And That's What I Call 'Groupwork'

Deadline na namo gahapon sa among IT 27 nga project, which is an advertisement for 60 seconds.

Posporo among topic. Posporo Pichay.
Maayo pa gani namong plano sa among storyline; kung unsa'y mahitabo, pila ka characters, asa ang setting, mga taglines. Sayo gud kaayo mi nagplano.

Then ninglungtad ang pila ka adlaw, semana. Hangtod nga niabot gyud ang deadline which is gahapon. Wala gyud mi nakabuhat sa among Flash project maski usa ka scene. Si Christopher kay nagbuhat sa ilaha, pero draft ra, wala pa gani mahuman.

Nagkita mi gahapon sa akong mga kagrupo, and I told them nga wala mi ika-submit. Nihangyo na lang ko ni Alicia nga ingnan si Christopher nga dad-on to iyang binuhat, bahala'g bati.

Then pagka-gabii na ana. Wala gyud nitunga ni isa sa akong mga kauban. Nitunga to si _________, pero niuli ra sad siya dayon. Wala gyud mi na-submit.

Suya gani kaayo ko ilang Dennis nga project kay nindot kaayo: kaldero nga nag-away, unya wacky kaayo. Kami intawon, wala maski usa ka frame.

Nagbuhat ko ug dali-dali sa laboratory, pero pagkahibalo nako nga wala'y internet connection kay gi-block, na-discourage ko ug gi-discontinue ang trabaho. Hahay.

Nihangyo ko ni Dennis nga kuyogan ko ila Mayet para manghuwam sa laptop niya. Ako na la'y mobuhat. Maayo gani kay nisugot si Mayet nga ipahuwam nako.

Ug mao gabii, nakasugot na ko sa mga drawings. Ang nakapait lang, dili mo-work ang keyboard sa laptop ni Mayet. As in, lisud gyud kaayo i-maneuver kung mouse ra. Naanad man gud ko'g keyboard shortcuts, ug tungod sa nahitabo, nakuhaan gyud ug dako akong processing time.

Ako na'ng tiwason akong animation after this post. Naa ko diri karon sa internet cafe, gi-type ang mga texts nga gamiton sa among presentation, ug nag-collate sa tanan nga mga special characters, letter case nga gamiton nako. Ana lang.

And that's what I call groupwork. Usa ra'y magbuhat.
Sad-an man sad gyud ko. Pero honestly, mao gyud ni akong kalagutan basta groupwork. Ang mahitabo man gud, usa ra'y magbuhat unya ang uban inutile. Hahay.

Sige oi, balik na ko.

Finally, We Found One

At last, nakakita ra gyud mi'g company nga willing magpa-conduct ug study. Trust Marketing and Auto Supply (TRUMAS) ang ngalan sa autoshop na ni-entertain nako.


Actually, nakasugod na ko'g interview nila pag-Friday pa lang sa buntag (it was after my meeting of the streetchildren (jump one more post from the previous one)). I have managed to ask them most of the gist of our thesis (the step-by-step sales process, kinds of terms used, mga tawo nga involved, history sa company and organizational hierarchy, product lines, source documents, and more). Gahapon, nagsugod na mi'g buhat sa system flowchart, pero na-impede me tungod sa kakulang sa mga minor information. Nagplano mi nga within that day unta kay moadto mi sa Trumas, pero busy man sila ingon si Ate pag-call nako, so wala na lang mi nidayon. Pero this Sunday (karon), ok ra daw, basta sayo lang, kay moabot ang tag-iya.

Ug ganina, naka-conduct gyud tawon mi sa interview. As in sayo kaayo ko didto; sirado pa sila ug wala pa'y employees nga naabot, nag-atang na ko. Nakasugod na ko ug pangutana sa mga kulang, most especially on their sales return process. Naglibog kaayo ko sa gisulti ni Ate nga process, maong sige gyud ko'g pangutana niya. Tapos, naa pa gyud siya'y gibuhat ato nga time, mao nga nakasamot gyud ko niya pag-ayo. Usahay pangutan-on ko niya kung unsa pa'y kulang, dili man ko makatubag dayon. Naka-prepare na man mi'g lista sa mga questions nga among i-ask, pero naa ni Jofil. Sige na lang gud ko'g ampo nga maabot na intawon silang duha para maka-aid sila nako. Nahasol gyud ug maayo si Ate, unya dili ko gusto nga mao na'y mahitabo. Dili baya lalim.

