Travel Report

October 4-8, 2010
Manila-Laguna-Tagaytay

Fieldtrip Overview

Five days may seem long, but for me, it’s just a short span of time for a marvelous and awesome educational field trip and seminar for enthusiastic and eager students of IC during the tour. Before the time we heard about the edge of this subject, Field trip and seminars really touches our nerves from head to toe because of the excitement and pleasure we really felt inside. When we finally consolidated for the final decision to choose from Model A, B or C, almost students settle on model C which comprises of local and major trip in Manila. Time is fast approaching and Field Trip is upcoming fast! Money is the crucial thing to think of for the expenses. Officers and teachers look problematic due to some cases of the student to pay on delayed along with the schedule for payment. But whatever difficulties and complications we encountered; still the field trip continues.

The long wait is over. Field trip helps as to reduce all the stress and tension left as from several subject. The first thing which stirs up our soul is on the plain of Cebu Pacific. This is it! Yeah! Photo shoots and snaps are out of controlled. Fasten your seatbelt! Seat forward! Those are just few reminders and always stated by the flight stewardess for our awareness.

When we land in NAIA airport and finally reach the heart of Manila, all the anxiety drowsy sleepy eyes are replaced by vigorous energetic students when we distinguished and saw the industrious city of the Manila with the huge and gigantic buildings, establishments and competitive company exploited. 8:30 in the morning when Maynilad bus tour fetched us in the airport. All the students are divided by the three buses. How lucky I am which belongs in bus 1 for the whole five days. Kuya Al as our tour guide relieves all stress by throwing up questions and historical trivia all about places and cities located in the metropolitan.

Visiting different companies at the first place is definitely full of excitement. New persons to faced, new learning’s absorbed and new adventure to experienced. That was so great! Different spot in the Philippines like Tagaytay should be preserved. Cool air, fresh breeze! What more can you ask for? Tagaytay is one of the high lights during the trip. Enchanted Kingdom really mesmerized us. Imagine all are free rides! However, that was also the time of the other school who got to EK. Definitely customers are hundreds to count. What about the “pasalubong”? We choose Divisoria to bought all the souvenirs’ for our families and also personal belonging to our self! “Ate mag-kano?” (asking if how much) we usually ask to reduces the price or value to the seller. The Garden Plaza Hotel accommodates us well.

Field trip and seminar is one of the best and finest experienced I loved! How I wish I can visit again Manila with unlimited budget to spend with. Field trip out of the country is my greatest pleasure!


October 4, 2010 (DAY 1)

Today, I went on a company visit to SSS Social Security System located at East Avenue Quezon City at exactly 9:10 in the morning when we finally reach. The security is strictly in monitoring the people who are going inside and out of the establishment. There is a wide space inside for the vacancy of people doing their transactions. As we walked and observed inside, numerous employees are deploying to serve every individual in their needs to settle and patch up requirements.

What I learned?
Our fist seminar happened in the SSS. Loads of new things we learned. To narrow it down the following are the things we find out and discover while the forum is going on.

Ms. Mercy Locena as the master of ceremony introduced as the guess speaker who is currently vice president for the public affairs Mrs. Marissu G. Bugante. She gladly welcomed as and appreciates the idea of choosing SSS to visit. Her fist slide presentation shows the rule of Social Security System as the protection that the society gives its members against the economic and social distressed caused by contingencies. In other words, SSS provides the assistance and benefits for the members who are suffering from future catastrophe such as death and retirement. SSS corporate values are trust, empowerment and teamwork. These are important factors to consider, included also the mission and vision of the establishments in serving for the good and welfare for the Filipino citizen. She talked about the importance of getting a membership and participation to us for the future use and requirement. The current president and chief Executive of SSS is Mr. Emilio S. De Quiros. Mrs. Eugenia dela Cruz as the new speaker, which is the department manager member relations shares us also the history and the past years go by when it is founded. SSS originated in the year 1957. They are celebrating the 53 yeas last September 1. There are 168 branches located nationwide with 14 overseas branches. To sum up there are 180 Social Security System establishments working. From 1970 to 1983 the NCR Machines are found at Baguio and Dagupan. The NCR machines which are Centralized Computer Processing from 1983-1986 uses Oracle DBMS. In the year 1992 to 1996 SSS is undergoing a Business Recovery System which they used the SUNM9000 as server in the main office in San Pablo.

