The long wait is over for the much sought Reboot Camp of the 8liens for 2008. We have left our beloved REMCO head quarters at exactly 11:30 pm, December 12, 2008 (Filipino time because it was supposed to be 10pm, haha).
It was a long trip to Zambales, with a couple of stop overs for coffee and “yosi” breaks to keep some of us awake. Some got their chance to sleep (very lucky guys). But everybody seems to be so excited to participate in the activities prepared by the directors and also to have their own time for relaxation.
The 8liens arrived in TRB (Trinidad Bay Resort) before sunrise thanks to the “Ala-Schummacher” driving of our designated pilots. Upon arriving at TRB we were given the time to check out the place, and of course to rest, as Ma'am Deng and her “katoques” prepare our breakfast, the others got to do their unpacking, taking a nap, shower, outbursting their insides in the comfort room and yoga as we wait for the food to be served. We had a very satisfying breakfast; hotdogs, eggs, danggit and corned beef, whoa!! heaven's delight. Right after our breakfast while the others were resting (as our call time for our activity starts at 8:30 am), Sir Meric and his super varsity team played a very heartpounding basketball game. The game was a close fight that no one wants to surrender. It was like a Pacquiao–Tyson boxing match, everybody was gasping for air, maybe it's due to lack of practice, but of course the never say die attitude of the 8liens prevailed. We got to play two very competitive games, at least.
Activity Hour arrived with our guest facilitator Mr. Ping Guerrero, leading our Ice breakers (seemingly there would be lots of fun in store for us). Our first ice breaker was a game to test how well we know ourselves. It was a very interesting activity because we had to ask our fellow 8liens things about ourselves (We have a “name” in our back, the theme was, people that you usually see in the beach*). Our goal was to find out "who we are" by asking questions answerable only by YES or NO, Each had their own techniques of asking, and of course, everybody guessed it right... The second ice breaker was all about the art of drawing and personification. We were all instructed to draw a kind of drink that may represent each of our personalities, It was a very enjoyable fun-filled activity because we get to know the similarities of a Tequila with Ma'am Rosa, the availability of Roz to be readily picked as a grape wine (by Renan I assume) for him to savor the sweet suckling taste of Roz's Wine (harhar) and of course who would forget the longing of Renan to do away with Empi and Lambanog because it is “bad”. Yes, he really wanted to change... his brand of drinks! He now wanted to the Dennis Trillo drink -- Generoso Brandy! :-)
Time flies and it's almost lunch time. The “marketing team” as usual goes to the market to buy food for our lunch date, and of course our very kind and understanding bosses did not forget to buy beers for our all day, all night, all week, social drinking. Yehey!!!.
Lunch Time, with a series of songs rendered by our own singers Mr.Henyo and Mr. Ping Guerrero, a medley of VST and Bitoy songs, served as an appetizer for us to enjoy our “pang-marangyang lunch” (adobo and “saucy” shrimp), after having our mouth watering and sumptuous lunch, (berp!), we got the time to chat with each other, as we prepare for our main event of the day “Our TEAM BUILDING SESSIONS”.
Change mode... we all assembled to partake in the serious yet very informative sessions to achieved our goal to be a Fully Meshed TEAM. Every department has been given the time to share on how they can help on executing our Fully Meshed System, It is a series of brainstorming and discussion for the group, It is the time to give one's input on how one can help each other to be a substitute to one's hero or another. The activity is a great exercise to strengthen our bond and commitment to dedication towards our job and our team.
Chown... another game was facilitated by Mr. Ping Guerrero. The passing of the Christmas Balls Challenge. The Team was divided into two groups. The “Deng Group” and the “Meric Group”, it is a very challenging, competitive but a very enjoyable game as well, everyone wants to win, they badly want to bag the prize (A 24karat friendship bond:-) ). However, only one team has to win, with all the efforts, technique, plays, execution, exhibition exerted by the “Meric Group”. Matchpoint came... “Deng Group”wins. (Sayang, pero Congratulations, they were the better group for that game).
Dinner was served after the games. The usual “pang-marangya” cuisine were served (crabs, nilagang cow, ay beef pala hehehe). After Dinner, Change User... we all transformed into serious beings again, the execution and strategies to attain the Fully Meshed Master Plan. It was a discussion with full of dedication, passion and interrogation – the why's and the how's (dumugo mga ilong namin) but we were more than satisfied with the result... we have come out with points worth noting and executing to have a KICK START for 2009 and attain our Fully Meshed objective.
After the nose bleeding activity, here comes the “Kuya Germs Survivor Challenge” (di nyo nagets? - Walang Tulugan). The props...bonfire... and falling stars... KGSC is the time for us to unwind... drinks (San Mig Light - social drinking lang naman till we drop) , talking with friends and fellow 8liens then rubbing elbows with the CEO/CTO and waiting for the beautiful sunrise, like in baywalk you know. It was a long evening, ahh, morning na pala. The Winners of the KGS Challenge without any contention are of course: The red-eyed CTO (Sir Meric), “Mr. Ping Guerrero”, “Julius the Fetus” and the AsTmaster Henyo. They all survived the said Challenge. The other contenders had their own mortal excuses like they would go to the C.R., change their clothes but sneaked and went to bed. Bravo!!! Survivors hehehe.
Our second day in Zambales is a visit to the lovely Island of Potipot, lovely and beautiful it is. After a ten minute boat ride from TBR, we gazed and dazzled at Potipot. A small, charming island, with white sand shore, clear cool water and caves???. Everybody really enjoyed our short stay at the island, we left with our own stories to tell and laughs to keep and remember by with our pictures too.
Lunching back to TBR (unicorn fish,mixed vegetable, and grilled pig ay pork pala, hihihi). And after that hefty meal, rest... pack up... Time to depart from TBR. One hell of a place, because the 8liens were there.... (Ulitin natin to, ha..) Bye TBR!
After TBR, we went to Renan's house in Sta,Cruz, his family prepared for us a very filling dinner. It was to also celebrate Renan's birthday, which by the way, became a week-long celebration... just ask the lemons :-).