Right Now. June 27, 2009

I’m a little disoriented with all that is happening around me. It’s only been a week since I got back from our [UPMC] tour from Europe, and only been a week since I stepped out of our home because of the 7-10-day voluntary self-quarantine. Moreover, because of the events mentioned, I missed the first two weeks of classes. I’ve been away from the Philippines–specifically Manila, for almost a month, and out of school–especially during the first few days of classes, for more than two months. Thus making me slightly unknowing of the things happening in, and feel detached from, the world. Well, Manila–UP Manila is “the” world for me at this time.

Disorientation, and perhaps insecurities, really had me contemplating about my first attempt to attend one of my classes–OC152. “Is it okay?” “Will it be safe?” “WIll they force me to go back home?” “Are they expecting to see me?” “Am I ready to see them?” “Am I TOO late?” “Am I out of place?” Am I serious about this??” Am I REALLY ready?”

Thinking too much almost stopped me from entering the gates of CAS that Saturday afternoon. But [tentenententen] of course, I eventually went in and found my way to our classroom. It seemed more or less the same and more or less different. Same people I know, but different experiences offered  I guess.

Doubt and insecurities are still with me. If I regained my “lost” connection to this world? It’s a bit early to say. Starting this blog does not prove much either. Yet I knew I would have to face it no matter what, where, how, or when. So now, I just dare face it once again. And hopefully, be able to do things right.

SO help me GOd.

Fabulous Buys for Christmas vol.2: Modella Bags November 6, 2009

Leave a message if you’re interested.

Or visit the site: http://goldfishe.multiply.com/ for other details.

Fabulous Buys for Christmas vol.1: Linea Italia Shoes/Sandals November 6, 2009

 

Leave a message if you’re interested.

Or visit the site: http://goldfishe.multiply.com/ for other details.

I got a part-time job! October 21, 2009

I’m now putting my ORCOM learning experience to good use; I’m on my way to getting my first car as a network marketer, or through people-to-people marketing. [Woohoo! XD]

(Network Marketing is a legitimate marketing strategy used by companies, especially start-up companies, for their expansion.)

Basically, the job is to look for people who might want to open a business for a very low cost.
One of the offers is FOOD CART FRANCHISE.
Below is a preview of the food carts.

So… What are you waiting for?

Franchise NOW for as low as 22K!

For inquiries, comment on this blog or contact 09279764704.

You can also check out the site:
http://filtrepreneur.com/

Thanks!

“Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:13)

“I dwell in possibility.”
(Anonymous)

The O! October 18, 2009

We were asked to make a podcast about OrCom. The purpose is to give high school students who will soon go to college an idea what UP Manila Orcom students normally do; and practically, entice them to also take the course.

Our group (Alvina, Jhe, Alwyn, Eldin, and I) wanted to make an informative yet fairly entertaining podcast. So we came up with a concept and structure of a radio show–sort of.

In the end, we named the show “The O!“, and had Aloloe and Jheyhoe as the witty-yet-funny hosts (Go figure who they really are. ;p).

So sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to our radio show!

The O!

CAStaway! September 27, 2009

September 26, 2009, Saturday– day of the unexpected event for all of us.

The night before, September 25, 2009, I was panicking to buy a dress for the supposedly OrCom homecoming ball that night. The previous week was a bit exhausting due to a lot of school works, and ending it with a feel-good party would have been a way of detoxifying.

I always find it hard choosing what clothes or dresses to buy; I finished just before Robinsons Ermita closed. It was slightly raining when we went out. It didn’t bother us much since I had an umbrella, and it was practically normal these past few days. I went home safe and sound; freshened up and eventually went to bed while hearing the rain calmly pouring. The slight coldness made me feel relaxed and fell asleep soon; not knowing that this calmness was already a sign of Ondoy’s coming.

When I woke up the following day, September 26, 2009, it was still raining; this time, it was heavier, and the wind blew stronger. I was already contemplating whether to go to school or not. Although we had no OrCom152 class this day, we were required to attend the seminar conducted by the OrCom Juniors. Bringing with me a soon-to-give-up umbrella because my younger brother went to school earlier and took my umbrella, I came to school, nonetheless.

Orcom people stuck in CAS UPM

The seminar was cut so the Orcom people was placed in the dilemma of how to go home, or where to stay before the flooding around CAS-UPM gets worse. It was really a crucial decision because we were in our corporate attires, meaning power dresses and fab shoes; only few was able to bring with them grepa slippers which they can use while walking through the floods.

Orcom people trying to conquer Ondoy flooding

But still, some of us tried to escape from being trapped in CAS-UPM by heading towards Robinsons Ermita. If worse comes to worse, we wouldn’t have to worry about getting hungry or thirsty, at least. However, the Gbox employee said to us that Robinsons will close earlier due to bad weather conditions. I think some of Rob employees were not able to go to work. Some of us were brave enough to take their chances of making their way home. While most of us (like me, who was advised by my dad  to stay where I was for the meantime) were forced to go back to CAS and stay there until it was safe to go home.

