One afternoon when I got back to the office, a colleague brought out a package that I didn’t expect right away. He said that somebody was looking for me and gave an envelope with a badge I recognized last December 2009. It was the certificate and the book that I received from Mark’s contest for the Top 10 Best Blogs of 2009.

I received a book by Janette Toral entitled “Blogging From Home” which I finished reading that afternoon – yes, I was bored. More than the prize, I’m happy to get recognized for the efforts that I’ve made in writing and publishing on this blog. Sure, I do earn some extra income out of this as well but more importantly, I’m able to have an avenue to share my experiences.

It amazes me at times when people come up to me and say they’ve read my blog. It’s a bit creepy especially when I’ve never met them before but gratifying in a sense I’ve created more value to this site which I’ve never really thought about at the beginning.

Currently, I’m cleaning my old blog entries about traveling to have a better layout so it would be more presentable when people read it.

Thanks again!

January 24-25, 2010
Convergys and Bench Live Your Dreams

I had the privilege of having an all-access pass to the Live Your Dreams Fashion event. Convergys and Bench tied up to bring forth one of the largest marketing tactics to encourage people to work in Convergys and wear the latest and trendiest in style.

Enchong Dee, the official Convergys Dream Ambassador, dropped by Cebu for two days with a stream of activities lined up to promote the tie-up.

The previous day, it started off with a Motorcade and autograph signing with a radio interview at Y101. But I wasn’t able to participate since I had some commitments. I was told that people went agog as they flocked Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu.

  
Convergys motorcade

 
radio interview with DJ Bo at y101, Enchong and the other models goofing off.

The next day though, I went to the office early so I could catch up on my shots to make up for the absence. People were already crowding at the Convergys recruitment center in the i3 Building in Asiatown IT Park. When Enchong arrived, he was given a tour around the place as well as an overview on the hiring process of Convergys.

 
posing and pleasing the crowd

Went to the Bench store in Ayala Center to cover a segment for the Employee Referral Program. Two employees of Convergys were not only hired to work as part of the biggest call center of Cebu, but they also won a shopping spree at Bench. Talk about being lucky.

Convergys employees  shopping spree

It felt so good being able to participate and really put myself in paparazzo mode, visiting the University of San Carlos Main Campus and Cebu Doctors’ University and gaining access to the places of this tour.

   
obsessed fans

Saw two students who followed Enchong from USC-Main up to the Cebu Doctors' University which was really crazy and witnessed how much hype this student/actor/athlete can bring.

 
San Carlos and Cebu Doc

I never knew how students could scream so loud that I had to say goodbye to a colleague I was talking to over the phone. I could not even hear MYSELF anymore.

After the school tour, we went straight to the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu where a rehearsal was ongoing before the fashion show. I had to change that afternoon after realizing that I was covered with sweat and remembered I had to work at night. Good thinking, Ed. 

Rehearsals
  
Convergys Dream Ambassador Employees  

  
rehearsing with a great backdrop

 
the Ayala terraces was full when I arrived from changing clothes. It’s nice to have a badge to easily get in.

I didn’t take pictures of the fashion show because I was located at the right side and I’d be blocking the big bosses’ view if I were to situate myself into the other side of the ramp. I just borrowed the rest of the pictures posted here from other members of the Convergys Photo Club – HULAGWAY (Thanks guys!).

The show was a hit! The production was really great; music and the setting too. Convergys Philippines has really made a name for itself as a brand. No other call center can go off with a bang as this business process outsourcing company can.

Convergys-Bench Fashion Show at the Terraces
   
Enchong with other Bench models, Convergys Cebu employees

 
the male models who had the loudest screams from the audience

Aside from having Convergys employees walk the runway, student leaders from different universities were also given the chance to ramp onstage carrying their school pride.

  
confetti

     
Kris Lawrence, Jay R and Kyla performing

The last itinerary for the day was the site visit of the three Convergys Cebu sites. They passed by Banawa, i2 and i3 where agents were able to catch Enchong checking out the production floor. Those who were not taking calls were able to get a picture or two as well as autographs.

inside the i2 Building elevator, Enchong signing Convergys and Bench shirts that were given free to every employee

I told the organizers from Manila that I never knew it would be this big; they replied that neither could they. I thought that it was all over when they had a fashion show in Glorietta 5 in Makati for the opening of the Convergys G5 site. However, it was such a success there that it was decided that they would bring the event to Cebu. It turned out that the whole thing was even bigger here at the Queen City of the South.

