ABNKKBSNPLAko?!

Note to future self: WATCH THE MOVIE!

In the meantime, enjoy the movie theme video featuring one of the best Filipino songs ever. Nice rendition by the way (I don't know the singers to be honest) and the rap part was a cool touch to a soon-to-be Filipino classic:

Purbida, Asa Ang Mga Dyip?

Karong nibalhin nakog kumpanya, di na nako ni problema. Hapsay na akung lakaw padung opisina ug akong uli gikan trabaho. 

Ngano? Tungod kay alas-nwebe na sa buntag ang akung time-in. Kasagaran, mumata kog alas-syete ug muhawa ko sa balay alas-otso. Hapsay na akung biyahe anang mga orasa. Dali nako kasakay ug trisikel. Dali napud ko kasakay ug dyip. Oo, mahulog nga singkuwenta minutos gyapun kasagaran ang ma-konsumo sa biyahe pero di na nako problema ang walay dyip nga mapara padung ug pabalik.

Para lang ma-kumpera ninyo kini sa akung kinabuhi kaniadto, istoryahan tamo sa kasagaran mahitabo sa akua kada buntag katong naa pako sa bangko. 

Paolo 4.0

And so it begins. I'm back.

Last week was my first week with ABM Global Solutions. I met the Davao team and, boy, were they nice. Smiles and laughter abounded and it was only later that I found out I was talking to professionals going through a lot of stress.

How I came to be part of the company deserves a post and a bit of a back story.

Pay Lounge

So. Gaisano Mall of Davao has a pay lounge.

Actually, it's just a glorified comfort room for mall-goers who are willing to pay. It's glorified because it's on par with the comfort room of, say, a five-star hotel. It's meant to be  the opposite of the other shabby comfort rooms in the mall.

Back then, I wondered why anyone would pay to use the pay lounge. But I found out the answer last week. 

I visited the mall for my dental and had to brush and floss my teeth before going to the clinic. The regular comfort room wouldn't suffice because I didn't want to gag on toothpaste when I sniff the other 'aromas'.

So off to the pay lounge I went. I paid ten pesos to get in and went on my business. A minute or so, a guy went in and rushed to the nearest cubicle. After some time, another guy came and also dived for the nearest open cubicle.

Ahhh. Okay. So that's what this pay lounge is really for and I totally understand. To be able to poop in peace away from prying eyes and in complete privacy is something worth paying for. Payment for the service ensures exclusivity and turns the pay lounge into a semi-private venue for one's 'personal affairs'. Nice.

Security Guards

Last week, I almost caused a scene.

I was visiting PLDT Ponciano for my medical when the nurse of the clinic (who, as I would find out, had almost no bedside manners) told me to photocopy a form outside.

So I went to the front presuming there was a photocopier somewhere in the building. I asked the guard if I could use a photocopier and was immediately rebuffed. He said that only employees can use it. Taken aback, I said I was with AGS, a sister company. He said again that he doesn't know a company by that name.

At that point, my raised voice caught the attention of another security guard who asked what's wrong. That was when I corrected myself and said that I'll look for a photocopier outside the premises. I was no Binay and I sure don't want to become one on the first day of my new job.

On my way out, I was trying to rationalize my reaction. First, the guard was in no position to refuse that courtesy to me since he wasn't a PLDT employee. What if I was a big-shot client who just happened to need a photocopier at that precise moment? I'll probably be pissed also at the perceived inconsideration. Second, it's his job to know the different companies that comprise the conglomerate.

Looking back, the incident is quite minor. But it also reminds me of other incidents involving security guards which struck a nerve:

University of Mindanao, Bolton campus - I exited the embassy campus but, after just two feet, I had to turn back because I forgot something inside. The guard sprung into action and told me to enter through the entrance. I lost my cool and told him he saw me exit just a second ago (I still ended up going through the entrance though. It's hard to win against people who have guns).

Gaisano Mall, Digos - The guards didn't allow me to go inside the department store and the grocery department because I had my laptop bag with me. I tried to explain that I had a laptop and wasn't comfortable leaving it with the baggage counter (Still, I didn't win).

Sometimes, due to their protocols, security guards can be - pardon the word - real assholes. With their power, they can make your day miserable or, at least, make a routine visit unpleasant.

What can I advise then? Nothing except that you play by their rules. Besides, I shouldn't be sweating the small stuff (which sounds contradictory now since I wrote about the topic).

The Bible Ad

I'm not sure if I should be impressed or disturbed.

This bible was given to me by Sir Jun during one of our sessions in the recently concluded Comprehensive Real Estate Service (CRES) seminar:

 Front

Back

Close-up

I am impressed that the Philippine Bible Society found a creative way to fund their campaign to distribute bibles to the masses: it turned to corporate sponsors to help in the mission.

On the other hand, I am disturbed that the bible is no longer free from corporate advertising or beyond the reach of product placement. If I am a Muslim and a company places a logo on my copy of the Quran, I might probably gnash my teeth, tear my clothes, and yell, "Kill the infidels!"

