NiQsTeR

Thanks to........ :))

2011-07-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is the best day ever... :))

The best BIRTHDAY ever...

I've got lots of 'thank you's to do...

<3 First... to GOD for giving me another year to live and enjoy.. <3

<3 To my FAMILY...

~To Mama and Papa... although my Dad isn't here I still wanna thank him for the support he's been giving us.. to Mama for all the patience and the advanced birthday gift.. <3<3<3

~to my Uncle Gentre... for the Harry Potter VIP treat.. [actually nagreklamo pa sya kay mahal daw.. lol] and for all the 15peso loads. lol

~to my uncle Mario for the movie passes... [pangtransformers nako to.. :P]

~to my brother and sisters... <3

<3 To my ever loving my friends...

~ITEEZ-08

~>Cling-Cling... wala ko nag-expect... swear... love you dhai! thanks for all the things and for the support... I owe you big time! <3

~>Dayang... thanksyyuuu! for listening sa akong mga nonsense stories. lol and pag memorize sa akong mga crushes. lol lavyah!

~>Mhay, Tor, Joan, Axel, Ensoi, Ralph, Edward, Benj [thanks sa pagtext!], Melchor [thanks sa pagtawag! :)], Dwight Baboy, Michael, Sherwin gwapo, George [masking dli ta kabatch.. tnx]

~ICEANS

~>Chudd, Kat, Jona, Vale, Bhevz, CS people, Olan, and the rest of the Tagumers na nag greet... salamat ng marami!! lower years pud na kaila sa akoa.. hahaha. :))

~Rostov Cabrera! beastfriend! salamat!!

~Yumi-chan, Tefi... arigatou, gomawuh! ^^

~CYBERFRIENDS

~>Richard Trajano! salamat koL!!! :))

~>Eker Ibasco! Pareh! Salamat ani!! ^^

Without these people, my day would not be complete! ^^

THANK YOU SO MUCH! ^^

Farewells = Pain

2011-05-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

May 2-9, 2011... the worst days of my life... I never thought of it to happen. My most treasured pets were gone and worst, I was not able to do anything because of what? Financial crisis. Why do we have to suffer because of this? Why do the people and the things that I love get to suffer more? I just hate it.

May 2, 2011 - Cookie

We had our meeting at school, and I spent most of the day out, and when I arrived home, she was gasping for life, she was breathing hardly and paralyzed. She can't move her body, it was so stiff and she can't even blink her eyes, it was wide open and I can feel her pain while she was trying her best to scream and ask for help. Earlier that time, around 4 am, my mom woke me up because her mouth was bleeding, but then we ignored it assuming maybe its just her tooth or something. We didn't thought that it was serious that lead her to that situation. I was so frustrated that time, and all I could do is to cry. It's really hard seeing her like that because she was like our baby. She used to sleep beside me and even under my shirt when she feels cold. She's so malambing and very cute. I'm going to miss her so much.

May 6, 2011 - Dax aka GD

4 days after Cookie's death, Dax followed. We were really curious about what's happening to them. Dax was bleeding, seriously. And we didn't know what to do. We were asking our mother to take him to the vet but she was hesitant since we were in crisis. Again, i was frustrated and i feel so useless. I was not yet fully recovered with Cookies loss, and then now? Dax. I have seen him slowly becoming weak while the blood continuously coming out of his mouth. The next morning, I was observing him walking around the house, I was sitting on the floor when he fell on my leg because he was too weak. Right then he started to vomit then I took him outside. I was carrying him and he was crying that made my heart crush. My mother decided to take him to the vet, but when they got their, it was too late. Dax left us. It was really devastating. 2 pups in a week? how worst could that be? The snow-like fur Dax. I'm gonna miss him as well.

May 9, 2011 - Cholo, my bestfriend

When Dax left, I was crying so hard on the floor leaning my head on the couch when suddenly Cholo climbed up and leaned his head on my hand. A thought suddenly came in my mind, "Please, not Cholo. What am i gonna do if CHolo's next? I'm gonna die." On Sunday, my Mom called me out from the room, and said that Cholo's acting so weird. It was like he was having an asthma attack. I was worried but not much because he also had that kind of sickness before but he was able to recover. That thing lasted overnight and I looked at his gums, it was pale. By then, I panicked and ask my parents to take him to vet but my dad insisted that we just buy some medicine. We let him drink but he not getting better. I tried to give him some food, but he won't eat it. I gave him water, he ignored it, my dad went outside, but he didn't care where usually he loves going out with us when we buy something outside. I was so worried. I didn't even had enough sleep because I was watching over him, gave him water using a dropper. Around 4-5am, I was sleeping when he suddenly came beside me and he was like shouting in my ears, I woke up and when I looked at him, he was ok. Again I gave him water and let him sleep again. When the sun was up, I was still asleep, when my Mom was screaming outside calling me. I hurriedly came outside and I saw him on the floor vomiting just like Cookie. I cried on the floor asking for my Mom to hurriedly take him to the vet and so something. Cholo was crying for help, I can feel it. Again I was carrying him, he was conscious, but weak. My brother calls him, he could still look at him. I was crying badly because he's my favorite dog. He was so smart that we play fetch when I am bored. When I have to buy something outside, I take with me without tying him up because he's very obedient. He is so malambing too. Baby-like. He's the closest to me since Potpot gave birth to her 6 pups and became too sensitive. We play all the time. When I go to school or somewhere else, I always look forward on going home because I know he will meet me up on the gate and again take away all the stress. When he left I keep asking "why him? why him?". I can't accept it, it was too hard. Right now I could still imagine him sitting under the computer chair, or sleeping on the corner of the bedroom, running around the room playing. He's the one I am going to miss the most. T_T

I WILL MISS YOU.

Joo - Ice Cream featuring Super Junior Leeteuk

2011-05-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh! So Kyeoptda!! As in super cute! I got a little jelly-jelly because of Leeteuk.. and they are so sweet on that video T_T.. but its ok.. Leeteuk-oppa! Jjang!

No man really knows
A word is so important
Why don’t you understand my heart?
Fool you never fell in love

the lyrics as well, so cute.. >_< brightened my morning!

before I forgot, Good Morning!! >_<

Download the song HERE!

Ma Boy - Sistar19

2011-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sistar's sub group Sistar19 released their new single with MV called Ma Boy. They are just talented, right? I so love Bora, so pretty and the dance? just amazingly kewl!

Personally, i like the song.. it talks about a boy, who shows hints but never uses his words to tell what he feels that makes the girl confused and unsure. He gives warm looks but also looking at other woman, that's mean! And the girl... stupidly waiting for him to say "i love you". These are just so familiar. LOL.

I love them dance moves too, cute and sexy. Hyorin and Bora's voices compliment each other so well.

Download the song HERE!

2NE1 - Lonely and busy and devastating days

2011-05-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Am I really that busy that I wasn't able to notice that 2NE1 released a new music video? Gosh. Thanks to Cling-Cling for the link.

When I heard the song, I felt like, wow. This song matches my current mood these past few days. I'm lonely, Cholo, Dax and Cookie are gone. I don't what happened. It JUST happened. I feel so sad that I didn't want to go home anymore. I think about them a lot, even when I'm working, I can't think straight and I'm always on tears.

But this is life, I keep reading The Edges, Word 4 the Day just to give me a little courage and perseverance to pursue and move on with my life. I know Cholo, Dax and Cookie will be watching me from up there.

OJT matters...

I've been very busy with our OJT thing. but it's our last week now. And I'm so happy with the result on the CSS and layout. :D I hope we will be able to satisfy our supervisor and coordinator.

I don't wanna talk more about it.. :D

the MV...

KEWL!! 2NE1 is just AW AW AWESOME!! I love them! I'm so excited for their upcoming concert here in the Philippines this June 4, though I'm not watching.

Download their new song here...

I think I should end this post now. Too much talking. LOL.

Trends and Opportunities in Convergence [Techno2-4]

2010-12-12T13:43:00.001-08:00

Latest trends. Tons of Opportunities for the information technology people. The union of the latest trends and the greatest opportunities this society offers for people. Those are the things came up to my mind when I read about our fourth exercise in Technopreneurship. If you see our society today new brands and models of mobile phones pops out in flash, huge IT companies are growing everywhere offering such great opportunities for people. When I thought making this essay, I find too simple but yet it is hard to take down because of the number of latest new things our society has. Lots of ideas came up to my mind that I end up blank. But still I will try to recover things up. So, what are my observations on about our latest trends not just in our country but worldwide as well? Actually there are a lot of things to look out for.

The information revolution is rapidly spreading and dominating our society. Everywhere we look and everything you touch have a touch of Information Technology on it. Aside from computers information technology is also present in our home appliances, mobile phones, even in simple image making, editing and logo designing can be done with the help of the latest technology in our society. But first let me just define what are these terms all about.

TRENDS

What is hot and what is not? What is cool and what is old-fashioned? Trends can be defined as the latest kinds of everything that is being used on this period of time. And sometimes it could be defined as a direction of inclination in which things are headed to. It could also be a tendency of a movement of something. I find trends as what is “in” and what is “out” of the era, a popular taste at a given time. A trend can obviously be noticed because you can see it everywhere. It could be in the sense of fashion, architecture, even in the way the people speak and most especially in the technology we have today. You see, if you try to observe from our history, lots of changes happened and it is inevitable. And we are now on the 21st century, new trends are coming especially in information technology which we know changes its trends rapidly and in a flash. If we talk about information technology trends as of today, you could cite hi-tech gadgets as one. I could still remember how we use VHS players before and using VHS tapes for viewing some old videos, then from VHS we have the VCD (or the Video Compact Disc) players and us CDs to watch videos and play music, form VCDs we o now to the DVD (or the Digital Video Disc) players which have the DVDs that could store up to 24 movies in one disc. For computers, we have the Pentium computers but now we have i7 for Intel which is way faster than the old processors. We also have some new laptops that are very cool like Apple’s MacBook Air, Sony Vaio and whole lot more, and for Christmas, I want a MacBook, hehehe. LCD (or the Liquid Crystal Display) and LED (or the Light Emitting Diode) televisions are the latest TV that more people are using now we also have it as desktop computer monitors. For me, one of the things I find fast in changing its trends is mobile devices. I could still remember using Nokia 3310 and it was the coolest phone that time, it was like everyone is dying to have one of it but now we have Apple’s iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy S or popularly known as that Android phone also LG’s Optimus which I also know as an Android phone. In the communication world, I could still remember sending snail mails that take 3 days before the recipient receives it but now we EMAIL or the Electronic Mail that takes up a second to be sent to the receiver. And if you could observe, internet surfing can now be done using just your mobile phones and you now do not have to go to the internet cafes or open up your computers to send emails or check your inboxes. Internet connection evolved as well, before we have the DIAL-UP connections to DSL or the Digital Subscriber Line or also we have the BROADBAND which is way faster than dial-ups. We also have the plug-it devices for laptops and desktops too, actually I am using one now, and it has the same speed as DSL and it is very handy especially for outgoers because you can bring it anywhere. Aside from those connections, the latest among them is the WI-FI connection or the Wireless Local Area Network is used by most of the people nowadays especially laptop users and for now, even mobile devices also have wifi connectivity too. For job-seekers, you could now look for jobs by just sitting in-front of your computers and just wait for the employers to contact you, online jobs are also available for freelancers like some of my friends who love to stay at home and too lazy to look for work outside.

You see, everything changes easily. And because humans are always asking for more, these things I could maybe outdated already. People are so much into thinking how we could improve our lives and make our works easier and efficient.

OPPORTUNITIES

What is an opportunity? For me, it’s a favorable circumstance that could maybe help you and you could benefit from it. It is like giving you a chance to do something that benefits you. As I have observed lately, opportunities are everywhere, can be easily seen especially if your eyes are open and the willingness to achieve your goals is there. Even if you just sit in-front of you computer the whole day, you could still see a lot of opportunities there. What more if you are to explore more in the cyber world, numerous of opportunities are spreading.

Have you been to Ortigas in Manila? Well, I have not. Hehe. But I have seen some pictures of my friends when we had our field trip there. I have seen gigantic buildings and amazing sights, it was like they were on another country. As I was watching, I could sense that there are a lot of opportunities for people because of the fast changes and the evolution of technology in our society. Even here on Davao, IT companies are arising everywhere, like Concentrix and Sutherland. They give great opportunities for people, fresh graduate or even undergraduate can work there. Before the information revolution, I could still remember how people especially newly graduated students suffer from being unemployed and looking for jobs. If I am to review everything I have learned in Technopreneurship, there are still a lot of things to be discovered, a lot of opportunities to conquer and things to be explored. Every one of us is talented and skillful, if we are going to use these, I know for sure that we are going to succeed in whatever career that we will take.

CONVERGENCE
Just so you know, this word is not anymore new to me, but, a very big BUT, the meaning of it is still unclear to me. I tried to look for definitions online and this is what I got, from Wikipedia, “Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications), and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies.” So basically, convergence is about different things that meet, interact or converge. For example, let us say the PSITS event or the Philippine Society of Information Technology Students, once a year we hold an event where IT students from different schools gather to create great camaraderie and friendship among others, which is called convergence. There are a lot of types of convergence, it could be in by means of medical, math, technology, and a lot more. But since we are talking about the IT convergence and the trends and opportunities it has, we will just cite some points on what will happen if IT trends and IT opportunities combine.

There are a lot of things that are involved in this convergence (this is from Wikipedia):

THE INTERNET

The most popular medium in mass communication at this era. Everyone and everything is n the internet. People, places, things, and events you can find them on the internet. Even the latest headlines on the news are available over the net. Want some research samples? There are a lot of it spreading over the cyber world. Business and communication is best on this medium. In business, putting up your online store can also be done here, E-bay can be one good example, E-bay is now one of the best sites that offer stuff with great security. I also have some friends who sell their stuff over the internet like t-shirts, accessories and even gadgets too, whether it is second hand or brand new. Try to put your company online, it will be a huge blast, since people are into surfing so much, it is a good chance to boost up you company’s advertising schemes in order to be known and be popular. In communication, the internet is also the leading medium. After cellular phones, the internet became the hub of every people. If you try to contact someone, you could find the information over the net. If you want to announce something, everybody on the internet will know. Even reunions happen on the internet too. That how important and valuable the internet is.

MESSAGING CONVERGENCE

Messaging including SMS, MMS and EMAIL are some of the factors that contribute to the convergence of the IT trends and opportunities. You see, SMS and MMS can be done on mobile phones right? So since, mobile trends are fast evolving, even emailing can be done on it too.

HOME NETWORK

Since internet is worldwide, you could be in any place while just sitting. Being able to meet other people from other countries is a great thing too. Being able to develop my communication skills by talking to foreigners is very important to me. Being able to earn money while playing is fun in a way that there no pressure and I can still do whatever I want whenever I want to. Being able to have fun while talking to some old friends from the past is a hug thing to me. That is why I am very thankful to the technology.

