It was raining when we arrived at the NAIA 3 that day. We only visited 5 of the 6 companies listed in the itinerary because we didn’t manage to reach our supposed to be first company visit which was Flour Daniel on time because of the heavy traffic at Nichols. Along the way to Flour Daniels, we passed Villamor Airbase where we partly saw their museum from afar. The one who accompanied us in our trip in Manila was Kuya Byron and Ate Lyn from Maynilad Tours. He was our tour guide for only 4 days since on our fifth and last day Ate Ma’anne took the place for Kuya Byron because he had obligations to attend to. If only my seat was close to him I guess I have asked a lot of questions about the history of everything. HA. HA. I was really amazed of Kuya Byron because he was like walking encyclopedia. I know that he has to know all of it because he is a tour guide but in the sense, that he even memorized the day and the year when that building was made. He was so amusing. And he even cracks jokes to wake us up. And since we we’re late in our first company which supposedly was Flour Daniels, Kuya Byron instead thought of touring us around while waiting for our next company visit at 2pm. He first toured us to Quezon Memorial Circle, which was said where the body of Quezon was buried. We passed through the elliptical road, EDS. Even though it was raining that day, I went to stroll around the park together with the few classmates who also doesn’t mind a little rain. One of our classmates had a funny experience while he was at the comfort room. Maybe he forgot that he is in Manila, he asked the man in-charge for collecting the comfort room fee,”Naa kai sinsilyo?” and all went “WA HA HA HA!”. I thought back then that we will have a lot more to experience and laugh about for the upcoming days. After we took a picture at the famous Quezon Tower, we then went to Jade Valley where we had our lunch but stopped awhile to take some pictures at the famous Bahay Ni Kuya at Mother Ignacia St. I really didn’t expect that it would be that small in person. Jade Valley buffet restaurant’s food is tasty, it was our first meal and it really made us full. As we visited Social Security System Office or Paseguruhan ng Kapanatagang Panlipunan located at East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, it was still raining. They held our seminar in the SSS Museum and Library where they have showcased the history of SSS, its accomplishments and what the benefits a member could get. They have first lectured about their benefits and loans, benefits for the pregnant employees, retirees and a lot more. The next speakers talked about their networks and database system. A lot of questions we’re raised about their centralized system than later decentralized and centralized again. They have explained why loan transactions are slow today because of their centralized system, meaning requests are first sent to the main office first and after it the reply will then be sent back to the local branches. After the talk we we’re toured to the Andres Bonifacio Museum, where Bonifacio’s memorabilias we’re kept. I learned there a lot of facts about Andres Bonifacio. To sum it up, SSS is a government agency that provides social insurance program for Filipino workers all over the Philippines for more than three decades. They have 134 branches all over the archipelago. SSS have been essential to all the Filipino workers because of the excellent benefits an SSS member could get. I learned that the Philippine government fought to provide social security for the Filipino citizenry. It all started the Workmen’s Compensation Act, passed on 1927 to provide payment for work-related injuries and deaths suffered by wage earners. Then came the Government Service Insurance System created by Commonwealth Act Number 186 in 1936 to address the needs of the growing population of government workers. And on January 26, 1948, a recommendation to Congress was passed for the enactment of a law to establish a social security system for wage earners and low-salaried employees and on June 21, 1957, the Social Security Act of 1954 was signed to law. Along with the agency’s first anniversary was also the laying of the cornerstone of their present building on Quezon City. Their President and CEO is Mr. Emilio de Quiros Jr. And on the succeeding years, SSS have served and helped a lot of low-salaried employees both in the government and private sectors. SSS insurance covers a lot of types of benefits from sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral, under given conditions. Also all SSS-registered employers and their employees are compulsory covered under the Employees’ Compensation or EC Program. I really liked their speakers and personnel; they have given us nice lectures about their agency and they are always welcome to any questions and concerns. They have clearly explained what the history of SSS is, how to apply and what the benefits of being a member are. They have welcomed and accommodated us well so I have nothing to not like about the agency. Their facilities were good and clean. And even though they have the one of the oldest building standing, it was as if new because of well maintenance. As of their services, it’s really essential for Filipino workers and retirees. My grandfather was a member and is now enjoying his retirement fee. It really helped financially since he got a stroke last year and he has a lot of medication to go through. Thus, I can say that I really have nothing I didn’t like about this agency. After our tour at SSS, we then head to SM Mall of Asia. It was my first time to be there. MOA is huge. Me and my group decided not to go too far so that if the call time is near we could easily go back to the meeting place. Then after an hour we went to our dinner place which is Balanghay, a seafood restaurant. And then we headed to Kabayan Hotel to check in. I was expecting to have a nice room since we are assigned to the room where Ma’am Ma’anne will also sleep but I never expected the room to be that elegant. We have the capsule room where our beds are stacked in little compartments where only one person could fit. We have two bathrooms and two air conditioners. And the funny experience there was when one of my roommates tried to on the shower. She called for help and we all came and sadly no one knows how to turn on the shower. We were all laughing when we discovered how to open it. And we also went “igno” of the toilet bowls HAHAHA. To sum up my first day, it was a lot of fun and igno moments but it made me miss Davao because of its cleanliness and order and streets with no heavy traffic at all.
