Smart Padala, the country’s leading remittance network, is calling on Cebuanos to seize entrepreneurial opportunities in the province and the whole of the Visayas region. 

“We believe that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer. Having a negosyo, no matter how simple, enables families and communities to achieve an improved quality of life. With Smart Padala which is practical and profitable to run, it’s easy to start your own business in your community today,” said Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President and Head of Domestic Business at PayMaya Philippines, the digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications. 

Based on data from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Region 7, the 8.1 percent gross regional domestic product (GRDP) average growth rate in the last six years for the whole of Visayas is the highest recorded and surpasses the national average of 6.2 percent. 

Ferrer underscored the need to meet the ever-changing financial services needs of the regions that come with growing economies. “We continue to strengthen our commitment in the Visayas regions by providing services to consumers as well as opportunities to partner entrepreneurs,” said Ferrer. 

In line with this thrust of promoting entrepreneurship, Ferrer calls on entrepreneurial-minded Cebuanos to become a Smart Padala Ka-partner by setting up their own Smart Padala centers in their communities. 

“Having a Smart Padala center is a good source of income. The requirements are simple and there is no processing or application fee. With complete requirements, you can be a Smart Padala Center business owner and our ka-partner in less than a week,” Ferrer said.  

Aside from revenues from facilitating remittance services, Smart Padala Ka-partners can also earn from offering complementary services such as selling telco load, loading up of PayMaya and Smart Money accounts, and facilitating bills payment. 

Smart Padala Ka-partners enjoy support in running their business. This includes 24/7 customer care service, store merchandising, operations support, regular promos and incentives, and a tight community of Ka-partners. 

Pamaskong Padala with Smart Padala

To help both Ka-partners and consumers alike, Smart Padala is introducing an early Christmas treat to Filipino families and hardworking breadwinners in the Visayas regions. Dubbed “Pamaskong Padalow”, the promo allows consumers in the Visayas to enjoy lower remittance fees until December 30, 2016.

For the Visayas regions, Smart Padala further reduced fees, starting with an 80 percent discount or P5 fee for transactions worth P500 and below. For transaction amounts from P501 to P1,000, the fee is only P10. For transaction amounts P5,001 and above, customers just need to add P5 for every additional P500 sent.

To foster and continue their commitment to support Cebuano talent, Convergys spearheaded an extraordinaire event dubbed as YOUNIVERSE: Create, Celebrate in Cebu which was staged at the Ayala Terraces last October 18.

Local job seekers, employees, and other members of the community filled the mall in order to grasp a

the taste of Convergys' munificence in providing limitless career opportunities. The overall success of the said event sums up the company's dominance in Cebu with its eight sites and 13,000 employees.

Convergys President for Asia-Pacific Ivic Mueco said that their extraordinary growth in Cebu over the last 12 years is due to their talented and dedicated employees who deliver excellent service for their clients’customers. 

Mueco added that Cebu is a critical part of their operations in the Philippines and that they would like to stay committed in sustaining its growth by being an active partner in building their communities.

Moreover, the company also announced it is hiring 2,400 additional employees in Cebu from October to December this year, which is one of the highlight of the YOUNIVERSE event. 

Convergys Group Vice President of Operations Jojo Reyes said, “We are grateful for what we have achieved through the people of Cebu. We want to continue giving them the best opportunities by joining Convergys and growing in their careers; supporting global, top brands of every industry we support. Whether it is in telecommunications, technology, financial services, retail or healthcare – the choice is theirs.”

The day-long affair included fun activities, artist performances, and discovery of career opportunities at Convergys, where anyone can explore being part of the top BPO in the country. 

We (my media friends and I) weren't able to witness most of the activities in the Terraces, but we were able to spend a few minutes of our time chillin' with event attendees. Convergys hired a really good DJ and I was ecstatic to hear the songs of Kanye West from his latest Life of Pablo album wafting on the evening air.

At the event, Convergys also introduced its newest brand ambassador, Alden Richards. The 23 year-old actor is undeniably one of the country's hottest and most loved faces in the entertainment industry. Among with his vast talent, he is best known as the other half of the AlDub love team opposite Maine Mendoza. Together, they conquer the hearts of millions of Filipino television viewers in their infamous Kalyeserye.

I have met Filipino celebrities before, but the closest I have ever been to one was with Alden. Of course, I didn't let the time pass without taking a selfie picture with him. Alden was very polite and very humble in answering the questions and submitting to the requests of the media men in the room. He even apologized to us for being late! The crazy traffic from the airport was definitely not his fault. haha I wasn't able to take decent photos of him because there are just so many other people who would love to be with him in a photograph.

After posting our picture on my Facebook account, a lot of people asked me how did he smell. Well, he smelled really good and he had a very ugh clear skin. 

Richards' success story underscores hard work, determination, and perseverance as key essentials in pursuing and achieving goals. These are attributes that the company finds in its own employees- something that the younger echelon of workers (including me) should possess.

The Perks of Working in Convergys
Why I Vow Never to Work as a Call Center Agent

Contrary to what most people thought and asked me for so many times (which is kind of annoying), I don't work as a call center agent. I don't have anything against call center agents and BPO companies. I even admire those agents who are working hard especially those who are breadwinners, single moms and working students. My older brother who works as a call center agent did helped us a lot especially in paying the bills. 

The reason why I don't work as one and why I don't want to is because it's not my passion. Simple as that. I don't want to commit myself into a job that I am not passionate about. This is a cliché, but I am a believer of the popular adage that in order for us to do great work, we have to love our work.

I don't get so much from m job right now, but it gives a really good satisfaction and it inspires me to get up and do the work laid into me. At the end of the day what matters is our happiness. As long as we love what we are doing and it's nothing destructive for ourselves or for anyone around us, then we are doing something good.

love lots,

Tin