After 3 months of being assigned in Manila, I’m now back at
Iloilo where I truly belong. Let me give you the highlights of my 3 months stay
there, what I learned, who I’ve met, loved (again, I never learn), moved on
from, had peace with, taught and more…
On the week of August 20th, my Boss surprised me
with an announcement that I’ll be assigned in Manila for a month to help launch
a new campaign for the ongoing growth and partnership of our company and
client. I had the most anxious and excited feeling that was unexplainable. I
had a lot in my mind when I heard that announcement:
-I’m gonna see the person that had been on my heart and mind
for since august 2011.
-I’m gonna be bugged by my Ex once he hears my arrival in
manila.
-It will be the first time that I’ll be going to manila
alone. Usually I’m with either my parents or my Ex for 4 years.
-It’s the first major campaign that I’ll help launch. We’ll
all start from scratch, from policies to training and development of cross
trained tenured agents. But before that major campaign launch, I’ll be
launching a new up-skilling course that I have to learn, review, revise and
train all at the same day. It’s not new to me knowing that I’ve launched
several cross and up skilling training on my own but it’s going to be different
from the ones I’ve finished because it’s the first time that I’ll be training
in manila. The pressure was definitely overwhelming.
I left Iloilo on the 26th of august and my uncle
fetched my when I arrived at NAIA 3. I came prepared with a GPS, background
check of my hotel and the places that I can go to when I’m bored (when I go to
manila, my parents would bring me either in Paranaque with my Grandfather or in
a hotel in front of the US embassy or if I’m with my Ex, I’m always with a car
and would stay in Makati and/or eat and drink at Eastwood City.) I’m definitely
lost without a GPS, so I made sure I had it prepared because my uncle is from
malabon and he’s not familiar with the area where I’ll be staying as well. With
no effort, we got to, my hotel just in time before lunch. I got settled in my
hotel and me and uncle went to east wood since it’s the only place I’m familiar
with. After lunch, he went home and I got back to my hotel to rest for a while.
When I got back to the hotel, I was texting one of the
cousins of my best-friend if she’s free since she’s staying at Makati. So I
decided to dress up and while waiting for her, I visited our Pasig site for me
to be familiar when Monday comes. When she arrived, I felt excitement because I
didn’t know anybody yet, and we’re not speaking in tagalog when we’re together.
We went to tiendecitas, starbucks silver city, went to eastwood again, and went
to bigoli for dinner and gweilos for a drink or 2 before we doze off.
Work…
Monday came; I had to start the collection up-skill to
billing day 1 with tenured collections agents. I started my usual training
introduction day 1, which included the campaign and introduction of scope. Upon
hearing that they’ll be handling multiple campaigns just after a 5 days training,
the training room got filled with excruciating negative and violent emotions.
Everybody suddenly got rude, walked out and was not listening to me anymore.
Seeing that I was just a “trainer from
the province” , they didn’t even realize how challenging it is to see them
react that way. Fir the first time, I was so silent in a rowdy room. Usually
I’d already give them “the look” that usually, smart and empathetic people
would understand and shut-up but no. They were all disrespectful. It’s the first
time a walked out of a training room without saying anything. I talked to my
direct sup on site, Boss teng, and she explained how these manila traits are
and that not all of them were understanding and willing to accept changes, even
updates. I didn’t know how to react to this kind of people; it was a day of
first times. I took a deep breath and prepared my mind and spirit on how to
help them accept the news that I just gave them. I got back to the training
room after taking a last deep breath. I asked them to settle down so that we
could discuss things, that time I had a team lead that’s going to be in
training as well, they were all under his team, that’s why they were so
comfortable with each other and didn’t even mind the person talking in front. I
asked them to settle down twice but still nothing, I was literally talking to
the white board. I was losing my grip already; I didn’t want to show them how
dictating and authoritative my style in training is. Not just yet, but this
might be the best time to unleash my restraining abilities. Nobody disrespects
me!. I had them take their 1st break instead, since nobody were
listening and give me the chance to talk to them, I wrote on the white board
instead. “Attention DISRESPECTFUL and ROWDY employees. I’ve been talking for 2
hours already and nobody would give me the chance and respect that I know I
deserve and not beg from you. With that said, take your first 15 minutes break,
turn your monitors off, and arrange your chairs. When you get back, I suggest
not being late for I lock the doors for late trainees or employees. Since
you’re all tenured you should know the importance of not being late
anymore. Prepare your questions after
the break, I expect everybody to calm down after the break for us to understand
each other..Thank You! –John Ian Von Celis- the first full time trainer of ILO
and the 3rd full time trainer across 3 sites. My CIM number starts
with 6 and I just started working in transcom august of last year. Do the math
and ask yourselves why of all people, it’s me who’s being borrowed from ILO”.
