STI 15th NYC in Metro Manila

They came in droves. 18,000 STIers braved the Metro Manila traffic as the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City became the Mecca of STI faithfuls who witnessed the STI 15th National Youth Convention. Forty STI Colleges from Metro Manila and nearby environs were at hand to witness this spectacular roadshow presentation that featured a bounty of things to learn.

As mentioned over and over again, this is STI's claim to fame, STI is the only school that conducts a nationwide convention for its students. This convention is also a testimony of how STI has grown in the past years. The influx of students that flocked the SMX Convention Center is simply something that no other school in the Philippines can match. So lets just brand these two days STI DAYS!

The Convention included a powerhouse cast of veteran speakers and guests. First to present were members of the Globe Labs team from the Telecommunications industry Globe. Greg Igaya and Sherwin Sowy took turns to give their side on how Globe Labs , an innovation driven group, can shape their future. At the same time, their various takes on innovation showed that Globe Telecom is really in a look out for that technological breakthrough that Filipinos might discover. Who knows, STI Students might be the ones who can do that.

Veteran inspirational and motivational speaker Pido Aguilar took the second topic with much gusto. His take on how STI students can become influential is one for the books. Summarizing it into three important components his Give, Receive and Spread speech gave STI students a better perspective on how they can become modern day heroes. His song Bayani Ka is still playing over my head as I write this blog. Finally, Internationally acclaimed speaker Dennis Evangelista anchored the convention with his zany antics and one of a kind take on how STI students can be hired. The life of Mr Evangelista is a living testament that we can all succeed if we want to. I believe that a lot of STIers will be talking about him for a long long time.

Providing entertainment were the 2009 STI Talent search champions. 2009 STI Idol Grand Champion Charmaine Nodado of STI College Las Piñas left the crowd in awe with her one of a kind rendition of "My Redeemer lives!" I kept reminding everyone that it was an invocation Hymn but the crowd still clapped after she sang. My back up dancers are the Katz Republic, the 2009 Grand National Champion, who also gave one intermission number. Providing additional entertainment are three good looking commercial model artists - Neil Coleta, JR De Guzman and Enz Guazon. The crowd really loved their performance. This one is now finished and I hope that next year we can top it again.

JOBAPALOOZA Press Conference

Spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment, a Press Conference was held to launch DOLE's summer buster this year to help unemployed filipinos get back on track by applying for various Jobs on May 1, 2009. The event is called JOBAPALOOZA 2009 and hopefully like the much talked about Luvapalooza, it will attract a lot of would be employees so that the problem of unemployment may be addressed in its own small way. Giving a boost are sponsors that are very instrumental in making the event a success namely Globe, Banco de Oro and SM, Jobstreet.com, Philippine online Chronicles and STI.

In this picture, veteran news reporter Sandra Aguinaldo of GMA-7's kapuso network interviews DOLE Undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz on what the Jobapalooza is all about.  The event will be staged at the SMX Convention Center and after the whole day of looking for work, jobseekers are in for a treat since Globe will sponsor a concert for everyone with no less than Bamboo as its main attraction for their concert.  

The STI Education Services on the other hand will be the primary mover of registrations.  The whole STI network of schools can be a place where people nationwide can go to and register so that their applications can be pre-screened and job matching can be done. At the same time, the jobstreet data base will have each registrant's resume.  Another way to registrer is through the Mobile Caravan which will visit six districts in the city of Manila.  Applicants can register through the mobile school since 24 computers can be used simultaneously to register.

For sure the event will be a success since all sectors are using all their resources to make sure that our beloved countrymen can apply and hopefully be hired on the spot come job fair day. Job Street for its part has guaranteed at least 100 employers present on that day while the DOLE has made the assurance that there will be 200 employers on that day and at least 600 applicants will be hired on the spot! Other giant companies helping out this very worthwile event is Globe Telecoms, Banco de Oro and SM, Philippine Online Chronicles and the City of Manila.

I was there as guest speaker of the event. I mean I spoke to my boss that we will be signing the MOA with DOLE for the event. Stay tuned for more kwentros about the Jobapalooza 2009.

Campus Katz & All-Star Dancers combine forces

Here is an intermission number during the STI NYC at the SMX Convention center. The video shows the joint forces of the The STI College Paranaque's Campus Katz, an all male dance group, together with the All-female dance group - the STI All-Star Dancers. The song is "No Air by Jordin Sparks and 4 Minutes by Madonna & Justin Timberlake"