Deep down, I feel that this - the placement of an ad on the bible - is sacrilege. But I also know that, before this bible even went to press, it has gone through levels upon levels of decision makers who know more theology than I do. If it has the blessing of an archbishop or something, then perhaps this is permissible under Church law. Who am I to question then?

Dumb Waiter

Found this above a door in the Davao Doctors College campus. Thought the school was trying to be funny but when I looked it up, the room's name is actually a real word:

Dumb Waiter
A small elevator used to move food etc. from one floor of a building to another.
- Wiktionary

Who knew, right?

Becoming A Real Estate Broker

Today, my batch, Curvature 2014, had our graduation rites. We finally finished the Comprehensive Real Estate Service (CRES) seminar after six crammed weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) of whole-day lectures.

After this, all of us will be going through PRC purgatory to register for the licensure examination and will study until March. It will be grueling work: memorizing details and names, internalizing statutes and regulations, mastering computations and equations on taxes and assessments, and remembering the most trivial data on current affairs.

But we asked for this: the interrupted weekends otherwise spent for family and rest, the nightly study sessions, and the inevitable procession in the government's various offices. We asked for this because we wanted to be a part of an industry which has spawned countless fortunes and has uplifted many lives.

For my part, I participated in this seminar for two reasons. First, the opportunity was too good to decline. By 2016, those who wish to become real estate brokers have to be graduates of the newly minted Real Estate Service college course. This seminar I attended was, in fact, a shortcut until the RESA law takes full and complete effect. I also wasn't studying at all so I had plenty of time for this seminar.

Second, I thought I was leaving for another bank. More specifically, I thought I was going back to handling housing loans. With that on my mind, I decided to be a broker and, thus, become a part of a network of  brokers. As fate would have it, I was destined for another industry (my first: business management solutions) but  the opportunity to expand my network was still present.

By next week, I'll be busy doing two things: mastering the intricacies of my new job and career and poring over my notes and books on real estate brokerage. 

Again, it's going to be hard work (I don't harbor illusions of this being easy-remember Dax!) but it's going to be fun. Right now, I'm feeling the pressure to pass the exam since I fared so badly during the mock tests. But, God willing, I'm going to pass and become a full-fledged real estate broker.

Like what Paltik would say: "It's mah dream, you know?"

Hehe.

Career Rules (Part II)

See the first part: Career Rules (Part I)

Seize the initiative. I shouldn't be content with just doing my job. I should lead and not just manage (Many can manage but only a few can lead). I should exceed expectations and not just follow the job description. This is something I can follow naturally because I've always been a critic. I question policies and practices. I ask why this guideline is being followed and if it can be improved upon. In short, pakialamero ako. Natural na sa akin ang maghanap ng mas magandang paraan.

Accept and encourage criticism. This is an especially hard pill to swallow. I do accept criticism but only from people I know and am comfortable with: my friends and family. The more difficult criticism to handle are those from people I don't know and those I have a grudge with. But this shouldn't be the case. I should welcome this kind of unsolicited advice since they are generally more truthful and they come from people I'm trying to win over. Can I vomit now?

Be informed. Maging tsismoso. The word has gotten a pretty bad rap and deservedly so. But what I'm trying to say is that I should be more mindful of the issues in the workplace. Of course, this doesn't mean that I should be passing information around. It only means that I know what's on the ground at all times. Strive to be a facilitator also using the information I possess.

Stick to the rule of three. When presiding a meeting, stick to a three-point agenda and limit the time spent to at most thirty minutes. When sending an email or speaking in public, stick to three core messages. Build a reputation of a professional known for brevity and directness. Aim for quality and not for quantity in all transactions. "No more, no less" as the cliche goes.    

Have fun. Of course. Life is too short.

"You Look Familiar"

I've had people tell me this since I was young.

I don't know if I should be flattered or alarmed that I have such a common face. Every now and then, people approach me and say that I look like someone they know. Usually, it's a friend I remind them of but, sometimes, it's someone they'd rather not see again (then the awkward part commences).

Most of the time, this is a blessing. Some friendships I've had started with the other person telling me "na kanahung lagi nimo akong kaila" (you look like someone I know). In these situations, that's the first connection I have with them and, eventually, my friendlier side catches up and we begin a long and fantastic conversation. 

So, yes, I don't have a handsome face. But my genes somehow made up for this by giving me a face you can remember. 

New Laptop

I'm writing this blog post using my new laptop: an Asus Vivobook X202E. It's not a laptop to brag about (my previous one was more powerful) but it's what I need: portable, light, cheap, and equipped with a touchscreen monitor. Wohoo!

Anyway, I disposed my old laptop by selling it to a former colleague. Right now, I cannot edit pictures or movies on this laptop because it's too limited. But I can still do standard office work and browsing. 