Because of the announcement that I gave them when I started the introduction
part of my training, I didn’t even get the chance to introduce my name, role
and purpose to the company. I went out of the training room, still with grace
and a plain mona lisa smile. Bella Aldama isn’t out yet. I was still sweet. I
went to startbucks silver city and didn’t know that my Boss talked to them
while I was distressing at SB. When I got back and opened the door, everybody
was smiling and happy to see me back, then my boss tapped my back before I
closed the door saying.. “okay na yan! Kung may problema pa, sabihin mo lang
sakin at kakausapin ko ulit ang mga yan..” . I felt a mantle of protection
after what Boss teng said, I never felt this protected and cared for since I
started in the BPO business. I was so touched and happy by her words and I got
to gather my strength after what she said, I didn’t know what she said yet, but
I continued what I have to finish before the 8th hour of the 1st
day. (On the latter part she told me what she said to the employees and TLs) I
gave each of them the chance to speak and vent out. But before I started I told
them, “I have no idea of what just happened and what my Boss told you but by
the looks of it, it may have helped you chill and calm down.” …… After all 20
people said what they had to say, it was my turn to speak. “All employees in
this industry signs a contract regardless of how many years you’ve worked here
already, I just want to remind you that the top and most important words in a
contract is FLEXIBILITY, all employees regardless of the role are expected to
have major changes.” I was still smiling and didn’t show them how stressed out
I am with them, there were a few people that were already 10 minutes over break
but still I didn’t react, It’s the first day. Not yet… Writing on the board was
just a minor or a teaser of my competency. Then I told them, “I have been
provided to train you with a material that can be taught for 2 days, since
you’ve been here for a long time already, and only minor things of the changes
are to be taught, if you don’t help me help you, I assure you, and I’m not
saying this in a threatening way, you will all have the hardest time!” I’m a
very strict Trainer, but I make sure all my “babies” are competent enough to
proceed to operations. I won’t go over much detail on this since on the 2nd
day of training I made sure that everybody is on the right behavior nobody
leaves my class incompetent and disciplined.
After a week, I
started my main purpose of travelling. I started training the 2nd
batch of Wave 2 for the new campaign to be launched on the 25th of
September. I experienced the same violent reaction from this new set of manila
people, most of them had been transferred several times already and their CIM
numbers are even older than mine so I already assumed that it’s going to be
another challenge for me. My patience had in fact been tested, this time; I
struggled for a week before catching their trust and attention. But aside from
my classroom training, I had to on board 8 external Team Leaders 1-2 hours
before the actual shift for them to have an advanced PS knowledge since they
will be part of the support group comes the 25th of September. I
also had to help out with the logins, updated materials etc. So it’s a long and
hectic month for me. I don’t have the right to complain nor give the assigned
tasks from others if I want things to go smoothly and accurately. I had to work
over 8 hours to ensure accuracy of all the expectations. It was stressful and
at the same time fulfilling to accomplish these tasks, even alone most of the
time. I remembered that while I was launching the up skilling class, all 7
trainers were doing a T3 every night which I could not attend since I was on
the mid-shift. I had to learn everything on my own. I finished the 3 weeks
training smoothly and certain that all my agents and team leads are well
equipped. Some are even calling my style in training a joke; I’m very strict
but tend to treat them as my babies to the point of “indirect spoon feeding” as
I call it. I only have one reason for it; I don’t want my name to be put to
shame. September 25 came, they were offering an incentive for the first agent
to push a sale, and fortunately it was my agent. Lol
After that day, I had more accomplishments from my agents
and team leads:
-Lowest AHT week and month to date
-Number one team from Sept-Oct cycle
-4 of my agents were identified as floor supports on the 4th
week
-and 2 have been identified as candidates for the training
assistant role.