Enchong Dee was a good fit for the role. He was shy and pleasant all throughout, ever accommodating to his fans; willing to smile back at any person who called his name – ah, life of a celebrity.

My eyes were already red after the event and I still had to catch a shift at work. But there was a certain kind of high that I felt for being involved which made the whole event enjoyable and fulfilling on my part. I've always wanted to be acquainted with media and communications and this was a good experience for me to understand how events work.

Special thanks to the Convergys Hulagway Photo Club members for capturing the different aspects of this event. It was a success guys; we had more coverage as opposed to the other members of the media. Good job!

Wasn’t able to upload the Bench Live Your Dreams pictures today because of being busy attending a Baptism of my next-door housemate’s child. Baby Luke Dominic was christened today at the St. Therese’s church in Lahug and I’ve been appointed as one of the godparents. This is my second time to be one but had a seminar first which took about two hours.

Anyway, it’s been a long day but I was glad to be part of it. We went straight to Pizza Hut afterwards for lunch.

It’s just funny since we were the unconventional ninongs and ninangs there who made a big deal of taking pictures and posing for the camera. It showed how a crazy bunch we were compared to the other sponsors.

ninongs and ninangs at their best. haha.

Monday was a very busy day. Convergys and Bench, two big giants in the the contact center and apparel industry teamed up to encourage people to work in style at Convergys through the Live Your Dreams event.

There was a motorcade the previous day and school visits, fashion show and sites tour the next with student/actor/athlete and Convergys Dream Ambassador Enchong Dee, leading the pack. It was a tiring but fun experience to participate in. I’m still sorting the pictures (out with the blurry) and will be writing another blog entry about it. I need to find more time first.

For now, here are some shots of the event.

Bench store in Ayala Center Cebu where winners had a shopping spree.

 
University of San Carlos Main Campus and fans screaming

same goes for Cebu Doctors’ University in the North Reclamation Area

 
Fashion Event at The Terraces in Ayala Cebu

thanks to Paul for the shot!
Bench Convergys Cebu Dream Ambassadors

 
Kris Lawrence, Kyla and Jay-R performing to the crowd.

I need to work on the pictures now while the event is still fresh in my mind. Will be posting a blog entry soon.

I'm getting ready for the Convergys and Bench fashion event that will happen on January 25, 2010 at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu. For sure, it's going to be a huge hit considering the many activities lined up for the two-day show.

I'll be participating by taking pictures of the whole event though I won't be able to join the motorcade and mall tours. Still, it's nice to have something to look forward to over the weekend. It will be a great chance for me to practice being part of media. 

Enchong Dee will be visiting Cebu and will be promoting the two companies – Convergys as the premier and biggest call center of Cebu and Bench – the leading apparel brand of which he is an endorser.

Aside from Bench models, Convergys employees which serve as dream ambassadors will walk the runway with student leaders from five major universities in Cebu. There will be a performance by Billy Crawford to get the party going. 

I'll be practicing my shooting skills to capture the event. Good luck to me.

Sinulog 2010
Every Third Sunday of January

Sinulog 2010 was an endurance test for me. It was my first time to participate in the Sinulog event – really participate by going out into the streets and practice my skills in taking pictures while experiencing the weather being crazy and all.

It seemed clear in the morning but rained a little; became really hot around noon until 3 and then rained hard again. I woke up early but was still too tired to even move because of the weather being perfect for lounging around. It was raining the previous day which made me wonder how the Sinulog procession and the Fluvial Parade went since I also had plans of taking snaps of the event but coward at the thought because of needing more rest time.

Oh yeah, Sinolug 2010. haha

 z
preparations

Meeting time with my fellow Hulagway Photo Club members was 7am at Mcdonalds Jones but I arrived late because of a battle I had to face with the cold tank water which was a silent torture when taking a bath.

After I put on some clothes and rode a jeep going to the downtown area, I stopped over at Gorordo as the roads were already closed. I walked to University of San Carlos-Main instead because of plan changes. Some of the members of our Hulagway Photo club are also members of Cebu Photo and we met at Jollibee-Main. We started walking and taking shots while the weather was just humid. But alas it rained — and down the water from the sky went.

We found a shade to cover our cameras and gear them up with plastic. The garbage bag did serve its purpose by wrapping the device — thought that the purpose of it was to wrap ourselves for us not to get wet.