My recent purchase also reminded me of one article I read some time ago. The article's premise was this: that, eventually, owning two laptops for professionals is going to be the norm, not the exception. The first laptop is going to be a light one, a laptop built for travel and portability. The second laptop is the heavy-duty type, the one which you can replace your desktop computer with and is especially used for heavy duty tasks like video editing etc.

As for the reasons behind this phenomenon, you can read the article here.

   

Ang NBI Bilang Peste Sa Buhay Ko

Ito ata ang unang pagkakataon na ako'y magsusulat sa linggwaheng Tagalog sa publikasyong ito. Karaniwan kasi, Ingles o Bisayang Dabaw ang aking ginagamit. Ang rason sa likod nito ay para lamang mahirapan ako sa pagsusulat dahil sa oras na ito, kung Ingles o Bisaya ang gagamitin ko, mas madali sa akin ang makapag-mura sa sobrang galit. 

Mauunawaan niyo sana na hindi ako yung tipong tao na nagmumura  Pero dahil sa nangyari sa akin, na-isip kong pwede pala akong pumatay ng tao. Ito po ang aking karanasan sa pagkuha ng NBI clearance at, sa paniniwala ko, ay karanasan din ng karamihan:

Sleepless

I'm never doing that again. 

The week is drawing to a close and it is memorable for many reasons, chief of which is this: no sleep. 

Last night, Friday, I had the best sleep I had in days. But to truly appreciate why, let me give a rundown of what happened earlier:

Wednesday    
Woke up at 3AM after three hours of sleep (12 midnight to 3AM)

Slept for 30 minutes inside PLDT's clinic over lunch

Thursday   
Slept for about an hour inside a bus bound for Tagum city
Slept for two hours inside a travelers' lodge

Slept again for 30 minutes over lunch

Friday  
Slept an hour inside another bus bound for Tagum city

Slept another hour (I think) on an empty bench beside NBI Tagum city

Finally had some shuteye in the afternoon, by 4PM, after more than three days of action

Why? That's because I tried to get an NBI clearance for an entire week (which I'll narrate in another post).The bottom line is that getting by every day without sleep is no way to live: by Friday, headaches were pulsating every second or so and I was feeling dizzy and irritated.

This isn't the first time I had to do with little or no sleep but it is the longest period yet. Some people fantasize or even boast of marathon feats of endurance such as days of nonstop work fueled by caffeine and sheer willpower. I am not one of those guys. For me, having gone through the same ordeal, there's nothing heroic about shunning the bed. It's stupid and it's to be avoided at all costs.

That's the lesson right there.

Career Rules (Part I)

Last year, I read the book by Robert McGovern titled Bring Your "A" Game: The 10 Career Secrets Of The High Achiever. I was jobless then and, after reading, I remember asking myself, "Where was this book five years ago?"

Anyway, the book lent out some pretty good insights, out of which I crystallized a few in a short list. The following tips aim to fast track one's promotion inside a company. Here goes:

Be early. This is a cardinal rule. Admittedly, I'm a perennial latecomer and it's partially because of my attitude towards attendance. 

In the past, I frowned upon punctuality as a measure of performance. In my mind then, HR puts a premium on this because it's the easiest to gauge and not because it's the best indicator of excellent work. For me, it's unfair to not promote someone when he's undoubtedly a good worker but is always five minutes late.

Now, I understand that being early is important. Being early is a mark of a real professional, someone who values the company's time, and is one of the habits of a good sales guy. I still believe that HR is unfortunately biased when it considers tardiness as a key performance indicator. Nevertheless, I have a healthier inclination now towards the habit.

Dress like a CEO. This was something I learned gradually. At first, I was content with a polo and a pair of slacks because my meager budget could not buy fancier clothes. But, like everyone, I made it a point to dress smarter. I thought, and still think, the rule is quite effective especially when I had to muster confidence when talking to top honchos. I figured that, if I were to talk to these guys, then I better dress up. Plus, it wouldn't hurt if my boss sees my outfit and thinks I'm more suited for a higher position. 

Respond promptly. Because if I don't, the following formula applies:

The problem x festering time = Severity of crisis

I probably mustn't elaborate on this. First, it's self-explanatory. Second, I've had way too many experiences illustrating this, almost all of which are not pretty. Welcome to the school of hard knocks. Cheers, boys.

So now, I try to answer all emails, calls, and texts within the day.

Say thank you. Always be grateful even if the other person is simply doing his job. I think I'm doing this quite well.

The only thing to improve on is my eye contact with the person I'm thanking. Someone told me the contact adds to the sincerity of the gesture. I just hope they won't suspect me as a creepy psychopath.

Avoid surprises. Always thoroughly study a situation. Examine the angles, the possible issues, and their corresponding resolutions. Value preparation. Do your homework. Nurture the reputation of someone who can act decisively and quickly, someone who has seen and anticipated all the permutations and ebbs of life.

Now, how am I supposed to apply this in reality?