Mr. Leo C. Abayan as the hardware specialist on the working technologies partake all the information about functioning equipment inside the establishment. They are operated with biometrics ID system for civilian purposes. They are not any more producing ID for the members since they are enhancing a new ID production which is called “Unified Purpose ID Card”. This ID card can avail in all purposes. Approximately 1.7 billion database records stored in their main server. These are some of the things they impart to us.

What I liked?
We are divided into three groups. Per group is required to visit a certain place. One of the memorable places we ascertain is the SSS museum. It catches our attention expensive paintings and historical memorabilia are all found in the full air conditioned room. I like the places where we visited inside. I love the library beside the museum. But one thing I like about SSS it is their attitude towards us. They are deeply hospitable to us; in fact they treat a great snack for us. Imagine the first 80 students avail the C2 and burger fever. All for free! This is a one way to show how Filipino embarked the hospitable and welcoming characteristics still us embraces.

What I didn’t like?
One thing I notice in SSS it’s the numerous people, closed to “crowded”. And I hate that! While we are having the seminar in the SSS, I haven’t remembered the things which I didn’t like most. I only hark back the time which we are craving for food because we are hungry. We are also longing for a sleep. At that time, we have a classmate who toke her snap in the middle of the discussion. Well, that’s normal to happen for those normal people.  Because of the delayed time in travelling across the cities, our lunch is also behind. How pity are we.

Today, I went also on a company visit to First Academy of Computer Arts found in Makati City 3:15 in the afternoon. This is a school for a short term course in learning arts through the used of computers and some software. Any person can enroll in the school. If you really love in creating and customizing your anime character, all you have to do is to come and join the training lesson in first Web Academy. When we got there, the classes are going on. No time for shouting!

What I learned?
We are really amazed by the examples they showed on us. Michelle is the first name of the speaker who spoke ahead on us. She designated the digital arts is all about scanning anything in computer using any form of arts. A digital art is done by an artist. If I where given a chance to innovate and design my own arts I might called as an artist. There are two categories of digital arts are illustration and lay-outing. Process of animation is a series of movements of the characters. Ate Michelle shared us also about multimedia which definitely boomed together with cell phones. 2D animation is a traditional or usual movie animation. However, it is different from 3D animation since we are facing a prevailing and advance world, 3d is now more appreciated by the viewers. What’s the difference behind the two? To describe 2D animation, it is what you see what you get while 3D animation is automatically 360 degrees conceptualized. In fact, there are two types of image, the ruster image and the vector image. Ruster image has its limitation in editing or modifying, while the vector image can picture out a high resolution images. We really loved to visit again First Academy sooner. How I wish I can innovate and dress up my cartoon characters or customized the gear of my own design incredible car. She also mentioned about the employment and future works if an individual engaged on the academy. These are a full time or a free lancer game developer, an animator or a modeler.

What I liked?
The academy itself is what I liked. I liked the lessons they are teaching. I like the way they are learning it is through computers. I admire those things I mentioned, I guess I like it because really adore “ARTS”. I am looking forward to learn those fabulous things as soon. Cris is the other person who faced us and demonstrates the steps on how a single apple can be created by the Maya as their official software development. Hoooah! That’s really terrible. Imagine a single apple cost time and effort just to look perfect. Segments, y-axis and x-axis are all included to modify. Hair effect as he said it is the most difficult process to manage. The animation occur every strand of the hair. I can’t imagine! He used short cuts in keyboard such as key5 and key4.