On our second day, I had waked up earlier than usual. That meal was our first breakfast at Kabayan Hotel so we then observed everyone since we are all first timers and checked anything fun. Our destination for that day was SMX Center, Pasay which is just a few minutes ride away from Kabayan Hotel. As we are approaching SMX we could see the high-rising condos and SM Mall of Asia, and as we are approaching SMX Center, I could already see the number of people waiting at the gates of SMX to open. It was more or less 50 thousand people that are composed of students, professionals, teachers, programmers, or just avid fans. We attended the largest IT convention in the Philippines, Y4iT or also known as Youth for Information Technology. It was a whole day full of inspiring and innovative speakers. There were ten speakers that day. Paul Rivera, the Founder and CEO of Kalibrr lectured about Y-Combinator and Entrepreneurship. This lecture is all about how to start to become successful. Rhea Althea Guntalilib, Software Engineer Development Analyst at Smart Communications, Incorporated lectured about IT for the Blind: The Key to a Brighter Future. Kevin Leversee, Co-Founder and CEO of StartupDragons lectured about Internet of things: You Have Been Assimilated. Winthrop Yu, President of the Internet-Society – Philippine Chapter lectured about Who Runs the Internet. Sheryl Hermoso, Training Officer of Asia Pacific Network Information Centre or APNIC lectured about IPv6. She talked about the new IP addressing IPv6. Christy Book-Tsang, Master Affiliate (Asia Pacific), on Linux Professional Institute lectured about The New Era of Open Source. Aurelio Vilbar, Principal of the University of Philippines Cebu High School and Kim Bondoc, Faculty Member of the University of the Philippines Cebu High School lectured about Apps for Learning Employment. They introduced apps that would help students on their studies. Gian Scottie Javelona, Founder and CEO of OrageApps Incorporated lectured about The Sooner You Start, The Faster You Learn. Chino Philip Adrian Atilano, Co-founder and CEO of TimeFree Innovations Incorporated lectured about Start Things Right. In that conference, I learned that idea and guts is all you need to attain success; a unique idea and super high guts. The seminar was all about how ICT have boost its way up because of new technologies and innovations that have make lives easier. Speakers have shared how they pursued everything to get where they were now without thinking of the negative. The Masters of the ceremony never failed to entertain their audiences. We were asked to do the Y4iT wave again and again HA HA! All of the speakers are inspiring but the most inspiring for me was Ms. Rhea. I learned to more appreciate and value my life with the talk of Ms. Rhea Guntalilib, a blind person yet she still managed to graduate a Suma Cum Laude and is now working under Smart Communications Inc. as Software development analyst and software developer. She was so inspiring. I almost cried while she was telling us about how she managed to stand up again. She made me realize how lucky and passive I am. I also felt guilt that time because I know in myself I have not done my best. Ms. Rhea is a strong person and is aided by JAWS or Job Access With Work which is a screen reader program of Microsoft to get her job done. She even demonstrated how JAWS works and I could say that it’s loud but for Ms. Rhea it’s a very helpful tool for blind persons. And the founder and CEO of Kalibr, Paul Rivera was also inspiring. I had a picture with him and he even said to me that I must strive hard and aim to be a future speaker for Y4iT. I was thankful that I had experience Y4iT even once in my life. One could really say that the speakers have a lot to be proud of them. They have the guts, the knowledge. The theme of Y4iT really dwelled throughout the day. Imagine. Innovate. Inspire. We had our lunch at Kenny Rogers inside MOA and since we still had the time, we then went shopping. I liked how the UPSITF or UP System Information Technology Foundation picked their speakers. They really got the best people to really make the audience imagine, innovate and inspire. They really have reached into their audiences mind, made it open for possibilities. For me, it quite bumped me and made me realize how passive I am. Disabilities are not hindrances but challenges that God knew that this person could get through. I could say that the word for that day was “Inspire”. I was really inspired on how they managed to get to the top. I also liked that the event has a raffle (HAHA) but sadly wasn’t picked. Their prizes were android phones and an Asus laptop. It was really a fun-filled and inspiring day. I can’t think of