THE CONVERGENCE

So what is this “Trends and Opportunities in Convergence” all about? So if we are going to analyze everything, it is where the latest trends and the opportunities it offers that meets together to set something and to help the society to improve. It has been a long time since this convergence began but only a few people in our country responded to it and noticed it. With the help of these latest trends and the opportunities it offers, people can live and earn money the easiest way. I also have a friend who earns at least 15,000 pesos a month by just writing an article and updating his blog. I got envious when I heard about it so I tried to do my own thing as well. I know have my own blog but still I am in the b\newbie stage. I also have some friends who earn money by just making logo designs which they can sell it to their foreign clients and earn dollars. With a simple help from these trends and the hi-tech things we have right now, everything is smooth-sailing and progressive.

Having IT trends and opportunities to converge brought new life to our society. It has greatly improved our ways of living especially those who went for several sufferings just to survive. Even high school graduate people can live the life they want to even though they do not have any degree attained.

GUY KAWASAKI: Make Meaning Reflection [Techno2-3]

2010-12-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

What is meaning? How can I make one in my life? How can I put something meaningful with what I am doing? Do I love what I am doing? Is this what I really want? Do I have a great career waiting for me in the future? Can I be successful?

All this time in our Technopreneurship we are being asked about our passion and what do we want to happen in our lives in the future. I could still think about how I am going to change my life, how I am going to do a 180 degrees turn against my past mind set. I have been thinking about this ever since I have enrolled in this program. Did I make the right choice? Will I be happy on this path I took? Ever since grade school, I already have plans in my life; what course I will take; which path I should take. When I was still young, it was always been my hobby scanning my father’s architectural magazines; I love scanning his portfolios and I love looking at his blue prints of huge buildings. When I grew I bit older, I started to love drawing, designing structures of establishments; it has been my first love designing buildings. I have joined several art workshops and earned awards. At that moment, I have already known what I my heart wants. But sudden twist came into my life. Due to unexpected events, I had no other choice but to take up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology rather than Bachelor of Science in Architecture or Civil Engineering. I had to do a forceful maneuver to move on. It was quite hard for me; it was like taking away my toys; I became heartbroken. But I had nothing to do but to continue and prove to my self that I am versatile. I can do whatever it is that I am asked to do. I was just doing this because I have to not because I want to. Ever since Sir Randy became our facilitator, he keeps on instilling in our minds to know what we want as early as now. He shares things that really motivate us in reaching the summit of success. But since being on this program is not really the thing that I want, how am I going to be successful?

So I was thinking that I have already spent 3 years on this program, there is no turning back. All I did was to accept and to think of something that would make me love this course. Now, I am thinking about what I can do to myself with this path I chose. How can I be successful? How can I make myself happy? How can be useful to my family? How can I be useful in my community? As I go on with this program Sir Randy, a realization suddenly came and made me think that with this course and with my hidden skills, I can make a “thing” that would answer all of my questions. At first, I was able to determine what I love, what I do not love and the things that I can do. I was also able to determine what my purposes are, for me, for my family, for my community and for the whole world. Sir Randy even asked us to think of a techno business, which was sort of new to me.

Since we are still on the “making of a business” node, Sir Randy shown to us a video of a certain guy. That guy was Mr. Guy Kawasaki; he was once an Apple fellow and the director of Garage Technology Ventures, a venture capitalist firm. So what was the video all about? What was he talking about? Everything he said talks about how to make a meaning on entrepreneurship. Why do we have to make a meaning and how important it is to have a meaning on everything that we do. Many people on our generation want money on the easiest and the quickest way they can.

He strongly believes that the essence of entrepreneurship is to make meaning; “if you make meaning, you will probably make money; but you set out to make money, you will probably not make meaning and you won’t make money”. I was struck by what he said. Is making meaning that important in earning money? Since when does “meaning” became a way in making money? I agreed on what he said, if you really think about it, the belief he stated was sensible. People nowadays are into making money. Who else doesn’t? And then they tend to forget about what are his purposes why he came up with such company or business. We make businesses just for our own benefits and not thinking how our business could help others and the community as well.

Mr. Guy Kawasaki stated that there are three main ways to make a “meaning” to your career: increase the quality of life, right a wrong, and prevent the end of something good.

Increase the quality of life

Think of something that would greatly help and increase the quality of life not just for you but for the people around you. When starting a business think of something worthy as your inspiration and think of something big that could be your greatest motivation. As what Mr. Guy Kawasaki said, when they were making the Mac computers, they were motivated not because of the money they are going to earn but because they wanted to unleash the creativity and the skills of the Mac users, the people behind Mac were motivated by thinking how they are going to change people’s lives. It is not that hard to do, right? Instead of thinking how we can get money, let us think on how we are going to change people’s ways of living; let us think of something that will put a big mark on the industry, a legacy that we can be proud of. Through this, we will be genuinely happy and contented for sure. It is great seeing the smiles of people because of what you did for them.

Right a wrong

Observe Philippines for example, if you are a pessimistic person, you will see this country as dirty, not organize and chaotic. And as a starting-up technopreneur, it will be best to think of something that would greatly help this country. Fix something that you think is wrong. Like corruption, abuses, and such; think of something that could end all those. It would not be easy since big people are behind all of the bad things happening but start with small things and slowly pull up and let people hear your heart. And when you find something to end it, it would helpful not just for yourself but for the community where you are at as well. Isn’t it great if you will be one the people who will contribute to the end of crimes in your country? You will be an instant super hero. But yet the essence of helping is the main key for you to achieve the thing that you want.

Prevent the end of something good

Despite all the bad things happening around us, I know we could still see something good beyond all of these. If your will search deeper, you will be able to see things that are amazing and just waiting for us to be seen. If you can see something good, something great, something very useful, do not change it, instead, make something that would improve it and enhance it. Use everything that you think is the best in order to improve yourself as well. Use every resource you could have to start or improve your business. For example, there are still hidden paradise here in the Philippines for sure, instead of invading them and destroy, make something out of it like putting up a resort or a museum that showcases the greatness of our country, in that way, you will be promoting country’s tourism and yet make money out of it.

Mr. Guy Kawasaki highly recommended to at least have one of these three ways if you plan to put up a business or an organization. If you do not have any, take time to think all over again. Having these three ways could help you make a meaning in your business. Through this, you will not grow tired in working on your business since you know that you are doing it because you know you are helping others while you are earning as well.

For me as person, I have also set my own ways on how I am going to make meaning in my own very ways and experiences. So these are: to know what I want, to set my goals, to set my scope, and to determine my purpose.

SET: WHT I WANT

This was one of our activities during Techno 1, it was to determine what we love, what are we best at, and what our irritants are. I was also able to assess myself of what I really wanted to do with my life. Fortunately, I was able to find one that caught my interest and attention. It is not easy seeking for your love and your wants, although its easy when we talk about material things but when it comes to real things in the real world, it would a little harder. So it is really important to determine what you love, what you want and what your interests earlier.

SET: GOALS

Setting up your goals would help us find our paths and never get lost. Setting up goals serves as our map in our journey to our finish line which is the success of our business. These goals will also serve as our reminders and motivation. Every time we see our goals we will be reminded to be more persevered and determined. Every time we see these goals we will be able to know where we are heading and be guided.

SET: SCOPE

Just like in our Programming Management subject, it is really important to determine the scope of your business. In order not to over-do everything, determining the scope of your business will greatly help you in terms of management in time and in cost.

SET: PURPOSE

Knowing your purpose is just the same as setting some goals but it is way more deeper. Knowing what you can do in order to fulfill your purpose is a great achievement already. Having purpose in life also serves as our guide not just in your business but in your life as well. Since I told you that it is way deeper, your purpose should come from your heart and not just from your mind through paper. Fulfilling the purpose of you business is just the same with fulfilling half of your purpose in life. That is why determining your purpose and fulfilling them is a necessity and it is also a key to eternal and guanine happiness.

These are just my own list to make my own meaning. Different people have different perspective in life, which is why we have to look on both sides in order to avoid misconceptions and misunderstandings. I also highly recommend to apply Mr. Guy Kawasaki’s ways to find meaning, it is very easy to understand and very easy to apply. Its message is very clear and meaningful as what I have said. Apply at least one will help you find your own meaning and having the real happiness would be very easy.

WHAT I LEARNED?

Money is not everything. Meaning is everything. We cannot have money all the time but we can make meaning with every move we make and every breath we take. When you already found your meaning on things that you do, then you are doing the right thing and you are on the right path. I know sometimes we tend to get lost on the track but having a certain meaning could help you get back and move on.

Serendipity Walk: Technopreneur Idea [Techno2 - 2]

2010-12-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

We were given a task to walk around and look for a technopreneur idea. Well, I think I have also thought of one during technopreneurship 1, and it was about an online artist agency. Now, I want to think of something that I am interested to nowadays. It is really hard to think of something at first especially when you are already satisfied with what you have right now. Since I love doing something, anything under the sun, I want think of something that I will be able to put out on hands someday. As I have confessed in my past proposal, I am not a business-minded person.

Almost everything nowadays, automatic, and more people are now living and depending on the cyber world. Career people are always in a hurry and with the help of the internet and hi-tech gadgets; it makes their work easier and faster. I am referring to event organizers specifically. I could see that their ways of living are always in a rush. There a lot of things to take care of and it is not easy organizing things and being reprimanded by your bosses. That is why I have made this kind of business in order to help them for their work to become easier and faster. At first I have thought of an online shop, but online shops are so 2009. And I do not think I will be able to make gadgets. But since it is just an idea why not make it fantastic.

During the last technopreneurship, I was able to think of a business which was called Cyber Artists Center. If I will be given a chance, I will still try to implement it because it is my passion; performing. So, what is Cyber Artists Center all about? It is where I hold different artists like bands, singers, dancers and even emcees. Since I am into performing as well, I would like to have it this way. Where we all get to benefit, we get to earn money and at the same time fulfill our dreams of becoming performers not just in our locality but the whole wide world as well. But this idea does not stop inside the cyber world; I have plans on creating my own company in live action. Where I get to train and help lots of amateurs yet talented people. I know for a fact that talented people are scattered everywhere, especially on the cyber world. If you would try searching on Youtube, you will see millions of videos where talented people perform. I could see that they are really doing their best on getting the people’s attention so they can show what they have got. I know what they are feeling because I, myself too is in the state where I want to show to others that I am not just an ordinary girl, hence, I have something to show to others as well. And I know that some of them are desperate to create a name in the industry. But before engaging to that gigantic world, they have to undergo a process in order to prepare them. As I have seen those talented people, I have thought of helping some of them getting the life that they want to; living the kind of life that they are passionate about. We earn while we have fun. So this is how my business will run: I will hold an open audition for possible artists that I will be managing. Let them submit an audition video. With the videos, I will choose some of it to be posted and promoted. I will put up a gallery-like website where I will promote different artists. If the clients want singers, dancers, bands and emcees, they will just scan to the page where their chosen performers will be posted. Together with the artists, are the said videos for a preview. After they have picked their choice, they will have to contact the manager which will be me. After negotiations, I may then contact the said artist or the performer and give them the event that they will be handling; the kind of event, the date, the location and the number of hours that they will be performing.

So that was my first techno idea, last meeting, we were asked again to walk around and think of another technopreneur creation or idea. On my past essays, I always give emphasis to my passion which is music. And when I say music, I really find it hard to think of something that would become a great technopreneur discovery. So the first thing, I love music so much. I love singing whether it is a Filipino song, English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. I love it. Now I always listen to different kind of music. And I love singing with it. Now my problem is sometimes I cannot sing with it, especially songs in other languages. That is why I came up with an idea of certain device or an mp3 player that automatically searches for lyrics in roman form because other languages have their own alphabets, so I thought of a device that automatically converts a certain alphabet to roman characters in order for me to be able to read it. I am not quite sure if this has already existing but I want to be particular that the device is only an mp3 player and plays only mp3 format files. It would be a convenient for me, as well as other music lovers out there.

The next techno idea I have though of is a device that tells if a mother dog is about to give birth. I had a past experience before where I have dog which was pregnant. But we were not able to monitor how she gave birth; the sad and crucial part for me was she ate two of her puppies. She had 6 but only four survived. I really felt sad because I also have this weak point when it comes to animals specifically to dogs. Now, I have another dog who is about to give birth soon, and I want to see her give birth to her puppies and of course, to avoid what had happened before, I want take good care of her puppies. Since she is my favorite dog, I want to be on her side when she is in pain. So what would this device do? It is a choker for dogs or dog tags to be specific. It would send a text message when the dog’s tummy starts to contract and if it is time for her to give birth. In such way, I will be aware of my dog’s situation and I will be there to witness and support her during the special day of her life.

The next thing I had in mind is a portable ultrasound. So why did I come up with this idea? My mom always talks about his huge tummy and tells us about the pain she is feeling sometimes. We often see the doctor for her checkups and it costs way too much and sometimes it takes too much time when we are on queue. Now in order to save money, I wanted to create a device for an ultrasound that stores up the images on it. Instead of queuing for how many hours, we will just have to show the results to her doctor and just have a consultation. In that way we will be able to save money and time. This will also be applicable for pets, like dogs so that we will be able to determine the number of puppies that we will be expecting in the future. And we will be able to know if they are pregnant again and stuff like that. It will be really helpful, for us pet lovers and for the veterinarian use as well.

Another idea I had, actually this was my idea even before I was enrolled in technopreneurship. I wanted to create a customer counter inside any fast food chains. So how did I come up with such idea? Well, it always happens to us whenever we go to any fast food chains or restaurants, especially during kunch breaks and snack time, where lots of people are queing and lots of people are already eating. I want to make a device that tells whether there is still vacant tables inside or if we should better look for another restaurant. Queing is no joke, the thing when you have to fall in line and end up wasting your time standing and waiting for vacant tables with a tray full of food. So this device will be placed outside the restaurant, when we see a red light, it simply means that the establishment is full and we will have to look for another. In that case, we will be able to save time and avoid ulcer.

There are a lot of technopreneur ideas out there waiting to be discovered, they are waiting for us to thnk about them if only we are open enough for changes and for great ideas to come in. Now,as a reminder for us to be able to catch great ideas, we should be patient; this is must not just for me but to all as well. In the techno world, you will not succeed instantly. Success in this kind of world is not reached just as easy as winning a raffle draw. Everything comes into a process. And this process may take long if you will just going to watch everything and do nothing. And not everything that put up will end up the way you wanted it to be. That is why I should possess great patience in order to succeed. The next thing is to be persevered; this is also a must have in every aspects of our lives. In any career that we are taking, we should pour our very best in order to succeed. Like what I have said, you cannot get anything by watching, you should do a thing in order to catch something. Even in our studies, we should be persevered in order to get good grades. Studying is one way; you will not be able to understand anything if you will just depend on what your teacher has taught you, you should learn how to understand your lessons in your own way. Striving hard is one factor that will be helpful for humans to survive in this world. That is why everyone must possess such characteristic. If everyone will have it, I am sure that there will be no more hungry people living in this country. The next thing is to be determined; this is very common among people like us. We tend to become determined enough to know what we want and to get what our hearts shout for. Being determined will give us directions on where we should go, leading to our greatest dreams. Next is be creative. Every each of us has this artistic skills hidden inside. We just have to let it and let it give us motivation and direction. You see, these are just some. We could be creative enough and unique if we do not close our hearts and our minds for great ideas to come. And through this, wewill be able to create something and contribute to the betterment and advancement of the world.