What I didn’t like?
No specific things which I didn’t like. But there are few things made me confused. First Academy of Computer Arts offers short term courses. The instructors or mentors are not degree holder. Hmmm the souvenirs are just few and limited to those student who can answer their questions.

October 5, 2010 (DAY 2)

Today, I went on a company visit to UP Diliman Quezon City 8:30 am. We had the program entitled “UP-USEP Information Technology Symposium 2010” at NISMED Auditorium, UP Diliman. This is the major site of our national trip. A lot of people shared their thoughts and skills to us. We are really amazed and regret to choose UP to visit. Prof. Lemuel Brana welcomed us in a way of opening remarks. The half day seminar really sounds good. The guest speakers inspired us.

What I learned?
From the first speaker Ms. Rose Ann Sale, she gives us an overview to write a winning thesis. Few minutes, she shared to us the five stages how to bring it on a thesis. The first is “The Thinking stage”. This is a phase for thinking and pondering the ideas. We have to list those ideas that come up in your mind. “The Proposal Stage” is the second stage, this juncture you have to choose which among the ideas is best and preeminent of all. Add in the list all the things that would motivate us. We should have to distinguish the target clients, goal and objective of the chosen one. The third stage is the “Burning your Eye Brow Stage”, this is the time of working and performing your thesis. Knowing your partner and group mates is also important. The adviser really helps in criticizing and evaluating our work. “The Nerve Wracking Stage” is the forth level. This is a stage for searching criteria. We might feel troubled and tense at this time. Finally “I did It Stage” is for the accomplishments we had. Two thumbs up for the success!

Mr. John Boaz Lee is the second speaker. He partake us the significance of visualization. It is a way we think. The ITTC has its goal in helping to build a solid IT career, in producing an elite group of IT engineers with high level required IT engineers. We salute Ms. Len de Gracia. She is engaged in gaming industry. She is definitely an interface designer and environment artist. Forget about grades! Ms. Len shares that grades is not important to get a job. It’s all about the quality of the portfolio. It’s all about marketability. It’s all about gearing self towards that dream job. Another speaker stood up on the stage is Prof. Carlos Bott. The mobile application game development was his topic. Software Tools as a middle ware consist of director and Shakewave 2, Platform, Languages and Game Applications. He emphasized that courage and determination driven one self.

What I liked?
I liked the place where we gathered together. The people we met and their words their shared. They really inspired us. Though the pressure is there, still the determinations of the students is to finish our studies sooner.

What I didn’t like?
The cold place really disturbed us and made us drowsy at that time. I hate that we never took pictures in the oblation replica. The other buses visit UP in the other day just for taking pictures.

Today, I went also on a company visit to Ayala Techno Hub located in the Commonwealth Quezon City. IBM is a competitive and well known company where we stopped and stay exclusively in Techno Hub. Another company we drop in on bounded in Techno hub is the SEACHANGE around 4:10 in the afternoon.

What I learned?
Mrs. Iris Chiu, in behalf of the IBM management is the pointed speaker. She is a smart type of person. She introduced first the historical background of the IBM.
The first IBM established in the year 1937. In fact they are celebrating the 73th year legacy in the Philippines and one of the oldest in ASEAN. IBM belongs in the top 10 taxpayers and once awarded by the BPO employer of the year. They are serving around 5000 clients which included the big time companies such as Smart Communication, SM Retail and Globe Telecommunication, BPI, Protector and Gamble. It has over 400 business partners nationwide and over 130 authorized service centers nationwide. They sold their laptops and computer division. And now the products they are producing and the offerings are the hardware, software and services. Software service comprises of Rational software, Websphere Software, Tivoli software and Lotus Software. Among all, Tivoli is the largest contribution. IBM has 76 authorized centers operating from 3 world class sites in the business centers of Manila and Cebu.
There is one thing to differentiate IBM from Microsoft. Microsoft is good in marketing while IBM have the product to push through.