anything to dislike in this seminar since they have provided everything. They have snacks, freebies, raffles and amazing speakers. All you have to do was sit down and listen to the speakers. And it was not one of the typical boring seminars I swear all speakers could get your attention like Mr. Leversee, in particular, he discussed about Internet of things and he was a head turner because of how he delivered his lecture. But it’s quite saddening for me that I could only participate in Y4iT once in my college life since this annual event is always held in Luzon. It might be nice if Y4iT will be held at Davao or anywhere near here because I would probably go. It was a great privileged for me that I have attended this important event. After the convention our next generation was Tutuban. Tutuban Mall is like DCLA of Manila. We were given an hour to buy stuffs and it was not enough since Tutuban was a huge place we didn’t visited each stall. We even forgot to secure our dinner first that night. We just took out food at Jollibee for dinner. That night was bothering. A lot of my classmates were “gikabuhi”. Hopefully none of them threw up inside the bus. It was a tiring yet inspiring day.
Today we went on a seminar in PLDT and IBM. For me this day was the best because both companies are accommodating and informative. Though we were not allowed to take pictures inside their offices I was so delighted to have entered it and naively wished that if only my eyes could take pictures maybe 2gb was not enough. HA HA. We were on the third day yet our spirits were still at its peak because of the technological advancements we witnessed. In PLDT or Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company located at Makati, they have high-end facilities, in the room where our first discussion was held they have a touch screen projector and a Mondopad, it is just like a huge iPad. We were toured in a hallway where their history memorabilias were stored in a case. I noticed that they have increased and widen their network and services each year. I saw there their first ever telephone distributed for subscribers, as well as first beeper and a computer mouse. But as technology levels higher every year PLDT had a feeling that they might not stay in the industry longer if they will only stick on telephone, so PLDT expanded their services, they offered beepers and first cellphones to level the competition. PLDT now offers wireless and LAN connections. And now they are planning to use fiber optics to make their connections faster. They also showed us their Smart home that could turn on and off appliances with just one click and we even tried how to use a Mondopad. And I was amazed that they have already made my ideaspace entry, Gtracker, only which it is only applicable for to track vehicles. They gave me a light that my idea could be possible. We even entered the conference room for the big Bosses. We were shocked as the blind went up and saw from above people working with big projectors in front of them. I felt of excitement that time as the tour guide shows us every department. In IBM or International Business Machines located at Commonwealth, I have learned that they are helping student developers who have limited resources; they let them use their facilities for that purpose. There was only one speaker and he was a teacher but stopped on teaching and continued to work in IBM. His lecture was more about database and logistics. Different types of handling these areas. He toured us by batch since their receiving rooms have small spaces and he also showed us different kinds of servers. And while others were waiting a video about their AI named Watson was played. It’s amazing how a computer competes with a human for answers and even won the game. I liked the formality in their work. I want to work in one of those companies if possible. They have given us informative discussions and even gave freebies. I am privileged to enter such huge company because not everyone could enter it. PLDT was accommodating and always encourage us to ask questions and they answer it clearly, IBM too. I know that both are huge companies but I just kind of feel that IBM is quite strict. Their employees were acting like they don’t like visitors even though we behaved well. They were not quite accommodating, not even a smile as we pass. But despite of that, IBM is still one of my favorite companies. After the company visits we went to Trinoma. We had bought quite some things and clothes since they were on sale that day. We went to Tramway for dinner and it is the best buffet restaurant for me. Their food was delicious and the place was cozy. And that day was also still wet and knowledgeable day just like the past days.
