66-year-old lolo gets call center job after 12 failed applications

A 66-year-old man is now working at a call center after failing 12 job applications.

According to Oscar Oida’s “24 Oras” report Friday, online seller Therez Causing was surprised to find out that Willy Batucan, the buyer of the table she sold, was a senior citizen who was setting up his work-from-home desk.

“I was thinking it’s for his niece … sabi niya he’s working at a call center, tapos sabi niya 66 years old siya. Sabi ko, wow,” she said.

She posted about their transaction on social media, and it immediately went viral.

“Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda,” said Willy. “Pero sa puso’t isipan natin, andun pa rin ’yung lakas at ’yung willingness ko na kailangan kong magtrabaho.”

Seeking employment wasn’t easy for Willy, who endured 12 failed applications before finally landing his current job.

However, he said this did not discourage him for pursuing his goal.

“Naka-12 na ’kong bagsak, 13 na lang. Kaya binilisan ko ’yung pag-apply. Salamat sa Diyos, yung ika-13, natanggap din ako sa wakas,” said Willy.

His workmates at a BPO company, meanwhile, were grateful and had nothing but praises for him.

“Uncle Wil is a person that is passionate toward his work because for more than a year of pandemic he’s actually working at the office unlike us,” said his officemate Cedric Valdehueza.

Willy said he hoped there would be more employment opportunities for senior citizens like him.

“Kung merong willingness ang tao na magtrabaho, dapat merong paraan din sana ang government natin kung paano makapagbibigay ng trabaho,” he said. – RC, GMA News