First you find her, then you train her

Continuing the author’s ‘yaya’ chronicles, she shares tips on how to hire and gauge a ‘yaya’s’ experience and her character. Age is an important factor

By: Jemps Gallegos Yuvienco

Philippine Daily Inquire

In line with my continuing study of how to attract and retain the best yayas, I wanted to know how my peers chose their children’s caretakers. Thirty-two respondents (names disguised) shared their tips and experiences.

Agency

I learned that the quickest option is to get from an agency. “The starting rate is P4,000/month if you’re getting from the agency, but I don’t recommend it,” said entrepreneur and mom of two Mia. “If you’re getting from the province, you can start the yaya at P3,000 and give her increases based on her performance. Oh yes, running a household staff is like running your company, too!”

I have horror stories about agency yayas, so going to an agency will probably be my last resort. Some are made to claim they have experience, even if they have none.

But for some, like working mom of two Eloisa, getting a yaya from the same agency as her friends somehow helped lower the anxiety. “I went through a lot of resumes and did three face-to-face interviews,” she said. “My yaya was not the smartest or the most efficient, but I love her because she loves my baby.”

Referral

The safer option seems to be by referral. “Look for someone whose family background you know or someone connected to you or your family,” said Liza, a recruitment professional and mom of two. “Both of my yayas are from Iloilo, where I’m from. We know their family.”

Usually, employers advance the expenses for the yayas’ trip to Manila. However, some use it as stepping stone to other job opportunities, so it’s a common practice to have them pay for their way if they leave their employment within six months to a year. Liza shouldered her yaya’s airfare to Manila, “With the agreement that she will repay me if she fails to stay within a year.”

While having someone vouch for an applicant or hiring a distant relative can help you avoid getting bad yayas, still, there are no guarantees. Liza agreed: “One yaya we got seemed good at first. She was the daughter of my yaya, a high-school graduate, very efficient, and my kids were comfortable with her. Unfortunately, magnanakaw pala. Another was a distant relative, college undergrad, nice to the kids, pero nagkakalat pala ng tsismis sa neighborhood!”

Experience and training

During the interview, IT executive and mom of two Sophie insists on knowing the yaya’s track record in handling babies. “Some will claim they know, but when you start asking them about a typical day, letting them explain and describe exactly how things are done, you will see the truth.”

In Liza’s case, both her yayas had no experience in childcare. “So, at least three weeks before I returned to work, I started training them, I showed them how things are done, then I watch them do it, like feeding, bathing, playtime. You would know if they’re being good to your child by the way the child behaves around them. Pag hindi ka pinapansin at gusto si yaya, it should be a good sign (again, depending on the stage). I don’t mind that my four-year-old says ‘meror’ (mirror) or ‘melk’ (milk).”

So, Liza stressed: “Invest in training. Moms are good at this. My mom is very straightforward: She would set the rules, expectations, give guidance on how they should manage their tasks, may on-the-job training. She points it out ’pag may hindi tama—the first time and every time. But I also set rules—bawal makipag-tsismisan, kids first before the chores, ang attention sa kids at hindi sa TV or sa cellphone.”

The leaner your household staff, the better. Marissa, an advertising executive and mom of two, advised: “Don’t have a lot of helpers at home; madaming HR issues.”

Working mom of two Dina added: “Treat them like real employees; get their emergency contact numbers. Write down your standard briefing procedure in case you have new maids you need to retrain. Some abuse a friendship, so stay professional.”

Marketing officer and mom of one Rochelle agreed. “Don’t be too chummy-chummy with her, keep your relationship professional.”

Age is a factor

There are always pros and cons in deciding to get a younger or older nanny. Younger ones may be more energetic and trainable, but they can also be flighty, risky and irresponsible.

Older ones can be more experienced if that is what you require, and they are generally more focused on the job since they are usually breadwinners, but they usually are set in their ways, come with expensive medical maladies, have to go home more often, and can have a hard time chasing after your child or keeping up with a newborn’s erratic sleeping schedule.

