Project Domino

The WFM team is embarking on a new project. It's actually very interesting and challenging to say the least.

Hopefully, we'll be leaving a legacy behind.

Ponti

I saw a feature on TV (ANC's Executive Class) about Il Ponticello. It's a restaurant along the Valero strip of the Salcedo Village area. It's more popularly known as 'Ponti' now among the young crowd.

I was a freshman in college when I first heard about the place. It wasn't known as Ponti back then. I remember hanging out there with the rest of the Ateneo Football Team during get-togethers. It was never crowded like it is now. It also used to be one of the places you'd bring your date for a fine dining experience.

A lot has changed already since those days. It is now a nightspot where the underage young'n's frequent. I feel it has lost its nice ambience, in favor of the loud and club scene atmosphere.

With a crowd filled with minors trying to make themselves fit in, no wonder it has lost its appeal.

Goin' under the knife

I received word yesterday that insurance will be covering my whole ACL reconstruction surgery. Initially, Intellicare said that the surgical screws are not part of the plan, so they will not be able to cover it. FYI, these J&J-made screws cost Php 30-35k.

Now I only have to worry about scheduling my operation. I'm looking at late November as I probably need to take a couple of weeks off for recovery. December is not a hectic month for the WFM team so I think they can afford to let me take a break. Hmm... come to think of it, they do not have a choice. It's health over work anytime.

I wish Barbie could be here for my operation. It seems highly unlikely though as she still hasn't settled completely in Singapore. Going back to Manila that soon doesn't seem to be a good and practical idea for now.

I miss you too, bu.

Fare-shopping

I was checking out plane fares going to Singapore the past couple of days. I'm trying to get the best deal I can. With the proliferation of budget airlines the past year, it's been a welcome sight seeing cheaper airfares from the no-frills airline carriers.

So far I've three choices. It's going to be either JetStar, Cebu Pacific or Tiger Airways. Going through all the pros and cons of each, chances are I'll be flying with Cebu Pacific. I just need to plan out when.

PH to SG

I brought Barbie to the airport this morning. She's moving to Singapore for work. It's difficult but hey, I'd never deny her the chance to look for better opportunities overseas. It's something she'll never experience here.

Hang in there bu. We'll make it through.

Sacrifice

Some opportunities come only once in a lifetime. If you don't grab it, it might never knock again.

Go get 'em bubu! Good luck and enjoy.

Huffing and puffing

I could've died last night.

It was probably the worst time to forget my inhaler.

Good thing I made it through though, with still plenty to spare.

Host no more

I'm off to the 3rd IBS Townhall assembly in a few hours. It's supposed to run from 4-6 pm today. For the first time, I will finally be able to watch the proceedings. I hosted the first two townhalls this year that's why I wasn't part of the audience.

They asked me to host it again but I begged off mainly because I just want to relax and watch the show.

Not sure who's taking my place, but whoever he is, he's got such a touch act to follow.

:P

No effort goes unnoticed

I received the best email in my 7 months of stay here in IBM this afternoon. It was such a pleasant surprise as I never expected it even in my wildest dreams.

My boss forwarded me a couple of emails from the IBS Leadership Team, recognizing my efforts to accomplish what was deemed as a tough, challenging and no-win situation task of recruiting for one of the newer projects. At that time, we were hard-pressed to meet the hiring demand as we were only given a couple of weeks of lead time. I was handed the unenviable responsibility of completing the project. We couldn't say no, as that will undermine our capability as a recruitment team. We had to take on the challenge head-on despite knowing that we might fall short of the deadline.

In the end, we were way ahead of schedule and we're right on track for the second and third waves as well.

This recognition should go out to the rest of the WFM team.

Thanks guys.

Thanks to Ms. E and Ms. C for taking time out to send the thank you notes. Again, I never expected to get recognized nor did I want the accolade, but I'm truly honored and appreciative.



PS. I wrote about this project a couple of times already. Here are the links:

Project TASC
TASC Completed

Tickle Me Extreme

I want a TMX Elmo toy!

If you liked the original Tickle Me Elmo toy, you'll absolutely love this reincarnation. No wonder this has sold out in the US, with resellers putting it on Ebay for as much as $150-200 each.

Check out YouTube.com to find out what I'm talking about.

Crazy Taxi

Had an interesting experience today... Read on..


There I was, standing near the street curb outside my condo this morning, waiting to hail a cab. Minutes later, an olive green 1993 Corona stops in front of me. Rolling down the front passenger side window, a middle-aged man asks me, "Sakay kang taxi?"

I said yes. He then followed with, "Saan ka?" I muttered Eastwood. He then motions me to hop in. I quickly sized the man up. He looked frail and brittle. And he didn't look dangerous. Besides, it was morning and the sun was out. It would've been different if it was night time. So I took the adventure head on and decided to ride. Worst case, I'd be beasting with him if he tried to rob me or something. He told me to just pay him the usual cab fare so I agreed.

He took me to Eastwood, I got off and paid him seventy bucks.

It seems he was just trying to gain a little money on the side. Nice old fella. God bless him.

The Island

I was watching "The Island" on HBO last Saturday night. It had an interesting plot. Got me hooked as I ditched the other show(s) I was watching. Probably one of the better movies I've seen in cable TV recently. Having Scarlett Johansson as the female lead added some eye candy too.

Connected

After a century of relying with dialup connection, I finally have high-speed internet at home courtesy of Broadband Philippines. I believe it's way better than any DSL server out there as it comes with a wireless landline phone. Yeah, you got that right, it's just like your regular landline unit minus the wires. It works like a cordless phone but it has no base. You can actually bring the unit anywhere as long as the area is covered by Broadband's army of satellites. I heard the Broadband folks bring the phones with them to the car. Cool and practical ain't it?

Thanks again to Broadband Philippines for the hookup. It's been a long wait, but it's well worth it.

Talent surplus

I found out just this morning that we overhired for one particular project. Initially they wanted 15 folks for TASC's Wave 2 which is due by mid-October. In yesterday's global telecon, they downsized the requirements to 5 FTE's. Problem is, we've already hired 11 people by the end of September.

We'll figure out what to do with the surplus resources soon. It's actually a very happy problem to have.

First time in IBS history. Glad it was on my watch.

Congratulations to the UST Tigers.

Thanks JC, Doug and Macky. Now it's on to bigger and more important things. Good luck.