Seeing the accomplishments of the people that I’ve nurtured
is so fulfilling, we all had a rough start but their all growing and developing.
Friends…
I found a lot and true friends since I arrived. Some of them I've already met either through communicator or email and friends that I’ve met
when they were the ones assigned in Iloilo and Bacolod. The first person that
I’ve come to love and look up to was one of our Boss. I see a matured and
female version of me. Strong willed, witty, speaks her minds, gracious and down
to earth. She’s quoted as one of the strongest in our department, we had been
chatting in FB and communicator for months and she’s one of the people that I
really looked forward in meeting. I learned a lot from her, from astrology,
lessons in life and love; she’s my idol and role model. She was the only person
that made time to tour me around manila, alongside the VT gang and BM. She’s
one of the many reasons that made my stay in manila worthwhile. Although I didn't get the chance to meet her anymore when got transferred at our EDSA site. I
know, I can always count on her.
The next person that I’ve come close with is another Boss,
I’ve heard nothing but good from her. She have proven that to me when I arrived
in manila, she’s so protective of us and always mentioning that it’s her job to
protect us from difficult people, although I know I can pacify, but feeling the
motherly protection from her was so
heartwarming, we never had that.
She’s also one of the person who believes my capabilities and competency should
be acknowledged, sadly that won’t be possible. She’s one of the people who
helped built most of the strong leaders around the office. I’ve always looked
up to her when I first saw her. She’s one of the best. You can’t see any other
people cope up with stress that gracefully (greenly.lol), when she’s stressed,
she’d either bug everybody or she’s just silent on her desk. I didn’t get the
chance to bid goodbye to her as well since she’s on a day shift. But she’ll
always be loved J
Another person that I’ve come to look up to was an
unexpected friend. I despised him out of jealousy before; he’s so loud and
rowdy. But i did get the chance to know him more living in one hotel for
months. We’re almost the same when it comes to family, competency, principle
and background. He’s multi-talented and always a pocket full of sunshine. It will never be a dull moment when you’re
with him. I wanted to be like him especially with love, since I’m a noted
martyr, I wanted to be as strong as him when in a relationship and not that
he’s being selfish, and he just knows his limits and doesn’t show the 100%
affection for the person to avoid being hurt. He’s one of the people who made
my manila stay as well especially our O-Bar escapades.
The next person is a co-worker as well. I also didn’t expect
her to be one of the people that would be my friend. I really appreciate her
for she was the only person who offered assistance when we were expecting it
from the people we thought would be our friend since we’ve met them first. I
did not expect her to be that open and helpful. When I’m with her, we always
talk about life and what we should be learning from past experiences. She may
look 23 but she’s freaking 30! Partly, she taught and helped me to be strong in
terms of love.
Because part of my plan is to find “the one” in manila, I
was browsing through one my apps and chatted with this user that happens to be
a previous call center agent in the same company. I like his positive attitude
and disposition in life. We started calling each other over the phone since we
both didn’t like texting. And I really enjoyed talking to him. We met ones
since I only had 2 weeks till I leave so we went out with his best friend. They
also gave me a tour of Cubao and Mandaluyong and it was just fun2. We’re not
talking that much lately because he’s busy reviewing for the NLE. I miss him
and hope to meet that good friend again in the future.
The next people that I’ve come to be close with are team
leads that I’ve trained and on-boarded. The first person, I did not expect that
much bluntness and sometimes “lostness” in a person. She always made me laugh
with her bloopers and made me listen when I was being stubborn. She guided me
with the people that I should trust and just simply avoid. She also taught me
how to be strong when it comes to love. She came to be my confidant weeks
before I left and I really appreciate the friendship I came to build with her.
The other person was my female version as well, “irate sup” and hates stupid
questions, our coaching strategies were the same, we build strong agents by
being strict and unreasonable sometimes. A simple and strong woman, a mother of
1 and a co-long legged person.lol We’re funny when we’re together because both
of us can’t be upset at the same time, if I lose my patience she taps my back
and vice versa. These people will definitely be missed by me.