SEACHANGE is operating in advertising, VOD, IPTV, content, broadcast and global. Over 600 customers across 5 continents, these include HBO, TELUS, NBC, ROGERS. The corporate is founded 1993. SEAC on NASDAQ since 1996 around $ 201.7 M in revenue, $37.6M in cash no debt with 1,200 employees primarily in R&D and service.

What I liked?
IBM is open to those IT personnel who is goal oriented, well organized and has a competitive skills to boom up. I admire the positive spirit of IBM inspite of those circumstances which may affect their venture; still they are standing and making their name in the industry. Mrs. Chiu mentioned the good heart of IBM. They are formulating the idea of making a system which may help the Filipinos in times of calamity.

SEACHANGE I guess is working on international and globally competitive in terms to providing their service. The person who faced us that time is a foreigner. Most of their employees are men. I think they need more man power.

What I didn’t like?
I wonder why, they are not able to mentioned the current clients they are working now. Also they are not able to talk about the income they are earning. The software services above mentioned are not familiar to us.

While the SEACHANGE personnel speaking in front on us, we are not able to understand further what he is talking about. We are not able to ask questions because we are definitely awkward. Their merchandise is unfamiliar to me.

October 6, 2010 (DAY 3)

Today, I went on a company visit to PLDT Mandaluyong City. PLDT stands for Philippine Long Distance Telecommunication. They are glad to us visiting their company. They are hospitable though they are busy in obvious at that moment.

What I learned?
So many things I’ve learned while we are in PLDT. To start with, 3 principal groups are talk about, the fix line, wireless and data. The current president of PLDT is Napoleon Nazareno with the COB Manuel Veles Pangalinan. And the following information are the historical background of PLDT. 1928-1938 is the birth of PLDT. The age destruction last in 10 years 1939-1949. The age of change is around 1959-1968. PLDT is using Computer mouse in the year 1964 headed by Ramon Cojuangco. In the year 1969-1978 is the age of control, the staff stated that PLDT reduce their employee, they started to take control and focus in providing in services of consumers. The age of revolution is from 1979-1988 PLDT embraces a new promise of new technologies such as cellular phones and fax machines. 1989-1998 PLDT is entitled as gatekeeper. They are using Intel Pentium. At this time PLDT is in convergence. NGN or Next Generation Network is their next goal. Telecommunication is exchange of communication in distant sources. Simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex are the types of modern telecom. The elements of telecommunication link are sender, transmission medium and receiver. Under the sender or receiver, voice equipment and data equipment are the other variety. Did you know that telephone starts due to communication crisis? Another trivia is that the first commercial telephone in January 28, 1878 was exchange designed by George W. Coy. There are so many things the speaker shares into us.

What I liked?
I like the people who entertain us. They are hospitable and entertain us well. The speaker engaged us to finish our studies and pursue our journey. In spite of competitions of skills, we the IC students will make wise in using our knowledge and learning for future consumption.

What I didn’t like?
In connection to the company which is PLDT I haven’t remember what those things I didn’t like. There are just several discussions which we are not able to coop up due to higher technological term uses. But I guess sooner we will be able to be aware and acquainted those matters.

Today, I went also on a company visit to Telecoms Training Institute located in Valenzuela. We have been observed and noticed that the physical look of the institution is getting old. They have the radio laboratories which are not functioning but still it preserved and maintained its structure. We haven’t seen any trainee within the institution.

What I learned?
Two spoke persons impart and inculcate us the equipments, uses of those laboratories and give discussion to those machineries. SHF master station used to transmit information in distant places, clearing the signals and data to be transmitted. It has more than 50 km in capacity. UHF remote station has more than distance capacity around 600 km. in fact PLDT is using the UHF remote station because it is wired and connection oriented. They also introduce us the carrier wing laboratory with 19,000 sq meter land area. The PCM-30 master station is the other type of station they mentioned. It can convert voice signal to frequency signal. Did you know that there are four processes in PC equipment? These are sampling, quantizing, coding and multiplexing. We are familiar to different connection right? Still they talked about those things. Repeater is constructing below the ground with 1 to 3 kilometers in distance.

