Independence Day

Happy Independence Day Philippines! 

 Yes, my beloved country is celebrating its 114^th Independence Day, today the 12^th of June. The celebration will be done in almost every part of the Archipelago. I will miss the celebration. I got work tonight. I need my sleep. It had been raining in Manila lately. I do hope the rain will not bother this special occasion as it happens only once a year.

The Busy Month of May

May had been an extremely busy month for me. After my sister left I attended work related training. The training was not on schedule. I had to make some adjustments. The training was about the new scheme in our monthly score metric. Our score is measured monthly in terms of attendance, customer survey, monthly exam etc. Have I not mentioned working in Call Center is very challenging job? If you want to be part of the industry, be prepared to pass the monthly scoring or the bosses would call your attention. Worst scenario, they will advise you to try another industry. The positive way of saying, you resign. The training lasted for three weeks.

Mothers Day was allotted to my parents. I visited my parents on their resting place. My father joined the Creator May 11, 1999 mother was September 8, 2010. Mothers Day was May 13. The caretaker was just happy to see me. I gave him my monthly dues for taking care of my parents resting place. I seldom visit the place, only on special occasions. I hope father and mother could still hear me when I talk to them in my mind. We, their four children are fine, as well as their four beloved grandchildren. Hmmmm, runaway imagination, but who knows I made them happy by telling them so.

Family First

My sister and I, years back at our house in the province.

Folks, spam did not get into my blog it is why I was on vacation from blogging. I had just some activities for the past few weeks that got me so tied up. We had team building at work around the third week of April. Last week of April, my youngest brother and my sister came. My sister stayed with me for a week. The three of us, me my sis and my niece, my sis daughter who stays with me had bonding time in those days I am off from blogging.

The last time I saw my sister was October last year. She did not come last Christmas. She is lazy traveling when there are too many people. When she is in Manila that is the time I am on vacation from household chores. She does almost everything, from house cleaning, laundry and most importantly cooking for me and her daughter. Our stories do not seem to let up from our childhood years to our preteens. She is a good cook.  I always missed her cooking style.

More on London Lad

In my previous post I blogged about my nephew being sent to London by their Manila office. He works as a web designer. Let me share with you a little background of this young fellow. Nope, he is not an achiever in his college days. Like most stories of some young successful entrepreneurs. School is not a favorite place of my nephew. He wants to earn money but he does not want to study. His mom graduated from one of the best universities in Manila, University of the Philippines and my brother despite being a working student, graduated from Ateneo University in our province.

When my nephew was in high school his grades are not satisfactory. When he was about to graduate we were worried he will not make it. He was enrolled in a good school in high school. He could see some of his classmates coming to school with parents dropping them off to school in big cars. He often asked his mom, why they do not have money despite his parents graduating from good schools. Out of these premise he concluded education is not needed to become successful. Therefore, he does not need to study to earn money. We did not let up on him.

Early Surprises for 2012

End of February, my Team Captain advised me through our office communicator, I got an award to be announced by our Office Manager. I teased if it was cash award. I was sent a smiley figure. I had a call, finished the inquiry first before I joined my colleague with our Country Manager, a Canadian. I was called, the citation on the certificate says I topped the last quarter of 2011. I am the number one agent for Manila site last quarter 2011 as a phone tech support? I could not believe it! My team captain and my teammates were jubilant!

To pass our monthly metrics, an agent needs to pass customers survey, average handle time on every call must be at the minimal. The score on our monthly exam given by trainers must be eighty percent and above, quality assurance score must be passing, break adherence, attendance, etc. It could not be it. But yes, the certificate said so. A family size of Yellow Cab Pizza comes our pay day will be my treat to my teammates. 

My Surprise Visitors

My sister was here in Manila last week for three days visit. Just in time for my youngest brother and his family to visit Manila from Singapore. My sister stayed in my apartment to be with her daughter who stays with me. Mother and daughter had a great bonding in cooking. Yes, my sister is a great cook. Please do not ask how I fair with her. I can cook alright, just the basic cooking. My brother and his family stayed with his in laws. His brother in law has a big house intended as vacation house for all of their family members.

My surprise presents- laptop and IPhone

I had great time with my family members. We visited our parents at the memorial park were they were laid to rest. Ate, chatted, the limited time is not a bother. At least we had bonding time. My brother and his family came to my apartment last Thursday, Oct 20, my day off. I slept late last Thursday. I never thought I could manage to be up until 12 midnight, Friday. My sister left for the province after four days. My brother and his family had a brief stay for five days.

American Idol Season Ten

I had the privilege of watching the finale of the show American Idol season 10.  It was last Wednesday 25^th of May night time in the U.S, 26^th of May in the morning in Manila. I came home early from work after I learned of the result of my training. I thought of watching the news because of the typhoon in the provinces. My sister lives in Bicol provinces where the typhoon was heading.

