Los Angeles — CSI Professionals Inc., one of the premier employment agencies in Southern California, is expanding its operations in the Philippines as part of its goal to continue to give back to the community and to help dreams of a better life become realities.
In an interview with the Asian Journal on the sidelines of CSI’s 30th year anniversary celebration, CSI founder and president Marge Ordiales-Martinez said it is high time for the company to extend its reach and help fellow Filipinos in the Philippines, to find greater opportunities in the United States.
“Yes, we will be putting up an office in the Philippines in the last quarter of this year,” Martinez said, when asked about the company’s expansion plans for the near term.
In July this year, the LA-based employment agency had sent a team, headed by CSI International Business Specialist Anamika Sangwan, to conduct numerous collaborative and informative efforts in the Philippines and India.
At the end of the collaboration meetings and information drives in mid-August, the team were able to visit at least 21 educational institutions in Manila and nearby provinces including Asian Institute of Management, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, St. Scholastica’s College, University of Batangas and among others.
Armed with its 30 years experience, CSI has been able to deliver thousands of jobs from internships, to permanent placement to all job seekers.
Over the past years, the premier employment agency has been registering a steady growth of about 15% to 20% in terms of permanent job placement for specialized occupations or those with specialized knowledge or bachelor’s degrees. With this planned expansion plan, the company sees this level to further increase to 30%.
Coinciding the celebration of CSI’s three decades of existence, Martinez, who is also the chairperson of Los Angeles County Filipino American Employees’ Association (LACFAEA), celebrated her birthday as well.
“As I celebrate another year of life, I’m reminded of the powerful words from Isaiah 40:31: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,”she said.
“These words have been a source of inspiration and comfort throughout my journey. While I will be the first to acknowledge how blessed and grateful I am to be doing what I am doing, I will also be the first to admit that the journey has been far from easy. Aside from challenges at work, the personal and health issues that I had to face and still have to deal with at present, certainly tested me in ways I could not have predicted. Nonetheless, I choose to continue and move forward,” Martinez said in her celebratory speech.
“I’m not only looking back on the memories and milestones but also looking forward to the future with hope, more faith and eager anticipation,” she added.
In her speech, Martinez, who was moved by the warmth greetings from her family, friends, company staff and clients, also personally expressed her esteem gratitude to her husband, Edwin, for being very supportive of her endeavors for the past three decades.
“On a more personal note, the achievements of the past years would not have been possible without the support and help of my family and my loved ones. I have my wonderful parents to thank because I had their full confidence and support from day 1. I’m also grateful that I had my patient and enduring partner in life, who never hindered in any way my business and career growth, even if it meant, less quality time with family and friends. My office affairs and events became one! That’s why today, as he flourishes as the reigning President of LACFAEA, I have made it a point that his projects and goals are supported by yours truly, in any way I possibly can,” she said.
During the anniversary and birthday celebrations, Martinez also announced the launch of the CSI-MHO Global Foundation, in honor of her late mother, Dr. Norma Huvilla – Ordiales.
“I have learned the value of community, and of reaching out and giving back. It is in her honor that we launch CSI-MHO Global Foundation. I had been blessed and giving back is my way of sharing the blessings that I have received. I have preferred to call this as “Global” because I do not want this to be limited to the local community, but to encompass borders, race, and culture,” Martinez told over a hundred of guests who attended the event.
Pledging to be in the forefront of this newly-launched Foundation, Martinez said they have chosen two beneficiaries: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and St. Scholastica’s College Manila.
Explaining why she chose these beneficiaries, Martinez said, “the first beneficiary I have selected is the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, an institution with advance research for children with cancer.”
“I chose this organization because being an only child has not been easy for me, though I can say that I was not lacking in support system from family, extended family and friends. Children hold a special place in my heart, much more so because they where my mom’s specialization as a Doctor (Pediatrician),” she said.
“With this foundation, I, together with those who want to join me in this endeavor, will be able to provide assistance to children who need medical care,” she added.
In choosing the second beneficiary of the foundation, she said, this is a way of showing appreciation and giving back to her high school alma mater, St. Scholastica Manila.
“This will enable me to continue the outreach program that I co-headed during my younger years, by extending quality education to the less fortunate children in Manila, whose parents are not quite successful in sending their kids to school. Again, this is my way of giving back,” she said.
During the triple celebration, Philippine Consulate of Los Angeles Vice Consul Ralph Jacob Viloria, on the other hand, commended the CSI group for their unwavering commitment to the mission of helping professionals attain their aspirations.
“As you commemorate this organization’s 30th year anniversary with great pride and joy, I hope that your passion will continue to inspire actions that give back to the community,” said Viloria, who has served as Principal Assistant at the Department of Foreign Affairs-Manila’s Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs prior to his first foreign assignment here in Los Angeles in May 2023.
“Tonight you do not only celebrate the many achievements and triumphs that you garnered over the last three decades, you also honored all the hard work and sacrifices you have gone through in pursuit of excellence,” Viloria said.
Viloria likewise expressed the consulate’s unrelenting support to Filipino business community’s strive to continuously deliver quality services to fellow Filipinos.
“The consulate general in Los Angeles is always ready to support, especially for the benefit of our Filipino community here,” the vice consul said.
Other guest speakers during the event were: Kathleen King, Tony Mendoza, Heidi Entao, Atty. William Gilmore, Atty. Ruzanna Poghosyan and Atty. Mary Sanga.
CSI specializes in employment-based visa petitions: J-1, F-1 (CPT & OPT), H-3, H-1B & Labor Certifications involving EB-3 & EB-2. With these employment-based petitions, international applicants with advance degrees are able to pursue with employment-based change of status and proceed to permanent resident ( or Green Card) later on.
CSI initially started its operation in Chicago, Illinois in 1993, providing legal expert counsel in the field of immigration and employment. In September 1995, the company put up a Los Angeles branch. Its headquarter, where it serves as its corporate office and training facility, is located in Glendale.
Most of its partner/affiliate companies are: manufacturing; legal entities specializing in medical and personal injury cases; real estate and corporate law; commercial and real estate property management; information technology, construction; and artificial intelligence. n