Another unexpected friend is also one of my bosses. I’ve
been eyeing the position that was offered to her for months so I got quite
frustrated with her arrival, nobody knew about the opening of the post and she
just popped out of the blue. On the day that she’d be introduced to our
department, I didn’t make any effort to go to that meeting and kept myself busy, or atleast acted. I
realized after that I shouldn’t be acting immature coz that might be one of the
reasons that it wasn’t given to me yet.
When I got back from RD, I introduced myself and acknowledge the changes
that she’s proposing since it was quite accurate and great. We became very good
friends and almost inseparable when I was still in manila.
Lastly... the people that I’ll be introducing are my noted
friends already. My 2 co-workers that I didn’t get the chance to meet and bond
with all the time to avoid arguments with their partners. They were definitely
the people that I should trust and should understand all the time. I got the
chance to bond, drink, eat, do the laundry, got soaking wet because of the
rain, cried with and even vomited with when we were in manila. And I will
definitely miss it.
Love…
When I was on the plane and about to land in NAIA, I had
episodes of mixed emotions that were so head aching. It’s the first time after
5 months that I’d be seeing the person that I had been madly in love with for
over a year. How would I react or say hello when I see him? My ex, what if he
knew that I’ll be staying in manila? How will I walk around the streets without
being paranoid that I might be dragged to his car and “talk” to a far place
were I’m not familiar with so that I won’t have any choice? My Ex’s best
friend, after my break up with ex, will he pursue me to irritate his best
friend and destroy their friendship for 21 years?
ONLINE GAME: When my
first day came, I was texting this guy that I’m not sure if I’ve moved on from
already. I was okay when he left since I won’t be seeing him anymore. But
because of the irony of life, instead of him coming back to Iloilo, it’s me who
was sent to where he’s assigned. He’s the first person that I called up when I
got to the office because I might be lost since it was a few floors. When we
saw each other, there was neither awkwardness nor excitement in seeing each
other. We were co-workers who saw each other after a few months. Confirmed! I
have moved on from him. He made my first week in manila, we had the same
training room, it was his class before mine and he would usually stay after his
class or we would grab coffee or lunch before he dismisses his class. When my
co-workers arrived, he suddenly changed his treatment towards me. He’s not
replying when I’m texting just like before. So I’ve been meaning to talk to him
about my feelings since it’s so gone, since there was no response, I just
continued with life and avoided him. When I approach him first, he’d snob me,
if I snob him, he’d express his irritation towards me. I didn’t know how to
deal with him and honestly had enough. I bugged and bugged him for us to talk
about how he treats me and for me to tell him that I no longer love him so we
can simple be friends. He then replied that “it’s as if you’re expecting
something from me.. There’s nothing to talk about”…. With that said, I decided
to leave him alone. The transfer to EDSA was a blessing in disguise; we haven’t
seen and talked with each other for weeks. The first time that we saw each
other after weeks, it was just a simple nod. I honestly had enough with how he
treated me, he acts like a girl. There were several times that he’d ask
everybody to go out but me, I refused to react. 2 weeks before I left, we were
talking again, my friend even mentioned, there’s no more love in your eyes when
you’re talking to him. I simply replied, “matagal ng wala, kayo lang naman ang
namimilit na meron pa”. I won’t even consider him as a friend anymore, we’re
just 2 contented adults working for the same company, I’m not being bitter,
there’s just certain people that you’ll never be friends with. The best way
that helped me moved on from him was the way that he treated me, like a dent on
window pane. He’s the best inspiration that I had; I pushed and strived to be
promoted, even twice in less than a year, and just to reach his level, even got
promoted ahead of him. He’s one influence I’ll never forget. 
MARIO’S BROTHER: 3 days after I arrived in Manila, Ex heard
that I was assigned in our Manila site.
