Friday, March 28, 2008

Ken Lee

My teammates have been cringing in laughter while blabbing about this Ken Lee video clip they saw in youtube. This video has piqued my curiosity so when our shift ended, I immediately went to Netopia to see it myself.

The video is about a girl's horrible English while auditioning for a singing competition called Bulgarian Idol. If Alyssa Allano's rendition of "Keys Me" was funny, Ken Lee's rendition of "Without You" was hilarious. It seems that someone has already snatched the title from Allysa.



Her accent in English is terribly bad that I hardly understood any word she uttered. If I was not familiar with the song she was singing, I would not know she was singing Mariah Carey's "Without You". Her pronunciation of the words "Can't Live" in the song sounded like "Ken Lee" and that's how the video got its title. Allysa is definitely much better in English than her.

This video made me realize that Filipinos are indeed the best speakers of English amongst all of the countries in the world where English is not their native language. Beside the cheap labor costs, I think our fluency in English is the primary reason why call centers abound in our country.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

American Idol

A Filipina has made it to the top 12 yet again in the highest rated singing competition in the planet, American Idol.

I am not an avid fan of that show or any reality show in particular but knowing that a fellow pinoy made it thus far, liking that show temporarily won't give a pain in my ass. Though I dont get to see it as often as I want to because of my schedule, I find ways on how I get myself updated about what's up with
Ramiele Malubay.

I'm proud of her more than the 2 previous Fil-Ams because she can really speak fluent Filipino. Unlike Camille Velasco and Jasmine Trias who barely speak their native tongue. Knowing that Ramiele knows our language and she even taught Ryan Seacrest speak a little Filipino on national television makes me feel that she's really proud of where she came from. Her presence in that show is a great manifestation that Filipinos are truly talented.

Ramiele has a talent and good looks and there is really a big chance that she would nail the title. I just hope that the Filipinos in the state would be united and support her. If she won't make it as the ultimate American Idol (I hope she would), making it to the top 3 is already so much for me.

How I wish we Filipinos in the Philippines can vote too. Being the texting capital of the world with over 25 million text messages sent on a daily basis, making Ramiele Malubay the winner is just a breeze.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Pacman

I was raised in a family where playing games have been the common form of bonding moment during family gatherings. As I grew up, the love for sport was etched in my heart and thus I became a sport aficionado particularly in volleyball. In fact, I had played that sport in school competition when I was in my elementary years. I stopped playing it when I entered high school as I became busy with my academic requirements. Beside volleyball, I also have knowledge on how to play a variety of sports such as bowling, billiards, dart, soccer and tennis. Basically, I am a sport-minded person and an advocate for its cause.

However, there is this sport that is so popular in our country that I adhored the most. I hate it because for me, it doesn't really promote anything but only violence and hostility. Winning the game by striking heavy blows against the enemy until his body succumbs is despicable. It's no different to cockfight which is illegal in our country.

Despite my negative perception against boxing, we really can't deny the fact that this person has brought much pride and honor to our country. He has changed the way how foreigners thought of the Philippines, that it is nothing but a country striken with poverty and corruption. With his numerous victory in international boxing, he has made our country famous and has been dubbed as a nation of world-class boxers.

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao deserves all the recognition a fellow Filipino can give to him. I am so proud of him and he has made me proud of being a Filipino.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Manila Ocean Park

Ever since I've heard the news that a world class oceanarium will be opened in our country, my excitement to see it had soared so high. Finally, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the long wait was over as me and some of my officemates set foot at the Manila Ocean Park (MOP).

The Manila Ocean Park is strategically located just behind the Quirino Grand Stand at Rizal Park in the city of Manila. Though it is not yet complete, it's main attraction, the Oceanarium is already open to the public. The Oceanarium is divided into 7 sections:

1. Agos (Flow) - a rainforest motif complete with 8 tanks of freshwater fishes.
2. Bahura (The Reef) - exhibition of artificial corals in 48 tanks
3. Laot (Fishing Ground) - features big fish and Eagle-spotted rays in a long tank.
4. Kalaliman (The Deep) - showcases marine animals found in the deepest parts of Philippine waters.
5. Buhay na Karagatan (Living Ocean) - the main attraction of the oceanarium is a 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved acrylic walls similarly seen in Ocean Park Hong Kong, Underwater World in Singapore, Siam Ocean World in Bangkok, Thailand and Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The difference between MOP's is a 220-degree curved tunnel as compared to the standard 180-degree curved tunnels seen in other Asian countries.
6. Overhang Tank - variety of rays fly over while you're under this unique Overhang Tank.
7. Pating (Shark) - features several species of shark.

The entrance fee for adults is P400 while for children is P350. The MOP is opened Mondays to Sundays from 10AM until 9:00PM.

The MOP contruction has 3 phases. The First Phase is the Oceanarium which is already open. The Second Phase which includes the marine-themed mall and hotel will open in mid-2008 and the Last Phase, the open marine habitats will open in the second quarter of 2008.

