TP in the Philippines (formerly Teleperformance), a global leader in digital business services, strengthened its commitment to empowering future professionals through its active participation in the “Bridges to Success” Career Fair, organized by the National University (NU) in partnership with SM Offices. The event, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, gathered 3,500 graduating students from five NU campuses for a day of career exploration, learning, and engagement.
The career fair served as a dynamic platform connecting students to potential employers while equipping them with insights into navigating today’s competitive job market. The program featured a series of forums tackling the challenges of identifying and pursuing career paths, helping students better understand industry demands, and exploring opportunities in different industries.
NU HR Senior Director Lyle Dela Cerna and SM Offices VP and BU Head Alexis Ortiga formally welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of industry-academe collaboration in preparing graduates for the workforce. His message underscored the shared responsibility of educational institutions and corporate partners in bridging the gap between education and employment.
During the panel discussion segment called “From Campus to Career”, the panelists from partner organizations, including TP in the Philippines, discussed the “golden rule” for fresh graduates as they enter a career path.
TP’s Business Development Manager Deng Lopez and Recruitment Director Joan Gapol, second and third from left, join other speakers for the panel discussion on Campus to Career.
TP’s Business Development Manager Deng Lopez, said: “A fresh graduate’s academic journey should never be discounted. Earning a degree is a significant achievement that deserves real weight in job interviews and provides a strong foundation for a first-time job seeker.” On the other hand, TP Recruitment Director Joan Gapol highlighted that fresh graduates must change their mindsets as they start their career growth journey. “Do not think that you don’t have the experience because the moment that you started your internship journey, it counts as the experience that employers are looking for,” Gapol emphasized.
TP’s talent and recruitment booth became a hub of activity, drawing in students eager to learn more about career opportunities within the organization. TP representatives engaged with attendees, providing information on roles across various fields and guiding them through the initial application process.
The TP Jeepney provided the venue for TP to interact with guests, practice interview sessions with students, and a podcast hub where NU representatives discussed the challenges and opportunities of graduates entering the work environment. In photo, from left, TP Director for External Relations Nash Frias, TP Business Development Manager and resident TP Podcast host Dream Batac, National University Director for Academic Internship and Placement Office Pinky Sta. Maria, NU Senior Director Alessa Shainne Hostalero, SM Offices’ Sheena Roxas, and TP Media Relations Manager Adrian Elumba.
A major highlight of TP’s participation was the debut rollout of TP’s iconic solar-powered, modern Jeepney, parked just outside the SMX Convention Center. The vibrant and interactive setup attracted a steady stream of students, who received tokens and prizes for registering and participating in fun on-site activities. The initiative created a festive and welcoming environment that encouraged more students to engage with the brand.
TP provided 1-on-1 practice interviews and interview skills assessment sessions, providing students and applicants with valuable hands-on experience of doing live interviews from TP’s recruitment professionals. Interested applicants received personalized tips and feedback from TP’s expert recruiters, helping them refine their communication skills and build confidence ahead of real-world job applications.
“I felt overwhelmed at first, but looking at the whole experience, I believe that this initiative is great since it made me experience real-life interview sessions that can help me build more confidence as I chase my own career path in the future,” said Samantha Implementa, one of the students who availed the free session.
Another participant, Kate Ashley Sanchez, shared how for her “the mock interview session was actually good and eye-opening. Although this is not the first time that I have had real job interviews, so during the session, it felt like I was learning something new again, especially on the way that I should handle job interviews in the near future.”
The event also marked the first rollout of the TP Jeepney for its 2026 caravan, a roadshow initiative aimed at bringing career opportunities closer to students across the country.
“We hope to engage with more academe partners this year and showcase to graduates the opportunities of working in an advancing environment of the IT-BPM sector,” said TP’s Vice President of Human Resources Rachel Cacabelos.
TP plans to continue participating in career and job fairs in collaboration with academic institutions and government partners, reinforcing its mission to support Filipino talent and drive inclusive employment opportunities nationwide.
