Inevitable First Month Promises

What's in store for me this year? No, wait. Let me rephrase the question. What am I storing up this year and for the years to come?

Humans have unlimited desires. If you haven't realized that by now, I doubt if you're indeed a human. We will always want another thing after another. We make a list of things to buy and dreams to achieve but unfortunately the list goes on. Given such long lists of created (sometimes unrealistic) needs, we end up sulking in disappointments. 

This year, I have made a bucket list of things I want to accomplish. Even if the possibility of getting disappointed is directly proportional to  the chances of achieving them, I DON'T MIND and I DON'T CARE. I have been dealing with disappointments and frustrations for my entire life. It wouldn't hurt me to deal with some more this year. As Kelly (or her songwriters) says, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I might be acting a little brave here but I expect there will be instances that I'd be at the brink of giving up. However, those won't stop me from reaching my goals. What is a man if he doesn't have dreams?

Here are the random things I thought of doing this year:

> buy a gift for a loved one (or loved ones, it depends)

> join a Yoga session or a dance-slash-fitness-class

> learn how to cook and bake something...EDIBLE

> travel and see the world

> enrol for postgraduate studies

> Watch UNIGAMES live in Dumaguete

> start a family tradition (e.g. Fruit Smoothie Sundays)

> learn a foreign language (I'm thinking Japanese)

> learn how to play a musical instrument

> save money (in the bank, not in your piggy bank)

> lose the belly (this has been on the list since the time I started eating)

> blog more often

> buy a furrbaby already! 

For updates or anything, I will get back to you soon. Pinky swear!

pRaNs B. 

Super Dormant

Where was I during the months of August to December? I published none since last July. I'd be behind bars for breaking the blog constitution (luckily, there ain't such thing.) TBH, there were a lot of blog-worthy events those past months. I was plainly lazy to do so. My apologies.


Well, what a year it has been. 2013 surely wouldn't be forgotten, but I believe 2014 would also be memorable. I'm definitely bracing myself (Yes, I embrace myself most of the times because I have no one else to hug. Oops! That was uncalled for.) for anything that's in store for me this year.

I'd like to keep this just-to-have-an-entry post short. I'd like to end with this picture I captured when I went to the South Reclamation Project grounds. Let me know what you think about the picture and the quote.

Right on. 

Till next time, 

pRaNs B.

I got balls

I am just leaping right now. Finally, I have bought myself my own Mikasa Spiral Volleyball. This may not be a big deal for most people but for someone like me who eats and breathes volleyball, IT IS A BIG DEAL.

The actual plan was to buy two MVA310 because the price posted on Chris Sports' website was around 1900. But when we went to the mall, it was over 2000. So I had to buy only one. You might be asking why I planned to buy two volleyballs. TBH, I wanted to have more balls for our CAS Volleyball Men's Team so that we can really have quality practice time. Nonetheless, having one is more than enough. Maybe, just maybe, come this August if Toby's Sports or Chris Sports would be having a sale, I could add one more ball to my collection.

Weeeeeee! I am just very happy right now. Next thing I'd like to buy a pair of Mizuno shoes. Payday, come the soonest time possible! 

Will show you a picture of the ball. 

Till next time Blogspot,

pRaNs B.

P.S.

Yes. I am at the office right now. My student is absent which gave me ample time to blog. (wink!)

Testing New Waters

Yea, I know. I'm guilty of being such a lazy a**. I just had to succumb to the idea of not blogging after a gazillion year, but here I am right now. I actually am at the office right now. Luckily, my student isn't here yet. NEWSFLASH! Yes, you've read it right. I actually have a new job right now. I am teaching. Who would have thought I'd ending up teaching?

Well, it isn't the typical school-slash-university-way of teaching. I am an English as Secondary Language (ESL) teacher catering to Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese, Iranians, and Russians. I find this job interesting but a part of me also want to venture into university teaching because I believe it would also be good to educate my fellow Filipinos. Hopefully, I could get a Master's Degree or a Diploma in Professional Education. I honestly am still undecided which to take and in what school (This would have to be written in another blog.  I promise to write about it soon).

Going back to the topic. Yea. It's just been a month and a week since I started here. The compensation package is less compared to my previous job, but I feel more satisfied here. The nature of the job is manageable plus the respect I get from my students is just priceless. 

Friends discouraged me from continuing here but I decided to give this a try because I really feel I would grow professionally here. I guess, I have to stop from here. My next student's waiting outside already. 

Till next time Blogspot,

pRaNs B.

P.S.

Will post photos soon. : ] 

Calling the Shots

To the person who keeps on telling that life's not about the money definitely doesn't have anything to spend or pay for.