Stranded Orcom kids at CAS UPM

Wannabe Korean! September 13, 2009

One of our group projects is to make a viral video. My groupmates (Eldin, Alwyn, Alvina, Jhe) and I thought it would be a very enjoyable activity especially that we get to choose whatever topic or subject we want–as in anything under the sun. But we have to take note: it should become viral.

Making a video viral isn’t as easy as you think it is. For most viral videos, intention of making it viral wasn’t there in the first place. Viral videos can be as daring as pornography or as simple as a cat riding with a ceiling fan. What we did is we first tried to figure out what actually made these videos viral. We came up with so many assumptions and eventually end up considering the trends or what Filipinos rave about these days. In the end, we thought about the current “Nobody by Wonder Girls” and “Fire by 2ne1″ craze, or the so-called korean fever.

The korean theme was a good idea in ths sense that we already have a target audience which usually search for videos like ours. However, korean theme was also a not-so-good idea because there are thousands more other korean videos in youtube which can be our tough competitors.

Nonetheless, I still find our video cute and watchable. See for yourself.

Here’s our version of a viral video. Enjoy!

Spreading the Virus September 6, 2009

Youtube became so popular because it’s an avenue for people to share whatever they want to the world without actually spending much. You can find almost any kind of videos in youtube: commercials, music videos, tv series, movies, instructional, personal sentiments, or what have you; can be professional or amateurish. What’s amusing is that a lot of ordinary people become popular just because of their video posts in youtube  becoming viral.

Case in Point: Moymoy Palaboy

The boys of Moymoy Palaboy w

Orcom vs Masscom August 23, 2009

I was into Mass Communication when I first thought of college. It was a popular course back then, yet I thought only few can actually get into the course. The course sort of requires you to communicate a lot and get yourself involved with all the things that are happening around you, and the crowd I was with back then were not really that type of people. However in my case, I was really very outspoken and outgoing, making Mass Comm the perfect course for me–I thought.

Things changed when I transferred to UP Manila.

Since Mass Communication is not offered in UP Manila, I tried to take a similar course. Then I saw Organizational Communication. At first, I didn’t understand what it meant. But since it has communication, then maybe it wouldn’t have much difference–I thought, again.

To make the long story short, I found out and realized big differences between the two courses mentioned.

We already know what Mass communication is all about–broadcasting, journal or editorial writing; more or less, its purpose is to serve the interest of the masses. Organizational Communication, on the other hand, involves meetings or group discussions, presenting on a different level, more on corporate and within organization communication; basically, it caters to the needs of an organization and its key stakeholders.

Organizational Communication (Orcom) is practically no different from other forms of communication; you create a message and you get the message across to your intended receiver. But what makes Orcom unique is that you don’t simply get the message across, rather you make sure the message is appropriate and properly understood, plus you get your receiver’s feedback; it is almost always a two way process of communication. Orcom people does not only know how to speak, but more importantly knows when to listen.

Its slightly formal and very customized way of communicating makes Orcom really challenging and fun at the same time.

No doubt, Orcom practitioners may get really toxic and exhausted with all the reports, papers, marketing plans, and all that. Nonetheless, we manage to keep our lives healthy and balance. We work hard and we party as hard, even harder. Besides these paper works, as Orcom practitioners, we also get to experience handling events much to our liking. Learning while enjoying.

Orcom has taught me a lot not only on the academic level but also on the personal level. The best thing about it is that Orcom teaches you to hold on to your values and the more important things in one’s life.

Well.. Orcom may not be my first choice. But definitely it wouldn’t be the last; perhaps a very good second choice in my case.

Think better; do best. July 20, 2009

On my previous blogs, I have discussed about the changing ways of people in communicating—from the broadcast type of communication to interactive type then more or less shifting to today’s fast-emerging social media. This time, I would just elaborate the existing ways of adapting to these changes.

Four Principles of Wikinomics

Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams’ “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything” interestingly discussed the changes that are happening in the world today. It revolves on how changes in different aspects of life affects the changes in ways people [should] communicate. To keep up with all of these changes, Tapscott and Williams introduced four important principles: openness, peering, sharing, and acting globally. To understand simply these four principles, I shall discuss it as to how one builds a good relationship. J

Everything starts from being open.

Openness is one’s ticket to [almost] everything. Being open is allowing oneself to experience, explore, and discover the world and everything in it. It is simply giving oneself the chance to see, hear, and feel what is there to see, hear, and feel. Just the same, a relationship starts from being open. One cannot start a relationship if he/she does not allow him/herself to experience and discover the possibility of a relationship. Most of the time, a person refuses to be open because of the risks. But risks will always be there; in everything we do, there is/are risk/s involved. What’s important is the opportunity–a good and lifetime relationship, in this case–that comes with the risk.