Starting and thinking of great ideas may be hard, it was hard for me at first too since I am not that creative when it comes to creative stuffs. I struggle a lot since I am not that into techie gadgets although I am fond of using some, I cannot see myself making one. Even thinking how to make the physical components of any device makes me scared since I do not know how to be crafty. Maybe because I just do not know myself that much. I know I could do something but maybe it is just not the time. I am hoping soon enough, I will be able to craete one greate invention.

Who do projects fail? [PM-2]

2010-12-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

Why do projects fail?

The second activity we did on our Project Management course was to determine what causes a certain project to fail. If I am to enumerate all the factors why projects fail, it would take us a day to determine all of it. Since we are now in our junior year in college, tons of projects and paper works are approaching. That is why it will be better if we could at least determine those factors and try to avoid all of those in order to accomplish any projects that may come.

To start off, I want to know when projects will be considered as failed. So a project is considered a failure when it has not delivered what was required, in line with expectations. So in order to succeed we must be able to reach and fulfill the project’s requirements, whether it would be in cost, quality and time. There are a lot of steps in a project’s procedure to follow. These steps will serve as the guidelines in order to achieve the success of the project.
As what I have defined on the previous article, projects can be in any form and on different projects, there will different factors that contribute to its failure.

These reasons are random and could occur on different kinds of projects:

• The wrong business requirements have been addressed

If your project is set up to deliver the "wrong thing," it may be considered a failure even if everything is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This seems harsh. But if your project doesn't deliver what the organization really needs, this will inevitably negatively affect how it's perceived. This is why it's so important to conduct a thorough business requirements analysis.

Now, make sure to check everything before submitting or sending something like a project. This could be considered a huge issue, even though everything went smoothly but the project did not come out as expected, everything will be useless and it causes waste of money as well.

• The environment changes

If the business's needs change, then your business case can become outdated before you've actually completed the project.

Changes in the environment could be one of the factors, you can never tell what the company needs as time goes by and you need to review all over again about the needs of the company or organization.

• Lack of financial support

This is one of the most common factors that make a certain project at school fail. Not all students can afford the things that will be needed to support a certain project. Although there are alternatives, money is still considered as one important requirement.

This is one of the most common factors that affect the process of a particular project. When a certain budget is not enough to support a certain projects everything will be out of hand. The progress of the project will be temporarily stopped and it will greatly affect the given timeframe.

• Time management

This is also one common factor in failing in a certain project, like in my case, I am enrolled in several subjects and sometimes I find it hard to manage my time when all of the subjects teachers give tons of projects in one time, and end up failing in one project. Every student suffers on the same issue.

Since making a project is given a certain timeframe, we should be able to manage it. Finishing on time marks a big check on the objectives. I know that everyone has it, the issue of managing time. It is very difficult especially when you are into some extra curricular activities. I can tell that because I myself have issues like this before. But now I try to cut some extra activities and focus on some important ones.

• Poorly Managed

Lack of management from the head could be one of the factors as well. Even though you have the best workers in town, if you have poor management, everything will be a sort of trash, chaos and unorganized project.

The project is poorly managed. The issue of having poor managerial skills is an issue as well. When a certain manager cannot take responsibility of running the people under a particular project is a difficult problem to solve. Having a good manager is a must in order to achieve and obtain the objectives of a certain project.

• Undefined objectives and goals

This is when we do things in a rush. Projects may fail due to lack of planning and proper citing of goals and objectives. Projects fail when we do not meet the objectives given. So it is a must to plan everything before making a GO in a project.

When starting a particular business we should be aware of the objectives and goals of it. We should be aware on what things to do and why we are doing the things that we do. Sometimes having lack of awareness about the thing to be achieved can lead us to nowhere. Having clear list of goals and objects gives us directions on which path we should take for a smooth journey.

• Poor communication

Sometimes the issue is because of the miscommunication of the team members of the project. Sometimes the ideas of the members clashes with others and causes chaos within the group and end up ruining everything that has been planned for the project.

Misunderstanding and miscommunication between people is a bad thing; this causes bad arguments and disorganized team. With a chaotic team, do you think we will still be able to make a great project, or are we still be able to make a project? That should be the question to be asked in order to avoid stupidity and pathetic acts within team under a particular project.

• Too much pressure

Now, who loves pressure? No one, right? And being too much pressured can keep us thinking the right things to do. We panic, forget everything and end up in a disorganized situation. We are scared of pressure, I agree to that. I even curse it because it keeps me out of focused and makes me crazy.

Instead of being afraid of it, why not make it as a motivation? Use the pressure given to you as a tool in order for you to think great ideas in a short period of time. Adrenaline rush, I may say. I could hear some of my peers that they can think straight when they can feel the adrenaline rush over their body. Great ideas come, especially things that they did not expect that will be thinking.

• We depend on others

We wait for other to make a move. We grow too dependent on others and forget to have our own initiative. We tend follow on the shadows of other people. We let them control them influence us and tend to change our focus and points of view which sometimes causes the unexpected changes in the project.

This is a bad thing, I may say. Just like in school. We tend to forget about making our assignments and just wait for others and copy from them. When there are group activities we tend to rely on their ideas and forget that we also have mouths to speak and that we could add some ideas for the group. It happened to me before. I do not make my own assignments and I just copy from others, but I already learned my lesson and I try to make my own assignments and make my own moves through my own initiative.

• Bad decisions

Sometimes everything under the projects will go to trash with just a simple one bad decision. Even a simple wrong turn can cause chaos and tangled scenarios.

Let us face it, sometimes we make bad decisions over things and end up regretting. Let us keep in mind that making decisions is a huge responsibility to make, and we are the ones who will take the consequences on making it. We should be responsible enough and try to think thing thoroughly before coming into a decision.

• Stakeholder conflict

A certain company can sometimes end up in chaos due to arguments within the stockholders themselves. Because of the want to be on top sometimes, they forgot to think that there projects that will be affected because of their works.
I cannot relate to this but I am sure that this is one of the issues why some huge projects fail.

• Poorly defined roles and responsibilities

People on their places does not know what are their responsibilities and their roles as what they have as a title. Sometimes they tend to forget why they are given the title as manager or any higher ranks which sometimes causes disorganization and chaos.

When we are given a certain position, we should be responsible for it. Let us not forget that there people behind us that seeks for our guidance and directions. So we should be matured enough to be committed and responsible.

• Quality Control issues

Delivering bad products to the customer is a quick way to fail. Quantity and speed is nothing without the best quality a person could offer. Quality is indeed the best way to gain more clients and be successful in any projects you will be handling.

• Selecting the Wrong Project Manager

This is just the same with being poorly managed. Having great follower is such a waste if the person they are following is not really worth it. It difficult to have such great manager with great leadership skills that is why we tend to look for someone who only looks like a good manager but never really does the best way to improve or to help the people and the company he is serving.

• Setting priorities

This is one common problem within a certain projects specially when there are more things that are bothering the project manager. Still everything depends on the manager.

• Hidden Agendas Can Compromise Progress

This is a particularly difficult problem to identify and overcome. We all have unexpressed thoughts and concerns. We all have egos to protect. A good project manager with a high level of emotional intelligence will use their intuition to identify any unsaid needs and draw out any hidden agendas without alienating or threatening anyone.

• Unexpected changes in the project

This is one thing that is unavoidable when under a certain project. It is going to be wasteful, in terms of money, materials and time. Even though we follow certain procedure or plan, changes are still possible to occur and ruin everything, especially when the monitoring team is weak and not rally doing their jobs.

• Change of Scope

As what I have stated above, we cannot avoid changes. It is the only permanent in this world. And we cannot avoid the fact that the scope or the boundaries of our projects tend to change.

• Less effort have been given to the project

Everything that you make is a masterpiece. Now, if you will not put your all on it, it going to be a waste. Giving your all and putting lots of effort on a particular project could lead to the aspired success and achievement.

• Unrealistic timeframe

Let us face it, we are no superhumans. We do not have super powers to create something in an instant. We should make a timeframe that we know we will be able to make something and not make something just to impress. Let us be realistic you know.

These are just some of my research about the factors and reasons why some projects fail. There are a lot to know about it. The next thing I am going to open up is about my point of view about why some of my projects fail and how did I cope up with it.

The most common reason why some of my projects fail in my past experiences is time, financial support and laziness.

TIME

Time management is one issue. I mean most of us during the activity gave time as their reason for failure. We are given enough time but why do we fail to do our tasks. What could be the main reason why we tend to waste our time than making the things that we should do? Well, for me, I do not know. I just love to do things that is enjoyable than making tons of essays and end up mixing and scramble every word that I type. So I see, this is all about time management and setting up priorities. What do I do in a day? I love watching movies, playing the guitar and watching music videos over the internet. Make sense? But it is not just about what I prefer doing but it also happens that tons of projects with the same deadlines are occurring. It is difficult, right? I cannot hit two birds in one stone. And one more thing, I am still young I am still into games and I love playing. It is still about which weighs heavier. And it is hard for me because I am the kind of person who loves doing everything, even non sense things.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

This is the biggest issue among all. Money is really an important thing; money for the materials to be used on my project, fare, and food. There a lot of alternatives instead buying new stuff for the project but I cannot avoid spending to make it better and saleable. And sometimes there could be projects that really need funding and sometimes I am having difficulties in doing one. Like way back in my elementary days where we were financially down. There was one project that really I have to buy for the materials. I was crying because my classmates have already submitted their projects and I still was not able to start up. Good thing my teacher gave me another project in order to cope up with my grade. You know, we can say that money is not everything, but for me, it is really important and it matters a lot. Just like right now in college, I almost fail in our Field Trip and Seminar subject because I failed to pay for the travelling stuff.

LAZINESS

Who would not agree on this matter? Laziness is one great factor to consider. I am lazy, I confess. Youth nowadays are so into sleeping and sitting and eating all day long; prefers to play online games than into physical sports like basketball, volleyball and baseball. So why did I consider it as one factor that contributes to the failure? Simple, because I can see it in myself that I prefer sleeping than making my projects. I prefer pleasure than finishing everything before its deadline. I know lots of the youth today are like this.
When we had our discussion about this, Sir Gamboa emphasized that the main reason why projects fail is because of US, the people behind the project. It is not because of time, money or even laziness. It is us who controls, thinks and manages the project. So its success or failure depends on us. The factors stated above are occurring because of us. It is me who chose to be lazy when I could use my time wisely and be productive; it is me who chose to spend more money than be thrifty enough and use my creativity in order to produce great hand-made projects. It is us who chose to have high pride rather than be humble and try to keep an open mind for others to share their ideas. It is us who chose to misunderstand everything and it is us who chose to allow miscommunications get in the way. It is us who chose our project manager and make him lead even though we know that he or she is not that deserving and he or she does not possess such great leadership skills. It is us who fails to set our priorities right and it is us who failed to manage our time. It is us who chose and allow to produce projects with the lowest quality and it us who chose to be affected with unexpected changes and we let it control us rather than we control them. And it is us who chose and allow our projects to fail. You see, projects will not be called as projects without us people who manage it.

FAIL TO PLAN or PLAN TO FAIL

What is the difference between the two? A lot. Why do projects fail? Is it because we fail to plan or we plan to fail?
Fai l to plan. When I first heard it, I kind of agreed on the thought that projects fail because I failed to plan; since I know from the very beginning that planning is the most important thing to make in order to organize the process of making your projects. I was thinking maybe failing on making plans is the reason why we fail. Maybe the lack of awareness on planning causes the failure of a certain project. I myself do not know how to make plans properly and orderly. I rush things. I am not a good planner. But when the second thought came, it awakens my mind.
Plan to fail. Huh? Right then I realized that it is really us who made the failure and not those lame excuses. Again, it is us who made those stupid factors for us to fail. We use those excuses in order to cover our mistakes and wrong doings. Everyone knows how to plan, and planning to fail is one of it. We are the ones who chose and allow ourselves to fail in some situations that we are still able to make solutions out of it. We tend let failure beat us rather than fighting and aim for success. It is us. We are the master mind.

Project Management 1

2010-11-23T13:15:00.000-08:00

What is a project?

Project is something you make. It could be in any form and in any size. It is something you create within a period of time. It could be done by hands or any machines, it could be as big as constructing a 20-storey building or as small as doing school paper works. Some examples of it are like in engineering works, constructing a huge establishment; a mall, a school, a house. Those were considered as engineering projects. While at school, book reports, class room charts and decorations are examples of school projects. To summarize, it is something you do, make or create.

In reference to the PMBOK Guide, a project is said to be:

TEMPORARY

It is temporary in a sense that there is a time given for it to finish. It has a beginning and an end. It does not just refer to a short-term progress but it may go for years and decades.

UNIQUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, OR RESULTS

Projects could be considered in any forms as what I have stated earlier. It could be in products, in any kind of services and it produces results. Uniqueness of the project is very important; your project must be in different design, form or idea. In order to prevent chaos or plagiarism, uniqueness of a certain project must be considered as one of the important factors to be considered.

PROGRESSIVE ELABORATION

Progressive elaboration means that a certain project should be developing. There would be a certain progressive in steps, and continuing by increments.

What is management?

Management is somewhat like organizing, controlling, administering a certain group, company and anything. It is commonly seen everywhere. It could be through people, things or happenings. Examples of these are managing a certain mall or establishment where you organize your people on their respective departments. Arranging your papers and books may be considered as management as well. Any act of organizing controlling is considered as management.

What is project management?

Project management is a technique used in order to fix or organize a certain project from start to finish. It can be applied to any types of projects is widely used to control the complex processes of software development projects. Based on our reference book, project management is a process of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. And a project manager handles the said management. In reference to the PMBOK Guide, managing a project includes identifying the requirements, establishing clear and achievable objectives, balancing the competing demands quality, time, scope and cost, adapting the specifications, plans, and approach to the different concerns and expectations of the various stakeholders. A project manager often talks about the “triple constraint” or the project scope, time and cost. And the project manager monitors the progression and the achieving of objectives in certain project that he handles; project risks is said to be uncertain or unpredictable but possible to be encountered and whenever it occurs, it will only lead to a positive or negative result on the project objectives to be achieve.

My reflection on the first meeting.

On our first meeting on our project management subject, we already had our first activity which was to define project, management and project management in particular. Of course all of us have our own definition of such terms. And most of us answered almost the same, project is something to be created in period of time; management is an act of managing, directing and controlling; and project management is a technique applied to a certain project in order to finish it orderly. According to Sir Randy, project management can be related to the abbreviation PDOC, which means Planning, Directing, Organizing and Controlling. Planning, obviously it is setting your objectives, setting the time frame of the said project, citing the resources and the people who will work for it. Directing, as a manager you have the privilege to direct the progression of your project, assign your people and make everything happen. Organizing is putting everything in place. And controlling, which means you are in hold of everything that is related to your project being handled.