After watching the early news I waited a bit to see what would be the next program. I got lucky to watch the finale of American Idol season 10. At the upper left hand of my television it was flashing “live”. I am elated. I do not have a cable television. I was glad our local network had the show via satellite. Only, I had to endure the local television ads.

Scotty McCreery, 17 years old lad from Garner, North Carolina emerged as the winner. My congratulations to him!

Thia Megia, 16 years old Filipina contestant from Mountain House, California, made it to the top 11. She was eliminated 31^st of March. She has a wonderful voice but the ballad style kind music did not favor the modern day fans. The judges even suggested she has to go outside the box. Thia, win or lose I am still your fan.

The Eight of May

For the past two months Manila, Philippines had been into warm weather. I am a bit alarmed. I know with this kind of warm summer weather we will get lots of rains on rainy months.

Last Sunday the 8^th of May being Mothers Day, my niece and I decided to visit my parents at the memorial park they were laid to rest. The sun was not shining brightly. I told my niece she got lucky, the weather had been cooperative with her. We bought our folding umbrellas to shield ourselves from sun. Being the most awaited day of fight for our boxing icon Manny Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley, there were not too many people at the memorial park. I guess family members decided to visit a day before. Philippines, is twelve hours ahead of time of the most states in the U.S. The boxing bout was in Las Vegas Nevada. I thought, I could watch the boxing delayed telecast. Mothers Day is more important.

A Whole New World

Mid Feb this year the account I was into, announced they are closing their Manila Call Center. I felt sad for a while. It was the very first account I had, ever since I worked with a Call Center. Our office had the account for almost ten years. No one would ever thought after so many years we are going to lose the account. Luckily the company I am working for have several captive accounts. I was endorsed to other account. Passed the interview, started training 21^st of March.
 

My first account was an electric provider in the United States. I had work as a Customer Care agent for five years. A service agent, until I passed the Lead training for escalation. As a service agent I handle all types of calls. Be it an enrollment, billing and other residential electric inquiries from the customers. When the account announced they will close their Call Center in Manila. I thought maybe I would be endorsed to the account handling same customer care concern.

A New Beginning

Folks, there is another side of the story I have not told you yet. After my lead training for escalation agent was concluded in mid February this year. While my co trainees and I were in the process of getting ourselves used to answering escalated calls, we had a general assembly. At the general assembly or simply a general meeting we were informed the electric company that hired our Call Center will no longer renew their contract with Manila, Philippines Call Center. 

Did I worry about becoming jobless? To be honest, yes. However, all of us were given assurance by the Call Center we are working for, we are to be transferred to other account. Lucky for us, the Call Center we are working for has several accounts. Some of the accounts are in the process of hiring employees. I was first endorsed to a gaming account unfortunately I did not pass the tech exam. 

Glad to be Back After a Long Absence

Hey folks, I had missed you guys. I was so excited when finally, after almost three weeks of waiting my internet is up and running. I disconnected my previous internet service provider to give way to the request of my nephew. We subscribed to another provider for faster internet connection. My nephew had facilitated the filing of application. That means our phone and internet is in his name. A tech accordingly called my nephew after three days of the application. The tech must have dialed a different cell phone number. After a week of waiting my nephew made a follow up. The tedious part was the waiting time for rescheduling of service order. Patience as they say is virtue.

Here is a photo I took from the small living room. Transferring to a new home is not easy especially if you have a limited budget. I am happy though I was able to get a place that is accessible to almost everywhere in Manila area. Neighbors are good. Except for the loud speaker of the karaoke and yelping of puppies, the place is quiet. I have new neighbors too, same area where the house we are renting is located. Except for one more wardrobe and automatic washing machine, I am pretty much complete with furniture and appliances we are to use. I type we for the benefits my new blog visitors.  I will share the house with my nephew and my niece. 

Stepping Forward

Today, I received congratulatory message I passed my interview and written examination in my application for Account Supervisor position. My training starts tonight until Friday this week. After the training I will be a member of Account Supervisor Group (ASG). As a member of ASG, I will be handling or getting escalated calls from front line Customer Care Representatives (CCR).

Before some of you get dizzy with what I am writing here. Let me explain to my new comer blogger friends. I work for a Call Center of an electric provider in one of the States in the United States. The electric provider has Call Centers in the US, Manila Philippines and some are located in Central Latin American countries. When a customer dials the customer hotline of the electric provider, whoever is the available CCR, gets the call. Meaning either the customer gets routed to Manila, in the US or in Latin American Call Centers.