My experience at the MOP was a bit disappointing though. I expected the acryclic tunnel to be long. Unfortunately, the tunnel is only 25 meters long compared to the famous Sentosa Oceanarium in Singapore which is 83 meters. The sharks they have are really small. I wanted to see huge sharks big enough to devour an entire human being as what we've seen on films. The park's ambience failed to completely mimic the real seascape. Though the lighting effects are amazing, the flooring doesn't resemble the real sea floor as it is made of up typical tiles we see in malls. It is true that MOP is bigger compared to other oceanariums in Asia, however, much of the space are empty. I shouldn't have placed much expectations from our very own MOP as it is still in it's soft opening. I'll give it at least a year and once everything is complete, i'll see it again. I just hope that by that time, the park would be able to show its grandeur and beauty.

Nevertheless, this is the very first oceanarium in our country and this is something we must be pround of. The Manila Ocean Park is an addition to our tourist attractions and another source of job opportunities for Filipinos and income for the government.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Not Feeling Okay

I'm not feeling okay these past few days. I've been afflicted with petty illnesses that have grown to become much of an annoyance.

Back pain has been one of my health problems eversince I started working in this industry. Everytime I'm not able to get enough sleep, my back aches and it feels like it's being impaled by a needle. Though my current work is relaxing, my lifestyle however can be identified as the culprit. Lately, I've been only getting at most 6 hours of sleep. Most of my time is spent on partying and I have also become quite busy with outdoor activities. Living alone in the metropolis is kinda lonely and partying and doing outdoor activites help me kill the boredom.

The pain in my back still lingers despite the number of Salonpas I've put on my back and Alaxan intake. I guess my body has already become immune to those medications. This back pain is recurring and has been tormenting me for a time. I can't believe I allowed myself to suffer its brunt for more than 2 weeks now. This has to stop. On my rest day, I plan to indulge my body to a soothing whole body massage. I hope this massage eradicates the pain.


Beside the back pain, I'm also racked with common colds. Our office is like a huge refrigerator, it's freaking cold inside. Since my shift ends at 1pm, when I go out of the office, the scorching heat of the sun awaits me. A sudden shift of temperature in our body causes a lot of illnesses and one of them is common colds. I hate common colds because nasal congestion always go with it. When you have nasal congestion, breathing has become a burden especially when you sleep. As far as I can recall, it's been more than a year since the last time I caught that illness. I was taking a particular vitamin that time but I discontinued it as it made me become hungry and sleepy, thus I gained weight. And I don't like it.

These sickness that I have right now indicate that my body's immune system has become deficient. These should serve as my wake up call to take good care of body. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest are the best ways to prevent these illnesses from recurring. And it should start today.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Smoking in Call Centers

If you happen to pass by at Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center at the ungodly hours of the night, you'll be taken aback to see a lot of people smoking. These people are mostly call center agents smoking excessively till kingdom come. For me, smoking in call centers is understandable as it is the most convenient and easiest way of releasing the tension that is concomitant in our daily work. However, if it is taken exorbitantly or it seems like much of a vice, that is already something else. I, myself smoke but I do it occasionally and not to the extent that I crave for it. I know it may sound a cliche but too much smoking is indeed bad for our health.

Before you light up that cigarette and burn your lungs, take a moment to ponder on its dreadful effects and take control of it before it takes its toll on your health. Here are the few health problems associated with excessive smoking.

Smoking affects our cardiovascular system which causes myocardial infraction (heart attack), creates diseases of the respiratory tract such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema, and cancer, particularly lung cancer and cancers of the larynx, mouth, head and neck, breast, bladder, esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. It can also lead to birth defects of pregnant smokers’ offspring and impotence to name a few.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Off for Vacation

Finally, the long duration of nostalgia is about to end. Next month, I am off for a 10-day vacation to my hometown and as early as now, I have already purchased my round trip ticket to take advantage of the low air fare.

I originally planned to go home this month to attend to my younger sister's college graduation. However, I had to cancel it as my older sister is getting married next month. Both occassions are important to me but I have to choose which one to attend to as I can't afford to go home twice within a hiatus of just a month. I'm gonna be broke if I do that especially I just lost a parcel of my savings few days ago.

It's been more than a year now since the last time I went home and I missed my family so much. I am so excited for my older sister's wedding. This is the first time that a family member is settling down and this momentous event is something I shouldn't miss. Envisaging my sister walking the aisle of the church and kissing the man of her dreams gives me ambivalence. I'm happy because she finally found the man whom she'll spent the rest of her life. The man who will take good care of her and love her till the end. Im at the same time sad because my sister has to leave home and start her own family. Nevertheless, the happiness I felt trancends the latter.

This wedding is not only the union of my sister and her fiance, it is as well a reunion for our clan as our relatives up to the 2nd degree from all parts of the country are invited. This is gonna be a merriment full of fun and excitement.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

I Lost My Wallet

Each one of us may have already experienced losing something we value so much particularly our hard earned money. Though it is just a mundane thing, losing something is surely depressing especially if it was lost out of negligence. I for one had lost the fruit of my hard work as a result of my recklessness.