On Thursday, I was so excited since that day was Enchanted Kingdom and Tagaytay day. Most of us were hyper that day. We went on a seminar at TOSHIBA Inc., Canlubang where HDDs are manufactured there. We were privileged to have toured inside their plant. We were welcomed by a lot of USEP alumni working there now; they were hired last year through provincial hiring. It kind of made me proud to see Ates and Kuyas that are successful in their fields. They were approachable and easy to talk to since they know bisaya. Most of them are regulars and it made me feel kind of sad since I witnessed this company’s work I thought of applying here, but lose hoped to know they have high standards in finding workers. Inside the plant I could see a lot of Japanese workers. We were given uniforms to wear for safety inside the plant; a shirt and a cap with matching shoes. Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. or TOSHIBA was a product of two companies merged. And their only manufacturing plant is here in the Philippines since they prefer Filipino workers because Filipinos as hardworking and delicate also are good English speakers. TOSHIBA have received a lot of awards for the past years. Like the Ashita awards, which was asked by the speaker if anyone knows what it means, I raised my hand and answered, ”tomorrow”. I knew what that means because I watch animes and read mangas. We were split to two groups. We were toured inside their plant. We saw how they make HDDs and how they secure good quality of HDDs for consumers. They have a room where HDDs were stored and tested and a mechanical hand does the work of getting that HDD that have malfunctioned. And if ever there have a defective HDD they have a room for testing and searching which part of the HDD is wrong. They don’t easily throw defective HDD it will undergo several stages and only if after that there is no solution found then it is when they dispose it. They also have an air pressurized room where HDD were made. HDDs were made by robotic arms. They have a room where HDDs were tested to what temperature a HDD could handle, it will be put inside a special black case for 3 days for testing. They also have a huge warehouse where they store their ready to export HDDs. Everyone is courteous there. They greet every person they get across with because it is a way of the head to impose courtesy to everyone. Since their plantation was huge, one could easily get lost there. There were a lot of paths, one way leads to another. There is also a dead end. They have a canteen where employees go to rest and relax. I liked how they made the Alumni to welcome us as we enter the building. “Daghag bisaya didto haha wala ko naglisud ug pangutana kung unsa to, unsa ni.” They answer all of your questions except questions about their salary. HA HA. They have huge facilities there. And the employees are nice to look at because they have uniforms. The place was cozy too; it is far away from the city and pollution. I have no reason to dislike such amazing place. Everything and everyone were accommodating. They have smiles on their faces. They were as if a huge family. Mostly everyone was acquainted with each other. Even though they have a boss they treat everyone equally. They talk like friends, a casual conversation but with respect. I would love to work their if possible but I don’t think I have the qualifications they need. Without any further ado, we directly headed to Tagaytay. Max’s for lunch. Right at the back of the restaurant was a nice view of Taal Volcano. Bad trip lang kasi umuulan na naman. When we reached People’s Park in the Sky picture takings are everywhere. Indeed that highland was beautiful because of the magnificent view it showcases. That abandoned building there was kind of creepy for me and they said that the building was used for movies in 80’s and 90’s. Even though up there weren’t full of amenities the beautiful view of the Taal volcano is enough to stay there and stare at it the whole day. As we headed to Enchanted Kingdom, we stopped for a while to buy pasalubongs. There were a lot of pasalubongs there, from chicharon to buko pie. And more pasalubong shops along the way. And finally, we reached Enchanted Kingdom. Rides are everywhere. I only rode 5 rides; one extreme ride, two water rides and two cutie rides. I really enjoyed that experience of near death. Joke. We had our dinner at Taste Asia at MOA. On the way to Kabayan Hotel, mostly were sleeping because of exhaustion.