My New Home

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Finally, I found a place to be rented and I could transfer comes March this year. My older brother son and the daughter of my sister will join me at my new place. At present I am renting a place where only ladies are allowed. I could use the entire big house. The thing is I am using the same house with my Catholic Nuns landladies. Because of my nephew, I decided to look for a place for the three of us.

I am a loyal tenant. I stayed at the house where I am right now for eleven years. I will miss my landladies who had been so nice especially when I had some sort of financial problem. There were times I was late paying my rent when my parents were hospitalized. My landladies are very considerate. I also have a neighbor who had been a friend through the years. I will surely miss her. Time changes as life is a constant change. I am glad once in my life I had known some lovely people like them.

My new home is still under construction. The owner promised me it will be ready by February. I made a deposit on condition I could refund my money back in case I back out. I already knew how big the place would be. A one bed room studio type kind of apartment, not so big, but good for three people. The living room has a space for my nephew. We will put partition, and it will serve as his room. As all of us will be working, the living room is not much needed. Most probably, it will be a room for TV viewing and a computer room. There is a small terrace I could put some flowering plants in pots.

Best Ever Year 2011

First day at work was alright. Except as we expected being a Monday the calls were voluminous. Over time work was required. Some of my office mates were not able to report for work. Either they went abroad or been with their respective families during the Holidays. They were stranded on their way back to Manila. I was excused from going on overtime. My voice corroborated my alibi. I had just recovered from allergic cough. I was happy to be home early.

I know some countries or other places are getting ready for the Three Kings celebration by the 6^th of January. 

I hope and wish you, ALL the BEST GIFTS from these Wise Men. I also hope the star that guided these Wise Men will guide our way to the BEST YEAR, 2011!

New Years Eve

Here are some photos my brother captured on his camera. This was how we celebrated New Year  to welcome 2011 in Manila, Philippines. ☺

Christmas Mission Accomplished

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We broke the tradition of opening the Christmas presents at Christmas Eve. At this time, when Manila is jammed with people, when roads are not travel friendly. It is nice to be seated inside a car with someone driving for me. I felt like I am a real princess. I was with my youngest brother and his family yesterday.  It was my youngest brother on the wheels for the three of us. The princesses are me, my sister in law and their precious daughter. My brother feels awkward to let my sis in law drives, despite her good driving skills. I am of course saved from the stressful traffic jammed driving. What a great excuse from someone who does not know how to maneuver the wheels!

My sis in law and my niece came to Manila around middle of Dec after their brief New York visit. My brother came from Singapore last 22^nd of Dec. It was our parents Wedding Anniversary, 22^nd of Dec. After a day rest and I guess after sorting out their Christmas presents for us.  My brother invited me to go with them to visit our parents at the Memorial Park in Novaliches Quezon City. I was kidding my companies our old folks are probably happily dancing tango in heaven on their Wedding Anniversary. Tango is the favorite dance of our parents. He headed to Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, Southern part of Manila after the brief visit. We were visitors of an older brother and his family. Our mission was overwhelmingly successful. Helpless gift wrappers piled on top of each. Empty plates and glasses with remnants of food particles were left to dry on top of the table. They became the mute witness of a happy get together.

The happiest guy is my nephew. My youngest bro bought a laptop in Singapore for him. My nephew will pay for his computer in twelve months without interest. He surely knows what to buy with his hard earned monies. His cousins from our side and the side of his mom were benefited with Ang Pao envelope with few pesos in them as his cash gifts. The young lad believes in giving as the true essence of Christmas. In return for his generosity, my nephew received a laptop backpack bag for his precious laptop from my youngest brother. A Christmas present I believed my nephew had never expected. I was home at around 10pm. Exhausted from lack of sleep, as I still had work Wednesday night, but happy for the events of the day. ♥)

Events over the Weekend

Enduring a long line to have free gift wrappings may not be a welcome treat to some. But, I would rather avail of the free gift wrappings when I shop. It does allow me to save time and save on the wrapping papers. It is why I prefer to shop as early, as the shopping malls open. Never mind if some of those assigned at the gift wrapping sections are not so well trained. When you know how to wrap gifts, you would know some of the flaws. The ribbons are loose or the papers have lots of creases or scotch tapes. It is alright, those staffs needed a job.

I had a bonding time with my nephew at McDonalds last Saturday. We had sort of exchange gifts. He treated me for lunch. I love the chicken nuggets and caramel sundae. I was glad to know he is now on probationary period for three months, at work. Meaning comes February next year depending on his performance. He will soon be a permanent employee. He likes his job despite the challenges. To me, it is important that he likes his job and he is happy.

I have high hope the daughter of my sister will get a job she likes just like her cousin. The three of us will be staying together next year in one place. I need someone to share my house rent. Leaving in Manila close to your place of work needed guts to pay for high rentals. On positive thoughts, who knows one on them might get rich. Buying a condo is not impossible. Well, to dream does not cost anything.