Anyway, I’m glad to go out with people who like to take pictures. It’s nice to learn new things because of being surrounded with these guys. There’s something about the energy that feeds you of people who also share the same passion as you. You get along easily.

 
on with the dancing!

 
all fingers ready

By mid-day the sun was high up, really up that the heat scorched. Everybody was feeling the Sinulog beat with people out in the streets and waiting for the contingents and floats to parade. Took some snaps with my new 50mm camera bought at Pixel Pro in Park Mall and had a bit of a time since I had issues with the Auto Focus not working (thanks to Diego, it worked when we were about to go home).

When the contingents danced, I could see how they had to endure the changing climate. Their parents/guardians/teachers whichever, helped in ensuring that they could still perform to the public. I didn't really notice the drama behind these parades before as I didn't even bother to watch as a spectator. But now I've seen the value of how the dancers and people behind them prepare ahead of time for the biggest festival in the Philippines only here at the Queen City of the South.

I have more appreciation for the people organizing each aspect of the fiesta.

smiles and frowns – priceless

artists, I was this close

Blooper: I kept on shouting "Hi Iza, Hi Iza!!" to catch a celebrity's attention so that she would turn her face towards me and I could take her picture. I kept on wondering why she couldn't notice when I was already screaming and I was just half a meter away. I later realized that the girl I was calling for was Isabel Oli and not Iza Calzado. No wonder she chose not to turn her head; she was trying to be polite by ignoring me rather than telling me straight that she is NOT Iza Calzado. To think that I was so confident that I had the right name. Bummer.

 
red people

scarecrow, gorilla, sponge bob and the Fuente Christmas tree

We walked from USC-Main to Abellana and stayed there for awhile. Walked again going to Robinsons but this time we had to go through the crowd. Staying at Robinsons was of perfect timing because it rained hard around 3pm. When the rain subsided, we took more pictures and just stayed near the Fuente Osmeña circle until dinner time.

The walking was exhausting but good in a sense that I was able to partake in this event since the previous years, I usually just shy away from the maddening crowd. We grabbed a bite to eat but we passed by some folks who brought snakes and were offering 20 bucks for a snapshot. I welcomed the opportunity as I seldom get to hold reptiles.

20 bucks for the picture was worth it for me since I had fellow photographers with DSLR cameras to take the shot.

After Sinulog, I've

• developed some canker sores because of the extreme heat; got some sunburn too.
• met photographers from other Photo clubs in Cebu which is good.
• realized the purpose of the garbage bag and wondered why I didn't bring an umbrella.
• been able to hang a snake around my neck
• learned to adjust 50mm lens manually and only got it fixed (thanks Diego!) when we were done for the day.
• took pictures in RAW, now I need to clean my hard drive or purchase a passport in order to have more storage for my photos and
• right now, I'm suffering from colds because of the changing climate — and I thought I was invincible.

Sinulog 2010 was a blast despite only being able to participate in the main event which is the Mardi Gras. The spirit that people had despite rain was really uplifting in a sense that people just wanted to have fun and didn't let the weather dampen the mood. Next year's plans are well under way and hopefully, I'll take part in the week-long celebration.

Viva Pit Senyor!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of "Blast Off!". All opinions are 100% mine.

I haven’t picked up a book in a long time. The last one that I read was Cashflow Quadrant which is the second installment of Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad series. It’s embarrassing too that I borrowed it for over a year already and it took me that long to read it. Things have been pretty busy with my work environment that I don’t seem to have enough time to focus on other things. However I’m planning to get serious with the other jobs to help me concentrate on what I need to work on.

This year is all about wellness for me in different aspects. Mostly it’s about the positive vibes that I need to practice in order for situations to be more acceptable to handle. I never thought that you can get those information off from self-help books but they do aid you in some way. Allison Maslan which is a life, career and business coach is launching a book called Blast Off! which is also available on Amazon. This will give me the guidance that I need in not sweating the small stuff. For $24.00, it’s fairly a good price. Launching date will be on January 19th, 2010 on Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble websites as well as other major bookstores.

Sinulog 2010 was great! My first time to participate in the event after 6 years of living in Cebu! I’m still uploading the pictures in what social media account I have. I don’t get to update my multiply account anymore.

Still, time has been very busy and I can’t seem to catch some for myself. Here’s a teaser on what happened last Sunday at the Queen city of the South. Will talk more and create a better entry about this one soon.

I can still feel the beat.

   
raining at the time. crazy weather it was. Cebu Photo Club and Hulagway Convergys

contingents still smiling and dancing

 
thanks to Alvin Kwan for the portrait shot
finally joined a photo group and felt like a true blood… not. haha.

Will be posting more pictures soon guys!