Ug tuod man, naabot ra gyud si Rose Ann, then after a few minutes si Jofil. I showed both of them kung unsa na so far ang akong nakuha nga information. Naa pa'y mga kulang, mga updates, mga clarifications nga gisugyot silang duha, which amo sad nga gi-ask ni Ate. Naa gihapo'y gibuhat si Ate, pero mo-entertain gihapon siya namo.

Until such time nga hapit na mi mahuman.
Actually, and pangalan sa Trust kay familiar kaayo namo. Mao nga nakulbaan mi nga basin ug naa na'y naka-study sa ilang company. Dili man gud puede sa thesis ang magkapareho. Masayang ra unya among pinaghirapan.

Then nisulti siya namo nga kami kuno ang first nga ilang gi-entertain (sa ilang branch). Naa kuno'y nag-study sad sa lain, pero mura ug gi-reject daw nila. Against gyud kuno sa company policy ang mo-entertain ug mga ingon ani, kay daghan ang makompromiso, dili lang ang time ug productivity sa mga empleyado, kundili naa'y possibility nga mapagawas ang mga confidential information. Ni-entertain siya namo tungod kay nakasabot siya sa among giagihan, kay ingon ani man sad ilang gibuhat ato sa college (accounting iyang course).

Pero maski nisugot siya, naa gihapo'y mga limitations nga iyang gi-imply. Wala siya nihatag sa mga names sa mga employees (maski sa iya), same sad sa tag-iya sa business. About sa source documents sad, dili sila mosugot nga i-photocopy, pangayu-on, or picture-an. Mao nga format na lang niini among gipangayo. Nakasabot man sad mi sa measures nga gibuhat ni Ate.

We did a final check, and we thought that it's enough na. We bid goodbye and said thanks to Ate and to the whole crew for everything. Dako gyud kaayo ni'g matabang sa among thesis. Mas smooth-sailing na among buhat karon.

Once again, salamat ninyong tanan, TRUMAS-Mambaling employees, and most especially kang Ate, nga wala mi kahibalo sa pangalan. :p

Friday the 13th IS REAL!

Friday the 13th: From Wikipedia

Dimalas ang Friday the 13th. Daghang mga katingalahan ang mahitabo.

Gahapon, gibutang sa hotseat ang mga incumbent Datatron officers, with the advisers, the Dean, and the candidates. Wala ko katunga kay nangita mi'g company para sa among thesis (read the two previous posts).

Ilahang gi-question kung unsa'y dagan sa among pagpangalagad: kung asa na padulong ang kwarta sa org, as well as pointing out kung unsa'y mga 'naobserbaran' nila namo.

Aside from our financial standing, na-brought up sad ang akong pangalan ug ang paglarga nako sa Korea.

Tinuod, naa gyud ko'y kahiubos sa akong mga kauban, nga akong nasulti. Pero wala ko'y tumong nga makapasakit ug tawo, or mobungkag sa foundation sa organization. Tungod lang gyud siguro sa akong pagdali-dali mao nga nadala ko sa spur of the moment. Tungod na sa akong pagdali-dali mao nga naa ko'y mga butang nga napagawas. I've said more than what I should have. Na-misinterpret ni sa uban nga mga tawo, nga in-turn mao'y ilang gigamit nga bala para tirahon mi.

I feel so betrayed. Wala ko nag-expect nga iyaha na diay ming gi-kwentahan. Feeling nako, amoang sala tanan. I thought it was all in good faith. Unya ang nahibato, gi-nawong hinuon mi, daw sa namuyboy. Nga wala kuno katabang ang organization nako paglarga nako sa Korea, unsaon na lang kuno pagtabang sa org sa mga constituents niini. Kuwang kuno mi ug suporta gikan sa organization.

Wala ko nag-expect nga ang mga tawo nga among gituohan nga among kasaligan, among mga amigo/amiga, mao na hinuo'y modunggab namo patalikod. Naa diay 'grupo' nga nagplano nga i-take over ang organization. Dugay na kuno ni sila nga nagplano nga i-shake ang foundation sa organization, ug karon ang sakto nga panahon.

Dako gyud kaayo ko'g sala nga nahimo, sa akong mga advisers, sa akong mga co-officers. Feeling nako ako'y nag-catalyze, ako'y nag-instigate ani nga kagubot.

Nasorpresa gyud kaayo akong mga kauban ug among mga advisers. Wala gyud kuno sila'y nasulti; wala na lang sila nisulti. Nakonsensya gyud ko ug maayo maghuna-huna kung unsa'y nahitabo nila.

