The Birth Of Venus: October 2013

I've been getting a lot of "Sa TeamAsia ka nag-OJT di ba?" lately. Most of them ask what I do as an intern there. Well, most of the time I sing Soft Kitty with Danielle, read blogs, try not to get caught in CCTV, get kilig over Pierre and Jesti's mala-Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla moment, eat strawberry sundae, sneak to go to bazaar, spend too much time at CR, turn my gossip-radar on, doodle, call McDonald's just to hear Walking On Sunshine, hear Danielle's tales about the COO, drink tea and hide under my desk table. Other than that, I did nothing naman. Bazinga. Syempre hindi. Hello?!

Lo and behold...

Naaah.

This is how I roll...

Naah.

There.

9th day of OJT:

April 18, 2013

The moment I put my bag at my chair, my phone rang and that’s the sound of Sir Gino calling Rachel to come upstairs. So I did. He gave me a “search for this on Youtube” task. I had to search videos that has “led-stage-with-actor-with-video-on-the-background” concept. Sounds easy? But it took me three hours to search for it. Not to mention, my computer can’t access Youtube website, so I had to switch computer with my con-intern, Danielle, to do my task. So there, I sent the links to Sir Gino and just waited for his next instructions.

We had lunch at Kangaroo Jack, since we feel like we’re rich kids today and can afford pricey service charge. Haha! Anyway, by the time break is over, I didn’t go straight back to work because there’s no task given so I had to ask Ms. Jenny for whatever task she wants me to do. As usual, she gave me PMAP database to update. I think I’m already expert at this. Hehe. She gave me 619 contact persons and there’s no way in the world I could finish that the whole afternoon, so I updated/called 121 contact persons. There’s this one contact person named Jacky Chan, I almost laughed when I called, good thing I held back my laugh. To kill some time, I read articles from the internet.

12th day of OJT:

April 23, 2013

Arrived at the office right on time. First task of this day is to make business analysis and continue to work on the research for direct competitors of TeamAsia, especially in training. But then, something got me distracted. My mouse won’t work anymore! I tried pulling it out form the CPU, but it got worse! I was hesitant to call anyone from IT because I can see that they were all so busy, until I got the courage to call Sir Marvin to fix my mouse. Being his helpful self, he gave me a new (but not so new mouse). Haaay finally!

Ate lunch at Chowking. After lunch... back to work! I compiled all the details we got and put it in one database. Okay, now I know who are our competitors already. Sir Gino told us that it is necessary who are you competing with. Later this afternoon, we interns are all surprised that Ms. Maris is already leaving TeamAsia. There’s no definite explanation why so we had speculations, but none of those were correct. We didn’t even get to say goodbye to her. We will really miss her. She’s always the one who cracks up jokes and I feel like she’s my Mom at TeamAsia because she really does act one with everyone. That’s just sad.

14th day of OJT:

April 25, 2013

Sir Gino gave me a task to contact either Nicole Hyala or Chris Tsuper to ask if they can be a host at Pilipinas Go4Health. I tried tweeting Nicole Hyala and after 10 minutes, she immediately replied and ask where and when the event will be. To my dismay, she can’t assure that she’ll be better by that time because she was too pregnant. I told Sir Gino her situation, but he still insisted that maybe she could be better after she deliver the baby. So I DMed Nicole again through Twitter, and she replied that she’s not very sure that she’ll be better by then since it’s her first pregnancy. So I had my second option, I got the cellphone number of Chris Tsuper’s manager, who also happens to be the manager of Nicole Hyala and Papa Dan. I contacted him and talked to his secretary to relay my message. After an hour, the manager told me that rate of Chris Tsuper and I immediately informed my boss about it.

My other task is to search for a black theatre production. Apparently, there isn’t so many black theatre productions in the Philippines (that’ll meet that standards of my boss). There’s this Roppets Edutainment, a well-known production group in the Philippines, so I asked for the rate and requirements. It took me a while to talk to the contact person because my boss told me that I have to ask for their current projects. Gladly, they really are experienced and have handled many events already. My last task for the day is to search and contact for a dance group that will perform at the event. Made a list and presented it to Sir Gino.

23th day of OJT:

May 9, 2013

I arrived right on time. Feel nauseous because I didn’t eat breakfast. Huhu. I searched for the top photobooth in the Philippines for Pilipinas Go4Health event, as per Sir Gino’s advice. And again, I’m still struggling in searching for another black theatre production group. At 10am, Sir Gino asked Nico and I to find sponsors for catering services for the Media Launch. M’kaaay! Let’s do this!

