Freska-tastic!

Last Saturday was an 11-hour brain drain event for my class. Aside from the pressures entailed to finish the Business Game, it was our second round as host teams.


All eight teams were very competitive and gave their all. For my group, we got two valuable stars. Yet we didn’t win the grand pot prize. Still, we enjoyed and learned a lot from the experience.


To refresh ourselves from the grueling exercises, a few classmates went out and had dinner/videoke at Freska, an Ilonggo inspired Seafood restaurant along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

The buffet was appetizing but what we feasted primarily was the ample oysters. It was so good and the price of the buffet is way too cool. All of us enjoyed the servings from the buffet line that we pretty much stuffed ourselves.


One thing that was totally new to me that night was seeing the Beer Balloon. It was a new innovation and the beer maintained its taste and stayed cold up to the last drop.


As we eat our hearts out, the round of singing started. Everyone had their chance and belted their favorite songs. I cheered with the rest of the group whenever we know the song and joined in the chorus.


It would have been funnier if everybody came but since class ended so late, not all was able to make it. Still it was a good number. I enjoyed the company of 11 of the precious MC-B.


Singing and dancing ended before the stroke of midnight but we stayed a bit more and had some serious discussions before finally calling it a night. Before parting our separate ways, one MC-B mentioned that will have another round of singing, dancing and beer drinking before the end of the month and another suggested to make it a regular affair.

Whew! A regular gig of booze and funfare, I definitely need to catch up and practice. Until the next round!

A Crack at the Spotlight

Our Program Directors assigned eight host teams for the whole course duration on our first day of meeting. Last Saturday was our first hosting engagement for the whole class.


Together with Iyah, Jigs and Abeth, we are HT #7. As host of the MC-B class, we came in early to prepare ourselves and our stuff for the day.


We rendered the Opening Prayer, a brief recap of the previous session and provided entertainment with two fun-filled energizers to the class.


Aside from that we also tendered morning and afternoon merienda for everyone. We served chocolate chip and double chocolate chip cookies, tortas from San Lo’s Famous, various puto from Goldilocks, pancit sotanghon, canton and pork BBQ.


Everyone enjoyed the food and even the program directors from the other class came to munch with our goodies.


The only sad part for the day was that Erson, Cat and Edwin missed the class and wasn’t able to join in our Famous Person activity and our class picture. Nevertheless, we can still have another class picture next Saturday.

As for our next hosting gig, we will make it better and with more surprises for all! Go team!

Real or Reel

In Philippine show business, it is a fad to have love teams. They usually are pair a cute couple, market them to the fans and if they click, they become instant pop-idols. Usually love teams are for teenagers or young adults. Some are just for television and in the movies but some relationships go beyond the klieg lights.

In class, we do have two love teams. One side of the group, there’s the tandem of Kristian and Aileen. I don’t know if there is really a thing with the two since they are usually seated on the other side of the room.


While on the other side of the group, there’s the tandem of Ian and Iyah.


From both tandems, I’m more in the Ian and Iyah group. Iyah’s my seatmate since Day 1 and we hit it off from the start. While Ian, what can I say, the known chick boy in class. Ha, ha, ha! Peace, Michael!

I can’t remember when they started teasing the four individuals but all that we can say it makes the class more exciting and lighter. As per Cat’s term, “parang high school”.

For my part, it’s just like my first year in UP. Kakilig moments!

S-S-S

Saturday. Surprises. Strawberries.

Last March 7, 2009 was another extraordinary Saturday for me. Days before Saturday, one of the KIDS, informed me that she’ll be in the area and asked if it is okay to visit me during class hours. What else can I say but yes! Though I was looking at my notes, I saw the note that visitors are not allowed, hahaha! Screw the rules for a day. I can spare a few minutes.

Two classmates celebrated their respective birthdays but the uber generous Erson had a Buko Pandan delivered for Owen and Venz. Because of work related commitment, Venz left after the morning session and wasn’t able to enjoy the cake but Owen gladly posed and enjoyed the birthday cake while being serenaded by the class.


Jannice texted me that she’s already in the area and I sneaked out from the room during the start of the afternoon session. It was a little bit over five minutes and with a few hugs and smiles and it was over. I can’t stay longer since I can’t miss a lot from class and we can’t go out after the end of the class since I have earlier plans. We just exchanged gifts and promised to meet again on the 21st and will ask the rest of the KIDS to join us. For sure it will be a riot full of laughter and gossip and most of all food!


The lesson for the day was very informative and helpful for my daily work yet as usual I drifted for a few seconds in the computation part, whew! It was a bit of a nosebleed since we are without the handy Excel worksheet.

As most of my friends know, my top three fruit choices are Grapes, Cherries and yes, Strawberries. Ian was in Baguio City for a client presentation and he brought me a pack of fresh hand picked strawberries. Sweet! He gave the strawberries after class and I brought it home and had it chilled before I started munching the berries. Thanks so much, Ian!


Another fun-filled Satuday it was. Next Saturday it will be another one for the books. I’ll be one of the host team members with the very pretty, Iyah, and the equally guwapo, Jigs; and to top it all, I’ll have dinner with Moises and Weng after class.

I can’t wait for Satuday Sunshine! Countdown begins…

Twenty Weeks

For the past six weeks, it has been a very interesting and intellectual phase for me. I gained further knowledge about business, relationships and I gained new friends. Why so?

I’m back to my alma mater and currently attending UP ISSI’s 89th Manager’s Course. The Manager’s Course is a 20-week program dubbed as a compressed, non-formal MBA geared to equip top and middle managers from various industries to enhance organization, marketing, production, financial and information management skills.

I also have been exposed to different ways of thinking. My classmates have been very open to share all of their thoughts about certain things. For my part, the experience is a delight. As if I’m back in college with countless readings, brainstorming and nosebleeds. Fifteen more weeks and it seems a bit too far yet time flies fast nowadays.

Anyhow, with the numerous readings, I am sure every Friday is a cram day! All the same, knowledge is power and with our technical and the necessary management skills, we will surely increase our assets as managers.

Oops, I need to start browsing for Saturday’s module. I wonder if we will have a good one this time?