He attempted several attempts to fetch me in the office to talk. He was
stalking like paparazzi outside our Pasig office until end of Friday shift, me
and a friend went to Eastwood city to have breakfast when I saw our son playing
on the bouncing castle. I ran towards our kid because I missed him so much but
just before I reached him, Ex took carried him and told me, if you want to hug
and bond with our kid, let’s talk. The kid was already struggling to reach my
arms but Ex kept on restraining him. I didn’t say a word and walked away. My
friend was surprised that my tears kept on pouring, and then I shared what
happened. I thought for hours of what to do, I just wanted to hug the kid
because I even brought school supplies that I bought last June because he just
started pre-school. I called Ex up Saturday night and asked him to meet me in
our spot at Fridays, he said “no”. I replied, ”seriously?” he responded “I won’t meet you there, I’ll
fetch you in your hotel.” Surprisingly, (or stupidly) I forgot to delete the
tracker app that he installed in my phone and realized why he knows my hotel
and room number. He fetched me after 30 minutes. When I stepped in and closed
the door of his car, he gave me a kiss on the cheek, I was just silent. On my
head “what the hell is he doing? We had a closure last year; bakit may pa kiss2
pang nalalaman?” I was just silent the whole time. He parked the car in the
mall parking. When the car stopped, he
quickly ran out the driver’s seat and opened my door. In all fairness, I missed
the suite and sweet life when I’m with him. He always treated me like a diamond
in the rough. (cheka!) Going up the escalator, he held my hand, I didn’t react
nor took my hand, I was just cool and calm with what’s happening. This is where
we also go to when we were together; I travel Iloilo and manila as if it’s just
pasig to pasay. I did all of that before for love. After shift I go straight to
the airport to have lunch with him, take a nap, go back to Iloilo and start my
shift again. I’ve been doing that 2008 to 2011. It’s been a tiring routine just
because of love. It was the first time that I went to Eastwood with him that
we’re not together anymore, I was like a horse that got freed with my blinds.
He usually hits or pinches me when I look at somebody hot that passes by but
now, I can see him struggling when I look at a random guy. He even hit me one
time because I was so “kilig” when I saw Raymond Guttierez when we were at RCBC
Plaza where I almost lost consciousness. When we reached our spot at Fridays,
he ordered our usual meal and started talking. “What happened to us?” he
started talking. “Well, I grew up and shook myself back to reality. The
travelling part I can take and sacrifice my rest, but your constant nagging and
jealousy that leads to hurting me is what I can’t take.” For an hour, I was the
one talking, I made sure that he understands that nobody runs my life for me
and that I’m not a robot that he can dictate and take charge of, I couldn’t
even smoke and drink a lot when we were together. We had a smooth conversation,
he didn’t really hear my side when we broke up because his best friend back
stabbed him by courting me when he was in Singapore, I was clueless, I forgot
how it feels to be courted since it’s usually me that courts a person that I
like and love. The talk went well, how offered me the key to the condo that he
bought for me again, I refused then, I’ll refuse now. We finished our meal and
went down for a walk. He was just silent but his grip while holding my hand is
as if I’m going to run away from him. While we were in front of gweilos, he
told me that he’s going to take me home since it’s already 3am and he just went
out for his lunch break. When we reached the hotel, instead of dropping me off
in front, I asked him to park for a while. I had him spill what’s on his mind.
He just broke down in tears and said “This will be the last date we’ll be
having, the last time I’ll be holding your hand” without letting him finish. I
gave him a big warm hug and kiss for goodbye. I thanked him for the
bitter-sweet three years with him and said “We’ll still be friends and go out
on a friendly date you know! Wag lang muna after this, if you know what I meanJ”. He then said I can
visit our son anytime, out of happiness, I gave him one last kiss and hug then
stepped out of his car. After that night he didn’t contact me anymore, I know
how to compensate his sadness, he’d keep himself busy, very busy. Although
there was a few times that the guards asked me if I had a guest in my room
because they saw his car park at the hotel parking for several times. I didn’t
hear from him since that night but I know he’ll be okay. 
MULAN’S LUCKY CHARM: I
was working my ass out for weeks already and I decided to go out for a while,
it was a Sunday of the 3rd or 4th week of October when I
went to Eastwood to visit the zippo store and look around for something to
shop. While walking on the streets of Eastwood, I happen to pass by something
fishy were I saw this guy that took my breath away. He was wearing a blue shirt
and playing with his adorable dog. That feeling when you do a second look, in
my case, I did like a forth glance, and almost hit my leg in metal post
dividing something fishy from the gazebo. I then forgot what I was about to do.