But during our discussion, the main topic is the term “management”. Was it really the right word to fit on the title project management? Are we all agreed of the word used? It became an issue because of its definition which was controlling. Does anybody wants to be controlled by anyone? No one, right? That is why we had a discussion on what term should be used aside from “management” then “leadership” came. Perfect. There is a huge difference between being a manager and a leader. A manager controls and commands while the leader sets an initiative, acts on his own while the people under his leadership follows not because the leader asked but because they were influenced by the acts of their leader. A leader has the capabilities of influencing his people, has the ability to spread a certain command without shouting and talking all the time; while a manager is always being hated by his/her people because of an unending commands like they were treated as slaves and not as people. A leader can let his people follow him without shouting at the top his lungs and a leader is being looked up by his people and being afraid of. While a manger is scary and said always commanding and stuff and very controlling which we really hate.

I have here I prefer being a leader than being a manager.

A manager is SMART BUT HEARTLESS towards the people under their power.

On the most of the managers, I would agree saying that they are really smart and wise but they often use their brains over their hearts which causes insensitivity and cruelty among their people. I often see crying laborers outside their offices while they are busy counting their moneys. I can sometimes hear them such rude words towards their people under their management which I sincerely feel pity to.

A leader is MINDFUL AND SENSITIVE towards their people.

This is what I love about being a leader. Leaders love their people and treat them like their family not their slaves. Leaders are smart the same as the managers but they think together with their heart and they consider the feelings and the situations of their people before acting a certain decision. They can determine if one of their people is having a hard time and think of something that could help out. They of their people as precious as gems because without them, there will be no work be done. Each person counts.

A manager uses more WORDS than ACTIONS.

A manager commands a lot and controls a lot. They point from there to there and even scream to their people. They tend to command a lot and forget that they have some tasks to do as their manager as well. That is something that I really hate; people that tends to command a lot and works nothing at all.

A leader GUIDES his people and WORKS on his own as well.

As what I have state above, a leader influences rather than commands. They guide their people, teach them what to do and leave them, not like abandoning them but he has to do his tasks as well. If people could see their leader working, they wholeheartedly work their buts out to keep the spirit of team work lives. Instead of controlling them, a leader should guide them on doing the right thing. If a certain person fails, instead of shouting at him, help him out. That is what a leader must be.

A manager CONTROLS his people.

Who wants to be controlled? Nobody. That is why I really hate managers because I do not want to be being said on what I should do. I take guidelines and instructions not out of this world commands.

A leader LEADS his people.

Instead of controlling them, leaders lead; lead their people to the right path of the project’s journey to the finish line. Leaders are approachable and smile a lot to his people. You can never see them frowning and they are always on the chill mode; laughs with his people during break time and sometimes eats with his people during lunch.

I have also stated some places and situations where managing and leading happens:

AT SCHOOL

At school, groupings and electing of officers are always done and they also have these cleaners of the day thing that requires having a leader. In groupings like in some subject activities, we tend to have a leader and a secretary. The leader divides the topics and distributes it to his members including himself. Managing happens when he gives all of their topics to the members leaving nothing for him and tends to just let his members do all the work while he is busy playing DOTA. On electing officers, the president is considered to be the leader of the pack. He guides his people under his presidency on what things to do in order to keep a peace and orderly class. Managing occurs when he tends to use his powers to get what he wants; when he lets his people suffer from a chaotic class while he s busy doing his own stuff, this tends to happen a lot especially in high school, and the assigning of the cleaners-of-the-day, this one is quite memorable for me because I always end up being the leader of the Monday cleaners way back grade school. In my case, I do not I am a manager but I do not consider my self as a leader as well. I do my own chores and I let them do theirs; I do not command or assign chores, since I do not want to be controlled, I do not control people as well. I just list down the names of the members who cleaned and were done. Leadership skills are mostly done in schools.

AT WORK

At a certain company, there will be a CEO, at a certain construction project, there will be a project engineer; at a certain dealership, there will be a lead dealer. There are different terms used to address a leader or a manager. At company or a corporation, there will be a person who will be in charge of the company; it is the president or the CEO. He holds the biggest percentage of stocks being invested in the company. He is assigned by the stockholders to be their leader because of his ability to lead the group. Management occurs when he tends to control everything without the permission of the board members and tends to use his power to do underground transactions. On the other side, projects like constructing a building has its own leaders too; the project engineer. Engineers design and organize the progress of the said construction. My father is a project engineer. I am aware of his work and responsibility as an engineer. He has already done multimillion worth of projects and handled different kinds of people. I can say that my father is a great leader because the people under him respects him a lot and I have seen it ever since that he has great relationships with his people. He talks to them like they are just in the same state, jokes with them and sometimes eat with them. I have gone to my father’s work before and I can see that my father works a lot in order to make a certain construction works. Engineering is not that easy; aside from administering the building you might you should as well organize your people in order to synchronize everything. Another example is my mother’s work. She is a sales agent at Forest Lake. In order to sell, you should be a member of a certain group or dealership. My mother possesses the second highest rank on the dealership. The leader is called the lead dealer and my mother and some others are called cooperating dealer and so on and so forth. Tito Michael is the lead dealer. I am also as well part of their dealership under my mom’s. I can say that Tito Michael is a great leader because he was able to reach the top of the sales without hurting or stepping on any others foot. He treats his people like brothers and sisters and influences them on working hard not because he will gain from it but because it is for the agent’s good as well. He does not command people to sell but he asks them to try their best while he does his as well. Tito Michael amazes me, despite all of the chaos on the marketing world; he was still able to put up a dealership that is fun and lively.

AT HOME

At our home, management rules; we are all lazy people. If we can see people doing household chores, we tend to just watch and let them do it alone. When I am doing the chores, my mother and my sibling hides inside the room and just come out when the table is already done. That is what fires me up, I depend on me alone, even though I go home late because of school, they still wait for me to cook and wash the dishes. But I myself have faults as well, when I feel lazy, I tend to command everything, I do all the talking and they do the work. It is a thing called revenge. But I already had a realization, in order to keep a peaceful and chaos-free home; everyone in the house should be a leader. We will not wait for others to do the chores but instead have the initiative to do it on our own and there will be no more problems in the future.

From PROJECT MANAGEMENT to PROJECT LEADERSHIP.

If we are going to refer to its meaning as management and leadership, I would suggest to really having the term leadership than management. Leadership sounds way better than management. You see, if we are going to look at the meaning of it as in the book and as a course, although management is said to be what we are going to learn, the principles that are being taught is still about leadership. We all know that leadership is still the best when talking about holding up a project or any kinds of organization. If we are going to learn about how to be a good leader, I know we will be the best managers this world could have. I have nothing against the term “manager” but it is the people, who possess such title; who seemingly do not know what its meaning and what is its role to the community. Being a manager as well as a leader is a great responsibility yet an honor, if you are going to have the title as the manager, it simply means that the people around puts up huge amount of trust on you; and you should make it your best in order to make up to their expectations and be the great leader that they will look up to. I have gone to a lot of leadership seminars and I have learned that being a leader does not necessarily mean that you are the head of a certain group; you can be a leader even though you are just a follower. You can lead yourself and your fellow follower by showing them good deeds and what should a follower do in order to succeed; if you will be able to influence them, then by that you can consider yourself as a good leader and maybe some time, you will be able to hold a pack with such great followers and held by a great leadership.

Do I consider myself as a great leader?

I am still on the process of learning on how to be a good leader. In order to become one, discipline is a factor, if you are well-disciplined, then everyone who sees you will follow you. If you know how to carry yourself and lead your people with confidence, then you possess such great leadership skills. And that is a good key.

Being a leader is such a great opportunity in order to speak out what do you want to improve your community. It is a chance where people listens to every word you speak. And through this, you will be able create something for the betterment of the society.

HAVING A GREAT LEADER AS A MANAGER.

A manager should possess great leadership skills in order to create a progressive working relationship. If the manager is a leader enough to take charge on a certain project, then no doubt, that certain project will be a hit for sure. If your manager tends to have the initiative to reach out on people who is under him, then a brighter future awaits you.

Companies now a days are looking for managers who possess such great leadership skills, who could lead people but yet still called a manager and not as a leader. I love the thought having great leadership skills, it simply means a great trust will be given to you, trust from the people around and trust from the people above you. You see, it will be easy for us to climb up to the ladder of success if we are good leaders. Since we are independent, we tend to think of things which will be not just for our own good but for good of others as well. If you are a good leader, people will love you, support you and will serve for you in the future.

I myself want to possess such great leadership skills, I mean who else doesn’t? Even other people tend to pay money in order to have seminars and be aware of the tips on how to become of a good leader. I have been to a lot of it and I was able to get some tips in order to become one. I hope people not just here in my school, not just in my city, not just in my country but the whole world will be able to have great leaders in the future.

Having great project handled by great leaders gives us the opportunity to excel and grow in the industry world.

Techno 1 Reflection

2010-11-20T02:22:00.000-08:00

There were a lot of things I learned from Technopreneurship 1. There were a lot of activities we went to in order to get to know ourselves better and to know the level of our capabilities. Our facilitator, Sir Randy Gamboa was able to create an environment where we, his students became more motivated and desperate to get what we want in the future, and to become a successful technopreneur. It was kind of hard on the first time but we were able to get over it and do the best that we can. It was all interesting and fun.

When we were told that Sir Gamboa was our instructor, I was kind a nervous and thrilled because of some feedbacks we heard from our senior before. It is our first time having Sir Gamboa as our instructor. So all we did was shut our mouths and observe on the first meeting.

On the first quarter of our course, our facilitator introduced to us a model called SEED, where we are going to tackle about self mastery, environment mastery, enterprise mastery and development mastery. For the self-mastery we had activities that we helped us a lot in knowing who we really are. We were asked by Mr. Gamboa why we are going to school, and most of us answered, to finish and get a good job. Some of us wanted to go abroad after graduation, (that is if were to graduate). He asked us about our goals and mission for ourselves and in our community, of course, my answer was to lend a good job after graduation. But Mr. Gamboa had it way around, he told us to change our mind set and aim higher because he believed that we can much better than what we are thinking. Instead of being employed why not being the employer? For me, it was easy to say things but I know it will take a lot of effort to be able to make my own company. Especially that I don not have any interest of making one. I am not a business minded person. I do not know how to sell myself in order to gain profit out of my creative ideas. At that moment, I still do not know what my skills are and what can I do for a living. I am still figuring things out. I am still in a coward stage where I am afraid of taking risks and exploring things. I wanted to be stacked in my comfort zone forever, but I know it was the time, the time to get out of my shell and grow in the new world that I am having. That activity made a big issue among us students, because it talked about what we are going to be in the future and it is no joke at all. Thinking about how you are going to control and run your life not as a student anymore but a career person, living independently.

After that week, Mr. Gamboa showed us a film titled “The Pirates of the Silicon Valley” where we were asked to do a reflection and opinions about it. It was really a great movie showing us great passion on pursuing your dreams and aspirations. Steve Jobs became our inspiration on that one look. You see, he did not finish college, but he became successful. His personal life was not perfect, but he was successful. There were a lot of things that contributed to Steve Jobs’ success and failure in his career life, and we were asked to determine what those are. In his success some factors I wrote were: having great determination, having a fountain of ideas, having lots charm, having an employer mindset, and being obsessive-compulsive. And the factors contributed to his failures were: his temper, his pride, lost of control, and forgetting his roots. I have learned that each of us has our own ways on reaching our goals. We may be encountering different obstacles but it is a part of learning in order for us to become motivated, wise and brave. As I was watching the movie, lots of realizations came out, finishing college is not a necessity to be successful, although it is an advantage, guts and “distkarte” are the most important things to be possessed in order to succeed. We were also asked on how we see ourselves as a technopreneur, honestly, during that time, I did not think or foresee myself as a technopreneur or a business person. I am indeed a techie person but I do not make money out of it. But talking about making myself as a technopreneur, I know I can be a good one because having the factors of being a successful technopreneur are easy to get. Discipline, determination and courage. The next question was, if we are going to take Steve Jobs’ path, and of course my answer was no. Steve Jobs is Steve Jobs. Monique is Monique. Mr. Jobs has his own way of thinking; his own ways of living and way much smarter than me. We are different and I want to experience everything on my own and not because Steve Jobs did. I have my own definition of success and he has his own.

After the movie, we were also able to read Steve Jobs’ commencement address and learned so much from it. Steve Jobs became our inspiration and a mentor in achieving our goals. He possesses great characteristics a technopreneur should have; like having great determination and perseverance. Having great confidence and optimism to reach what you really wanted. It’s not just about good grades but it is the value of what has stored in your life. I have also learned to think about myself, on what I like and I do not and also my interests in life, because it is going to be very useful in the future. I felt a little disappointment because I was not able to know what I really want in my life and what my goals are. I keep on doing things which are totally nonsense and useless. I tend to like everything and throw it all afterwards. I do not know where I was going and risking everything. When I read the commencement letter, I felt sad but now really determined. We only had one life and we should make the most out of it; by doing what we love so that we will die happy. Just like Steve Jobs which was diagnosed by a killer disease but fortunately survived. And he was able to do what he wants and he was happy.

We were also tasked to take some tests such as personal traits test, IQ test, EQ test and AQ test. On the personal traits test, it was done on our lab room; everyone got a satisfactory result, not really a technopreneur but almost there. At that moment we were still under the adjusting period where we are about to change our old views in life. In my IQ test, the result was as expected, not that high but at least it is above average. On my EQ test, I forgot the results but if I am going to judge myself, I am not an emo but I am sensitive enough to feel if I am still doing good or I am hurting somebody and being a technopreneur, being too attached and personal to every people you meet is an issue. Everything should be pure business. And on my AQ test, well, I do not really dwell on my failures although I think about it a lot, but I do not let it get in my way; I can easily move on after a certain fall, but I am not insensitive and dumb; I just use my mind over my heart a lot.

Determining our purpose in life was one of the goals, mine was: to work out on my dreams and make them come true without stepping on others. Learn from mistakes and continue living life in God's will. It is very simple but it means a lot me. Putting God as the center of my life is a big factor in succeeding without him all our efforts will be wasted.

We also had an activity where we were asked to write our mission to ourselves, to our friends, to our family and to our community; then our facilitator took it all away, with an empty hand, we were asked again about what is our mission. It was a quite hard activity because I was too attached with what I wanted to achieve before. I then realize that there a lot of things to be discovered and lots of things that are interesting.

Another activity was we were asked to write down what we love, what we are best at and what were our irritants. I have observed that most of the things that I loved and where I am best at are not related to the career I have chosen to go now. It was kind of complicated. Out of those, we were asked to make a business plan, group and individual. In our group proposal, we had a hard time making one with my group mates because we have our own ideas and it just don’t get along with the others. I and Claire are so much into pop music, Abigail and Ralph are into arts and Benjamin is into gaming. It took us weeks to figure out what business should we propose. Until the day of presentation, we still have not made up our minds, so we decided to just mix it up together and ended up rejected. Because of the lack of understanding and lack of communication, we had to think about a new proposal again, thanks to Benj and his weird ideas, we were able to submit one and sir approved it so easily, our business was an online dirby. I was shocked at first when Sir approved it because I was honestly doubtful on our proposal because it is a kind of gambling, it is a cockfight and I know for a fact that it is kind of complicated to begin with. But still luckily, we were able to pass through it. In my personal proposal, I have decided to create an online artist agency or management. It is a website where amateur artists come and they will let us promote them by having clients who needs performers. I had a great vision on that proposal because it is what I really want, and what I am fond of doing, performing. If my online business will succeed, my next target is to make an actual artist company, where I will be training artist and make them known not just here in the Philippines but worldwide as well. Quite big huh?