What I liked?
I appreciate their service in maintaining those equipments in spite of its old structure. I like the purpose of the institution, the knowledge they are partaking and the availability of employment they are taking part. The trainer is capable enough because of their higher experiences and expertise they had gain.
What I didn’t like?
Telecom seems like quite place to visit. When we had there, we are only the visitors expect to some speaker. I guess their operational training is temporary stop because of our presence.

October 7, 2010 (DAY 4)

Today, I went on a company visit to Exist Global found in Ortigas Center, Pasig as we have been visited, the place is very fabulous and the people are too young to work along the competitive company. Most of the personnel are young men. There building is attractive to visit since we had the seminar and discussion inside their “tambayan area”. They are also hospitable to received visitors.

What I learned?

The two speakers really inspired us to continue and strive hard so that we are proficient and be competent in our future job. The first speaker tells about services they are performing, they are operating software, systems and applications for the consumer. They also have open source to those who need their alliance and expertise. One of the speakers motivates us in her story of starting into her career. She is not a graduate connected to computer. However she is an applied economics graduate. Nevertheless, she took training and engaged on coding. Currently she is a senior in a position. She is working on different field in java application. Her courage drives her career. She is one of the best professional system developments.

What I liked?
I personally like their story starting from a beginner and now measure up and take part in the Philippine industry of technology. They are a risk taker in spite of all the contingencies they are facing before; still they are one of the best open sourcing media. They have their big time clients. But same with other company they are not allow mentioning that consumer they are working for. Income is not also permitted to open in public.
What I didn’t like?

Few souvenirs are selected to those students who will cooperate and ask a question. They haven’t showed us some of their products since we want to be acquainted on how they work. I am craving for a remembrance. The flash drive and cap are really worth to have.


October 8, 2010 (DAY 5)

Today, I went on a company visit to MMDA Traffic Engineering sited in Mandaluyong. It is the last company to visit. MMDA is the traffic enforcer along the high ways. They are monitoring 24 hours with the use CCTV and cameras built-in several high ways. The employee are not supposed to have a holiday, because still they are liable to observe and supervise the currently scene of cars, busses, vehicles and etc. running across the street.

What I learned?
Did you know that 70% of street incidents are motorcycles? Yes! Definitely. Even though a driver is wearing its helmet for protection, but still it will never save your whole life to be secure. You yourself are responsible enough to follow the rules in driving. Don’t drive when you drunk! Don’t drunk while you drive! MMDA is currently using Multiplix software and Fortran as their main operating system.

What I liked?
MMDA is very responsive anytime, cooperative to media in organizing the traffic news. During the time when we visit the traffic engineering, we are able to witness the systems they are presently using. They also showed us the major incidents recorded to their computers. I like their intention and objective quick response to the accident in a specific place. Even car nap can be monitor but not to the point that the cameras can’t spot the plaque.
What I didn’t like?

We have a short span of time in staying the area, maybe because we are much exited to the next tour in SM Mall of Asia. There are few things that are unusual to us listening to the person who is introducing their main server.