Said Liza, “I don’t have a specific take on age bracket or profile, because there will always be pros and cons. We’d always prefer those who haven’t been to Manila—bagong salta, para hindi maligalig, and she should at least be a high school graduate. If you have the time and patience to train, it’s okay to get someone with no prior experience, but who is mature. Minsan kasi ang mga senior, matitigas na ang ulo at mas marunong pa sa iyo.”

I could relate to that. My son’s outgoing yaya is 45 years old, and she ignores our instructions when she doesn’t want to do them. I noticed my son’s bottles weren’t being cleaned well, and she complained of headaches. So, we took her to the optometrist and got her prescription glasses, which she refuses to wear because she doesn’t want to adjust to her new specs.

She also insists on being on her cellphone all the time while carrying my son, and insists my son is safe anyway.

This became a deal-breaker for us, so since she doesn’t want to change, she said she’ll just go home to her five kids (at least that’s what she says). It’s a shame, because she seems to really love our son.

Which is why Gianna, a working mom of two, says: “My cut-off will always be my age (mid-30s); anyone older, unless really good, I do not entertain. I believe that the age difference between the yaya and kid (even the parent) will make or break the deal in kid-yaya-parent management.”

Entrepreneur and mom of four Trina shared: “I usually get yayas of any age, but I realized that the ones aged 25 and older jump from one employer to the other. They also usually ask for days off more often, as they have children of their own. I now get yayas who are 18-19 years old. I ask them to report to work two months before my date of delivery or one to two months before the predecessor leaves. That way, I can train them before they’re on their own, and they know and are used to my rules before the babies are born.”

Part-time option

Not crazy about having a stranger staying in?

Doctor and new mom of one Tina had a live-out yaya for only three weeks, from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., with days off on Sundays. “I leave my son with my mom while I’m in the clinic. At least I know my baby is in good hands and no child abuse will ever happen, too,” Tina explained. “I don’t have a yaya right now and I probably will not be getting one any time soon.

“Maybe if I become pregnant again, I’ll be forced to get one. My work as a doctor lets me be hands-on with my son. I hold clinic thrice a week, two hours each day. When I get home, I take care of him. Maybe that’s why I’m not so keen on finding a replacement.”

I learned a great deal from my friends’ yaya chronicles. My most important insight was, don’t expect your yaya to be perfect, and be patient with her.

For us yaya-dependents, remember: It’s our good fortune and their misfortune that led them to apply for yaya jobs. No one aspires to be a yaya, which means being uprooted from everything you know, living away from your family and friends, and being at the mercy of your employer.

If their minds were any quicker, they wouldn’t be working at this job. Because of their necessity and sacrifice, we get to enjoy the lifestyle we choose. A little sensitivity goes a long way.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

This bank has got art

UCPB marks 48th anniversary with an exhibit of priceless art treasures

By PAM BROOKE A. CASIN

United Coconut Planters Bank, Makati (Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

MANILA, Philippines -- Solid grey walls, huge glass panels, the insipid smell of freshly waxed floors, and men and women in their power suits aren’t necessarily that welcoming to guests, to say the least. Add to that standoffish scheme, however, some classic, colorful, quirky, and thought-provoking art pieces and you’d get a perfectly balanced setting to tickle anyone’s aesthetic fancy.

One such institution that has included art in its day-to-day operations is the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB). Over the years, it has acquired many a visual piece from different Filipino artists as a sign of support and great interest towards Filipino art and culture. Recently, the bank put up an exhibit showing off its priceless art collection at its Makati corporate headquarters to mark its 48th year in the business.

Titled ‘48 Treasures,’ the exhibit is a coming-together of 48 paintings and sculptures from various styles and periods—from classical realism of the 19th century to impressionism, from abstract expressionism to contemporary art, from modern to avant-garde opuses. Curated by Ross Capili, the exhibit portrayed “a sense of development of Philippine visual art and the evolving sentiment of Filipino artists through the years.”