There were a lot of things I got from all of those activities and by the help of Sir Randy. I am surely sure that I will be able to use all of those in my future career life and to become a successful technopreneur. To number my learning, having an open mind and be considerate for the ideas of others, because there could be times that I will be working with other people. Like what happened in our part activity, you see not every one of us think the same and have the same hobbies and likes. Also one thing is to keep the fire of determination burning, never let one failure ruin your entire dreams; I will use all of those in order to be courageous and wise in the future even today. Now that I am not getting any younger, I will practice on how to think mature and but to be too serious. Have fun and explore. Have a sharp mind and keep an open visuals for new creations and inventions. Because of these, I was able to determine what I have been wanting ever since. And I am glad I took this subject.

My advice to those who will take their Fieldtrip and Seminar program in the near future.

2010-10-26T18:38:00.001-07:00

My advice to those who will take the subject, bring a camera with you, take down notes as well. And never ever leave your stuff unattended. Be aware of the amount to be used to prepare your parents. Bring extra money too. Most especially, have fun! Enjoy and make the most out of your trip.

What can I recommend for the improvement of the Fieldtrip and Seminar Program?

2010-10-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

It was not a perfect field trip for us but still we managed to finish it happily.

Since the biggest issue we had was the time management, I hope next time, scheduled will be followed well. The division of students must be organized well so there would no more exchanging things to happen. It was one of the issues we had because there are some students that didn’t know which bus they should take.

Another thing, I suggest to change the choice of hotel because as we have observed, cleanliness was really an issue. We could see some trash under our beds, ruined air condition frames and a remote that won’t function and we tried to ask some help but they just ignored us, and did not served us well. And we also observed that they don’t change our comforters and they have blankets that are the same with the ones on the hospitals, it kind of freaky.

I also suggest to add more side trips to make the most out of the money paid. And make the trip more unforgettable.

Field Trip and Seminar [Day 5]

2010-10-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Day 5

October 8, the last day. We still have two more companies to visit. We started our day with a breakfast still at the hotel.

Today, I went on a company visit to TTI (Telecoms Training Institute) at Valenzuela City and MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) Traffic Engineering department at Makati City.

What I have learned?

I have learned that Telecommunications Training Institute or TTI was made to aid players in the telecommunications industry, its training programs were opened to other interested parties, such as: technical staff of PTEs, Image employees from other government agencies, students, out-of-school youths, and foreign students. They are offering the following trainings: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Solar Power System, Aerial Line Plant Design, Aerial Line Plant Installation, Metallic Cable Splicing, Outside Plant Maintenance, Optic Fiber Splicing and Testing, Digital Telephone, Switching, Concepts and Applications, Basic Digital Technology, Digital Transmission Technology, Wireless Local Loop (WLL), Satellite Communications Technology, Data Communications and Networking, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) (info about the training from TTI website). They have showed us lots about data transmission on communication and transportation. They showed to us how fiber optics being used and how we should be careful on cutting it because it could kill people. It was a good topic, but I do not think that we will be inclined to such line of career. It was all about wirings, connections and I think ECE people would be best for it. I did not even understand some of the terms the lecturer gave. But it was quite nice.

After TTI, we had our last company visit at the MMDA Traffic Engineering department. MMDA holds lots of sub-departments to cater the development of Manila. And one of it is the Transport and Traffic Management; which includes the formulation, coordination and monitoring of policies, etc. As we were entering, we were amazed to huge screens monitoring the busy streets of Manila. They’ve got lots of computer for monitoring. They even showed us a recorded video of an accident, and they were able to verify who’s to be blamed of it. And with their high-tech cameras they are able to see the plate numbers of the vehicles passing. After the monitoring, they showed us a room where data transmission occurs or in our term, servers. So if ever you want to know an alternative way to your destination to avoid traffic, you can contact them and they will provide you the routes.

What I liked?

I liked the MMDA visit. We saw how technology can be helpful nowadays. We could see how they implement different technology in order to maintain and achieve peaceful and orderly Manila streets and highways.

I also liked the Market Market stop. I was able to buy things for my sisters. And I never thought that they allow dogs to go inside the mall. I loved it. I wish the malls here in Davao would allow it too.

What I didn’t like?

After MMDA, we went to our last Mall stop, Market Market. Since it was almost 5:30pm we only had a little time to stroll around. I dislike the thought of leaving Manila without seeing my cousins and without experiencing the things that I wanted to do wayback.

After which, we headed to the airport for our departure going back to Davao.

End of Day 5.

Field Trip and Seminar [Day 4]

2010-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Day 4

October 7, the most awaited day. It was the best day for me because we were able to go to places where the others didn’t. We had our breakfast at the hotel.

Today, I went on a company visit to Hitachi GST located in Laguna Technopark at Binan, Laguna. It was an hour and a half travel from Quezon City, but it was worth it. We only had one company visit for this day because went to Tagaytay afterwards.

What I learned?

I have learned that Hitachi GST provides storage devices and systems. They have shown to us different sizes of hard drives. They have external and internal drives and even solid state drives. They just showed how the drives are being processed. When we got there, it was like we were on a different place, not in the Philippines. It was kind of strict when we got inside; we have to wear shoe covers before entering the building. Before we had the proper showcasing of the company, they have discussed with us about what they offer to the market.

Off topic, I have learned that Mt. Gonzales, formerly known as Mt. Sungay is the tallest mountain in Tagaytay where the People’s Park in the Sky is located.

What I liked?

Well, it’s pretty obvious that the trip to Tagaytay was the most unforgettable thing ever. I loved the lunch at Max’s Restaurant at Tagaytay City; where the great view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano can be seen. It was breath-taking. I never thought that I would be able to see such place because I only see them on TV. It was almost a hand-reach. We were lucky because our bus was the only batch that was able to have a stop there. And we were really happy. After the great lunch, we went directly to the People’s Park in the Sky, located at Mt. Gonzales, Tagaytay City. It was really a beautiful place to unwind. The view is very beautiful.

After Tagaytay, we went to the most exciting place, Enchanted Kingdom! We had a ride-all-you-can ticket but unfortunately we were only able to do two rides. We went to the most popular ride there, the Space Shuttle. It was really exciting. And queue was quite long. We waited over one hour before we were able to get on it. Together with Maam Maui and Sir Jappeht, we had the best night ever. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. The park was about to close, so we have to go back to the hotel as well. It’s going to be a long travel back.

I liked it when we have to eat on our own, like today. We just stayed in our rooms and ordered McDo. We felt comfortable and relaxed eating in our rooms.

What I didn’t like?

Again, it was the time issue I hated the most. We had a ride-all-you-can ticket but we were only had two rides at Enchanted Kingdom. When we decided to go to the Space Shuttle, we have fall in line and I mean it was the longest line in EK. We stood there like one hour and a half, until we were able to ride on it. Imagine, we waited for an hour and the ride lasted for only a few seconds. Gosh. We really wanted to make the most of our time there but it was closing time so we have to go out.

One more thing, when we decided to go back to the hotel, we have to take bus 2, and the bad thing was, it has cockroaches and stuff. It was gross.

End of Day 4.

Field Trip and Seminar [Day 3]

2010-10-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Day 3

October 6, I woke up earlier than my other roommates, I am proud of it. Around 4:15, I took a bath and wore formal attire. High-heels again. After all the preparations, we went down for our breakfast at Bellore Restaurant at Examiner Street, Quezon City; it was just beside Grills and Sizzles

Today, we went to the Advance Science and Technical Institute at UP Diliman, and at the Social Security System main office in East Avenue, Quezon City.

What I have learned?

I have learned that the BAYANIHAN operating system was created at ASTI. ASTI is where new researches being made; IT-related stuff and on microelectonics. I have learned that aside from doing researches, ASTI also provides services such as Digital Library System which is capable of handling digitized documents that can be easily uploaded and stored include conference proceedings, journals, theses, dissertations, and other publications, even audio and video files of trainings, seminars, and workshops, Digital Content System which is a free online library which directs users to exemplary resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research, Virtual Classroom, classroom-like but over IP, Webhosting which allows individuals and organizations to host their own website and the .GOV.PH Domain Delegation. They have also shown us some of their implemented projects like the GSM Data Terminal, Wireless Telemetry and Remote Monitoring Platform, PICMe Microcontroller Starter Kit, Digital Wood Moisture Meter, Digital MultiMeter, and the Pasteurizer.

Next was the SSS visit. The SSS company visit was the best company visit we had. I mean, they have prepared a lot. They discussed a lot of things, about why should be a member and what the benefits of the members are and how they synchronize the data around different SSS branches in the Philippines. I learned the process on how they verify the identification of their members. They have showed to us how they accept applicants and how to verify such and especially how to make the SSS IDs. It was quite interesting. Too bad we went there after office hours; we were not able to see the machine on work. They have also shown their library and the museum that contains artifacts. It was the best out of all the companies we have been to, the ladies who guided us were very nice and friendly.

What I liked?

The people at ASTI were great, very friendly and accommodating. They answered all of our questions with a smile and showed us great willingness. I also loved the lunch at Kenny Rogers.

What I really liked today was the visit at SSS. It was really meaningful. I found it very interesting because I know someday I will have my own SSS ID and become a member of that government department. I also loved how ladies there talked to us, very warm and welcoming. I loved their museum, it was like I came back to the old times and I also saw some old stuff from the past. It was really amazing.

We were also able to took pictures of our president’s house. I liked it.
After company visit, the Tutuban Mall trip was also one of the best! I was able to buy stuff at a low price.

What I didn’t like?

The thing I disliked during this day was that we wasted an hour waiting for our turn at ASTI. We were the first ones to arrive there but I didn’t know why the other group was the one who entered the building first. So instead, we went to UP Coop where they sell UP stuff. And had a little photo shoot at the UP Oblation, but unfortunately, I fell asleep waiting so I wasn’t able to join the picture taking thing.

Another thing, I would love to buy more at Tutuban Mall but we only had few minutes to stroll around. So I guess the shortage of time was the greatest issue on our trip.

End of Day 3.

Field Trip and Seminar [Day 2]

2010-10-26T18:31:00.001-07:00

Day 2

The 2nd day begins with a 5:00am wakeup call and 6:00am assembly time. It was quite hard for me because I got used to wake up on 7am and now I am asked to wake up 4:30am. Gosh! But thank God I was able to. It is time for our breakfast. We went to Grills and Sizzles at Examiner Street, Quezon City near President Noynoy Aquino’s house. I really loved the food there, so much!

Today, we went to the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, for the USEP-UP Information Technology Symposium; actually it was an extended version of the Youth 4 IT seminar last September that unfortunately we were not able to attend. Sea Change International and IBM Philippines at the UP Ayala Techno Hub at Commonwealth Avenue.

The program at UP started at around 9:00 am and ended at around 12 noon. The program went smoothly with the following topics presented: Writing a Winning Thesis by Miss Rose Anne Sale, Visualizing Wikipedia Article Evolution with Stream Graphs by Mr. John Boaz Lee, Personal Learning Environments by Miss Michelle Lee Moscatel, Animation by Miss Len Degracia, Mobile Device Game Development by Professor Carlos Bott, and Empowering the Nation Thru Educational Technologies by Dr. Ferdinand Pitagan.

What I have learned?

I have learned a lot from those presentations at the symposium. Although it became a little boring in the middle part because there are things discussed that was out of my thinking capacity. And I really tried my best to understand everything that’s why I ended up with an empty mind. Although there were some things that stacked in my mind, failures don’t make an end in your career, it even makes you fight more to succeed. One speaker said that it is not necessary to be an IT graduate or a graduate of any IT-related course to make your own game and succeed, it only needs your determination and willingness to learn and make something out of your creativity. So if we fail, like what we are experiencing now, never ever lose hope, instead find out what made us fail and make something that will help us get rid of it and pass next time. In Writing a Winning Thesis, Ms. Rose Anne Sale showed us their group thesis, which was the Kine Spell 2. It was amazing. She said that it was not an easy adventure. In writing a thesis, keeping an open-mind is important. We may fail many times, but never ever let those failures be a hindrance to what you really want to achieve. For a thesis, it’s not easy, even looking for a thesis topic is hard what more if you’re going to implement it? Hard work and patience is a must.

At Sea Change International, I have learned that they are one of the largest software companies worldwide. They were the ones who created the multi-screen video software is now being used in other countries. It provides innovative solutions and services for back office, advertising, content, in-home devices and broadcast to hundreds of media companies globally. They have shown us sample software where you could watch tv while other updates are flashing on your screen. And I mean updates from the internet. They said that the software that they are now currently making can do pause and play when you are watching your favorite shows live. It is like a computer where it has a storage device that saves up every show you are watching, it make me interested because I am fond of watching tv series. Aside from this product, they also provide different services like: on demand solutions like broadband, advanced advertising solutions like linear insertions and dynamic VOD ad insertion, broadcast television where it helps broadcasters operate more efficiently than ever before, personalized applications and other services like content or media, professional and educational.

The next company we visited was the IBM, the famous IBM. IBM or International Business Machines is one of the biggest IT company in the world. They used to do business with computers but now they are dealing with computer software and helping young technopreneurs to create something out of their skills and be successful in the IT world. That what amazes me, when you have something in mind, like software and you needed support for it be brought to life, you can simply go to IBM and ask for their support and voila, you could have your own IT company. Great, isn’t it? I have also learned that they have this advocacy called “Smarter Planet” that focuses on developing initiatives to address specific societal issues, such as the environment, community economic development, education, health, literacy, language and culture. They employ IBM's most valuable resources, their technology and talent, in order to create innovative programs in these areas to assist communities around the world.

What I liked?

I really like having seminars that talk about something that I can relate to. It easily catches my attention and whenever I see women that are very successful, it gives me a little kick and makes have the determination and perseverance to go on and do best as I take this path now.

I also liked the people in Sea Change, they were really nice; they even encouraged us to work there because there is an unlimited supply of drinks. Haha. But honestly, I felt comfortable when we were there. They were very accommodating and friendly. I really love the ambiance inside their offices; it was like I was in another country.

At IBM, I liked it when they are giving away IBM stuffs like bags and etc. I also liked their speaker; she was so bright and attentive. Very funny as well.

At UP Research groups and labs, I loved their computers! I really liked how UP molds their students to become one of the bests.

We were also able to pass by Pinoy Big Brother house and took some pictures. After it, we had a great dinner at Tramway Restaurant in Timog Avenue.

What I didn’t like?

