HSBC

I had an ugly experience with HSBC a few days ago. I won't go into the finer details, but I was disgruntled and dissatisfied with how they were treating me. I am an existing client, and I expect to be taken cared of. They don't need to go the extra mile, but they shouldn't give me the runaround either.

It's a good thing that I have friends in HSBC who are occupying good posts. I told them about my horrible experience and they asked me to submit a letter of complaint. Needless to say, HSBC was quick on acting upon my complaint, as everything was resolved the next day.

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Jose/Benjy - I didn't want to escalate to you guys, but I believe I was on the right track so I had to complain. Add the fact that the whole situation annoyed the hell out of me, specially since it happened on a Monday morning! Talk about starting the week with a bang. Anyhow, thanks for all the help.

I also wish to express my gratitude to a certain Brian. He was the rep who contacted me to fix the problem. He was kind enough to apologize in behalf of the two HSBC employees who didn't know what they were doing.

IBM and OT

"No IBMer receives (monetary) overtime compensation."

This line is classic. The Workforce Management folks need to make sure that all our candidates are aware of this policy.

Tha fact that one signs an IBM contract, that means he/she is agreeable to such terms. It is non-negotiable.

I've been in IBM for close to six months already, and I feel that I've logged enough overtime hours to last me a lifetime.

This is not good. I'm getting more stressed each passing day. But hey, this is what I signed up for.

I'll live through it.

Two weeks til September 6

Spent the past few weeks religiously rehabbing my knee. It's hellish to say the least. But I know it's for the best. As they say, no pain, no gain.

First game in the IBS sportsfest is on the 6th of September. So far, I'm right on schedule.

Dude popped his cherry

My IBM colleague got confirmation that he indeed tore his ACL completely. He got his MRI results a few days ago and the doctor said that he was missing that "black line". For those of you who know about knee injuries, you know what I'm talking about.

That little black slanted line spells either relief or disappointment. It's about one centimeter in diameter, and and about 3.5 centimeters in length. It's diminutive, yet a whole lot depend on it.

Take care of yours cause surgery and rehab are both bitches.

The New Coke Light

I saw the new ads for Coke Light in the major dailies last week. Flashback to several months ago... I was part of the focus group that the ad agency created to discuss the product. We were about 6 in my group, and they rounded up three groups all in all. It was held in Ortigas, in one of the buildings near UA&P.

As the current ad campaign says, the new Coke Light proudly emphasizes that it is calorie-free.

I remember being skeptical about it as I believed (and still believe) it was useless. The previous Coke Light had less than one (1) calorie, and this new one has zero. Wow, what a huge difference less than a calorie will make.

Other than a big marketing ploy, the product changed very little, if there is any at all.

Entourage

I caught the Entourage marathon last weekend over at HBO. I've been hearing rave reviews about the show. In one internet site, I read someone say that, "the show (Entourage) appeals to just about every male demographic in the world". He couldn't have said it better. It has just about everything that would attract the male specie. From the hedonistic lifestyle, to the cars to the celebrity cameo appearances... there's nothing you will not like. Vincent Chase switches chicks like Shumacher switches lanes.

Entourage got guys hooked like Whitney was to Coke and R. Kelly was to children.

The best series to reach Philippine TV since Prison Break.

Saturday at IBM

I spent most of the day at work, trying to recruit people for our new account. As part of our HR solutions package to this pharmaceutical firm, we have to have our own little contact center for helpdesk support. It's the first time in IBS's short history that we are going to hire call center folks.

I thought I'd never have to recruit for call center requirements, having done so in two call center companies previously.

The thought of having to do it again sends chills down my spine. Hmm I believe I did not sign up for this.

Bummer.

Ugh

I just saw videos of bad-ass knee and leg injuries. I am indeed very lucky to have a partially torn ACL. It could have been way worse.

GOAT

I kinda finished work a bit earlier than usual so I spent about 30 minutes watching old Michael Jordan videos over at YouTube. Just proves, again and again, that MJ is the Greatest of All Time. No one even comes close.

Project TASC

I was given about three weeks to get 16 people for this particular project. Talk about giving me enough lead time. Worse, this whole thing will run during the night shift. Getting people to be amenable to that is going to be a difficult challenge.

It's a fuckin' tough TASC indeed.

Project Madeira

I just hired the first employee for the Manila Delivery Center's pioneer F&A account. It's actually a very interesting role, as it REQUIRES travelling at least twice a month. His passport will run out of pages and his Amex will get serious burn in no time. Some jobs have really nice perks.

Welcome aboard MB.

Idealism, activism on the court

I was watching the UP-NU basketball game earlier this afternoon on television when a maroon-and-white streamer caught my attention. It wasn't the usual "Go type of banner. It said, "UP is Freedom". What the fuck? What the hell was that doing in a UAAP basketball match? Are they bringing the activist/rally game to the basketball courts now?

UP is one of the best schools in the country, no doubt. But that was just dumb.

Zoom Kobe

Just received news that the Air Zoom Kobe (AZK) just made it to the outlets. I don't like Kobe at all, but I do acknowledge that he is one of the best players in the league now. Told myself I'd never cop any of Kobe's signature kicks as I'm very loyal to the GOAT. However at 30% off retail, I just might reconsider.