If only nakatambong ko sa meeting, I could've shed some light on the matter. I could've made a difference. Dili siguro nila makastigo ug ingon-ana among organization.

I feel so guilty of what happened. Ewan kung naa pa ba ko'y nawong nga mapakita sa among mga advisers, now that they've decided nga mo-resign from the advisorship.

Kargo de konsensya gyud nako tanan. Wala na ko kahibalo unsa'y buhaton. Nangayo na lang ko'g tambag sa usa ka tawo nga akong masaligan. Wala ko'y nahimo kung dili ang pagpagawas sa akong kahiubos, ug sa akong kahingawa sa sitwasyon. Nalipay ko nga naa siya didto, sa pagpaminaw, sa paghatag ug tambag, sa pagklaro sa akong hunahuna nga clouded na kaayo. Nagpasalamat sad ko nga ni-offer siya sa iyang help sa pagsulbad ani nga problema.

Pero bisan pa man sa nahitabo, na-feel sad nako nga mas suod na kami sa akong mga kauban. Mas strong karon ang bond nga mao'y nagpalibot namo. We learned how to trust each other more. It is in the darkest of nights that we see the brightest of stars.

With what happened, one thing was assured of me: FRIDAY THE 13TH IS REAL! It can unleash horror you've never expected before.

The Streetchildren's Courage

Relative to my previous post, this morning, I decided to look for companies that would satisfy our thesis. Most of the establishments along the highway are starting to open as I was passing by. Yes, I am supposed to go on-duty that morning (at Lexmark R&D), but I want to settle our thesis preparation first. September 27 is the deadline of submission, and we don't have that much time left.

I was just standing infront of a construction supply shop, like waiting for the 'Juan dela Cruz-ian' guava to fall off the tree. And somehow, the guava bumped on my forehead instead on my mouth, shaking me off. I was packing my courage. I thought going alone would be easy as I have always bragged, but it really is not.

Like what usually happened yesterday, I was rejected of my offer. I said it's alright, but deep inside, I'm frustrated, down, and somewhat discouraged. I can't help it. It has never been easy looking for a company willing to be conducted a study, and we've been looking for one for quite some time now. I felt like giving up. I guess I just have to wait for Rose Ann and Jofil.

Then my contemplation was suddently shaken up, by this street kid. Actually there were many of them, but only one approached me and opened his palms, asking for some loose change. I didn't give him anything, and he just went along with the other kids. God, where are the parents of these children?

It's a regular sight, seeing kids like them wearing clothes of dirt and lackluster, sometimes they have none. Children draped with mud and dust, smothered by roaming vehicles or by sleeping on the pavement. Children criss-crossing the busy highways, unwary of the dangers of being run over, and worse being ran away by irresponsible drivers. You might wonder where they are going, but they may not be going anywhere. They have nothing to go. They just let themselves be taken by life's currents. They just let themselves be hounded by life's demons.

With the pressing economic situation of the country, and the seeming lack of action from the government to provide support to the poverty line, not to mention society's prying eyes and lack for human compassion, the families of these children are left with no choice. No parent would want to perish one's brethren, but what more can they do with the only power they have? What's their raison d'etre if they are condemned by society, being their only resort?

I do not exempt myself, washing my hands off of the issue. I am a part of the society that condemns them. And I myself did nothing of much worth to leverage their lives, aside from handing them over a few pieces of bread (on several occasions). :(

Watching them walk away, I was telling to myself. These kids get more humiliations than I did. They get ignored, abused, imprisoned, beaten up and shooed, and more. They cry, but they can stand up again. They are already immune; life's pressures have shaped them and made their hearts and tough as steel. They are still valiant on approaching people and opening their palms. Even if rejected, they can just move on. They've got nothing to lose; they've been deprived of everything in the first place. Though a growing number of them are doing mischievous acts, but they were just pushed by their condition, abused of their innocence by people. They are not to blame.

How I wish I was just as tough, as brave as them. How I wish I can just 'open my palms' on people with ease, alongside of respect.

I've learned a very valuable lesson in life, and it came from the least expected person(s), but at the right time. The street children's courage is something worth emanating. I hope the government pays due attention to their condition.

It's time for me to jump to the next construction supply shop...
I hope I can do it this time.

The Mice, The Search, and The Lion

Yesterday afternoon, Jofil, Rose Ann, and I were looking for companies for our thesis. The constraint is that the company is still using manual processing. We walked the stretch of the highway on foot, knocking unto every business establishment along its sides, ranging from pet shops to hardware supplies.

