Overtime Week

08.15.2009 20:39

I just woke-up.

I was not able to blog much lately for it has been a stressful week. From Monday ’til Wednesday of this week, I rendered 2 hours of post shift overtime. Then, on Thursday, I rendered 1 hour of post shift overtime. Good thing, it is just voluntary. Hey, then how come I am complaining? LOL!

Come Friday, eventhough there is no overtime, I went home late since it was Nell’s birthday. He treated us with a bottle each of Red Horse (a beer brand).

 

Dude, how “complicated” is it?

08.06.2009 07:27

I have asked this question several times already over at Plurk.

And just like what I have said… I consider guys who set their relationship status as “complicated”, gay. Well, most of them are gay, in my opinion.

I mean, it is easier to say that a guy is SINGLE or IN A RELATIONSHIP. So, why choose COMPLICATED?

If a guy is still courting a girl, technically, the guy is still SINGLE.

If a guy is in a relationship, but, having problems with it, technically, the guy is still IN A RELATIONSHIP. Unless, that guy really do wants to break-up with the girl, then, he would be SINGLE.

If a guy does not know what the real score is between him and a girl, then, that is the only time that his relationship status should be COMPLICATED. And that is the only acceptable situation for a guy to use that description.

But, knowing how straight guys are, most of the time they are assertive in their relationship status with a girl. So, some of them usually use IN A RELATIONSHIP already.

Or if a guy is proud to be not attached to a girl or feeling macho by wanting to meet more girls while in a relationship, that guy would choose SINGLE.

I mean, come on. If you are a straight guy, choosing COMPLICATED as your relationship status is just like putting yourself in a frying pan with hot oil in it. You do not want to attract attention from everyone by intruiging them with your relationship status.

Unless, you are a guy who is involve with another guy and that you just cannot expose your true self to the whole world. Thus, choosing COMPLICATED. Which is the usual case nowadays.

 

Why by wave?

08.06.2009 06:47

Earlier during my lunchbreak, me, Dexter and kuya Owen were discussing about the upcoming internal hiring of our account here in ACS of the Philippines, which is Humana.

About two weeks ago, we were informed that Humana will be posting about the upcoming internal hiring for some post within the account by the end of August. Would it be team leader/managers, quality assurance representatives and possibly, workforce analyst.

I should note that, according to them, agents from wave 1 and 2 can apply. By the way, as of this writing, wave 1 and 2 agents are the only ones on the floor. Wave 3 is still undergoing product specifics training.

Last week, someone from wave 1 (I do not want to mention his name, for I have high respect for him and he is an inspiration work-wise), told us that only wave 1 agents are qualified for the said post.

I was like, ok, maybe it is just a rumor. So, the next day, I asked one of the team leaders regarding what I have heard from the said wave 1 agent. And she confirmed that it is true.

I was like, are they serious about their plan that only wave 1 agents are qualified for the said posts?

I mean, when I was hired for Humana, they said that the best thing about ACS of the Philippines is for it gives equal opportunities to everyone. If that is the case, how come only wave 1 agents are qualified?

To be honest, I was planning to apply as a quality assurance representative. I have only been on the floor for 3 weeks now, and I am still learning the ways of handling Humana provider calls.

Humana is a new account. So, most of us are basically new at this. Well, some of us do have background in handling healthcare account. I, myself was a claims specialist/tier 2 agent in my previous healthcare account. It is not that I am bragging about it. It is just that when I was having my final interview, I have heard more than two times about the “equal opportunity” that ACS of the Philippines and the account, Humana, would give to its employees.

I know that I have not proven anything yet in this account, but, what happened to the equal opportunities that they were bragging about when they hired us?

And why are they segregating us by wave or tenureship just like what the Nazi’s did during the holocaust?

Are wave 2 agents not that good enough for the powers that be?

Again, what happened to equal opportunities?

I am sensing a power play. If that is what they want… that is what they are going to get.

 

Turning 27 is a disaster

Last July 22nd of 2009, I turned a year older. I am now 27 years old.

I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Anyways, age is just a number. What matters most are the people I love and care for and the memories and experiences that I treasure.

Anyways, it really was not a happy day for me the day or the day before I turned 27.

Tuesday night (July 21st), I arrived at the training room early, around 8:15pm. I texted Mikee (my personal nickname for Mike, a friend and a co-trainee) , asking where he is, for he asked me the earlier (Monday shift, technically Tuesday morning) to teach him how to improve his probing skills when dealing with benefits.