I lost my wallet YET AGAIN, the first one inside the bus and this time inside the jeepney. The person who found my wallet was very lucky because there was money on it, some coins and my atm/debit card. What worsened the pathetic situation was the fact that I had to beg for money from the people around the area so that I can go home as nothing was left with me not even a single centavo. Though I texted my friends and informed them of my predicament, I did not receive a reply from them right away as they were already sleeping. I attempted to call them but I did not continue because my cellphone might turn off as there was only one bar left on it.

The entire process of begging for money was really humiliating. I wanted to shrink and disappear. But I had no choice. I was already desperate. I had to do it as that was my last-ditch attempt so that I can go home. Some people that I approached were dubious of my intention but God did not completely forsake me as 2 good samaritans believed in me and gave me money. I was able to go home.

The strings of mishap did not end there. Oblivious of another evil that was lurking, I didn't bother to call the bank to block my card. I opted to just go to sleep and call tomorrow as I was already very tired and I also have work the following day. The person who found my wallet was a ruthless evil. Not only contented with the money inside my wallet, he swiped my atm/debit card and bought stuff from Mendrez, Mercury Drug Store and he even went to Malate and partied. I found out about this when I checked my account online to get my account number before calling the bank to block my card. I was extremely anxious about my money and at the same time furious about myself for my negligence. It wouldn't have reached that far if I had exercised caution and care and called the bank right away the moment I realized my wallet was lost. With the help of my officemates and some supervisors, my card was blocked giving me a sigh of relief despite the amount amassed by the nefarious jerk.

Thanks to my friends and officemates who cheered me up and helped me surmount the plight that had befallen on me. I'll just think that I treated my friends to a sumptuous buffet if it's the only means I can do to avoid the pangs of regret.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

My Call Center

The past 2 years I've spent in the call center industry had never been easy for me. Not easy because those years were spent working just for the sake of earning money to defray my expenses and nothing more. When I was young, I dreamt of having a job that would give me fulfillment and satisfaction and something that I would enjoy doing. However, the work I had in my previous call centers had been tough and unbearable and it seemed like much of a drudgery.

My previous call centers were for voice accounts and working there was like a hell. Hell in the sense that they treat you as if you're like a robot who doesn't get tired of answering calls for the entire shift. The only rest you have is your break schedule and putting your customers on hold. Calls after calls just keep on coming and there were even times that you're forced to render overtime because there were many calls waiting. I was living that kind of miserable life for 2 years from those 4 call centers. Working in those call centers had sucked the life out of me and the exhaustion had taken its toll on my health. I begun to hate working on the phone.

Just when I was about to make up my mind to quit working in the call center and just go home to my province, I saw an ad in Manila Bulletin that has changed my life significantly. Transcom Asia offered an email/chat support account. I never thought there was such a thing as email/chat support. All I knew back then was that call centers only handle calls. That is why it's called CALL center to begin with. Nevertheless, I dressed up and headed towards their then recruitment office at Ortigas Building. I applied and was hired.

I did not expect too much from this company because I don't wanna be disappointed again. However, it seems that everything is working well specially when the new Transcom Center has become operational. Transcom is not a perfect company as it also has its flaws and one of them is latency. However, that did not hinder me from liking the company. There are so many things I love here. The building is awesome and huge. I love the design, simple yet elegant. The roofdeck is just so amazing and from there, you'll get a breathtaking and panoramic view of Ortigas Center and Eastwood City's impressive skyline. The facilities are as great as the building itself. It has huge rest and shower rooms with hot and cold showers, nice sleeping quarters, impressive employee lounge equipped with wonderful stuff like TV, dvd player, billiards table, air hockey, internet kiosk, magic sing, xbox and so much more. The pantry area is so big and is accentuated with elegant couches and tables in different styles and colors, 3 refrigerators and microwave ovens plus the area has lighting effects too. Computers are flat panel and a bunch of hdtv are placed everywhere. The company has a gym too. Most call centers don't have that.

Beside the state of the art facilities, what makes me really love my work, is the account itself. Email/chat support is an amazing account. This is the extreme opposite of my toxic accounts in the past. This account is the most lax and so far "epal-free" account at Transcom. Out of 7.5 hours of work excluding breaks and lunch, you're only busy for 5 hours while the remaining time is spent on browsing approved websites. Yes, there are sites that you can browse legally such as Wikipedia, Google, CNN, ABS-CBN and a lot more. Most call centers probihit accessing any websites other than those related to the campaign. Though there is a policy of not browsing unapproved websites, it is not really strictly imposed. The proof of that is this post. Blogspot is unapproved website but I made this post at the office. Of course I did it discreetly. Hahaha..

Furthermore, shift change happens every quarter and not every month. So your body clock ain't affected that much as you have ample time to adjust. The pay isn't bad at all. The compensation package is way above the competition plus hmo benefit is already available the moment you start your training. What more could you ask for?

Working in this company has changed my perception that a call center is a purgatory, a place where one suffers and torments in exchange of something that gratifies the insatiable mundane desires.

So for those who are comtemplating on resigning, don't prolong your agony. File your resignation now and submit your resume to Transcom. Who knows, this might be the company you've been waiting for all this time.