim the glory of years past. There’s still time to support all teams as the SEA Games indoor and beach volleyball tournaments are currently running at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig and the Subic Tennis Center, respectively, until December 10.

Aside from backing the Philippine volleyball teams, Rebisco also continues to do its part in advancing the local volleyball scene in the country. The company hosts the Rebisco Volleyball League, a grassroots tournament that showcases the Philippines’ up-and-coming players, and the Rebisco Beach Volleyball International Open with 20 teams from around the world; the company also fields two teams in the professional Premiere Volleyball League in the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

For more info and updates on the Philippine volleyball teams, follow Rebisco Pilipinas on Facebook (facebook.com/RebiscoSambansa/), and on Twitter and Instagram at @RebiscoSambansa. For updates on beach volleyball, follow @PHBeachVolley on Twitter.

OFW Guide: how to avoid illegal recruiters when finding job abroad

In hopes of landing great career opportunities and providing better lives for their families, aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) had to spend a hefty amount of money, do a lot of paperwork, and leave their loved ones back in the Philippines. 

However, not everyone is as lucky as they thought. With more and more Filipinos willing to secure a job outside the country, many of them were deceived by unauthorized recruitment agencies – false documents, assigned with a different job from what was promised, and robbed of their hard-earned money. Just like this guy in this video: 

https://bit.ly/2DqogWh 

You might think this is funny but being a victim of illegal recruitment is no joke. To make sure you or the people you know will not be a victim of illegal recruitment, WorkAbroad.ph, the Philippines' leading overseas job site, shares important reminders when looking for a job abroad. 

✔ Apply only at POEA-licensed recruitment agencies

First thing that a jobseeker has to check is if the agency they are dealing with is authorized by Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) to operate. Transact only with authorized representatives and agencies that have official job orders. The license number should be conspicuously displayed upon the entrance of the agency or you may visit poea.gov.ph to verify if an agency is indeed licensed.

Alternatively, WorkAbroad.ph also generates the data from POEA under the “Validate POEA License” tool where you can verify if a particular agency is authorized. 

✔ Transact only within the registered business address 

It is advised to not engage in any recruitment activities done in malls, residential areas, and restaurants outside their registered business address. If recruitment is conducted in the province or during a job fair, aspiring OFWs should check if the agency has a Special Recruitment Authority (SRA) or Job Fair Authority issued by POEA or ask the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the concerned LGU. 

✔  Be mindful of fees

Victims of illegal recruitments reportedly paid an exorbitant amount of money for placement and processing fees when they should not. WorkAbroad.ph reminds employees that a placement fee is only equivalent to one month’s salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs. Employers should also shoulder all the payments for visa, airfare, and processing costs. Most importantly, do not pay without signing a valid employee contract and official receipt.     

✔  Accept job offers using work visa 

Many illegal recruitment agencies send Filipinos abroad only with a tourist visa. Keep away from possible legal conflicts in other countries by only accepting job offers that give you work visa. Beware of unclear and unspecific job orders as it can also be a sign of an unauthorized recruitment. 

✔ Report an illegal recruiter immediately 

Should an agency seem to be suspicious or fail to meet the standards mentioned above, immediately report them to POEA by calling 722-11-44 or emailing info@poea.gov.ph. 

Although a promising job offer abroad is pretty tempting, it is also one’s accountability to be on the lookout and be wary of unauthorized recruiters. 

To explore more career opportunities overseas through POEA-accredited recruitment agencies, visit www.workabroad.ph.