October 27th I opened the app I installed in the hopes of finding
true love. I happen to see this guy that looks so familiar. I opened his
profile and to my surprise, it was the guy that I saw in Eastwood that almost
had me hurt my knee because of the 4th glance that I did. I usually
start a conversation with a smiley or a hello but I started my message with a
“can I take care of you?” it took him a while to reply, then when I heard a
notification from the app I accidentally threw my phone away from excitement.
He replied! I opened the inbox and checked his reply. “Are you serious?” then
started our Ping-Pong conversation. I went the extra mile and gambled by asking
for his number. He gave it to me without hesitation. I freaked out! I wanted to call him, but I
gave him time because I have a tendency to scare people away especially if I’m
dead serious about them, so I just texted and introduced myself to him, we
texted a bit before sleeping. The following day I gathered strength to call him
up. We were actually preparing to go on a joyride with my friends and while
waiting, I called him up. When I heard his voice, I literally fell off the
chair while smoking. (PBB teens lang!) He’s so smart! Which made me more
excited to talk to him, but my friends were so rowdy and he asked me to just
end the call so that I can talk to my friends. I was sad since I wanted to stay
at the hotel and talk to him instead but I respected what he wanted and ended
the call. The next few days I wanted to talk to him but I always ask permission
before calling because I didn’t want to disturb people. I was texting and
texting but got no reply for days. I got worried a paranoid that he might be
another guy from the app that’s just bored and wanted to talk to somebody as a
passed time. After 4 days, I decided to call him without texting; he then
answered the phone, after saying hello, I asked him why he’s not replying, I
was already texting him that I was worried and paranoid. He did mentioned that
he was quite shocked why I texted that way, he then said he was really busy
because he was preparing for a big visit for that week. I said I understand
since I’m in the middle of the 3 weeks visit in my company as well. He shared a
lot on that 45 minutes talk over the phone, his location, work, previous
relationships and even added me on FB because he was browsing his picture in FB
where he was awed by his nephew’s pictures with him. It was the best talk that
I had for years with the “kilig” factor. He also shared how he is as a Boss, giving
and considerate, which enlightened me. He had to cut our conversation short
because he had to sleep 9pm and had to wake up 3am every day since his shift in
5am. After the call, I texted if I can wake him up. He replied with “okay yan
ah! I wake up at 3am.” After that day I call him 3am every day without even
texting. My heart and mind identified him, I love him already. I didn’t have to know him better; I wanted to
stay in manila, with him. After a few days, I woke up in the middle of my 8
hours sleep, actually half awake and half asleep, my unconscious body texted
him that I love him and I hope he’d be the reason for me to stay in manila
since a lot of people in the office wanted me to be assigned in manila
permanently. When I woke up, I noticed there’s
a text message from him. “wait lang sir ha, nakaka pressure kana kasi”. I was
shocked with what he texted and just realized and saw the previous text
message. I was so stupid to text him like that, I just drove him away. And what
hurts is. I love him without knowing him completely. I kept on trying to
communicate with him but until now, I’m not getting any answer anymore. I don’t
want to get in to further details anymore. Reminiscing my stupidity and
remembering him hurts me so bad. I thought he was the one, I moved on from struggle
because I saw and knew him. I love him! I never learn, I went to manila single
and went back home single. I just thought he’s the one. I know for a fact that
my heart and mind never fails me. Currently I’m restraining myself in
attempting to text or call him. What I know of is, even if I’m ugly, I know i
can take care and love him and he deserve the attention that he should be
getting from a partner. I asked several chances even just friends but nothing.
He closed his doors before I even stepped in. I’m so pathetic. But hey, At
least I risked and I do not regret the risk of informing him that I can promise
forever with him. I wanted to grow old with him. As of the moment I’m still
hoping and waiting. I wish we’d, at least, start over as friends. He’s changed
me in a way of me just knowing him. Although I know it will take me months or
even a year to forget him. I’m happy that he’s the reason I get to love again.
I learned a lot on this trip. I will always carry this given
opportunity with me. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, love and failed again.
I hope things will go well next year.
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