All of a sudden, he replied back. And it was a reply that I really was not expecting from him. It jarred me. Why would Mikee be texting me that kind of message. Obviously, I know there and then that Mikee’s got a problem, again. And I was the unlucky victim.

When he arrived, I did not even bother to say “hi” nor even look at him. I was hurt.

When we were in the production floor to take-in calls, the airconditioning was quite cold. And my body temparature was climbing up and down. Signs of an upcoming fever.

At exactly 12midnight, mommy Joy, was the very first one to greet me happy birthday. Then, the whole class greeted me in unison. It was so very nice of them. I think some of them even put the callers on hold or on mute just to greet me.

We ended taking calls around 1am, then had our hour lunch break.

While having lunch, I was already like shaking due to the extreme cold and slight fever. Mikee was also eating on the same table where I am. But, we were not even throwing glances at each other.

I left the table as soon as I finished eating. I really cannot bear the cold breeze.

Hmm… After lunch, our class went to the production floor for some debriefing regarding what happened when we were taking in calls.

I was sitting alone on the floor (literally) when Mikee approached me and asked me if I’m ok and if he can borrow my notes. He even tried to lie down next to me. And I was like thinking, is this his way saying “sorry”?

Obviously, he won me back with his charm. But, since I really was not feeling good, I simply ignored his advances.

When we went back to the training room to do some CBT (computer-based training) and some mingling, he approached me and said sorry. I accepted it. Needless to say, we’re ok.

After the shift, I headed home and arrived to be greeted by my mom with her delicious pancit.

I texted my boyfriend, informing him that I have a high fever. Around 10am, he arrived to give me a bottle Enervon and to wish me that I recover soon. I wish I could have kissed him right then and there. But, he need to go back home (he was already late, so, he can’t go to work for he will be suspended LOL).

Before I went to sleep, I took 2 tablets of Bioflu to fasten up my recovery.

I overdosed. LOL! Thank God I’m still alive. For, when I woke up that afternoon, I was really groggy.

NOTE: thanks to Noemi, Camille and Hannah for patching it all up with Mike

 

He used to be a lovely boy…

Andrew (circa April of 2008)

In memory of Menandro “Andrew” Alvarez… He used to be a lovely boy…

It’s been more than a year now since you came into our life.

A guy from a remote place in San Juan, Batangas.

We welcomed you and accepted you as part of our lives.

And you did, too.

I remember the weekends in where you would visit us here in Cavite. And when you brought us to Batangas.

We were a trio. An odd setup.

The last time we saw you was around June of 2008. For, you will have to move to the remotest part of San Juan to teach in a public highschool.

Andrew, you are a bright guy. Ending up as a Valedictorian when you were in highschool. And a scholar while in college. And with that, I admired you.

Months passed, and you changed. Changed or it is really just you. Was it all an act from the very beginning?

All of a sudden. We barely knew you.

Things were said and done. And now, you’re distancing yourself from us. From guilt? That, I do not know.

Whatever your plans in your life, I do wish you the best of luck.

I would like to say “thank you” for the friendship and the love that we shared.

I’ve forgiven you.

You were and will always be a part of my life.

Goodbye for now. Until we meet again….

 

This road reminds me of you. Damn it!

South Luzon Expressway (circa July of 2009)

Just like what I’ve said in my previous entry, we went to Pansol in Laguna last July 18th of 2009.

I was surprised to realized that we were traversing the South Luzon Expressway. I almost shed a tear. Damn, how it brought back bittersweet memories of a special person who became a part of me and Omel’s lives. A guy named Andrew.

Menandro “Andrew” Alvarez (circa April 2008)

I remember when I first went to Batangas. I was still working in Advance Contact Solutions back then. It was just 2 hours before my shift ended that morning when I received a text from Andrew, stating that he will pick me up from work.

Since he’s a native of Batangas, and basically grew up there. I know that he might get lost going to Makati. So, I gave him directions. 30minutes before I shift end, he texted me that he’s already at Mini-stop, which is just across our building. Needless to say, he fetched me from work. LOL!

Then, we went to Baclaran, for us to go in Cavite. While in Baclaran, we met up with a good friend of mine, Carlos, who also lives in Cavite. So, the three of us took a bus ride home.

En route to Cavite, my partner, Omel, texted me that he’s not going to work that day, since he knew that Andrew was in town. When Andrew and I dropped off at the entrance of our subdivision, Omel was already there. We hanged out in a convenience store. Since, I just came from work, I really do just wanna sleep at our house. The problem is, Andrew has no place to go to and he doesn’t have any spare clothes with him.

