PGMA meets own scholar in Makati call center sortie
By Manny Angeles
MANILA,
Feb. 16 (PNA) -- Norlin Sunga, a 25-year-old call center agent from
Masantol, Pampanga, was just about ready to start her works at the FIS
Global Solutions Philippines, a business outsourcing firm in Makati,
today when by some bizarre twist of fate, she met the very person whose
scholarship grant helped her finish her business management course at
the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila four years ago.
A
day before, Norlin cannot contain her excitement since she was informed
that FIS would be inaugurated by no less than President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, her scholarship benefactor.
She
was, after all, a recipient of the PGMA scholarship program that helped
thousands of needy students finish their respective courses.
Today,
as Norlin started her works at the office and President Arroyo took
time out from her busy schedule to inaugurate the newest addition to
the business process outsourcing industry, the scholar and the
benefactor met, albeit for one brief moment, making Norlin’s day
something to remember.
"I
won’t forget this day,” Norlin said of the simple hello and handshake
she got from the President. “If not for the scholarship, I wouldn’t
have finished my course.”
Norlin’s
officemate, Norman Celestino, was even luckier. He was able to chat
with the President in Kapampangan, having hailed from Lubao, Pampanga.
Another
employee, Bernard Gaviosa, a former religious missionary, also thanked
the President for her support to the call center industry.
Norlin
is but one of the more than half a million employees now gainfully
employed by the business process outsourcing-Information and
communications technology (BPO-ICT) sector that led to the Philippines
being named the Offshoring Destination of the Year last year. There
were only 2,400 call center employees when President Arroyo took over
in 2001.
FIS
corporate executive vice president and chief operating officer Gary
Norcross briefed the President during the tour and inspection of the
software development room and work station that followed the ribbon
cutting ceremonies.
Also
on hand were Desh Priya Dash, head of the facilities and
administration; Richard Verma, business delivery leader for operations;
Ram Chary, executive vice president for Global Commercial Services; and
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, among others.
During the tour, the President was able to observe the ongoing English Proficiency training of newly-hired employees.
FIS,
which established its Manila office in 1993, has been providing banking
and payments technologies to Philippine financial institutions for over
20 years. It has been a leading provider of core banking solutions in
North America, Europe and Asia as well as for six of the top ten banks
in the country.
The
company supports the success of more than 14,000 financial institutions
in over 100 countries through its 30,000-strong workforce globally.
(PNA)
RMA/MA
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