Farewell Note (Part 2)

Pao,
Thank you for the almost four years you have rendered to the company.
You are still young, full of idealism and so I know you will go a long way.
I wish you all the luck and blessings to wherever your feet will lead you.
Good luck on your discernment and your future endeavors!
Shalom!
- Aye

Paolo, It's sad that after almost 5 years with the bank, you have decided to concentrate on your studies. As a colleague, I wish you would stay longer. But as a friend, I know you are choosing a path that will give you a better future.
I have told you before that I believe you will go far in life and I still believe that, especially seeing you work for almost 3 years.
Good luck on your newest adventure.
- Jo Ann

Travel And Imagination

Here's a habit which can put a smile on your face.

If you're going to a place, try imagining first on your way there what the place is supposed to look like.

Be as vivid as possible. Try to imagine every nook and cranny of that place. Commit that to memory.

Then, when you've actually arrived at your destination, compare what you see with what you've imagined.

Repeat.

Farewell Note (Part 1)

At first, when Ma'am Beth told me that you're going to be my MA (by the way, I don't see you as my MA but a colleague and friend), I pondered, will we be able to get along? Because you seem to be so "serious" and I think, I'm your complete opposite. I think my being adorable, charming, bubbly neutralized your grumpiness and being earnest (hahaha let this pass, since last na nako ni). At least now, I'm proud to say, you have loosen (sic) up a bit. Just continue doing that.

Since, this is your last day, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making my life here, in BFB, quite easy (in terms of work haha!). More importantly, thank you for being a friend. I wish you luck on the next chapters of your life. I'm sure you will be able to meet new people and with that, I just want to remind you to be kind, nice (smile), jolly, and take it easy. I also wish that you will be able to meet the girl of your dreams. Love her like there's no tomorrow. LOL.

Anyway, I hope you'll like my gift. I don't know if it's great but let me know if you liked it.

God Bless!

- Ma'am RN

Gap Farm

It's funny how things go when there's no plan.

Last May 1, my ex-office mates and I were set on a beach escapade. Yotz, Sir Ramy, Sam, and I were headed to one of  Samal's beach resorts to celebrate a birthday.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't kind to us. Before reaching the Sasa wharf, we came across a long line of vehicles and realized this was the line to the barge, the only means of transportation for our car to and from Samal Island (I got to tell you. The city of Samal needs a bridge. But that's for another post).

Out of the blue, Sam suggested we go to Gap Farm or Forest Hill instead. Sure, it's not the beach but we could still enjoy the pool. So off we went.

In another dimension, I would have flinched at the thought of going to Gap Farm but, that time, I relished it. I don't know. Maybe that's because I hadn't visited it in a long time.

To be honest, a lot of memories were made in Gap Farm: the field trips, the family outings, and the one time in college when I visited the place to take pictures for our brochure, all the while suffering from the flu amidst the heavy downpour (Nice going, group mates).

We enjoyed the pool, had lunch, strolled around the place, and just soaked the "nature". Sir Ramy had mentioned that he actually suggested this place for our summer outing, only to have his suggestion rebuffed by those who wanted someplace classier.

Sure, Gap Farm remains to be a relic of the past and I won't bet on it regaining the popularity it enjoyed before. But, like what the songs says, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone", I hope Gap Farm will still be here for my nieces and nephews to enjoy.

Exit Interview

The exit interview in my second company isn't really an interview. It's merely an online questionnaire aimed at providing HR with feedback on how to not screw up the next hires. 

Anyway, it's the perfect opportunity for me to explain my side of the story.

I'm pasting my answer here now because, having taken a second look at what I wrote earlier, I've considered it palatable enough to be posted. I mean, I did seem diplomatic (or restrained. Way, way too restrained) in my response to the question. In addition, I think one way of signifying closure is by putting everything out in the open (Also, Ma'am RN had pestered me then about how I answered this).

I've said to Ma'am A that after the interview, I'll shut up. I'm now reiterating that, after this post, I've deemed the matter closed. Basically, my answer is simply a rehash anyway of what I wrote earlier. Here goes:

Sent to HR last April 30, 2013:

Last March, I saw a colleague receive cash from a client and I confronted her. 

She justified this by saying that the cash gift is a token of the client's gratitude and the client insisted on giving it. She also explained that the cash is to be used to buy merienda for the department. 

 During a meeting with management, my officers told me that, despite a company policy to the contrary, it is acceptable to receive cash gifts from a client provided that it is used to benefit everyone and not just the recipient. 

In addition, according to them, instances such as these cannot be avoided and, if the client is insistent, we must accept the money to avoid offending him/her. In fact, as I would later find out, it is common practice for the department to spend cash gifts from clients on food. 

 As a resolution, the meeting ended with my officers stating what is to be done when money is received: the cash is to be coursed through management for proper disposal. 

I, however, am not convinced. My personal view is that accepting cash is never acceptable and, if received, shall be returned to the client immediately using the means available to us (ex: depositing it back to the client's account or applying the same as loan payment etc.). This should be the first option and using the money for the department's benefit isn't. 

There should be zero tolerance in matters like these. 

I am resigning because I cannot reconcile my view of the situation with that of management's opinion, knowing full well that their opinion on this situation can adversely affect the bank's image and appearance of integrity.