Then, Andrew offered us to go to his place in San Antonio, Quezon. Which is the border between Batangas and Quezon province.

Me and Omel quickly agreed to his offer, since we (me and Omel) always planned to go out-of-town but never got the time to do so due to conflict of schedule between our works. I decided not to go to work later that night and Omel, too.

I left Omel and Andrew at the store and took a pedicab ride to go to our house for a quick bath and packed some clothes to bring.

We ate lunch first at Jollibee Zapote-Las Pinas branch. Then headed to Alabang to ride a bus going to Batangas.

Andrew and me in a bus going to Batangas (circa April of 2008)

Eventhough I was already tired and haven’t got any sleep, I was awake during the whole trip going to Batangas. For I wanna see the surroundings around us. I was amazed how beautiful SLEX is, eventhough there was a slight traffic during that time. My jaw dropped when I saw the mountains of Rizal and Laguna. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen. I don’t know the exact name/s of the mountains, especially around the part where the bus needs to turn left to go to Turbina, then to Batangas itself.

Sigh! I missed travelling from Cavite to Batangas. It’s been a year and a month already since I’ve been in SLEX. You know, Andrew is gone now. I mean, he’s still alive. But, he’s avoiding us. Damn. I guess, some things are really not meant to be. Two’s a couple. Three’s a company. But, that company did not last.

For me, he will always be a part of us.

 

Humana Wave 2-A’s Outing

Last June 18th of 2009, the majority of our training class went to a resort/private pool in Pansol, Laguna.

We went there in batches, for some of us still needed to go back to their respective houses to get their things. The first batch went in the morning. The second batch in the early evening.

Anyways, the night before that day was a bit rainy. I really was hesitant to go, since my boyfriend asked me not to if the weather will still be bad the next day. I packed my things anyways, just in case. I even went to training wearing denim shorts and flipflops for the only entrance to our subdivision in Aguinaldo Highway is still a bit flooded, and I didn’t want my jeans to be all soaked-up and wet.

After shift, since some of us won’t be going to the overnight outing, they will take part in a breakfast with our co-trainee/team manager, Maricar (who is also part of batch one).

While waiting for them: me, Camille, Kamille, Joan and Ren ate breakfast in McDonald’s One E-Com Plaza branch, the same building where our work is located at.

While eating our breakfast, Ren received a text from Spice, informing her that he wasn’t able to get a deal for our supposed service.

Panic mode arised. Our group decided to go to Kamille’s place to get some rest while Ren and Joan took off to search and close a deal regarding our service.

Good thing that in less than 2 hours, they were able to get a van to service us.

Around 11am, we went to Pasay Rotonda to meet up with the rest of the gang and take our ride to Pansol. Batch one includes: me, Camille, Jessa, Michelle, tm Maricar, Ren, Joan, Spice, trainor Ian, Kitty, Will and Algie.

We were all singing while leaving Manila. With Spice strumming some tunes in his guitar.

Some bittersweet memories came into my mind while our van was driving along the South Luzon Expressway. I’ll blog this one in a separate entry.

Anyways, we got there around 1pm. The place was snazzy and decent in my opinion. There were 3 rooms upstairs, 2 with airconditioning unit and 1 with just a fan.

We immediately ate lunch for most of us were so starving already. We had adobo for lunch. I wasn’t able to eat much for there were a lot of atay/liver in it. And I really don’t like the taste of it.

After lunch, I went to our room (with the a.c., of course). Did some chitchatting with Ren, Joan, Spice etc. Before going to sleep.

I probably woke-up around 8pm, when the second batch arrived, and they were: Budjoy, Mikee, Hanna, Nell, Elaine, Angel, Anj, Rein, Kamille, boss Mike (from recruitment) and some others.

We all ate dinner then most of us went swimming until morning. While we were in the pool, Anj was like handing out drinks (she’s the tanggera). So, that put most of us in the mood. And we were like dancing like crazy in and out of the pool.

Aroun 3am of Sunday, I went out of the pool to get some rest, since Camille and I need to go back to Cavite. She needed to attend her church’s service at 10am, and me, I just wanna rest and lie on my own bed.

Before 4am, someone called-out that something was wrong with Nell. As what happened, he passed out on the side of the pool. Probably due to over fatigue. Good thing was he didn’t drown or something. So, we just let him rest for quite some time.

By 6:30am, me, Camille and Jessa left the resort to go to Crossing (I’m not sure which part of Laguna was it). Jessa left as well for she need to attend to her church in Laguna, as well. Camille and Jessa are both members of I.N.C.