These are the two colorways that are available at the outlets now:

Zoom Kobe MLPS


Zoom Kobe All-Star

Fearless or Stupid?

Due to insistent peer pressure, I decided to swing by the weekly IBM basketball gig. I initially planned to going to the gym to work out and rehab my knees, but the temptation to play ball was much too great.

I was telling an officemate of mine, this is a "high-risk-low-reward" situation for me. Why would I risk so much for a simple pickup game. My mom was saying I am fearless bordering on stupid for even thinking of playing this early. In a way, I guess she's right.

I was able to go through the motions without much trouble. There were a few times where in I felt pain on sudden stops and turns. This accounts for the sprained knee that came with the partial ACL tear. Overall, it was a good run for me. I needed to know I can still play at a level near game speed as it will prepare me psychologically. Tearing your ACL is just as difficult mentally as it is physically.

A few more weeks of rehab and therapy and I should get close to a hundred percent soon.

Hiring update

I have 7 open hiring tickets. One candidate has signified his intentions of accepting our offer tomorrow, so that will make it 6. Not bad.

But...

I have 32 more hiring tickets that haven't been approved.

Now, that's a shit load of work to do.

Luckless or idiotic?

My friend gambled away his tuition money the other day. Too bad he lost most of it. Now he can't take the exams. What an idiot.

Oh well. Lesson learned the hard way.

He's not the first friend of mine who did that. So I am not surprised. I actually understand him considering I'm a gambler myself.

You win some, you lose some.

Rehab =Sacrifice + Pain

Rehab's a bitch. Now I know why a lot of people don't last long doing rehab. It's hardship at its worst.

With the UAAP first round basketball action coming to a close, here are the top 5 shoe sightings:

Rank Shoe (colorway) - Player

1. Jordan 21 low (white/carolina) - Macky Escalona of Ateneo
2. Pure Money Jordan 4 (white/chrome) - Macky Escalona of Ateneo
3. Mars Blackmon Jordan 4 (white/red/black) - some guy in UP
4. Jordan Melo 5.5 (white/gray/navy) - Melchor Gile of UST
5. Jordan 21 mid (white/chrome) - Canlas of UST

Ateneo dominating UAAP basketball

Barbs and I watched the Ateneo Blue Eagles blowout the UST Tigers earlier at Araneta, 114-78. It was easily the best game I've seen the Eagles play in a very long time. It was just masterful. Simply unbelievable.

The Eagles might not be able to duplicate this performance ever. But I'm glad I was there to witness it.

It was a fitting end to a dominant showing so far in the UAAP first round. The Ateneans lead the way toting an unblemished 6-0 record.

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On a similar note, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets (juniors) and the Lady Eagles ended the first round on top of their respective divisions as well. Like the Seniors, the Juniors also hold a perfect 6-0 slate while the Lade Eagles are 5-1.

Go Ateneo! One Big Fight!

Clutch Driver

Had quite an adventure with Barbie last night. She was on her way home when her car suddenly lost its clutch. She couldn't shift gears. She pulled up by the roadside along the Katipunan flyover towards P. Tuazon.

I got a call from her, she was like panicking already. She had no idea what to do. I told her to just remain in the car, and to absolutely not let anyone in. I arrived after about 10 minutes. There was her car, stranded along the road, near the curb. Apparently, she turned off her lights and wasn't even on hazard. It was an accident waiting to happen.

She called up IBM security and they were saying they couldn't do anything. They'd just call her up daw from time to time to check on her. I called up my boss telling him about the emergency. He immediately calls IBM security and after a few minutes, he said that they were on their way. Talk about Pinoy bureaucracy. They had to wait for a boss to talk to them before they act upon it.

As we were waiting for the IBM people to show up, a QC mobile patrol stops and checks on us. I told them about the problem and they said they'll try to help out. One of the police officers volunteered to look for a rope so we can tow the car to Barbie's place which was only a few minutes away. Calling for a tow truck will definitely not be a good idea because they will charge about 2k for the service.

After about 20 minutes of waiting, the policeman comes back with a long rope. Now we only need to figure out a way to hook it to the car. It took us a while to figure things out but we were able to find a way. It took more than an hour but at least the ordeal is over.

Many thanks to the two policemen and their Revo patrol vehicle. I failed to get their names but they were very helpful and accomodating. May God bless them and their families.

Indeed, there are still good policemen among the ranks. I haven't lost hope.

On rehab

I started my unofficial rehab last night over at Pinnacle Gym. Why unofficial? Well apparently, the rehab doctor is very busy so my appointment with him is on August 11. I can't wait too long so I decided to do some rehab work on my own. I've been going to the gym for about 5 years now so I think I've learned a thing or two about exercises.

I was talking a few P&G peeps over at Hepa Lane during lunch. They were asking if I was going to play in tonight. I said I couldn't as I just started rehab. Told them it'll take me several more weeks to get my knee in playing shape. They joked that they highly doubt I'll get back in time. Hmm... I guess they figured out that no way any team will win over us especially with me around. So the best chance for everyone is hope that I won't recover in time. Cocky? Nah, I speak the truth. ;)

They're getting their hopes up. I'll be suiting up in no time.