2010 is just around the corner. People in the office are starting to decorate the place in time for their holiday celebration. Although we don’t celebrate Christmas, I’m still looking forward to grocery baskets that they will be giving away to all employees. We will also receive giveaways, corporate holiday cards and ofcourse our 13th month bonus. They will also have their party on the first week of December while we hold our own religious convention on that same week. Biboy will also visit mama and papa in Ilocos on the last week of December. I just can’t wait to have a one week vacation in my hometown.

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We will soon be transferring to a new office building. It will be such a change as the new location will be farther from our home and not accessible to public transport. We’re thinking of finding a new apartment nearer to that place so that it would be easier for us. Time is really precious and I love it that it only takes me 15-20 minute to commute from home to work. I get to spend the precious time with family.

I was searching the net for apartments for rent in that vicinity and there isn’t much to choose from. Condo units dominate the ad space. But we don’t want a condo unit. I want a house not a space inside a building. I’ve spent 30 minutes searching and searching but I couldn’t find anything interesting. I got too bored and before I knew it I was looking at San Antonio apartments. I hope we have something like these in the Taguig / Fort area.

I guess I just have to give up my quest. Maybe the ultimate solution is to buy a car. I’m pretty sure M0rn1ng would be happy to hear this coming from me.

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It has been a great Friday for me when I heard the news. At long last, the thing that we’ve been waiting for is finally going to happen. I hope that it’s good as I imagined it would be.

I begin to think that patience is really a virtue and one must sometimes persevere to get the things that he wants. Sometimes we must face the adversity and work through it as it is the only way that your hard work will be rewarded.

I am happy because I think it is a start of something good. I’ll share it in detail as soon as it has been finalized.

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On July 4, the whole Entitlements Team with Project Backbone buddies trooped to the Bowling alley of Robinson’s Galleria to foster “ONE team” spirit, build relationships, and embody TR values through fun play.

There were 4 teams, each one carrying their respective colors in their creatively conceptualized uniforms. The total stand out is White team in their plain white shirts accentuated by scarves and matching hats. They bagged the Best in Costume Award.

There were 2 set of games and again White Team came off as the over all winner followed by Red & Green teams tied at second place. It was a morning of fun and excitement as each team try to best each other. Some were even surprised to discover that they have a new found talent. The first time bowlers showed up flexible and undaunted on unchartered course. It has definitely strengthened the bond of everybody and has promoted camaraderie and teamwork. We got much of what we need to brace up for the changes that lay ahead: trusty team members to rely on. The pictures tell it all!

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We have a company event last Saturday. The whole purpose is to inculcate the company values through fun games and play. It supposed to start at around 2 but there were heavy rains and there weren’t a lot of people around. The band kick started the whole program followed by the cheering competition. Then we had some warm up exercises by Fitness First.

The games began soon after. It was slightly different as these were all Filipino games that we used to play during our childhood days. There’s patintero, dodge ball, tug of war and sangkayaw. I’m happy because I used to play these games on the street during my younger years. It brings back happy memories with our neighbor playmates.

Here I am trying to win the race. We we’re so close to being proclaimed the champion. We went through quarter finals, semis and finals. This is the only talent I have when it comes to sports. I’ve never been good at any: not at basketball nor volleyball. I’m especially worst when it comes to ping pong. I couldn’t manage to keep the ball within the ping pong table. But then again, maybe I just need practice.

We we’re all famished at dinnertime and some even had to come back to the buffet table a couple of times. All in all it was a happy event and everybody had a great time.

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We had our new TRCS office inaugurated July 1st. It was a nice start for the second half of the year. It has been 8 years that we have occupied this building and we’ve seen a significant increase in the employees since then. With the merger of two big companies and the decision for Manila to be one of the Global Centres for our company, the current office space simply cannot contain us.

The new office is in McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio. It is a charming place, pretty much like Eastwood but better. The office looks bright, lovely and beaming with positivity. I like the view from the windows and the pictures that hang in the walls. The office furnitures are truly world class.

I just hope that the place becomes accessible a few months after. That is the only complain that employees has as there are very limited public transport plying the area.

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I’ve been MIA for the past couple of days. It’s the busy sched I had at work that hinders me from blogging. This year is no different than last year’s in terms of toxicity. Good thing there are lessons learned last year in dealing with some of the challenges so it becomes more bearable. I know nothing can kill me, not this. Naks!

We’re also busy testing the infrastructure and the systems that will support our expansion project. We are also now ordering machines, IP phones, Linksys routers, and other stuff that we need. And up to that are the everyday conference calls for the work sharing plan. It’s a challenge gladly undertaken. So pardon me if I hadn’t been around much.

There’s too much going-on offline.

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So far…. We’re moving fullblast with our team expansion plans. We will

1. Hire almost thrice the current team size.
2. Handle triple of the current production volumes.
3. Migrate and transition work from another offshore office. We’re doing this virtually.

There are just too many things to take care. Hiring, procurement of systems and equipment that we will be using. Just the mere thought wears me BIG time. Good thing that the big bosses planned it and worked on subdividing it to phases. So at the moment, I just focus on each phase at a time and try to do everything according to the proposed timelines. I know we can do it although i feel that it is both daunting and overwhelming.

There are those systems and equipments that I am not familiar of…things like KVM switches, splitters and the like. Good thing that the head of our IT is in full support. I hope we will be able to pull this through.

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My boss nominated me to attend a management development program a couple of months ago. It will be a 4 day workshop that will be held in Hong Kong and a 6 months follow through. I’ve been wanting to go through this program as I’ve been managing a team for that past 5 years but haven’t had an extensive management training.

I finally got the chance! I was informed 3 weeks ago that I was chosen for the program. That means I’m going to HK on July. I am ecstatic! My boss asked me to contact our company travel agent and ask for airfare and business hotels quotes. The program cost will be funded by the Learning and Development team. However, our business unit will be shouldering my fare, accommodation and per diem. It has to be approved and included in the budget at this point.

I hope our little boy would be able to sleep without mommy. He hasn’t tried being separated to us since his birth. We’re preparing him as early as now. I told him that Mommy needs to talk to Mickey Mouse and ask if he is willing to be brought home to B.boy. I think he’s buying it.

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As usual, last week was still busy in the office. I took a leave last Monday and we had loads and we as a family had loads of fun bonding. We also met Ate Bebe at Trinoma. We had a great time catching up. You know, stuff that friends seldom see each other do. I’ll make another post for this.

We also bought the little boy to his pedia and he was given a shot. I was so proud as he did not cry at all. The doctor gave him a bottle of bubbles as a reward. This needs a separate post as well together with the pictures.

The rest of the week was spent with all the office stuff. We are all very busy because of our expansion. I was getting all the quotes for PCs, IP phones and even office furnitures that we will be needing. I also coordinated with HR regarding Job descriptions, recruitment process and timelines. My boss also sent me a large list of applications that needs to be tested in the next couple of months and see if we can access these without any problems. I know this is going to be a busy year but with proper planning, I’m hoping that we won’t be cramming and end up getting too stressed.

I’m a bit sad because I don’t have much time to devote online these past few months. But I’m building something offline and I hope all my hard work will pay off in the long run. Happy Weekend!

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