On Friday, we went to MMDA or Metro Manila Development Authority. They held the discussion in there Flood Control Information Center and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center. I learned that they were not only assigned on the traffic but also in the weather forecast and flood control of Manila. They have huge monitors there that are connected to PHILVOCS and PAGASA. They have access also in Project NOAH of DOST. They also have the data of earthquakes that is happening every day all over the Philippines. They have prepared PowerPoint slides of their lectures. They also made us watch videos of disasters happened on the streets that were recorded in the CCTV. Also they have a huge memory for storing CCTV recorded videos that could last for months. We were aghast on the different accidents happened because of law breakers and red light beaters. There was a man riding a motorcycle but suddenly bumped to the railing and blood scatter on the streets, they said that the man was still alive that time but was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. We really can’t avoid accidents but we can do everything we could to prevent it by following the street rules and the law. I also got the chance of experiencing their Shake, Rattle and Roll House. It is a house that simulates an earthquake magnitude and intensity. It was really a nice experience to have sat inside a shaking house. HAHA. I liked their personnel because they were so accommodating; smiles are on their faces as they speak to us. They explained thoroughly their work and scopes of it. They presented all the stuffs we need to know. And I really liked that Simulation house where we had the chance to experience a magnitude 4 earthquake. The agency was great, no reason to dislike it. What I didn’t like was we only have a minimum of time there. Not everyone has experienced to be inside that shaking house. But all in all, it was a nice visit there thought it was raining that day. I recommend to the next batch that the preparations should be started a semester before and must be planned earlier as well because problems may be encountered if not planned out well. Also parents should be called to meet personally on selecting what are their preferences so that parents wouldn’t be startled and shocked of how costly it is. It must also have a Memorandum of Agreement between the parents and the FTS president that there will be no turning back once the majorities have decided. And students must pick responsible and patient persons to be their officers, the ones who will never back out and would strive to finish what they have started. My advice to those who will take their advance seminar program in the near future is that they must all be responsible of themselves. Don’t make others suffer because of your issues. Plan everything and tell your parents all the agreements truthfully.
All in all our major field trip was a fruitful one. It was an educational trip not nonsense. It will really help us students as we go in the near future. All the knowledge we got from that trip will be one of our pillars that would help us face the upcoming.
On October 1, 2013, we had our minor field trip at the Public Safety and Security Command Center of Davao City. This agency handles the public safety and security of Davao City. PSSCC is the counter part of Davao to the MMDA of Manila. After we visited PSSCC, I could really tell whose facilities are better than the other. In this seminar, I learned how this part of the government works to protect and respond to any accidents in the streets of Davao City. PSSCC also known as Public Safety and Security Command Center of Davao City located at Sandawa, just beside Central 911’s main office. PSSCC is the MMDA of Davao but is way much better than it because it is powered by IBM. If I would compare the two, I can really say that Davao’s PSSCC is way better than MMDA in a way that the cameras here have high resolution and the streaming isn’t lag at all unlike in the CCTVs of MMDA that are pixelated and lag. Though their building is small but you will be amazed in the inside yea, it’s small but the facilities and cleanliness of the building is good. I learned that our safety and security command center was made possible because of the partnership of the City Government and IBM. Inday Sara Duterte, the City Mayor of 2012 had attended a conference of IBM. She aimed to make Davao a smarter city. Eventually, last June 2013, the new CCTVs have been installed in the major streets of Davao City. They have installed one in Lasang and two in Calinan. In short, they have installed in every entrance and exit of the City, even in the airport they have one. I liked how they accommodate their guest. I really liked how our government reached out and made an initiative of making our City’s security high. There is low percentage of crimes here in Davao City. I am happy to be able to enter such high-end agency here in Davao City. It somehow made me proud of our City. I have nothing to dislike about this seminar for it had gave me knowledge on how Davao City manages the public safety and security of all the Dabawenyos.
To sum it all up, I learned that hardwork and perseverance bear fruit. It means, walang nakukuhang maganda o stable sa madaliang paraan, kung gusto nating magtaggal at umasenso kailangang magsikap at maging determinado na abutin ang ating mga pinapangarap. All the people I met worked hard and persevered to reach and be where they are now. I also learned to love and value my life and myself more. This knowledge will surely help us one day. I am thankful that I had experienced visiting companies. I am delighted to have experienced and learned a lot from this subject.
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