Founded in 1963, the bank, as it was gradually becoming a recognized institution in its field, felt the need to acknowledge its corporate responsibility of preserving national heritage, and it did so by amassing paintings and sculptures in earnest in the late ‘70s. Since then, many of the artworks in the bank’s private collection have become cultural treasures, seeing as their creators either have been conferred National Artists or have made great strides and contributions in the local art scene.

Important pieces in the bank’s private collection and that have been made public in the exhibit were Felix Resurrección Hidalgo’s ‘La Gitana’ (a 124-year-old oil painting of a barefooted gypsy draped in red and sheer clothing seemingly waiting for someone’s return); Fernando Amorsolo’s ‘Elias Picnic’ (the artist’s quintessential impression of rural Philippines); Vicente Manansala’s vibrant wall mural commissioned by the bank called ‘The Coconut Industry.’

Pieces that have made it to the exhibition are works of Napoleon Abueva, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Angelito Antonio, Antonio Austria, Manny Baldemor, Jose Blanco, Eduardo Castrillo, Roberto Chabet, Danny Dalena, Antipas Delotavo, Victorio Edades, Ramon Estella, Romulo Galicano, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Venancio Igarta, Raul Isidro, Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Raul Lebajo, Cesar Legaspi, Diosdado Lorenzo, Arturo Luz, Edsel Moscoso, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, Justin Nuyda, Romulo Olazo, Onib Olmedo, Galo Ocampo, HR Ocampo, Victor Oteyza, Leon Pacunayen, Jorge Pineda, Ricarte Puruganan, Cenon Rivera, Rodolfo Ragodon, Manuel Rodriguez Sr., Nena Saguil, Rodolfo Samonte, Juvenal Sansó, Mauro Malang Santos, Solomon Saprid, Romeo Tabuena, Hugo Yonzon, and Fernando Zobel.

While the bank has already showcased notable works from its repertoire, guests, clients, and art enthusiasts alike can still expect more this year, as the bank will continue to put up monthly exhibits of its collection (which, according to UCPB executives, is now numbering at over 500 pieces).

UCPB’s corporate offices is located at 7907 Makati Avenue, Makati City
.

BSP resolves coin supply shortage

By LEE C. CHIPONGIAN

 MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to find ways to resolve and avert coin supply shortfalls owing to high demand for coins from banks.

In a report, the BSP said it has averted a projected shortfall in the supply of coins last year, and these supply constraints resulted from either the public hoarding of coins or delivery delays from outsourced mint makers. It noted that an artificial shortage of coins may occur because of the common practice by people of keeping coins idle in bank vaults, drawers, piggy banks, and not re-circulating them.

The volume of coins released in 2010 was lower than demand, which for banks located in Metro Manila, was 1.18 billion pieces. The BSP had enough supply of 10-piso coins but had a slight shortfall in the smaller coin denominations.

The BSP, which outsource coin blanks, have been resolving yearly supply constraints for coins since 2007. However officials noted an artificial scarcity due to the high demand for 1-piso and 25-sentimo coins. “This could be traced to the slow recirculation of coins which led banks to demand more coins from the BSP,” said the report submitted to the Monetary Board.

The central bank is implementing measures to avoid artificial scarcity of coins in the future. During consultation meetings with BSP regional offices, one of the causes for the poor recirculation of coins was the use of coins as tokens for so-called ‘automated tubig machines’ video games and videoke machines. Coins were also used as accessories, kept inside churches, piggy banks, and even melted for metals.

To improve the recirculation of coins, the BSP is intensifying the ‘Tulong Barya Para sa Eskwela’ program. In the last two years (2008 to 2010) the BSP said the program has successfully recirculated almost six million coins. Last year along, some P7 million worth of coins have been deposited under the program. So far since it started in 2006, the program has collected P14-million worth of coins.