After Jessa dropped us off at the terminal, me and Camille took a ride in a van en route to Palapala in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Fare is pretty decent, a measly 50 pesos per head. Ride only took roughly 30minutes.

When Camille and I separated, I took a bus ride to Bacoor. Good thing that there were no traffic. So, I was able to reach home in no time.

Needless to say, after I changed my clothes. I immediately fell asleep on my bed.

* check out the pics here.

 

Why masarap mag picture taking sa cr?

Baket nga ba? Hmmm… Isa siguro sa mga kadahilanan ay dahil maganda ng lighting sa loob ng cr. LOL! Ilan sa mga solo pics ko kasi ay kuha sa loob ng cr.

 

Hello? Are you still there?

Hello! How can I help you?

May pakiusap sana ako sayo
Pa-manual-in naman sa puso mo…
Para marinig ko ang lahat ng sinasabi
Dahil gusto kitang samahan
Sa bawa’t sakit at kaligayahan
Upang lubusan kong maintindihan
Ang mumunti nitong nilalaman
Sa kagustuhang ika’y matulungan
Sa kahit ano mang paraan

Kung sakaling ang hiling ko’y matugunan
Maaring huwag na sanang hawakan
Ang release o log-out button sa bandang kanan
Sapagka’t nais kong tuluyang manatili
Sa puso mo, kahit ako’y mabingi

Naririnig mo ba ako?
Hindi ka ‘ata naka-headset!
Ay, teka, naka-mute pala ako.

NOTE: this poem came from a former co-worker in Advance Contact Solutions’ CHCS account and a very good friend of mine, Rachel. Visit her blog at rachelwu.wordpress.com

 

I Love Blogging!

07/11/2009 11:30

This is actually not an official entry in Blog Ni Rey’s essay writing contest. Well, as much as I want to, I just feel like I am not that pro enough to join such a prestigious contest.

But, I would try my best to make this unofficial entry to be at least acknowledge by some.

As the title of this entry states, I love blogging. Eventhough I have just actually started blogging last May (of 2009). I mean, I did some blogging prior to that. But, it just felt as if I was blogging for the wrong reason. Needless to say, my heart was really not in it.

Eversince when I was in the elementary, 6th grade to be exact (err… schoolyear 1994-1995), I have always wanted to have a journal of my own. May it be just a simple notebook or a planner where I can write down my thoughts, opinions and what-have-you’s.

Sadly, the notebooks or the planners that I had, ended up as my scratch notebook.

When I was in highschool, I was somehow sidetracked from that goal. For studies kept me busy. Although, my passion for writing grew.

When I was in college, I was not able to pursue writing again, due to the fact that I got addicted to chatting via Mirc and Yahoo Messenger.

Jumping forward.

I heard of the term “blogging” around a couple of years back. And basically, blogging is just like having an online diary/journal and having the rest of the world be able to read it. Nice.

Since I have an account on Friendster and Multiply, and both do offer a blog option, I was still hesitant to do blogging for I do not a computer nor an internet connection.

But, I was able to do some blogging on Multiply, for it can be accessed by almost everyone who is online, and a viewer does not need to sign-up for it. Still, I was not satisfied. For I think, if I will be blogging, I need to update it in a constant basis.

Jumping forward again. I bought a laptop (with the help from my bestfriend Ed) and got an internet connection from SmartBro (free plugging, where is my endorser fee?).

Finally, I can do something about what I have been dying to do for quite some time now. But, before I do this blogging stuff, I have been reading other people’s blog just to get some pointers on what to write about and how to execute it.

Ok. Last May (of 2009), I created an account in Multiply (a new one) and in Blogger (a.k.a. Blogspot), by having a username that would reflect (finally) who I really am… it is “ALLABOUTONY”, as the username suggests, it is all about me.

And I have been blogging eversince. My Multiply and Blogger blogs do have the same contents. And why is that? For they have their own specific target viewers/readers.

I blog about what is happening with my personal life, my work life, some technical stuffs, my opinions, my views etc. And I am loving it! Especially the part where and when I receive comments about what I blogged about. It is pure bliss.

About the part of gaining readers. I have a few followers here and there, and I am very thankful to them. I wish their number would double every month. LOL!

I am still a neophyte in this blogging industry/lifestyle and I am still learning… a lot. And I am hoping that I will be recognized as an up-and coming blogger or a pro-blogger soon.

On a closing note, all I can really say is I LOVE BLOGGING! I love sharing my life online. And I promise that I will keep on doing this until the end of my somehow crazy life.