Most of the time we were rejected by them, either because they are already computerized or they just can't dedicate time for us, or we're just fly in the ointment. This is inevitable, and we're not letting ourselves be disheartened, but instead be motivated.

We came over a company named ABCED System Corporation. We were actually cynical if a huge establishment like this one is still on the mano approach. But there's no harm in trying...

When we approached the saleslady and started explaining. But since she can't get any idea of what we're talking about, she addressed a fellow employee who's college course is in-line with IT. Whew, at least, there's someone to help us out.

After hearing our explanation, he actually agreed. But he said more...
He actually offered us to stay in the company, and work, do internship. For him, we can study better the system if we are involve ourselves with the company's operations. He even offered us to talk to the manager about it; signing of contract, and even a promise of grand if we can satisfy the company's needs.

We were so overwhelmed with Mr. X's (I forgot to ask for his name and his position in the company, but I'm sure that he's a graduate of Computer Engineering.) proposal. ABCED System Corporation is a huge company selling tiles and household interiors; actually that's just one of their many businesses. Their branch is already computerized, and no definite time yet for them. The idea is that, we have to 'automate' their sales processes, if not all.

We can feel our cold sweat dripping on our foreheads. It's like we're mice facing a mighty lion. The task they offered us seemed gargantuan. We also have other priorities to attend to.

We have their contact number. But I think we won't be pursuing it, to be honest.

[I will soon edit this post. I'm not really feeling good right now. :( ]

Search Your Name on the Internet, I Dare You!

Actually opened up during the meeting (see previous post), Sean (yes, him again) stated this revelation that our names actually accumulate results from top search engines, with a three of those results are likely relevant to us, be that Friendster, a .PDF file of the list of SM Scholars, and our blog (if any). This statement was supported by some of the scholars who have tried the trick.

Out of curiosity, I tried searching my name on a few search engines today, and whoa at the results!

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My Name on Google...
My Name on Yahoo!...
My Name on MSN...

(I didn't bother with the others search engines, since I only have a few time left to stay in this internet cafe. :p)

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I actually laughed with some of the search results. Ok, my Friendster was there, my IMEEM uploads, and even my Flickr. I am a bit confused (and upset) as to why my blog (this one) wasn't 'searched', when in fact Blogger is an affiliate of Google. Hmmm, I wonder why.

I was a bit astounded upon seeing my name on obituaries, only to find out on the long run that it was only a part of my name! Silly search results. It really pays paying attention first, and not jumping into conclusion at once. :O

So, who wants to jump into the bandwagon of name search on the net? Just prepare yourself though for anything from bizarre to downright funny. Hahaha.

(thanks again to Seanjames for this laugh trip)

Meeting with the Old and New

So yes, today was the scheduled rendezvous for the SM Foundation, Inc. scholars.

The new intakes were clustering themselves on the left corner of the conference hall. It has been a favorite spot for every newcomer. I don't know, but I can see myself in them years ago: quite, aloof, and nonparticipating. They've been the focus of attention of everyone, and were most of the times encouraged to do some of the work. But they still prefer to stay in their comfort zone. It's inevitable, and it really happens.

I'm not really familiar with everyone inside the Conference Room, especially the first years. LOL, I don't even remember all the names of the younger scholars. Only a few people have made a mark on my head, most are the ones who stands out more often from the rest, either with their funny antics, oh-so-loud retorts, and what not(Mark, Sean, I'm talking about you guys. :D). Of course, there was Ms. Joan, being our ever-loving proctor.

But today though, Mark wasn't present. Actually, a third (estimates, estimates...)of the whole group didn't show up. Busy with school? Forgot about the meeting? Taking a rest? Populate the choices. :)

And who replaced Mark on the frontline? Who else, but my good ol' partner (in-crime), Ferlina. And their voices enveloped the wee-sized conference room. As usual, Sean was into it again: bursting out all of his thoughts and not running out of ideas. He actually shared quite a lot (and I mean it) of 'techniques' about college survival (:P). Ferlina was in-charge of the comic relief, injecting humor unto anything that's supposed to be discussed seriously. Hahaha, that's what I liked most about her. :D

One of today's agenda was the election of officers. Since Ate Liberty already graduated, so her position of President is left vacant. Some were retained of their positions, and some were newly elected. Fearl succeeded Ate Liberty for President, while I took over the Vice President position, and Sean being the new Secretary. Oh my God. :O

Next meeting will be on August 12th. I hope everyone can come...