In its 2010 annual report, the BSP said its mint and refinery operations delivered a total of 582.02 million pieces of circulation coins. The demand from banks for coins last year totaled 1.1 billion pieces.

The BSP will demonetize all denominations of coins in preparation for new designed coins for circulation beginning next year. The New Generation Currency banknotes in all six denominations were introduced in December last year.

Bangladesh woman takes ‘attacker’s’ penis to police

Agence France-Presse

DHAKA, Bangladesh – A 40-year-old Bangladeshi woman cut off a man’s penis during an alleged attempted rape and took it to a police station as evidence, police in a remote part of Bangladesh said Monday.

The woman, a married mother of three, was attacked while she was sleeping in her shanty in Jhalakathi district, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Dhaka, on Saturday night, officers said.

“As he tried to rape her, the lady cut his penis off with a knife. She then wrapped up the penis in a piece of polythene and brought it to the Jhalakathi police station as evidence of the crime,” police chief Abul Khaer told Agence France Presse.

The woman has filed a case accusing the man — who is also 40 and a married father of five — of attempted rape, saying that he had been harassing her for six months.

The severed penis has been kept at the police station and the rape suspect was undergoing treatment in hospital.

“We shall arrest him once his condition gets better,” Khaer added.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your retirement and real estate needs.

Visions and revisions

By: Conrado de Quiros

Philippine Daily Inquirer

P-noy isn’t making things worse, economically or otherwise, but he’s missing a lot of chances to make things better. While it’s true enough that “’pag walang corrupt, walang mahirap” (where there are no plunderers, there are no paupers), it’s even truer that pag walang pagbabago, walang saklolo(where there is no transformation, there is no salvation).

Arguably, a government that’s not corrupt, or less so than the previous one, is already an epic change. A government that you trust, or do not distrust as badly as the previous one, is already an epic change. But it is not enough. What the public expects from the P-Noy government is even more epic, simply because what it did to bring it to power was just as epic. It was not the brilliance of those who are currently in power that brought them to power, or heaven forbid their campaign managers. It was the brilliance of the people. They were the ones who had the eyes to see P-Noy was “the one,” they were the ones who had the heart, or balls, to make him so.

They do not just expect him to be virtuous, they expect him to be courageous. They do not just expect him to do things differently, they expect him to do things heroically.

Diverting a huge portion of the budget to doles isn’t doing things heroically, even if it’s doing things differently. At the very least that is so because it raises suspicions of dividing spoils to favor favorites, or worse of allowing those same favorites to campaign this early for 2013. Doles are the best way to buy votes. But doles do not check joblessness, they do not even check poverty. Not in the long run, not even in the short run.

At the very most that is so because the same money could have been spent for emergency employment. That is a time-honored way of getting out of the rut of exceedingly bad times, or since we’ve been in that perpetual state anyway at least of checking worsening poverty. That was what Franklin Roosevelt did during the Great Depression. He opened up millions of emergency jobs in public works, quite apart from giving relief to the unemployed. Spending for public works practically disappeared during the last few years of Gloria’s rule.

Just as well, you want to subsidize, subsidize agriculture. Or more specifically, subsidize the farmers.

Agriculture doesn’t just provide food for the table, it provides employment—or self-employment, or livelihood—for most Filipinos. The neglect—no, abandonment—of agriculture is one of the biggest sources of poverty in this country. Who wants to farm now? Even the rice terraces have gone to pot, and I don’t mean marijuana (though I could be wrong), for lack of people wanting to till land anymore. Farming brings nothing. With importation being regarded as the cheapest way to get rice (it is not in the long run), the Arroyo government relegated farmers to the status of beggars.