Hopefully everything will work well next 2011. Wish me luck, folks.  ☺

Shopping Malls

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Miss me folks? No worries your princess is very much alive, walking and running. I had just been extremely busy this week. I completed and mailed my Christmas presents to my sister and her family. I had to do a quick shopping to finish my Christmas presents for my two brothers and their families. It is good I only have one nephew and three nieces. Otherwise more budgets are needed. I am done with those of my godchildren. Next are for my close friends. With limited budget, I had to stay longer scouting around shopping malls. I am glad in December malls have new stocks, no problem in looking around.

I mentioned about my transferring to a bigger place next year in my previous blog post. Meaning bigger than the room I am renting now. I had to start scouting for some appliances I had to buy when I transfer. I tried to scout for some at the big shopping malls but the prices are exorbitant. I do not use credit card. I am glad I found a small appliance store where prices are reasonable. That is one advantage of living on tight budget. I learned to be imaginative to buy items within what my money could suffice and enjoy little luxury. I had observed mall owners had been wiser. They do not have too many items. Once some item is sold, they replenish their stocks.

I had been mentioning about shopping malls in the Philippines. Does it mean Filipinos have plenty of monies? Not really. Big shopping malls in Manila are not solely for selling merchandise. Some malls used the building to house offices like Call Centers. Some malls are good place for conventions and meetings for small delegations, amusement centers, restaurants, fast foods etc. Some mommies who live close to the shopping malls would simply bring their children to enjoy rides and play. The slow moving animals that would drain your coin purse are great treats for the kids. The air conditioned shopping malls are believed to be better and safer for the children rather than open space playground.

I Am Okay, Do Not Worry

After I took a shower yesterday coming home, I thought of giving myself a treat, sleeping as long as I want. I posted earlier I was granted two days vacation leave from work. Anyhow, I had to wake up in between several hours. If I sleep continuously I will have migraine. I slept on installments, as I call it. After five hours I would wake up sat on my bed, flicked on the remote control of my television. The television is conveniently located at the foot of my bed. You could say I am lazy when I am home. I do not have cable but thankful to some stations. I could enjoy the late shows. My DVD player is likewise a welcome treat. I would play the first part of the VCD on the player. After watching the first CD, I would put in the part two. Turn off the player then go to sleep. You know what happened when I woke up.

I woke up at around three in the morning today, feeling so refreshed. Thanks to the cold medicines. I did not have difficulty in breathing. Upon waking up, I recalled I have not eaten my dinner yet. I thought of sharing my dinner and breakfast with you before I finished them all up. I never lost my appetite even if I am sick. I like the seedless mandarin oranges. Looking for good fruits in Manila? I would recommend fruits from Dizon Farms. Please do not get me wrong. I do not know the owner or I have relatives working in there. It is just that there fruits are really sweet. You could find plenty of their fruits inside supermarkets and groceries in Manila. Mandarin oranges are packed with vitamin C and cheaper compared to the other oranges. I mentioned I am wise spender in my previous post. Yes, I am!

Speaking of colds, a month ago our office had informed us they are giving free vaccines to employees and our immediate family members. At this time of the year Filipinos are vulnerable to colds because of the changes in weather temperature. I did not avail of the free vaccine. You may call me a stubborn Princess. I want my body to tell me to rest when I needed to. ☺

Bon Voyage

Violin is a family of stringed musical instruments having wooden bodies whose backs and fronts are slightly convex. It is informally called fiddle. Someone who plays this musical instrument is called a violinist or a fiddler.

My eleven years old niece, only child of my youngest brother loves this musical instrument so much. Last April I posted a congratulatory blog dedicated to her for being a member of a String Ensemble that won gold in 2010 Singapore Youth Festival. Last year their group won Silver. Let us forget about last year. So what if the group won gold this year? Well, the children with their conductor and the chaperon mommies and maybe their daddies as well, are flying to the Big Apple this Tuesday, the 16^th of November. Yup! I typed it correctly, the Big Apple, that is New York United States.

My niece had worked so hard during the practice and so with all the other children in the group. They deserve the reward on their school break. Oh no, please do not get me wrong readers. My niece is not studying in Manila Philippines. She is studying in Singapore. My brother chose to live in Singapore with his wife and daughter because of his job. My Math wiz brother is an Engineer. ( Ahemmm.. do not forget my Christmas present. :) If anyone of my blog readers knows the educational system in Singapore. You would agree with me, the children needed a break or a time to play on school breaks.

Congrats Sarah! Who would have thought you will be at the Big Apple at eleven years old out of your own achievement. I am happy and excited for you. Hey! Send my regards to Snowman, okies?  See you in Manila at Christmas time and share with me your New York City trip.  Love you girl! ♥