Random Stories

I went to Atty. Go's office this morning to give him my present from South Korea, to show my heartfelt gratitude for giving me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to South Korea. I was kinda delayed; it is almost two weeks after the study tour ended. Procrastination on the loose again. My bad. :(

It was a box of porcelain teacups. I know it isn't that much, but it's not really the material worth. And I'm happy that Atty. Go gladly accepted my little token. Kamsa hamnida, Mr. President. :)

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I've drank a lot of coffee back in the office this afternoon. Perhaps I made the mixture too concentrated, that's why the coffee really struck my senses, and I feel really wobbly as of typing. @.@

I'm such a noob.

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Yesterday was our beloved Mr. Aahron Dinauanao's birthday. Sir, I know this may sound cliche, but I want to thank you for being there for us rain or shine, as an adviser, a teacher, and as a friend.

Sir, you're getting old. When will you marry? :D

Happy birthday, Sir A.

Do I Really Know Myself...?

Yesterday at school, Rose Ann popped up this question: "Jan, this concern was raised by some of our fellow OJTs (in Lexmark R&D). They say you are kinda...gay." Then she went, "Jan, are you gay?"

I was dumbfounded when she asked that. My sexuality has been the subject of dispute ever since college. The first one was during my theater days, where my fellow thespians asked me of my sexual orientation.

And now, the question just came out of nowhere, during the least expected time...

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Is it because of whom and how I grew up?
I grew up with women's company. Papa died when I am still of young age, so Mama was left with the sole responsibility of providing for us. I was the only boy in the family of (then) six, until Mama decided to remarry again (with Tiyo Roy, and they beget three children: Lucky (the boy), Danelle, and April).

I don't know how to fight, really. I'm speaking of brawls, of fist fights. Hell, I can't even throw a decent punch! I don't want to pick up a fight with anyone, and would rather choose diplomacy over violence. Though, there are times that I tend to land my fists on my sisters, especially if I'm totally pissed off. :(

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Is it because of whom I am with most of the time?
My barkada are composed mostly of women, and I even have gay friends. I tend to be very close to women, and have made a lot of female friends. Perhaps because I grew up with a family of women, that's why I can get along with women very well. But I do not discount my male friends...

I am a certified loner. Hopeless romantic. I tend to just sit in the corner, and say nothing. Even with a group, there are times where I just prefer not to say anything, since there is nothing I can think of to say, and would prefer to listen. Times that I prefer solitude over company, as I have stated on most of my posts here.

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Is it because of my disposition?
I openly admin that I use a lot of expressions from the 'gay lingo', and even imitate on how they pronounce it. Not just to poke fun on my gay friends, but I just find it the appropriate way of saying it without spoiling its humor. Also, I'm being sissy, soft at times.

I use women's fragrance. As what Martin Nievera said during an interview, "the essence of a man, is a woman's scent." Not just because I want to 'captivate' women, but because I find women's fragrances more 'pleasing' to my senses, not like the men's body spray I used before.

I hate loose shirts. I have a tall, slender body (people would joke on me as a 'walking stick'). And for me, wearing loose shirts would make me look like a walking kite, worse a walking flag. But I also don't use body-fit shirts, the one that would make it hard for me to breathe.

I have never had a girlfriend. Human as I am, I also get attracted to other people, even to males. But not because of 'love' or something, but because of my own imperfections. I tend to get 'jealous'(admire if you'd like it) of the other guys having those muscular muscles and Adonis-like faces. How I wish I was also gifted with the same. And it stays there. That's just it. And perhaps I'm misunderstood...

I did court Charlene, our secretary, last year, but I was rejected. I don't know. There were also occassional flings, infatuations, all of which have died of its natural death.

I don't know. I'm such a hopeless romantic. I tend to fall on the 'love story' part of anything I see, be it anime, teen flicks, even horror films. There are even times that I wish my love story would go like this, like that. Sigh. Perhaps my 'soulmate' (though I don't really believe in destiny, since its the choices you make that shapes your life) has not arrived yet, or whom I have already met. It's uncertain. Mailap pa sa akin ang pag-ibig (love is so rare to me).

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I don't know.

Why can't they accept me as to who I am? I thought they have known me long enough to understand me. But I guess I was wrong. Surely it wasn't their intention to belittle me, put me into shame, but just an effort of clarifying information, of setting the record straight.

But I can't help it...
I'm starting to doubt myself as to who I really am. I can't sleep, thinking of all of this. Perhaps I should get professional help. Perhaps they can help me know the inner me, the real me.

Still the question remains...


Do I really know myself?