APPENDIX:
What can I recommend for the improvement of the fieldtrip and seminar program? My advices to those who will take their fieldtrip and seminar program in the near future.
Our field trip and seminar subject is the first is the first program of the new curriculum in IC. Lots of improvement I guess will be listed below to recommend so that a trip will be more improve and progress. I think a field trip might be able to succeed if it is well informed earlier to those students and most especially parents. Ask them in advance if the expenses can afford. Explain to them that the field trip and seminar is a subject and a requirement that should be accomplished during the semester, also so that parents will not anymore forced to pay an amount quickly or immediately knowing that money is not never easy to produce and obtain. I can also recommend that field trip should be discuss and negotiate earlier between the student and the teacher. Don’t ever forget to pray and ask guidance to the Heavenly king- Jesus!
To the next officers in charge, you have to execute your assigned task and complete those tasks enough to the time required to avoid delayed information. When meeting is settle don’t be late! You should be the good model to your classmates. When the field trip is finally come, officers are in charged to observed and monitor different scenarios to avoid conflicts.
Students who are enrolling to the said subject will not be dependable only to those officers negotiating facts and expenses. You also have the responsibility. If the deadlines of payments are settle you have to work it and approach your parent in advance. When the field trip is finally come, students are responsible enough to discipline their self in waking up and should be time conscious in every instance to avoid delay. A disobedient single student may ruin the whole trip. Spend your money wisely, this will also matter. Good luck and God bless!

Sutherland

Today, I went on a company visit to Sutherland Davao branch.We arrived an hour before the scheduled time of the third batch is needed to go inside the establishment. Mr. Eric Mendoza is one of the employees of the said company who preside over us.

What I’ve learned?
Sutherland is a company which produces services such as call center and other service sector for the customer. Current system they are using is what they called the “wyse system” with Virtual Windows as its operating system. Wise system cost effectively no need to certify each only one just like Gateway. They are using MacAfee as their anti-virus. The operating system alone can use multiple Wyse system they are using about four years. If Wyse system request, data center access the internet. The main data center which is found in India has its application stored and can send out the data to some branches. The said company comprises of 30,000 employees world wide and 10,000 working employees in the Philippines including branches in Davao, Manila, Tarlac, Clark Pampanga and in Makati. Sutherland awarded as the”Fastest Growing Bro Company”. Mr. Eric Mendoza also mentioned about the new building they are trying to built beside the establishment with 1,800 require employees. Kennedy Training room, trainer’s office and Galileo training room are also located inside.

What I liked?
What I liked most in Sutherland is that they are concerned to the employees. They construct some recreational area for the enjoyment and extra activities for the employees. Inside of the company, activity areas are found. But only the employees can take advantage to use. Fitness gym, gaming center, sleeping room, production floor and souvenir shop. In fact a small area is located inside for the cigarette user. If the employees feel sleepy or not feeling well, a sleeping room is available for them. Sutherland also valued their good and well-oriented employees by promoting to higher than current position.

What I didn’t like?
No specific thing to remember what I didn’t like about Sutherland. In fact I saluted their fast growing economic status. How I wish working in the Sutherland and earning my money sooner.

Interpersonal Skills

July 21, 2010

"The interpersonal skill is really a great way of enhancing oneself"


This is a new avenue for meeting new persons and knowing them to be friends. My first impression on the said activity is, get together usual thing. But I was wrong! Interpersonal skill really alleviates my communication ability towards other people. The best thing I’ve learned that time is the TRUSTING WITH RESPECT TO OTHER PEOPLE around you, if you don’t have the trust on them, they might not build reliance and also trust you. As a creature by God, you have to depend and communicate towards your friends, classmates and people around you. Through games, it teach us to cooperate with your member and apprehend to us student that we have the rights to be conscious about the world that we are created to be a leader not just for our own self but also to our fellowmen. When our value increases we should keep our self silent and humble just like a paper money which are always remain silent. Failures are normal to happen in our self, what matter most is how we carry that failure and how we are going to stand to start over again. Interpersonal skills made us to realized that life has its best, pains, failure and everything but its natural, its God’s way to teach us how to make one step higher after we fall. TRUST FALL is really a breathtaking game. You have to release whole self to your group mates and never doubt them, unless you will not fall properly. Carry yourself in such a way that when people are sitting, you would be standing and when they are standing, you will stand out and when they stand out you will be outstanding and when they dare to be outstanding, you will be their standard.

Connected to our subject technopreneurship, a business starts from ideas, but ideas alone do not make business. Customers do not buy ideas, they buy products and services. Customers pay the price, value is what they get.