It has been very long since I wanted to have a part-time job so that I can have my own money to spend and pay for whatever there is to be paid like school projects and stuff. I don't like to ask from my parents for money all of the time. Also, every time I want to go somewhere or buy something, I have to ask for money from them. I seldom ask them to buy stuff for me but when I do, I ask way too much (HAHA).

So in order to have that liberty of buying stuffs without pestering my parents, I looked for part-time jobs online and I was able to find a few. I sent my resumes and got a couple of replies. The company which replied the fastest was Aegis Peoplesupport, a BPO company. Got the call one afternoon and I was invited for another interview that next day. As I could remember that was when Typhoon Pablo was brewing in the country.

December 10, 2012 was a memorable date because that was the time I signed the contract and it has been like a month since then. It was on the very same date I got a text from the ESL company I applied for. They set an appointment where I had to take an exam and an interview. I came and took the exam but I had to turn down the job because the schedule they offered was in conflict with my TTH classes.

Going back to my current employer. Yes, I have survived a month in this company. Actually, the company isn't that stressful since I am assigned to a sales department.  As a matter of fact, Aegis' working environment is just perfect! The only problem I have is raising my conversion. I am never the sales-type-of-person. I don't like persuading people to buy but this is the nature of my part-time job. I have to take it or leave it. I chose the former.

My supervisors have been very patient in guiding me that's why I am still in the company. I don't want to quit the job because the company and the supervisors have invested so much just to make me useful to the company. I owe that much to the company. Plus, BPO agencies really compensate very well. I have a lot of school fees to pay which I want to pay by myself. Let's just say that's my way of giving back to my parents.

Every graveyard shift is a battle for me. I have to answer calls mostly of online shoppers who aren't immediate bookers. If I get a lot of calls yet less sales, I am doomed. But that will not make me quit. I will only render my resignation when I couldn't improve my conversion in three to four months time. I don't want my team to suffer because of my low conversion. For now, I will continuously strive for improvement and make more sales.

Rediscovering Cebu

Beyond the bustling Cebu Metropolis lies a perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Despite being one of the highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, Cebu still has that untamed and unraveled side which enlivens the Cebuano traits of being outgoing and nature loving.

Outdoor Safety Officers Joel Carino and Joemeth Robles from Team Adventyurista Concepts and Services are the best people to go on an adventure with! The Miss Cebu 2013 candidates can attest to that as they went outdoors yet still managed to stay posh last December 9. First stop was Willy’s Place, a hub for Cebuano bikers, located at Barangay Busay along the Transcentral Highway which is developing Cebu’s shot on sports tourism. Certainly, the girls have proved that make up, elegant dresses, and stilettos are not the only things that can make a woman beautiful.

One of the hopefuls vying for the crown, medical student Marie Ann Maraon, would strengthen environmental awareness and promote health education programs if given the chance to be Miss Cebu 2013. She invites everyone to get on a bike and step one’s way up to the Transcentral Highway.

In order to foster environmental conservation advocacies, the lovely ladies had to have a first-hand experience with nature. Cebu’s adventure provider, Adventyurista Concepts and Services arranged their itinerary and paved the way for these fine ladies to convene with Mother Earth. 

A mini waterfall situated in a corner of a road in Barangay Malubog.

 Aside from staying healthy and fit through biking, Adventyurista Concepts and Services brought the candidates to a trekking venture into the Central Cebu Protected Landscape specifically in Sitio Cantipla, Barangay Tabunan. Protective measures are done to preserve the area due to its high biodiversity and the watershed. It’s good to note that Cebu still has a lush forested area that grows the little-known tree endemic, the Cebu Cinnamon tree (Cinnamonum cebuense).

Joel Carino, Adventyurista Concepts and Services Outdoor Safety Officer, discussed some of the uses of the rare Cebu Cinnamon Tree. The aromatic leaves and bark captivated the candidates.

Retired General Tiburcio "Tiboy" Fusilero created Cantipla's famous man-made lake. It has served as an irrigation system and water impoundment that is useful during the dry season.

The rain may have poured that afternoon but it didn’t hamper the ladies from trying out Adventure Café’s Zipline in Gaas, Balamban and horseback-riding at Gov. Joe Leyson’s Peak in Barangay Taptap, Busay. Plus, not to mention having to munch on hot sweet corns offered there. If the next Miss Cebu would be promoting the city, it is just fit to expose the candidates to the underrated tourist destinations of the old and historic Cebu.

                         

Well, you don’t have to be a candidate to experience the same exploration. Go extreme with bouldering, river trekking, or kayaking! Just give Adventyurista Concepts and Services a call and have them arrange your itinerary. You can reach them through these numbers: 0922 825 5332 or 0919 841 4113. Better yet, visit http://www.adventyurista.tk/ to see the exciting tour packages Adventyurista Concepts and Services has in store for every outgoing Cebuano. 

Balamban Vice Mayor Rosie Binghay welcomes the candidates to Adventure Café.

