Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales focused his talk on the qualities of a good and true leader during the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly (MAGPAS) held recently at the Nazarene School in Quiapo, Manila.

“Like Jesus, a leader, himself, is led. No authentic leader simply leads, he is, first of all, led. Leaders also do not simply motivate or inspire. A true leader is, himself, the first motivated and inspired. When people follow Jesus, what they are not aware of is that, the Lord Jesus is the first one to be motivated and inspired. Every word, behavior, and kindness of the Lord is inspired, led by a word, a spirit, and a vision to be pursued,” he said. A true and good leader also “thinks beyond himself and seeks what is the good of the other, the Catholic prelate said. “He never takes advantage of people’s ignorance, poverty, and needs.”

He also lives a life of “integrity and honesty, and leaves behind good examples.”

Seeing the model in Jesus, Cardinal Rosales said, some core values expected of a leader with a vision can be identified. These include: Integrity of Life, fear of God, humility, love and compassion, and high principles in life. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Testing for work in Korea
Filipinos who want to work in South Korea’s manufacturing sector now have a chance to qualify under the country’s Employment Permit System (EPS).

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said that Korea will soon hold its 6th EPS-Korean Language Test (KLT) through the Human Resource Development Service of Korea, the new test agency accredited by the Korean government to administer the examination.

According to the POEA, the HRD of Korea is expected to announce the official dates of examinationby March 29. In lieu of this, the POEA will conduct registration of applicants for the EPS-KLT on April 6 to 8 in designated areas nationwide.

Registration is open to applicants who have active statuses in the POEA online manpower registry as of March 31, 2010.

Applicants must be able to meet the minimum qualification requirements before being allowed to take the KLT. They must also pay a test fee of $17 (P810). The fee was reduced by 43 percent from $30 during the previous years.

Registrants must not be more than 38 years old, have at least one-year work experience, and have valid documents and passport. (Pam Brooke A. Casin)

Visas for job generation
Investors from South Korea topped the list of foreigners that availed themselves of the special visa for employment generation (SVEG) issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), it was learned Monday.

Based on the statistics, 128 Korean foreigners and their dependents availed themselves of the SVEG, with majority of businesses in the service sector.

The BI started implementing the SVEG last year after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an executive order that grants indefinite stay to foreigners and their dependents with investments in business enterprises employing 10 or more regular and full-time Filipino workers.

Aside from the Korean investors, 42 Chinese nationals also availed themselves of the SVEG, followed by 24 Americans, 18 Taiwanese, 13 Indians, 12 Britons, 11 Japanese, 9 Australians, six Singaporeans and four Germans.

Overall, 304 foreigners and 171 dependents from 37 countries availed themselves of the job visa, according to BI Legal Officer Cris Villalobos. (Jun Ramirez)