Level-up with peering

Peering is a way of connecting with one another. It is realizing and emphasizing the commonalities between parties involved. Eventually, this is where they begin to unfold the potentials of building a relationship. Togetherness, equality, and harmony are important values considered in peering. In building a relationship, this is the part when one tries to get involved by knowing a little more about and understanding one another. There would be differences at some point, for example in beliefs, in lifestyle or what have you. That is why in peering, it is important that you do not only know and understand one another, but you also learn to adjust and coordinate with each other.

Care to share.

There’s nothing more beautiful to do than to share—giving to others something valuable or of great importance to you. Sharing is a very significant principle because it is a deeper act of willingness to impart something. When you share, there is really no assurance of getting something in return. Giving with expectations of getting something in return is more likely called exchanging, which is a bit technical and impersonal. Unlike in sharing, there is more or less an involvement between the one who shares and the one he/she is sharing it with; there is the intention of letting that person experience what it is you are going to share. In building a relationship, it is not merely knowing and understanding, nor only adjusting and compromising, it is but equally important having [at least the effort] to provide what is needed for improvement, whatsoever.
Acting globally

Everything we do has an effect on someone or something. There are a number of factors involved in doing a certain thing. It is then important to consider these factors and the probable effects before making any decisions about it. When deciding, it is important to keep one’s values strong and intact. Be open, share, and do everything to understand and get involved with others, but never—ever—forget the things about you. This does not equate to selfishness; this is rather the part of you in the process. It is what identifies and differentiates you from the others. Your true involvement is being able to share what you have while considering the needs of others.

Building a good relationship, just like surviving any kind of business industry, is not as easy as you think it is. New media and all these changes can be confusing, or can be enticing at times. It is best that you know first which thing/s is/are right for you. They should probably be the one/s you need, and not necessarily the one/s you want. As I’ve said, you have to be open. And when opening yourself up, be very vigilant and critical about the things you’re planning to get yourself into. Think better; do best.

Ever-changing. July 5, 2009

“How much have you changed since you first entered Orcom?”

If I were to answer this question, it would probably take me a minute or two to think about it. The question already implies that change or changes did happen and yet, I feel things are pretty much the same. Nevertheless, looking back from the day I took my transferee  admission  exam to this moment, writing my third blog entry, I can certainly say there are changes.

“I Am changing..”

I remember during my early years in UP Manila, I used to spend so much time listening to music. I download and burn Mp3s, and play them in our PC and CD player. One particular song I used to play was “I Am Changing” from the movie Dreamgirls. The song is a bit melodramatic. Some of the lines are “I’ll be better than I am..I’m trying to find a way to understand..” As a newcomer in UP Manila back then, I liked the song because I could relate to it.

Everything in the university was slightly new to me. I did not immediately understand its culture–complex and intimidating. Being conservative as I am, I didn’t know how to deal with the change; I felt at a lost for some time. To the point that I even had frustrations of leaving. But that’s not really an option. That’s the most coward thing to do, at least in this situation. Might as well face it, and learn from it, I thought.

Change is inevitable.

As we always hear, change is the only permanent thing in this world. It happens as much as every seconds of the day. It cannot be stopped; it is inevitable. That’s the reality we deal with each and every time; that’s the reality we need to understand and work with. Change is inevitable because wanting better is inevitable. Change usually happens for a good reason: improvement, development, or progress. Unfortunately, not all are able to realize and accept that.

Change, likewise, is scary.

Have you ever experienced having this one thing for almost your entire life, and then one day, suddenly losing it? Perhaps some of us may have experienced being used to having someone around and then out of the blue that someone had to leave or be replaced–a helper or a Yaya for example. Change can be like that, scary and hurtful. These are at times the reasons why we choose to stay attached and find security only to the things we have for the longest years. We reject all possible changes because we’re afraid that if we do, we might feel lost and out of place.

Change requires understanding.

When we understand, I mean truly understand, why something has to happen, the change wouldn’t be so bad, and scary. The first step, I guess, in understanding is opening up. Learning to open yourself, at least being aware of the things that are happening or might happen, would help in realizing the effects, and perhaps the significance of changes.

Changing ways of communicating.

Just the same, change happens with how we communicate, specifically in the media industry. All these things I’m saying about change can be applied to the changes that we experience in communication. Being used to the “we tell you“-broadcast approach, and a little of “tell us, and we tell you also“-interactive approach, and now being introduced to the new “we tell each other“-social media approach.

Basically, these changes happen because of the ever-changing and improving technological advancement. The change happens because people actually crave for it. People wants to be better; some people recognize that and that’s why they do things to make it better. Then again, change becomes better if and only if, again, we understand why change should happen.

Ever-changing world.

Change is always there. Although, change does not happen immediately in your life unless you completely allow it. It is important that you analyze the change; carefully discover the things behind it and the things it may bring you. Change can be good; change could be bad. It all depends on how you adapt to the change and make use of it to your advantage.