The things that I did not like on that day were that we were not able to follow our schedule, we ended the presentations almost 12 noon and when we were about to eat our lunch still at UP campus, the seats and tables were not enough to cater all of us, we were like eating in an eatery near USEP, I really hated it and I ended up seating with other people that I don’t know.

We ended way beyond our schedule and we still have to go to Trinoma to do some side-tripping and a little shopping. Unfortunately, it was almost closing time when we arrive there so we were in extreme speed when we got inside. We just bought a jag of mineral water for us to drink when we are in the hotel and then we went out. The door where we went in was already closed we have to look for another way, we saw Sir Jappeht, so we decided to follow him, thinking that he knows where he was going. The funny thing was, he didn’t know where he was going. So were like, oh my, where are we? Good thing there were guards around the mall and we asked where the parking lot for buses is located, and fortunately, we were able to go back to the buses. It was a great experience though. Hehe.

End of Day 2.

Field Trip and Seminar [Day 1]

2010-10-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

Day 1

This was day that we have been waiting for! Our trip to Manila. On the first day, October 4, 2010, we left Davao at 10:10 am and arrived in Manila at 11:55 am via Cebu Pacific Airlines, too bad we weren’t able to see dancing flight attendants [hehe]. It was memorable for me because it was my first time; first time to go inside the airport, first time to see an airplane in a closer look and ride on it. It was pretty fascinating for me. As the aircraft was starting to move my heart beat increased like it was about to burst. When we were already flying, I could see the beautiful islands of the Philippines. It was breath-taking. But when we were approaching Manila, the white clouds and blue waters became brown and muddy. I do not know but I felt a little sad because the place was now really polluted and I felt bad for those who were living there. But I am still hopeful that there would still be a time that it will be back to what it was before, Philippines is a beautiful country, you know. After an hour and half, we were descending already and I felt really excited. After landing, we went to see our buses and tour guides. I belong to Bus 4.

Since we arrived in Manila almost 12 noon and we were starving, we went directly to Jade Valley Cantonese Cuisine Restaurant located in the corner of Sct. Torillo and Sct. Rallos, Quezon City. It was a buffet meal so I ate a lot. We also took a little picture taking and sight-seeing.

Today I went on company visit to Bayan Telecommunications at Quezon City.

What I learned?

We all know that BayanTel is one of the largest telephone service providers, but know they don’t just deal with telephones but with internet connections as well. They showed to us how their company works and how they monitor their connections from different parts of the country.

They have also shared to us the history of their company. Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corporation was incorporated in October 15, 1993. Bayan Telecommunications, the operating arm of BTHC and formerly known as International Communications Corporation, was incorporated in April 18, 1996. I learned that their company provides major services like Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), International Gateway Facility (IGF), Leased Line service, domestic and international, Public Trunk Radio, and Public Calling Office. Their existing nationwide network is composed of satellite, terrestrial and land/submarine based cable facilities. The network includes capacities in the National Digital Transmission Network (NDTN), a joint project of six Philippine telecommunications carriers. They do have variety of services that involves lots of data transmissions and communications. Aside from the landline and internet, they serves alongside with business people providing Data Transport services, IP services, Value Added services, Managing services and Voice services. They also provide international communication in order to keep long-distance relationships get in-touch as long as they wish; which helps people especially those who have been working outside the Philippines. So this goes to show that Bayan Telecommunication is not just an easy company, it is a huge corporation that offers good service to consumers like us.

What I liked?

Today, well the food at Jade Valley was really great. Since we arrived at 12 noon, we only had half of the day left for the company visit and that was allotted for one company. For Bayantel, I like the way they entertained us. They showed us some good sides of their company that would greatly help us in the near future.

Another thing was of course, the first mall time we had at SM Mall of Asia. It is one of the places that I have wanted to visit ever since. I was really thrilled when I got to see the huge globe outside the mall. It was almost dinner when we got there so we got to see the globe with dancing lightings. It was really fascinating. We also went to Timezone, where our favorite Dance Maniax was located. As expected, we just hang out on that place for the whole time. After playing, we went directly to Taste Asia in MOA where we had our dinner. I also liked the food there.

What I didn’t like?

When we got to Bayantel, I was not satisfied with what they have shown to us, I almost fell asleep because what they have showed to us is just the same with what they are showing on tv that serves as their advertisements. And I am honestly sick of that. I know what kind of business they have that is why I keep asking for more, like how specifically the services evolves and runs countrywide. And I could see that they were not ready and prepared when we got there, it was like an impromptu show. I wish they have shown more to satisfy us students that might be working with them in the near future.

I also didn’t like the time when we got to MOA because I wasn’t able to do ice skating! We were wearing formal clothes with heels. I hated it a lot because ever since I was in Davao, I have always wanted to do that.

End of Day 1.

Field Trip and Seminar [Overview]

2010-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Fieldtrip Overview

Before the semester began, we were already aware of this field trip thing and it would be held outside Mindanao. I was really excited because everything that I will be encountering is going to be my first time; first time to attend a field trip, first time to travel outside Mindanao and first time to ride on an airplane. Yes, those were indeed my first times, and it was surely unforgettable.

On the day of departure, I was really looking forward to seeing Manila for the first time; to get into the plane and see the wonderful islands of the Philippines. I was excited to get on the plane and feel the pressure coagulating my ears.

Our schedule was fully packed at the moment we arrived, since it was already lunch time, we went directly to Jade Valley Cantonese Cuisine Restaurant, and then followed by Bayan Telecommunications Company for the first company visit. After which, we went to SM Mall of Asia for our first mall stop and shopping time and had our dinner at Taste Asia in MOA. After the first tiring day, we went to Garden Plaza Hotel and Suites to check in and have a relief from stress and jetlag on that day.

On the second day, it was our UP Seminar day. We went to Grills & Sizzles Restaurant for our buffet breakfast and then we went directly to the University of the Philippines Diliman for the said national IT seminar. The first half of the day was all talk and presentations, great presentations, we also had our lunch there and after which we went to Ayala Techno Hub where huge IT companies were located. And then we went back to UP to visit some of their research group. It was really jaw-dropping because they were making such technology which I never ever though of doing so. We ended too late because we were not able to follow the schedule. After UP, we went to Trinoma for a scheduled malling time but then since we ended late, we only had 30 minutes of strolling around. After malling, we went to Tramway Restaurant for dinner and went back to the hotel to rest.

On the third day, we had our breakfast at Bellore Restaurant and after it, we went back to UP to buy some UP collectibles and stuff, after doing such, we had another visit at the Advance Science and Technical Institute till in UP. After which, we had our lunch at Kenny Rogers. After the delicious lunch, we went to the Social Security System main office for another brief seminar and a little tour on their ID making machines. After it was another shopping at Tutuban Mall. Too bas I did not have lots for my pocket money. We also had our dinner on our own. And then went back to the hotel.

On the fourth day, we only had our breakfast at the hotel and went straight to Hitachi GST in Laguna Technopark, the place was really great it was like we were in another country. Next stop was the highlight of the trip, we went to Tagaytay! We also had our lunch there at Max’s Restaurant with a great view of Mt. Taal and Taal Lake. After which, we went to the People’s Park in the Sky where they sell different Tagaytay stuff and pasalubongs. It was a fun trip to Tagaytay. And next was the best ever destination, Enchanted Kingdom! We only had 2 hours to do some rides. Too sad. After which we went back to the hotel and some went back to Tutuban Mall to do more shopping.

On the fifth day, the last day, we had our breakfast again in the hotel and then went to DOTC or the Department of Transportation and Communication to have a look on their machines on transmitting data, and went back to Bellore Restaurant for our lunch. After which we had our last company visit at MMDA Traffic Engineering where they had lots of computers for monitoring traffic. After it was also our last malling at Market Market it was just a short stroll and were off to the airport for departure back to Davao.

It was really an exciting but a little tiring trip.

Futuristic Business Proposal.. eh?

2010-10-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

WHAT: CYBER ARTISTS CENTER
WHO ARE THE TARGET CLIENTS: Event organizers, Party holders, anyone who will host an event that is in need of performers
WHAT DO I OFFER: performers like singers, dancers, bands, emcees
NATURE: music, performing

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If I will be given a chance to make my own business, I would like to be an artist center; where I hold different artists like bands, singers, dancers and even emcees. Since I am into performing as well, I would like to have it this way. Where we all get to benefit, we get to earn money and at the same time fulfill our dreams of becoming performers not just in our locality but the whole wide world.

Nowadays, talented people are scattered everywhere, especially on the cyber world. If you would try searching on Youtube, you will see millions of videos where talented people perform. I could see that they are really doing their best on getting the people’s attention so they can show what they have got. I know what they are feeling because I, myself too is in the state where I want to show to others that I am not just an ordinary girl, hence, I have something to show to others as well. And I know that some of them are desperate to create a name in the industry. But before engaging to that gigantic world, they have to undergo a process in order to prepare them. As I have seen those talented people, I have thought of helping some of them getting the life that they want to; living the kind of life that they are passionate about. We earn while we have fun.

So this is how my business will run:
I will hold an open audition for possible artists that I will be managing. Let them submit an audition video.

With the videos, I will choose some of it to be posted and promoted.

I will put up a gallery-like website where I will promote different artists. If the clients want singers, dancers, bands and emcees, they will just scan to the page where their chosen performers will be posted.

Together with the artists, are the said videos for a preview.

After they have picked their choice, they will have to contact the manager which will be me.

After negotiations, I may then contact the said artist or the performer and give them the event that they will be handling; the kind of event, the date, the location and the number of hours that they will be performing.

Payments maybe done through credit card, Paypal, Western Union, G-Cash, etc.

As my plan may work, I will e starting my business locally. Like here in Davao, I know for a fact that there lots of Dabaweños that are very talented and that possible performers. Through this business, I may help them by promoting them, they are earning while living their dream of performing and we never in the near future, my held artists might be the next big superstars.

How did I come up with this kind of idea?

I was making a list of what I love and what is my passion in life. As I have seen in my notes, there is only one thing that is written to it, MUSIC. I have always loved music. I guess everyone does.

Lately, I have been hooked to Korean pop songs and artists as well. As I have been watching them, I have seen how amazing they were, singing and dancing at the same time. I loved watching them. And I got into my mind how they were being trained. As I was thinking about it, I have thought that I could do what they are doing too. And the craziest idea popped into my mind, as I have surfed the internet, there are a some of Korean artist companied that are holding auditions, not just in Korea but worldwide, and how they did their audition? ONLINE. And because of the want of getting involved to the music industry, and experience the training that my favorite artists have gone into, I tried auditioning. The reply from the company is quite a long wait to get. So then I had thought, what if, I will also put up my own company, where I also train talents, and make them a grand debut and making them known not just in our locality, nationally but worldwide. I know that it is like a huge dream to be reached but it is not impossible. I then thought of what I have right now and what I could do as for now to start up. I said to myself, it would a lot of work because I have to look for talented people and performers, I know there are a lot but it will be difficult for them to trust somebody on holding their promotions. Then I thought that why look for others when I have lots around me. Why not promote my friends which I know that they possess such world class talents.

From it, of course we will start with a small income. I will save first and then if given a chance to succeed, I will then hold a nation-wide online auditioning of artists. How will this work? Every artist or performers will then submit an audition piece online (like video, audio) together with their personal information like name, address, age, if they are a group, they will have to send me their group name and name of the members as well. After it, I will then choose the best artists that I will be managing from different locations. After choosing, I will then make a website posting all the artists or performers name with the video they have submitted. The video will also serve as preview for clients to know which band or performer they will be hiring.

After choosing, they will then contact me through the contact information posted on the website I have made. The clients will then state the kind of event they will be having together with the date of the event, the location and the number of hours they will be needing my artists. After doing such, I will then check my list of which artist they have chosen and contact the said performer, then send them the details of the event they will be performing on. But before anything else, before I send my artists in the said event, the client should pay a down payment which will be 50% of the full rate of the performers.

So how am I going to earn?

Between me and the performers we will have a 40/60 division. 40% of the full payment will go to my account while the other 60% will go to them. So let us say we have received 10,000 pesos on an event, 4,000 pesos will go to me wile 6,000 pesos of the full payment will go to the artist or performers plus their exposure. I am being paid because of the transactions I have made, the efforts I have given in order to promote the artists under my management.
At first shot, of course we will not going to earn big because some of my artist might still be amateurs but if I am going to strive harder then manage more talented and then maybe I could get more clients and with good recommendation, I would be able to get big clients and may earn big money than what is expected.

What are my future plans if this would succeed?

I would put up an artists academy where I train talents and performers. Just like in some Korean companies. The only difference I that it would be in the Philippines and it is pinoy-style. An when I will succeed on this, I will able to raise my own made talents and performers an let them be exposed on the entertainment industry, creating their own name and live the life that they have been wanting to.

Before letting the artists have their debut, they will have to undergo series of training in order to prepare them into the entertainment industry. I want them to become competitive and talented enough to compete against other world-known talents as well.

Through this, I will also be able to earn more with talented artists.

How am I going to promote?

Since the only resource that is on hand today is the internet, I will start by just a simple advertising. There are a lot of ways in doing advertising stuff.
One thing is the easiest, posting in some social networking sites; this is also one which catches more clients because people nowadays are addicted to it, especially Facebook because there are a lot of active members on it. I could see a lot of online stores on it too, selling different stuffs like clothing, collectibles, perfumes, gadgets, and even food. So I am sure that it could help me a lot.

The next thing that I will be doing to promote is to post in blogs. Blogging is one good way of promoting stuffs. It is one of the best actually, since it is going to be free and I will be able to write something that would help my business to be more eye-catchy and interesting.

The other things would be like advertising in print ads, radio and even on tv. These would probably cost much but this is just alternatives.

I could also rely on my colleagues in doing promotions, I could ask for help from them by recommending my business to others that they may know that is in need of performers. By this, it could help my business to grow faster and earn bigger.

What could be my possible clients?

Almost everything nowadays, automatic, and more people are now living and depending on the cyber world. Career people are always in a hurry and with the help of the internet and hi-tech gadgets; it makes their work easier and faster. I am referring to event organizers specifically. I could see that their ways of living are always in a rush. There a lot of things to take care of and it is not easy organizing things and being reprimanded by your bosses. That is why I have made this kind of business in order to help them for their work to become easier and faster.

Events or occasions like wedding, birthdays, promenades, and thanksgiving parties is going to be boring without a little entertainment, that is why performers are made. And due to their busy schedules, looking for entertainers is a little difficult and hassle; they have to hunt in clubs to look for best performers that would make their bosses satisfied with their work. By the help of my online business, they will just going to sit, surf and voila, they will have the entertainers that they want in less time.

But my target clients will not just be event organizers, even ordinary individual can hire performers from my company since this is open for all; just make it sure that they will use my artists for professional purposes only.

Factor that would help me in succeeding on this planned business:

Patience. This factor is must not just for me but to all as well. In the business world, you will not succeed instantly. Success in the business world is not reached just as easy as winning a raffle draw. Everything comes into a process. And this process may take long if you will just going to watch everything and do nothing. And not everything that put up will end up the way you wanted it to be. That is why I should possess great patience in order to succeed.