I put the list of potential sponsors in the working doc of Pilipinas Go4Health. Now trying to searchfor black theatre videos for Roppets Edutainment and Lights Out, the only black theatre I got, to present to Sir Gino. I swear I tried my best to search for more, but apparently, my best isn’t good enough. Bummer. Huhu, the loss of my internet connection added to my dilemma. Anyway, at 3pm, I created a database for photobooth. I just learned about Baicapture, talk about BONGGA!

Okay, this is not my usual day. Why? Here’s why... as I create the database for photobooths, I call companies that offer photoboothe services and ask for their contact details, the person in-charge in sponsorship and his email address. After several callouts, I continued in updating my database. To my surprise, a Senior PR Associate left a message in OJT chatbox and asked who contacted Partyshots Photobooth. Well, obviously, I did so I told her my name. She said that the guy from Partyshots Photobooth, called the department up to say that a hang the phone on him which is so untrue! I asked what the designation of the name of person he gave and he said “Pwede na yun.” So I said, “Oh okay, sir! Thank you. Bye!” in my most polite manner, I just don’t get where did that “binagsakan ako” came from. Anyway, the Senior PR Associate said that there was just misunderstanding to the guy who called. Hay.

28th day of OJT:

May 17, 2013

I was 20 minutes late. Ugh. Blame Manong jeepney driver. First thing I did, made a coffee and read a news article online from Inquirer. I feel old, really. As far as I know, I’m not a coffee person. But since almost all of the employees drink coffee every morning, I tried, haaay I’m succumbed with peer pressure. Now I have a headache. Way to go, coffee! Okay. I called TV stations and radio stations this morning to ask where can we send sponsorship letter to for LCF CSR event. I tell you, it’s not easy calling TV stations because every operator will transfer you to this department and to that department and to this person and that person. Hay, but I managed to get the right contact person. I got the quotation from Buganda drumbeaters, like finally!

Back to basics, I updated PMAP database again. What’s new? Haha! Oh and Ms. Lien is pissed. Apparently, Danielle gave Ms. Lien the wrong spelling of the name of the contact person. She said that there’s no room for mistakes and that we have to make sure about all the details before transferring to her. We were very apologetic and searched again. I followed up DOH sponsorship again 2 hours before going home.

29th day of OJT:

May 20, 2013

Hah! I woke up at 7am, but Dad drove me to work so I made right on time. Since I haven’t heard from Sir Gino yet, I continued in updating PMAP database from last week. Same old, same old. I followed up the sponsorship letters for Pilipinas Go4Health event.

After lunch, Sir Gino finally called me up asking me to find a company that provides performers that is in line with getting fit. So I thought of aerobics, but that is already included in the program. Started searching for dance performances. I came up with pole dancing, so I contacted Polecats and asked them to email their quotation to me. The girl who I talked to was really nice and she’s really willing to answer my inquiries. And guess what, humiliating myself is kind of my thing right now. I called Zumba Fitness (well at least I thought I did) and the operator said someone will call me back, so I waited. My phone rang and a woman from the other line was asking what do I want from them, so I explained everything about the event and that I’m thinking of considering them to perform at the event. To my surprise, that’s not Zumba Fitness! That’s the event organizer of Zumba Fitness and she said that she finds it odd that I’m calling them to think that we have the same business line. She also said that in fact, she knows the president of TeamAsia, because Ms. Monette is a patient of her Mom. But then, she was really kind to just laugh it off and I apologized for the mistake I made. Okay, Rachel, again get your info right!!! After that, I searched and called Peak Performance. I talked to the owner herself, Jill Ngo. I was surprised that after 2 minutes of talking to her, she already gave an overview of the bellydancers she’s training and the awards they got internationally. She was really friendly and machika, so I asked her to email me the quotation and she even asked how much our budget is so that she could adjust to it. I e-mailed and texted EBC for capoeira since they have no contact number indicated in their website.

32th day of OJT:

May 23, 2013

Feeling so pumped today, duuno why. Hehe. Went to buy ice cream with Danielle, since there’s no given task yet. Singing to the tune of Soft Kitty of The Big Bang Theory while updating PMAP database. I searched for UP Street Dance contact number and gave it to Sir Gino. Searched for companies that provide gift certificates. I also made a database for what I searched for raffle partners of Pilipinas Go4Health.

