Long before the doors opened, 19-year-old Ryza Mae Manalang was already in line outside the CDC Health and Sanitation Division Training Hall, clutching her résumé and quietly hoping for a chance. A resident of Castillo, Concepcion, Tarlac, she had traveled to Clark with one goal: to get hired.
“Nag-apply po ako sa quality control,” she said. “Sana po matanggap ako. Malaking tulong po talaga itong job fair para sa amin.”
(I applied for a quality control position. I hope I get hired. This job fair is really a big help for us.)
Manalang was one of dozens of fresh graduates and first-time job seekers who turned up on August 9 for the Open House Recruitment organized by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. (YTPI). The event offered on-the-spot hiring for production operator and quality control roles, requiring only a high school diploma and no prior work experience.
Irish Betina Junio, 24, traveled from Asingan, Bugallon, Pangasinan. “Ayos po ang sistema nila [Yokohama job fair],” she said. “Nag-apply ako bilang quality control inspector. Sana po makuha ako.”
(The system is well-organized. I applied as a quality control inspector. I’m hoping to be hired.)
Mark Collins Come, 19, from Olongapo City, arrived with his father, both hoping to land jobs. “Nakita po namin sa Facebook, kaya sabay kaming pumunta ng tatay ko,” he said.
(We saw the announcement on Facebook, so my father and I came together.)
Come, who completed vocational training in computer systems servicing, bread and pastry production, and bartending, said he was open to any available position. “Maganda po sa Clark. Gusto ko talaga dito magtrabaho.”
(Clark is beautiful. I really want to work here.)
Nikka Canlas, a first-time visitor to Clark and an applicant from San Fernando, Pampanga, was impressed by the orderliness of the Freeport. “Walang traffic, maayos ang mga driver, hindi tulad sa ibang lugar,” she said.
(There’s no traffic, and the drivers are disciplined unlike in other places.)
Canlas applied for an operator position after seeing the job fair announcement online. “Malaking tulong ito sa mga bagong graduate na wala pang experience. Para siyang stepping stone.”
(This is a big help for fresh graduates without experience. It feels like a stepping stone.)
The event was part of CDC’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to promote employment and support local communities. CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera emphasized that the job fair reflects the agency’s commitment to inclusive development and nation- building through strategic partnerships.
“We continue to create opportunities that connect local talent with locators inside Clark,” Atty. Devanadera said.
“This is part of our mission to make Clark a hub for growth—not just for business, but for people,” the CDC chief added.
Applicants were screened on-site and considered for immediate placement. Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. offered competitive benefits including rice subsidy, health and group life insurance, mid-year and year-end bonuses, and tire availment privileges.
They came looking for jobs. In Clark, they found a place that saw their potentials, and gave them a chance to begin.