Perseverance. This factor is also a must have in every aspects of our lives. In any career that we are taking, we should pour our very best in order to succeed. Like what I have said, you cannot get anything by watching, you should do a thing in order to catch something. Even in our studies, we should be persevered in order to get good grades. Studying is one way; you will not be able to understand anything if you will just depend on what your teacher has taught you, you should learn how to understand your lessons in your own way. For example, solving a mathematical equation, it will be hard for you in future if you will just copy what your teacher has written on the board, but if you solved the problem together with the class, it would be easier because you have given an effort on solving it. Striving hard is one factor that will be helpful for humans to survive in this world. That is why everyone must possess such characteristic. If everyone will have it, I am sure that there will be no more hungry people living in this country.

Determination. Being determined is one factor that could help one to succeed. Setting a goal and do everything to achieve it is one way. We must be able to set our goals in order to put directions in our life. A journey without a map will be difficult; it would take you a lifetime to arrive on your wanted destination. Having a goal as well is not as easy as playing a dart, you should determine the call of your heart. To determine what you love is the best way to know what you wanted to have in the future. Like me for instance, I love music and performing, so my goal would be a famous idol for example. In order for my dream to come to reality I should work very hard in order to achieve it; I should train myself to become the best performer ever. And now that I wanted to put up a business like this, I should do my very best and do everything in order to achieve what I wanted I have been aspiring ever since.

Confidence. Having the guts on pursuing what you have planned will be a great advantage in order to start and earn quickly. Although I lack on this factor, I know I still have the will to pursue with this business. Having confidence will increase the trust of the clients on you as the reliability. So if you have the difficulty in pulling off confidence, then better start practicing on mirrors.

Creativity. This as well will increase the good feeling of the clients. When you have new things to offer, there will be more clients to come. Sticking to one routine will be boring for sure and costumers will surely get sick of the same old offers. So in order to avoid this, creating new offers and gimmicks will be a great hit to gain more income in the business. I myself am sure that creativity will be an easy thing; I am an artist, so why worry? Hehe.

Optimism. Believe that everything will be smooth-sailing; it is not going to be easy at first but will be in the future. You may fail at first, but you can still make it better and succeed the next time. Problems will be an easy phase if you will face it with an open mind and peaceful aura. Hardships come but facing it with a smiling face will make it fun in solving it. Being optimistic will lessen the hassle of everything plus lessen the depression and STRESS. So let us all be optimistic and happy!

MISSION, VISSION and GOAL

MISSION

To build a company that will aid the aspiring performers to live the way that they are passionate about. To help each of in need by earning through doing what we all love which is entertaining and performing.

VISION

A company that produces world class talents that will be known not just in our country but globally as well. A world-known company that highly trusted and reliable. A company that produces feel-good music and entertainment.

GOAL

To create a name in the entertainment industry.
To earn money doing the things that we are passionate about.
To raise talents that will contribute to the industry.
To leave a mark in the industry with the best review by the critics.
To invade the world with entertainment that is purely proud to be pinoy.

I have a lot in my mind that I wanted to implement. Imagining something that you wanted to have in the future will make feel more humane; giving you the sense of direction and giving you inspiration in making successful technopreneur in the future. Being ambitious at times is not bad at all, as long as you do not step into another’s shadow and hurt anybody.

By having this kind of activity gave me a sense of determination, faith that if I will do all that I can and pour all the best that I have, I will be successful.
Planning to put up a business is not easy especially running it. It is no joke at all. It is like a gamble, you bet and you will not be sure if you are going to win. You may win big or lose big. But losing does not mean that it is the end of the world already. Instead, you should stand up and continue. Now that you know what factors could fail you, then you should learn to live without those. Using the factors given above, try living a life with an open mind and a God-centered lifestyle. Try to have a little sense of sportsmanship in you attitude because in the business world, competition is intense.

It is going to be difficult at first; lots of efforts must be brought out in to start and to manage. But I know with the help of my friends, family and GOD, I know I will succeed. ^^

Lessons Learned: Steve Job's Commencement Address

2010-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

By reading the commencement address of Steve Jobs, there was a little change that happened into my views in life. I find Steve Jobs’ commencement address influential and encouraging especially for those less fortunate who are not able to finish college or even get into college. It was a direct push on pursuing what you want and fulfilling what you have been dreaming for. Thinking about Steve Jobs himself, I find him as an amazing and very brave as a career person. He is amazing in a way that he was able to put up a big company like Apple even though he did not finish college. Even though he said that he was not genius, he was still able to think on his moves in order to succeed.

It is not all about the brain alone but guts and courage are needed the most. Even though you are the most genius person on earth, when you don not have the guts, all of the thoughts in your brain will be useless. All people can think, but not all can act on what he/she is thinking. Once you think of doing something, fear comes along that is when bravery is needed. You should be brave and fierce on taking the road you have been thinking about. Personally, I have a lot of aspirations and dreams. But I really think that all of it would not come true. I am a negative person. I am good at formulating plans and ideas first then freaks out when the real thing is in front of me. I am scared of taking risk and getting rejected that is why I prefer to hide on my shell, which is I know a big no-no when you are already engaged on the business world.

Courage was one of the things that popped out in my mind. Where did Steve Jobs take all the courage and bravery from? Thinking about it brings a big wow to me. It is not easy quitting school to pursue on what you want that you cannot do in there. It is a huge risk, and not all the risks that we have to take are going to end up successfully. It would result success, if not, to failure. And failure is one the things we are afraid of. We are scared to lose something that is why we tend to keep our mouths shut and do nothing. Steve Jobs was like the opposite of that. He was eager to take risks even though he will lose a lot and pursued on what he thinks that would good for him. And that is what amazes me most. The thought of the willingness to take risk and whether there is a big to lose and yet end up being successful.

Opportunities are everywhere but the good ones are rare. So if that good opportunity comes along, you should grab it and make it your best to do well on what path you chose. There is no easy way to success; it would be a long, rough, zigzag road on reaching the finish line. The journey would be very tiring and stressful, but try to look on what surrounds you. Just like reaching the top of a mountain, if you keep your mind of to the top, you won’t be able to appreciate the beautiful things you are passing through. If we are to relate it to the real world, it would be like, play around, and have fun but do not lose your focus on your goals. It would feel great when you reach the finish line and you had fun on your way to it. Just like Steve Jobs, he never let his focus get off the prize and yet he still has the time to check on the things that surrounds him. Everybody wants to have fun, but most of the people who play a lot forget his/her purpose. That is why sometimes there a lot of opportunities that are wasted.

Knowing your purpose is a must. By setting on what your purpose is, it would be easier for you to be successful. Since you are settled, your thoughts would not be chaotic, so there will be less time wasted. Setting up a purpose is not easy as well as fulfilling them. It is very hard on determining what you like and what you do not. Since we are still on the exploring age, listing all the things that we like to do would take up the whole day to be done. Like me, I cannot point out on what I wanted to do because there are a lot of things that I personally wanted to do. When asked on what my purpose is, I cannot really tell. I always say “my purpose is to fulfill my dreams.” The next question would be what is my dream? Then I would go back to thinking.

Going back to the commencement address, Steve Jobs shared 3 stories. And within those stories are the amazing journey Steve Jobs. The first story was about connecting the dots. He shared his story on what his life before and how he began and how he ended up with his company. I find that story quite unbelievable and amazing. It really showed that the road to success is smooth and an easy ride. But with guts, courage and a great mind, he was able to surpass all the obstacles on his way to success. The second story was about love and loss. It would be an advantage if you would know what loved to do early in life. They hired a very talented person and the next thing was he got kicked out of his own company. So it is possible to lose something as big as Jobs’ company if you are just going to sit around and watch. You have to do something to improve not just your company but as to yourself as well. And the third story was about death. We never until when we are going to live. This is simple, live as if it is you last day. Through this, you would be able to do something you have not thought ever since.

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

Personality Test Reflection

2010-10-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

Your reflections/insights on your personal traits test.

When we talk about personal traits, the first thing that pops out into my mind is character. Character is somehow synonym to traits. If I were to define traits, it is like a distinguishing thing that would really show who you really are. Personal traits are very important because it measures up your capability and reliability as a career person. If we show our good traits, lots of interesting opportunities would come along the way, and if were going to expose our side bad side, we would be able to lose something big

In order to know how were going to fix a relationship or how to get along with other people, personal traits tests were made. I would really help people to know who they really are and know how to improve themselves.

Two weeks ago, we took a personal traits test to know if we have the technopreneur mindset in us. After the test, most of us had a satisfactory result, not yet in a technopreneur level but getting there. As I have observed, most of the questions refers to handling a situation, on how were going to adopt a certain environment when we are a career people already. It was a great test for us to improve more and do well in our career lives.

Since all of us are only in the satisfactory level, I wonder what traits a real technopreneur could have in the world of technopreneurship also known as the Cyber Entrepreneurship. How a technopreneur thinks and how a technopreneur adjusts to his/her environment. For us to be able to distinguish the levels between entrepreneurship and technopreneurship, let me state some of he traits of an entrepreneur and of a technopreneur, and how am I going to relate on these traits.

The ENTREPRENEUR, who organizes, operates and assumes the risks for a new business venture.

• A DESIRE TO ACHIEVE
-the push to conquer problems, and give birth to a successful venture
To be successful takes a lot of courage. Strength and drive is a must to reach triumph. Being into business is not all happy-happy and easy, problems come and distractions occur, it is normal to encounter such that is why courage is needed. As for me, undergoing different problems in my personal and social life is not a new thing to me, especially now in college. Problems like financial, very common and problems in school like stacks of projects, thesis and alike, they are obstacles that we students have to undergo before graduating. And it’s not going to end on graduation, after that the real problems come. That is why we have to prepare ourselves for us to be able to surpass these obstacles and reach success.

• HARD WORK
-it is often suggested that many entrepreneurs are workaholics
Do I need to say more? Even non-entrepreneurs, especially college students [usep] are workaholics. We do more school works, study and play at the same time. We only get a little time to rest. But since the real world is fast approaching towards us, I think we should add more of our effort to do great and to do more on our career. If we are able to do great, then it is going to be easy for us to take on the journey in the world of business. I can say that I am
hard-working, not really workaholic but I love to keep myself busy.

• DESIRE TO WORK FOR THEMSELVES
-entrepreneurs like to work for themselves, rather than working for an organization or any other individual. They may work for someone to gain the knowledge of the product or service that they may want to produce.
It is the same as the mindset being thought to us by our professor which is to let you become the employer and not the employee. Being an employer has the great advantage than just being an employee of some company. In being the employer and you own your own company, you get to taste the product of your own sweat, and the money is all yours and all of your efforts are worth it. When you work for yourself, the pressure is not that high, I mean, you could manage your own time and decide on what you feel is good. For us young entrepreneurs, we like are somewhat like selfish in a way that all of our work, especially your own work will be paid off and all of it will go to yourself alone. I am somehow like that. I hate pressures and I hate being told on what to do.

• NURTURING QUALITY
-willing to take charge of, and watch over a venture until it can stand alone.
Do not let your business depreciate. Be watchful and maintain the quality of products you promote to earn trust from clients. This is important especially when you are starting your own venture. You should be able to offer high-quality service for your clients to recommend you to other and your business would be a great hit. For students, it is like maintaining your grades, if you will be able to graduate with high grades, companies will look out for you. You would be hired immediately and earn money sooner than you think. In my case, I did really badly in some of my subjects but I do not think that it would be hard for me. It is just a matter of guts and thinking skills.

• ACCEPTANCE O F RESPONSIBILITY
-Are morally, legally, and mentally accountable for their ventures. Some entrepreneurs may be driven more by altruism than by self-interest.
Being responsible is one of the important traits an entrepreneur should possess. Being into business world is not easy; you will be carrying a huge responsibility in running your own business. There would be upcoming bad issues and we as career people should be able to face all of those.

• REWARD ORIENTATION
-Desire to achieve, work hard, and take responsibility, but also with a commensurate desire to be rewarded handsomely for their efforts; rewards can be in forms other than money, such as recognition and respect.
Who doesn’t want reward? Regardless of what form of award it is, whether it’s in money, or even as simple as recognition of efforts, we should have a little bit of wants for us to have greater motivation. It feels really great when you have been recognized on your efforts; it feels like all of your hard-works have been paid off. Just like way back grade school, our parents would tell us that they will give us a new toy when we get perfect on our tests, of course we will be energized and thrilled, runs over the things and opens a book to study. That is why I consider this as a helpful trait.

• OPTIMISM
-live by the philosophy that this is the best of times, and that anything is possible.
This is one trait that each individual should have. Even non-entrepreneurs should posses this trait. It is important in a sense that depression and stress will be lessen. Aside from doing all the hard work, we should have a positive outlook, do not worry much. Just like in school now, all-work would kill us, so its better to feel a little lighter and think of a brighter future.

• ORIENTATION TO EXCELLENCE
-Often desire to achieve something outstanding that they can be proud of.
Crave for more. Don’t just settle on a satisfactory but go for excellence. By this, we would be able to reach things we never thought we could. Clients never go for a so-so product but rather choose the perfect one. So it is important to have the urge to make a perfect offer. If I am going to connect it to school stuff, it is like going for flat 1 than settle on a 3.0 grade. It really feels good when you can see a number one digit on your report card. Having the urge to study harder would lead to us to a flat 1 grade. How lovely.

• ORGANIZATION
-Are good at bringing together the components (including people) of a venture.
Being able to organize your people is a necessity, especially when you have people working for you. Having a good communication with your people is important to create strong relationship and could build trust within your own company, and through this, respect would come along the way. Chaos will be prevented and everything will be smooth-sailing. Just like in your own files, organization of things is a better way to access all the things that you need. Everything will be easy and less pressure.

• PROFIT ORIENTATION
-Want to make a profit; but the profit serves primarily as a meter to gauge their success and achievement.
This is what I like the most, don not make profit as your goal but instead use it to test you and give you more motivation and drive. The profit you made measures how well you do on your work. If you gained a huge profit, then it means that you did very well in your venture. The amount of your profit determines how well you do your job as an entrepreneur.

A TECHNOPRENEUR is referred to as an entrepreneur who makes use of the internet and technology to make money.

• SHOULD POSSESS THE ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAITS STATED ABOVE
To rate myself based on the traits above, I could say that I do not have all the traits and I still do not consider myself as a technopreneur yet. Since the result of my Personal Traits test was just satisfactory, I would agree that I am heading there. There are some traits in me that I know would be helpful for me to be a successful technopreneur.

• FLEXIBLY INFLEXIBLE
We should be flexible, but still turning away on our purpose. We can do other stuff, like playing and having fun but never ever lose the focus. I am somehow like that, I do play and have fun but when I am done with playing, I will then go back to what I am doing. Exploring is also a way to learn.

• PRACTICAL VISIONARY
Practicality is important nowadays. We should be able to identify which is practical and which is just a waste of money. It would be very helpful especially when you still in the starting period of your venture. I love spending money, but I do not like wasting them. I want to have more money but just enough to make my life comfortable.