Without seeds, fertilizer, insecticide, irrigation, and whatever else a farmer needs to grow things, and having a rice cartel ripping them off on the price of their harvest after they have paid more than their due to usurers, what else is left? They can’t even afford to buy their own rice. The last thing farmers want is for their children to follow in their muddy footsteps. The first is to go abroad and become OFWs. I’ve heard a lot of comments recently about today being the best time to try to attract investors in agriculture. I’m all for it. But first invest in the farmers. No farmers, no agriculture. No farming, no employment.

Food security, or food sovereignty as it is called now, should be on top of the list. It is so even in countries that can afford to import food a hundred times over. It is so in the United States, it is so in Europe, it is so in Japan. These are countries that heavily subsidize their agriculture, these are countries that heavily protect their agriculture, WTO notwithstanding. We’d be fools not to do so. Especially in our case—a fact that cannot be sufficiently belabored—where farming doesn’t just put food on the table but puts work in the hands of most Filipinos.

And finally, I cannot for the life of me understand why this government isn’t using People Power to power the country to the 21st century. People Power doesn’t just mean toppling governments, it can also mean building a nation. Proof of it is the very existence of this government itself. This is a government that came to power on an Edsa masquerading as an election. This is a government that came to power on the strength of People Power masquerading as voters. People Power is the one awesome weapon P-Noy has that his predecessor did not have. It is the one awesome weapon P-Noy has that his predecessor strove desperately to find but could not.

But he’s not using it.

Efren Peñaflorida has already shown whole new vistas of what is possible if you can harness the spirit of voluntarism and make it a partner in governance. The “kariton classroom” is one of the most inspired inventions in this country, and I don’t know why it cannot be made to sprout like mushrooms by the Department of Education and other private groups. The “kariton classroom” points the way out of the rut and how to get there. That is by educating the country, that is by teaching the masa to read and write, that is by bringing the light of learning to the poorest of the poor. And that is by bringing learning to them and not by forcing them to go to it. That is the only way you can stop ignorance, that is the only way you can stop joblessness, that is the only way you can stop poverty. The enlightened does not ask, “What job can I find today?” The enlightened asks, “What work can I do today?”

No, this government isn’t making things so much worse, it’s just not making things so much better. As it should.

Senator wants 6-hour work for public school teachers

• Saturday, May 28, 2011

MANILA -- A lawmaker sought lesser hours to be devoted by public school teachers in classroom and administrative tasks each day.

Senator Manny Villar filed Senate Bill 2454, providing a six-hour workday for public school teachers and exempting them from compliance with the regular eight-hour duty.

Besides higher pay, the senator said teachers have been clamoring for shorter working hours, since their current work schedule allegedly leaves them stressed out and exhausted.

Reducing the number of working hours, Villar said, will allow teachers to have more time to innovate and enhance classroom teaching. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Political views a top priority in choosing life partners, says study

By LAUREN ACURANTES

In this case, opposites do not attract.

A recent study done by researchers in the United States suggests that similar political and social views take a strong precedence over a person’s looks, personality and even religious views, when choosing a life partner.

This intriguing result was reached after a group of researchers from Rice University studied the “physical, personality and behavioral traits of more than 5,000 married couple in the United States.”

Participants were given a set of traits that ranged from physical attributes to beliefs and ideologies, and were then asked to rate the said traits from zero to one, depending on how strong they felt on the match with their spouse – one, of course, pertaining to a perfect match.

The only attribute that ranked slightly higher than having similar views was “the frequency of church attendance.”

Clearly, spouses are no longer heavily concerned about the way they look and act around their chosen partner, but is it also possible that these partners started out having varying political views and just eventually adopted the views of the more dominant partner? After all, the survey was conducted on people who were already married.

The study does not answer this question.

Still, researchers believe this might help pave the way for singles to quickly weed out the losers from the winners, romantically speaking.

As study author, associate professor of political science, John Alford puts it, “…if you're looking for a long-term romantic relationship, skip 'What's your sign?' and go straight to 'Obama or Palin?' And if you get the wrong answer, just walk away.”

Simple, really.

Source: Yahoo! Health