Wells Fargo to Outsource to the Philippines

Wells Fargo Center sign

Despite all the political pressures in the United States for businesses not to outsource, the second largest American banking company, Wells Fargo and Co., will proceed in moving some its business support activities to the Philippines. For this, the U.S. bank has set up Wells Fargo Philippines Solutions Inc., which is following the footsetps of other banking giants such as JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. It is the second largest bank in the United States in terms of deposits, home mortgage servicing, and debit cards. Wells Fargo is headquartered in San Francisco, California, but has major “hubquarters” in other cities throughout the country. In 2011, Wells Fargo had more than 9,000 retail branches and 12,231 automated teller machines in 39 states and the District of Columbia. It has over 270,000 employees and over 70 million customers.

Sources: Interaksyon | Wikipedia

Photo by moneyblognewz at Flickr.com

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Alorica Philippines to Open New Center in Cebu

U.S. outsourcer Alorica is opening a new customer service call center in the Philippine province of Cebu.

The new center represents Alorica’s growing presence in the Philippines. Alorica already employees some 3,000 people in the Philippines and plans to significantly increase that number in the next year. “Opening a new facility, offering employment and career growth opportunities is always exciting to announce,” Alorica chairman Andy Lee said.

Alorica Incorporated is a call center company with 36 facilities worldwide. Established in 1999, the company has grown to twenty-thousand employees. Currently, the company is headquartered is in Chino, California.

Read more at Fifth Quadrant

Photo from Alorica.com

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Fil-Am Spearheads California School to Help Sendong Victims

from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California

When Vladimir Villapando heard about the devastating typhoon that struck southern Philippines in December, he knew he needed to do something.

“It hit close to home,” said Villapando, who grew up in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States.

So he looked to his school, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Newhall, where he serves as athletic director and spearheaded a donation drive.

And the private Catholic school stepped up: families gathered nearly 20 boxes of clothes, three boxes of shoes, two boxes of school supplies, three boxes of toiletries and toys and 14 cases of canned goods.

Read more at The Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Photo from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California

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28 Percent of US Immigrants Come from Asia

In operation until 1954, the immigration station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) reports that 28 percent of all immigrants in the United States – about 11 million – hail from Asia. Asians are the second largest immigrant group after Latinos, with nearly half coming from the Philippines, India and China and residing in California, New York and Texas.

Asian immigrants are perceived as “model minorities” who work hard, do well, and don’t complain. In the American imagination, they do not seem to share the challenges faced by other immigrant groups.

Nearly half of Asian immigrant adults have a college degree or higher. Among all immigrants, Asians are more concentrated in management, information technology, and science and engineering. A majority of immigrant doctors and nurses are from Asia.

MPI estimates that Asian immigrants accounted for 11 percent of all unauthorized immigrants in 2010. The Department of Homeland Security counts among the undocumented 280,000 Filipinos, 200,000 Indians, 170,000 Koreans and 130,000 Chinese.

Read more at WNYX New York Public Radio

Photo by wallyg at Flickr.com

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11-city Smithsonian Exhibit Depicts Filipino Struggle Against American Colonialism

The original Smithsonian Institution building, popularly known as the Castle. It now houses administrative offices and the Smithsonian Information Center.

Photo by ralph-toyama at Flickr.com

The Smithsonian Institution chose Charlotte as a stop for a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Filipinos who struggled against American colonialism and ultimately became U.S. citizens. “Singgalot: The Ties That Bind,” is coming to Charlotte Museum of History from Saturday through Oct. 16, 2011.

The 11-city exhibition made its first stop in Los Angeles last month. It will land in Kansas City, Seattle, Chicago and Philadelphia before a final stop in November in Santa Rosa, California.

The exhibit is intended to help the nation’s 2.5 million Filipino citizens trace their history and contributions in the United States through about 30 photo panels and images.

Read more at Charlotte Observer

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Filipino Cyclist in California Hit-and-run Needs Your Help

Photo from Balitang America

A Filipino hit-and-run victim is appealing for help to pay his medical bills that amounted to at least $200,000. Friends describe Rolando “Alan” Casajeros, 39, as active and someone who loved life. But that was before he got hit and run over by a sports utility vehicle last June 2 at 24th and Harrison Streets in San Francisco. After spending 2 weeks in the hospital, friends say they could barely recognize Casajeros. His face is now held together by bolts and screws. His jaw is wired shut and several of his teeth are missing.

Those who want to help Casajeros pay his medical bills may donate through a special account set up for him at Wells Fargo. Donations could be made directly to account #7734751691. Checks must be made payable to Rolando Casajeros and his attorney, Claude Wyle.

Read more at Balitang America

Filipino Stores in US Meet Big Chain Competition

Even Filipino stores in the United States meet competition of growing “big chain” stores specializing in Asian products. In California, there two big Asian supermarkets that are adding more branches — 99 Ranch and Seafood City. Of course, it’s a great welcome for the Asian community where these chains exist but it spells trouble for the smaller groceries such as Concord’s (California) Oriental Food Market, owned by Sherrie Gaerlan and her husband for some eight years already.

Source: Contra Costa Times.

18th Annual Festival Of Philippine Arts And Culture/San Pedro, CA

Poster of previous (2008) event

The 18th Annual Festival Of Philippine Arts And Culture/San Pedro, CA will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 At 08:00 AM at PT Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA. For more information, contact FilAm ARTS • 607 N Vermont Ave, Suite 201 • Los Angeles CA 90004 • 323/913-4663 • www.FilAmARTS.org • info@filamarts.org

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