• RATIONAL AND METHODICAL
Good reasoning and having a systematic approach on technopreneurship is a must. One should be consistent in doing his reasoning and logical. This is one of my weaknesses. I hardly think systematically, my thoughts are often scattered and I am really bad in reasoning, but being logical can be learned and I am willing to learn on how to become one.
• LONER BUT TEAM PLPAYER
Loves to be alone but also do well within a team. This is one of my traits. I love to work alone but I also l also like working with others especially my friends. Aside from learning, I also have fun working. Being a techhnopreneur is not just about work and stress but also having fun while earning.

• CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE AND DISCIPLINE
Being creative is needed to make such masterpieces and to create something big to offer to the consumers. And being disciplined is also important. You must have self-control and great thinking skills to win. I am creative and disciplined, but I do not think others can see that. I love creating something that is unique and new to the eyes of people.

Tests are only made to measure, and it is not 100% accurate. I would help you to determine the part off your personality that you need to improve. Knowing yourself is a must to know if you could handle and adjust on the new world you would be engaging into.

References:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/481733/why_do_people_take_personality_tests.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/382152/trait_theory_the_basis_of_human_personality.html?cat=72
http://fatekma.uthm.edu.my/muhaini/images/stories/Cyberpreneur/Lecture_Diploma/chap1_lecture.pdf
http://www.aboutemployeebenefits.co.uk/advantages-benefits-for-employer-employee.html

ICean Festival 2010

2010-09-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Itians did it again!
BSIT students (2nd year - 4th year) of USEP again redeemed the title as ICean festival CHAMPION. Despite the busy schedules and stacks of projects, the Institute of Computing made a way to relieve stress, unwind and have fun with the other students.
It was a competition composed of three teams: Black Songbird (1st year IT and CS students), Blue Icecat (CS 2nd - 4th year) and Red Swiftfox (IT 2nd year - 4th year).

The winners for the festival were:
1st - RED Swiftfox
2nd - BLUE Icecat
3rd - BLACK Songbird

Pirates of Silicon Valley: Reflection

2010-08-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

1. What are the factors that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as a technopreneur?

SUCCESS
Before we point out the factors that brought Steve Jobs to success, let's just know what success means to have a clear understanding about it. So what is success? If you look into some dictionaries online, you'll have "the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors" as a definition. So shallow isn’t it? Personally, I would say that success is the inner happiness and contentment. It could be in any aspects, career, family, emotional, social, spiritual and even financial. It’s not a goal but an endless journey in which your heart is happy on where it is at. So let’s determine the factors now:

DETERMINATION
As I can see in the movie, Steve Jobs is very determined to succeed in any way he can. He never lets his eyes out of the trophy. He has this great drive on pursuing what he wanted. He even went on establishment up to another establishment to sell computers. He never cares of what other people might think about him, as long as his following his own path. His motivations were great that he gets whatever he wants using his charms.

FOUNTAIN OF IDEAS
This Steve Jobs here got lots of crazy ideas in his mind. But out of those crazy ideas, he was able to put up Apple. Would you believe it? What amazes me is how he never runs out of ideas. He thinks fast and anything just pops out into his mind. He is really smart in a way that anything falls into his will. He is not into programming or any mathematical nerdy stuff, but he is more successful that the ones who programmed hiss computers. He even thought of pirating the “windows concept” of the Xerox Company.

CHARMS
Not all human beings have the charms, but as I observed in the movie, Steve Jobs got loads of charms. And he was able to use these charms in a productive way. Alongside with his charms, he is a smart-talker too. He can change your mind in just a number of words. It is like he could hypnotize other people. He can sell a computer in just one-seating and then it’s sold. Actually, having charisma is not a primary requirement on succeeding, but it would be an advantage if you have it.

EMPLOYER MINDSET
Steve Jobs wants to be the employer not the employee. This is one of the important mindset a techno-preneur should possess. One should forget the “I go to school to get a good job” mindset and change it to “I go to school and make my own company, then give jobs to the unemployed”. There is a big difference between the two. Steve Jobs carries that mindset. He created a company and hired people to work for the company. He controls everything.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE
I find him very O.C. in a way that he wants his products to be as perfect as possible. Being an obsessive-compulsive is good, for me especially when you are selling good quality products. Jobs’ company became known because of the quality. His people are afraid being yelled at that’s why they do their very best to create high-quality products.

FAILURE
For me, failure is when you’re not happy with something, you’re not satisfied, condition or a fact of not achieving the desired end or ends. Failing is normal. You won’t feel the success if you didn’t get the taste of failing a million times.

TEMPER
Because of being too perfectionist, and the want to be on the highest peak of his career, he cannot control his temper. He keeps on yelling to his people, making them paranoid, resulting to miscommunication, misunderstanding and chaos. His partner, who was his programmer, left him because he cannot take it anymore. This is one factor an individual should watch out for. Not all the time people around you will adjust, they also have limitations. So limit you anger as well.

PRIDE
There is this certain scene in the movie that I cared a lot the most. This was Steve Jobs had a baby with his girlfriend, but he refused to accept the child. He doubted if the child was really his own. He abandoned his girlfriend but returned when the baby was born. Although he didn’t accept the baby, he was the still the one who gave the name which was Lisa. After that he named one of their computers Lisa. The thing that confuses me is that why does he bothers to give the baby a name when he didn’t even accepted her as his own blood.
The other thing is that he doesn’t want any help with any companies; he wants to do it on his own, to succeed alone. He wanted to raise Apple without linking it other big companies. One thing that makes him fail is that he sees everyone as a threat, although we should be vigilant, but not look at others as enemies. Even the ones who wanted to help him.
Having a high pride is also one of the factors why there are people who are in a chaotic situation at this very moment. But after, he still ended up having business with Bill Gates whom he had had a little misunderstanding with.

LOST OF CONTROL
As Steve Jobs’ Apple Company grew bigger, he wasn’t able to administer his people. Even some are stabbing him at the back without him noticing. It is very common in a person especially when he/she is in the heights of his/her career, they will forget everything. They become numb of what’s happening underneath them and deaf of what the world is telling them.

FORGETTING HIS ROOTS
It is still a common factor on the failure of some famous personalities. They tend to forget where they came from, how they started and to pay credits to people who helped him become famous. It became a huge boom to Steve Jobs life that he even lost the person who created the thing that he is selling. One great lesson is to look back.

2. How do you see yourself as a Technopreneur?

I could say that I will be just the same as any other technopreneur, living a normal life and worry less. After watching the movie I was able to reflect on what kind of technopreneur I would be. Am I aggressive, or just love to blend in? Since I am still a beginner, I do not know how the technopreneur world revolves. Although I have friends who are technopreneurs, it is still a question to me on how they make money out of they work which is IT-related.

Before I got I got into this subject, I am really into the cyber world. I am always updated on what is happening in Facebook, Twitter, and etc. world. I am even staying up the whole night watching videos in YouTube. Then a friend asked me once, “Do you have your own internet connection? “ And I answered “Yes. Why?” he then answered “Why not try blogging? So you will not be wasting your time and you can even earn from it”. That was the time I learned that you can earn money through blogging. Then onwards, I found out that my friends are selling their graphics online and some are negotiating with clients outside the Philippines. And I also have a friend whom just received his $300 pay-out from Google. So asked myself, what are they doing? Then I found out technopreneurship.

To start of, I would first define what technopreneurship is. Technopreneurship came from the words “technology” and “entrepreneurship”. When we talk about “technology”, obviously it’s all bout the latest gadgets, electronics and stuff. “Entrepreneurship” is business. Generally, it is the business involving technology. So “technopreneur” is a person that is doing business using technology. When I hear the word “technopreneur”, I keep asking myself if I could consider myself as one. If we break down all Steve Jobs’ characteristics as a technopreneur, I do not think I could fit in.

First is being charismatic, in selling, you should be good-mouthed, often use flowery words to encourage the consumers to buy. I don’t think I have charisma. I am not good at talking or creating good conversation. I am not charming in a way that people would buy everything that I offer. Some friends even told me that I many people are scared of me because I look tough and a snob. I hate flowery words and I go straight to the point.
Next is self confidence, again in business, having self confidence is must. You must be able to convince the consumers that you are reliable and not just blabbering. Now to talk about self confidence, that is also one of my weaknesses. I am really shy. I have low self-esteem and I easily get discouraged when I see works that are way better than mine. It is kind of an immature attitude but it is really hard especially now that starting to widen my mind on what the real world truly is.

Next thing is the ability to manage and lead, since in you make you own business or company in technopreneurship, you should have a good management and leadership skills to be able to run your business properly. And again, I am not good at managing or administering. I have been to a lot of leadership trainings and I have been a leader before but it is different. This is the real thing. Like in a certain part of my life like my time as I may say. I find it hard to follow any daily plan because I easily get distracted, I easily get tired and then I tend to ruin my schedule. I don’t know why. But I am really trying my best in becoming an organized person, especially now that we are in 3rd year college, projects are going to be stacked in piles and schedules would be really hectic.

Next is skills, if we talk about business, the first thing that pops out into my mind is selling; the first question that pops out into my mind is “what am I going to sell?” I do not have anything to offer to any consumers. I have some of my friends as graphic designers, web designers, bloggers and article writers. They earn money and I mean dollars just sitting and staring like hell on the computer. They have great minds, they are smart and open-minded, but me? I don’t think so. Although I am into photo editing, I don’t think that is enough. Like, I still need to dig deeper.

Next is having a million-mile long PATIENT. Everything begins with a scratch so you should work hard to do a step- up, especially now that the competition is very tight. As for myself, I am a little impatient. I want to earn right from the very moment that I started. My friends even laugh at me because I act childish, they said that it starts with zero, but if I will strive harder, money will come.

Alongside with patience is perseverance, as what I have stated above, you do not just wait, but you also make your move. Although I am impatient, I am by the way persevered in way that I am really willing to learn and enhance the things I that capable of doing as of now. Like when I have vacant time, I look for tutorials that really help me in improving my graphic-designing skills (it’s what they say). I also do blogging, to be able publish sensible posts, I read on how to create productive articles and especially study about grammars and widen my vocabulary. It really important since people around the world might be able to read what you wrote and could get something out of it.

To sum it all up, I am still in the process of absorbing all the adjustments that are happening around me. I am keeping an open mind for important learning to sink in so I should be able to use them while earning a little. Although I am not young anymore, I am still a baby when we talk about the business world. I am still learning and talking baby steps to move on and reach for success.

3. Would you take the same path that Steve Jobs took? Why or Why not?

If we analyze the journey of Steve Jobs on his way to success, we will see that not all of his experiences and decisions are on the positive side. There are both positive and negative things that contributed to his success. I was able to know those factors because of watching the movie. I have learned a lot from Steve Jobs, especially, he showed us different kinds of attitude or outlook that we have to possess when we are engaging in the technopreneurship world; the way he deals with the every uncertain encounter in his life and how he handles and manages his growing business.

So if I am going to be asked of I would take Steve Jobs’ path, I would preferably say no. Why? Simple, I want to have my own experiences and I want to decide on my own without being influenced by other people. I want to see how I am going to deal with my own problems, uncertainties and sudden sacrifices. My parents are really working so hard for me to finish college and I do not want to waste them away because of desperation on being the same as Steve Jobs. I want to earn a degree and see on what I can do from it. I know it is really risky, but I feel like I am going to miss half of my life if I would not do it. Although I am not going to follow Jobs, I will still set him as someone to look up to, someone that whenever I think about him, it would give me the courage to fight, go on with everything and succeed. I will get something from what I see from him and try to apply it in my own life.

First is to be determined in every way. Like no matter what the world throws upon me, I will never ever take my eyes away from the prize. I would think of something that would really make me strive harder and would motivate me to do great and succeed. Having this attitude is very important, especially that I am now dealing with the real thing. No more games and childish thoughts. Like in school, every student should have determination on getting high grades and graduate on time. Although having cool brains and skills are an advantage, having a bit of determination would really lift you up among the average ones.

Being wise all the time is a great help. In business, there is no spot for idiocy; technoprenuers should be very wise and smart enough not to be fooled by any other person. Like what I saw in Steve Jobs, although he is not a logic-brained human, he was able to sell his products well, and look at him now. As for myself, I should be vigilant. I should have a wide range of awareness in the techno world. Ignorance is a big no no. It is not necessary that you have all the latest gadgets and electronic stuffs, but at least you have a background of it.

I will be persevered. Having brains and great skills are not going to be enough if you do not work for it. We Filipinos are popular because of our great perseverance. We are known to other countries as to be hard working and well disciplined. I should practice and practice to create great graphics and be able to sell it; I could construct great programs for big companies and then I would be very contented with my works.

I will have more self confidence. I know it is going to be a little harsh for me because I have never been too exposed to different kinds of people. Now, I should learn to be more confident and I will try harder to be able to create good conversations with different kinds of people. Like what Steve Jobs has, although he is that logically brained, he was able to put up Apple because of his guts and confidence that he would make it to the peaks of his career.

I will keep an open mind for new ideas to come; for new improvements to be applied on what I have right now. These improvements are very important in ever aspects of life, especially in our career as a technopreneur, where as we have said involves technology, and technology evolves so fast that we find it hard to catch up. So as fir me, keeping my mind open for ideas and great thoughts and is must in running my own career. Just like Steve Jobs, he is always thinking about what else he can add up to his products to sell more.

Next is keeping a positive outlook in life. Since business world is very chaotic, tons of competitions scattered everywhere and because people nowadays are desperate on making money, it is really difficult now for new technopreneurs in starting their own business. Big technopreneurs are taking advantage of them. So we newbies should be wise and vigilant on what is going on around us. As for me, I will put aside all the worries and try to live a positive life. With this kind of attitude, everything would be easy for me, no pressure and worries, and no STRESS. I am not going to think about negative things because they are going to help me, it just going to pull me down. Instead, I will think of the things that inspire me, I will think of positive things and try to live happily. In return, my clients will feel light too and I could make good business out of it.

As of the very moment, there are many opportunities waiting for us, the question is are we ready? This world hat I am going to be engaged is would be very harsh for me, but I am not scared of it. Other people might laugh at me because I am too desperate but who they are to care? I will have my own business so have to take their own. With God as my guide and inspiration, I know I will make it to success.

2010: Interpersonal Skills

2010-07-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

Part of our Field Trips and Seminars course is our Interpersonal Skills Seminar. Every student under the said course were required to join the event, IT and CS Day and Evening Program.

With the theme "cut the differences, wind up the knot meet and gain new friends", it was a great opportunity for us students to bond and get to know each and everyone and to end the said "silent competition" between the day and evening students.

The day was divided into two parts, the seminar and the games, after the short discussions that afternoon, the USEP oval was filled with pink, blue, gray and white shirt colors running around and performing different tasks.

The tasks were:
~letting some nails stand with just one nail as their post
~Spider Web
~Trust Fall
~Helium Loop

Our team, the Cyan Tiny Jellyfish, accomplished the first three tasks and failed to do the last. It was really difficult.

At the end of the day, as expected, we gained new friends and really had fun. We were able to cut the differences and end the said "silent war" within the two programs.
~