Sir Gino told me that Gian and I will be working together for our project pitch for Christmas Party. So I showed Gian what I did so far. After that, I did the task that Ms. Lien gave, which is to search for the contact number of ETC. I continued in making callouts for Effective Presentation Skills.

34th day of OJT:

May 27, 2013

Every Monday I update my intern task doc and pass my accomplishment report to Sir Gino. Updated PMAP database. EPS callouts, still no leads. Worked on my Christmas party project pitch with Gian.

 Program design

 Room set-up/floor plan

 Hosts and talents

Gian magnified my ideas, which is so cool! He’s so cool. After that, I continued doing EPS callouts. Finished it all! Huzzah! But then, still no leads. On the contrary, UP finally confirmed! Yay! But still waiting for their reply if Php20,000 is inclusive of VAT. Before going home, Danielle drew a moustache on my pointer finger. So cute!

40th day of OJT:

June 5, 2013

Today is Joy’s last day! Boohoo! Drank tea, made a video message for Joy in her camera. Took pictures then went back to work. Researched and updated IOS 2013 database. Made EPS callouts for restaurant.

At lunch, we had pizza party!!! It’s our treat to our bosses, TA employees and interns from different department. Took photos again and reminisce on our first few days when we were still in awkward stage. Back to work! Did callouts again and updated IOS database. We also got our TeamAsia shirt for the event tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow’s Pilipinas Go4Health event! Finally!

BAZINGA.

Huzzaaahhh! Boracay on a ber month! Nah, I didn't go there for leisure. AB Com Public Relations students were encouraged to attend the PRSP Congress in Boracay. Since, feeling cool ako, and I've never been to Boracay, I went to Boracay together with my PR major classmates. It's my first time to travel by plane without my parents, so when I got to the airport, I felt so independent. Feeling ko I'm in a business trip as I take my Blackberry out and text my boss na I'm about to leave na. Pero ang totoo, I texted my friend "Dito na ko sa Terminal 3. SAAN KA NAAAA?!" We left Manila passed 5pm and arrived at Kalibo around 7pm. Rode the bus to Caticlan, dropped off to Jetty Port, rode a boat to the island, van ride to the beachfront, and 10 mins. walk to our hotel. Haaaah! We literally traveled by land, air and water! I finally got to lay down on the bed and catch my breath from all the travelling around 10:30pm. And my tummy is filled with nothing but meringue and puto seko that my professor bought from the port. We walked 5256965295kms. just to look for a decent place to eat. My professor told us that when we're in a trip, it's better to eat at least known eateries than buying McDonald's, because we're becoming a better Filipino citizen if we support the local economy. Oh di ba? We ate dinner until 12:30am.

You know how it goes, I was sleeping soundly, tucked in a blanket, opened up my eyes and realized I'm not in my room. I'm in Boracay! My first morning in Boracay!

First morning @ Boracay Island

The kakabangon-lang-smile

As I've said, we went to Boracay for a congress. But I won't be talking much about that in this blogpost. You want me to share how people from the world of PR do their thing and brag how much they want to change the world? No? I thought so, too.

Hi! I'm a student delegate from Dze La Zah

The people inside "the circle"

Gov. Remulla & COM PR

PR Congress theme: From Ripples to Waves

Mawawala ba naman ang thumbs-up pose?

After 8 hours, we finally have time for ourselves! Yay! On our second night, we roamed around the beachfront in search for the perfect two-piece for my maarte friend (who I love so much, nonetheless :P), Kzen. Bumped into our guy friends and ate dinner.

Awesome stall with awesome displays!

Gigantic lobster that I wanted for myself and not just for a photo :(

Hello there, fellow turistas!

With the guy who treated Kzen and I for dinner. Tinkyo!

Hungreh hippos

The next day, we had to wake up extra early to plant coconut trees by the shore. It's nice that we left something at Boracay that can eventually help preserve its beauty.

Look at me! I'm planting a tree! I'm saving the world!

Syempre pikchur muna with mayor

Highlight of my 2nd PR Congress: Lourd De Veyra

Double-selfie muna!

And there!

The congress bid ta-ta with a Luau-themed party.

Lourd's prophesying the Word of the Lourd to my professor

She'd rather take a photo of herself than a photo with me :(

Aloha!

Cool shirt, Momma!

The day that we all dread: last day. We made the most out of our last day, though. Went island hopping by land! Puka Shell Beach, banana boat ride, helmet diving, packed our bags, ate sumptuous lunch and left Boracay island.