NAWILIWILI — The County Council unanimously approved on Wednesday a resolution to enter into a sister-city relationship with the city of Laoag, province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The resolution recognizes that a large segment of Kaua‘i’s population are descendants of
NAWILIWILI — The County Council unanimously approved on Wednesday a resolution to enter into a sister-city relationship with the city of Laoag, province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
The resolution recognizes that a large segment of Kaua‘i’s population are descendants of Philippine immigrants who arrived here over a century ago to work in sugar plantations.
The city of Laoag has invited Kaua‘i to enter into the relationship, based upon common history and heritage shared with descendants residing here, according to the resolution.
A copy of the resolution was scheduled to be sent to Laoag’s Mayor Michael Farinas.
Apparently, Filipino descendants are not the only tie that Laoag and Kaua‘i share.
The Philippines Department of Tourism says on its website that Laoag is an “anchor tourist destination.” The city, despite “bustling with business,” has retained an unhurried, laid back style.
Tourism has become a major economic driver of Laoag, according to Wikipedia. The city has a number of tourist attractions featuring Spanish colonial buildings, Philippine-baroque churches, mansions and white sandy beach resorts.
Laoag — which means light or clarity in Ilocano — had been recently selected as the number one tourist destination in Region one and among the top 10 in the country, according to Wikipedia.
The official Laoag City government website states that the city is the “Northern Gateway of the Philippines,” because the Laoag International Airport opens its doors for tourism, business and industrial opportunities.
The city has a casino inside the only five-star hotel, the Ilocandia Hotel and Casino, where Chinese and Taiwanese tourist “have been flocking to splurge,” according to Wikipedia.
Kaua‘i may not have any casinos but residents love to gamble, given a tight relationship with Las Vegas and cockfighting.
Despite many similarities with Kaua‘i, Laoag seems to have different standards when posting help wanted ads.
The Public Employment Service Office, apparently a government branch, has an extensive list of vacancies listed on Laoag’s government website.
Job seekers without at least two years of college education might have a hard time finding employment in Laoag.
The vast majority of sales associate, bookkeeping and management opportunities require a four-year college degree.
Even McDonald’s seeks “service crews” that have “at least college level,” although it is not clear if applicants need to have a degree. What is clear, however, is that applicants at the McDonald’s in Laoag cannot be over 23 years old.
Department stores also put age restrictions, usually between 20-and-25-years-old. Some are bit more lenient, broadening the age restriction a bit.
Bare & Bloom was looking for a massage therapist who is “female, single and 20-29 years old, with a pleasing personality.” The same store also was looking for a female patient-care supervisor, who is single and between 24 and 30 years old.
Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel was looking for food service attendants, male or female, between 20 and 27 years old, “preferably single.” Perhaps the most shocking requirement was that if a male applicant was shorter than 5’4” he would not qualify. Females had to be at least 5”2” in height.
The majority of the stores and resorts would not hire anyone who is married, over 25 years old and shorter than the heights aforementioned.
Luckily, there was a housekeeping job available at Fort Ilocandia Resort that had no height or marital status requirements. But you still couldn’t be over 35 years old, and “must posses analytical thinking.”
California Clothing, billed as Guess USA, raised the bar, literally. Males applying for sales associate positions had to be at least 5’7” tall, and females seeking the same position had to be at least 5’3” tall. They also have to be “preferably single, not over 25 years old,” and have a “pleasing personality.”
All positions at Guess USA required applicants to be “preferably single,” and had gender and height restrictions. Males were not allowed to apply for cashiers, management trainees or store managers.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho will be also receiving the communication, in which “a sister-city relationship enables the exchange of cultural exhibits, educational programs, visits by citizens groups, and the acknowledgment and sharing of common bonds.”
Go to www.laoagcity.gov for more information.