Namrata Neesha Murjani takes on Adventure Cafe's Zipline.

At Governor Leyson's Peak

For the published article, it's here:
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2013/01/05/893562/rediscovering-cebu

ePerformax: The Past and Beyond

Marking the 10^th year of ePerformax Contact Centers and BPO in the Philippines, this year’s Red and Black Ball was a celebration of the company’s ten years of great feat.

With the theme, “Party of the Decades”, ePerformax commemorated the milestones of the 50s to the 90s last December 8 and transformed Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s Pacific Grand Ballroom into a time machine.

Unlike other company Christmas parties, the Red and Black Ball is not only a celebration of the yuletide season, but is also an avenue for the employees to show their talents.

The Serenades proved how talented ePerformax’s employees are as they rendered a heavenly doxology and patriotically sang the U.S., Australia, and Philippine national anthems with much fervor and pride. Being the first performance of the night, they set the bars high for the rest of the presentations. The ball highlighted Cebu’s first BPO-organized couture fashion show as it campaigned for ‘dressing for success’ move wherein selected employees strutted 50s-90s inspired creations by two of Cebu’s top designers, Jun Escario and Ivan Belocura.

“The couture fashion show is the first of two fashion shows that we
will be doing. The second one will be held within company premises -
focusing on business casual and regular dress down attires,” Neil Iosif Ilagan, ePerformax Fan Club President told the FREEMAN.

Teresa Hartsaw, ePerformax President and CEO, considered the outfits ‘divine’ and would love to have Jun Escario and Ivan Belocura design for her for next year’s Red and Black Ball.

She congratulated everyone for the accolades ePerformax has earned over the years. The company celebrated their successes despite their diminutive number compared to other BPOs worldwide and recognized the individuals who went an extra mile in rendering quality service to their clients.

Eperformax may never be the biggest BPO firm, but they are and always will be the best. “We are so darn good at what we do. We are an awesome team,” Teresa acclaimed.

With all the accolades the company has been blessed, they deemed it appropriate to give back to the community.  Talisay Mind Power Creativity Center, Incorporated has been their adopted school since 2010. ePerformax has helped the school in building a library, a science lab and a new classroom. The company has also been doing monthly English reading sessions with the kids and English enhancement sessions with the teachers. Selected pupils wowed the crowd and performed a dance number as their way of thanking the company for the continued support they have been giving the institution.

Moving on with the other exciting parts of the program, Teresa asked, “Andam na mo?” which gained the assembly’s appreciation and cheer upon hearing the CEO speaking in Cebuano.

Every department performed and highlighted the musical, dance, and fashion revolutions throughout the decades. EBay Australia started the ball rolling with their Elvis Presley inspired costumes and danced to the beat of Rock Around the Clock, YMCA, Thriller, Billy Jean, Material Girl, and Livin La Vida Loca. The performance ended with a bang when the whole EBay AU team went on to the dance floor.

DH Gate and Core may have less manpower compared to other departments, but they brought the house down with their song and dance number as they gave their own rendition on the 90s hit Backstreet Boys song, “Everybody”. Another show stopping moment was when Rain Villagonzalo, ePerformax’s Concierge Manager and the first Queen of Cebu, did the flash dance that was popular during the 80s.

Defending Champion, team EBay North America rendered a spectacular and lavish production number as they grooved to Abba’s “Dancing Queen”, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”, and Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs”. They even sent in their own Victoria Secret Angels and a giant mascot adding to the festive mood.

Target, the last performer, took the FREEMAN to a Cabaret show to the tune of “All that Jazz” and went upbeat with “Mamma Mia” and “One Night Only”.

Dennis Lindley, ePerformax’s Chief Operating Officer, had to do the hard part – announcing the winner among the four brilliant performances. Target and EBay North America tied in third place, EBay Australia came in second place, while the joint efforts of DH Gate and Core snatched the title from last year’s champs. What sent them apart from the other departments and gave them the upper hand was their song number.

          All good things come to an end, but ePerformax Contact Centers and BPO will continue to perform at its best as Teresa Hartsaw, Dennis Lindley, Mike Tanner, Louis Meeks, Jr. and the rest of the executive team see nothing but more accomplishments for the company this 2013 and for the years to come. Cheers for the Red and Black!

Here are the photos from Paulo Cañete and Eric Zapata:

First BPO Modeling stint. Rey Escario graced the occasion. 

Show of talents from the different departments.

Rain Villagonzalo was awarded as someone who reached out to people from different departments. 

The kids from adopted school entertained the crowd with their dance number.

Teresa Hartsaw, ePerformax CEO, along with Dennis Lindley and Mike Tanner, toasts to a wonderful 2012 and a successful 2013 ahead.

For the published article, click this:

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2012/12/19/887769/eperformax-past-and-beyond