November audit craze

When I said before that I'll prevent blogging work matters topic, I actually didn't believe it. How can I share other stuff when my 14hrs in a day is consumed to working. And if our company will have a loyalty award for expats, definitely I'll be one of the nominee. Imagine, I'm the only survivor out of the six expats previously in our department. Meaning, I'm the only foreigner, which I won't brag about but I'm really proud of it, pinoy ata ito!

Anyhow, I hoped you won't get bored reading again this sort of lenghty blog about my entertaining job...hmmp, maybe entertaining only for me...ha ha

Yesterday my end, end customer had an audit. And when you say audit, everyone is in alarm level#1. But I'm somehow confident because last Friday, the premier#1 brand worldwide (S...)had an audit. And this end, end customer of mine is also from Japan and in cases like this, there must be a translator which of course is not me. So inside the meeting room are multi-cultural people composed of Taiwanese, English, Japanese and yours truly.

My first job was a Jap firm and has spent almost a year. Hence, I can still vividly recall some words and so, when I introduced myself in Niponggo, they were surprised...ha ha ha. My company then offers training in Japan and I was the first in our batch to got the privileged of a six months training program. Unfortunately, it wasn't pushed through as my visa was denied. I said to myself at the time, ok lang yun...but thinking it now sayang s'ya, If I just waited for 3 more moths to re-apply for the visa as their pushing to have me stayed, I could have been there already for free. Well yes, knowing how expensive travelling to Japan nowadays will make me to reconsider. Anyway, I resigned and the rest is history.

Going back to the meeting room, aside from listening to and discussing the agenda in which I also prepared myself. I can't help not to stare and observed how could one recognize this seemingly same individuals. Local folks says that Jap consider themselves as superior among their race, well for some reasons I agree because when you said made in Japan...wow, it must be good, the quality I mean. And while pondering, I think the identification trademark would be the eyes.

So we went into the line and not wondering why the English guy keeps beside me. Of course, I'm the only one he could understand. And has spent an hour of more blah blah blahs. Then they departed to the other floors of our building to continue the audit with another entertainer. After they've left and while returning some audit items, the production supervisor asked me "How many Chinese words could you say?" Oh well, I said itien-tien (means little), then both of us laughed afterwards.

Having said that, given the chance to be a customer in the future, wow, really hoping for that chance, I could somehow communicate with them right? cause I know itien-tien...ha ha ha, kidding aside though, but I do hoped that my mandarin skills will drastically improved next year as one of my goals.

To close with , we finished at 5PM with minor findings. Very nice, and then requested our team to attend dinner with them. For past experiences, although it's time to have that bonding, it usually ends up to a working dinner. And though I liked one of those Jap end customer, coz he defended us from our end end customer, I declined and headed back to the office where I'll just start going over on other pending activities...whew! tough job isn't it, but entertaining...^&^

Time to move on?

There are just so much that I would like to write, but once I started to hit my laptops keys, it has left me clueless or better say speechless to be exact.

Whilst the cold breeze of winter, I decided to walk going home. Hoping that the 30minutes walk will allow me to ponder on things and finally have a decision upon reaching home. This is one of those times that I just wanted to be alone.

Recently, I received a job offer back home and weighing on things, the only topic for discussion is the salary. Significant difference of course, on the side, I could finally be with my family.

I like Taiwan a lot and have iterated so many times how I love my lifestyle here. But the question that popped out of my mind is that until when I could stay here? Money for sure is important, but is it the bottom line of everything?

I'm not saying that preparing for the future is not important. Indeed it is, I'm not just the type who plans and sets goals to have much, for example, this year I'll have this, next year this one, and so on and so forth.

I always believed that sufficient for the day is what's important, for tomorrow will worry for itself just like what the bible says. But then again, I guess I don't have that enough courage to go back. It takes a lot of faith to do so considering the status of the Philippines.

When you had that experience to leave outside and go back home say for vacation, you can't help to compare and hoped that the pleasures outside is the same thing in the Philippines. Never knew and understand why from a well-known developing country in the 70's has turned into a 3rd world country in the 20th century? In which the current economy greatly depends on OFW's remittances. And what will happens next? I don't know either.

And since there will come a time for me to come back, I wanted to settle for sure in the Philippines. I just hoped that I have the confidence to say that my family has a future. Having said that, I think I should keep my feet here for now!

After 10yrs and still counting....

I'm actually not into writing this post because it's so late now and I should start to snooze. But upon realizing that it's a special day to me and the rest of MIT-CHE batch'93, I got that adrenaline to reminisce a bit.

Wow, it's been 10 years already, the moment after 41/2 years of sweat, tears, hunger and countless sleepless night with matching sunog kilay has paid. Upon calling my name and stepping finally at the stage to get that much awaited diploma has come into reality. I graduated at last!

Looking back then, I never knew I will take such course and study in MIT. At the time, the most in demand course is either PT or Com Sci. And usually, a fresh grad from high school doesn't have much in mind for what direction to go through aside from the fact you wanted to be with your barkada's. Sunod lang ika nga...

Our food store in Makati was just in-front of the former P&G Plant now transferred to Laguna for environmental reasons. And it's one of our customer who encouraged me to try MIT, he said I had big chances to enter this giant company which we all knew offers great security.

And so, I tried, sige try lang naman, let's see how it goes. I still have fall backs after all. Know what, I was actually part of those last batch of examinees and enrollee. And thinking it now, God indeed send that guy to encourage, or better say guide me.

Although studying in MIT was quite difficult and challenging. In which you need to maintain a certain grade in order to stay, I finished my studies with flying colors. Not saying though that I never got 5, but the thing is I graduated ahead of time. One thing is sure, I loved my college days and has treasured every moments of it until these days.

And today, 10 years to be exact after our graduation. I would like to greet fellow MIT-CHE Batch'93, we made it guys!

Here it goes again

Just 2 weeks ago, I had written on my last post that I will try to avoid writing work related subjects. Apparently, it won't be the case as we encountered once more another strange case.


And so, I'm back to the same workaholic full-mode, a slave maybe the exact word. And thanks to that smooth sailing process one month break, mind you that we pinned down the last one. I was able to recharge, and now wanted to shout " Panahon na para ilabas muli ang isang daang porsiyentong kapangyarihan" (in English, "It's time to unleash my 100% power")...ha ha ha, funny as it sounds, but I like it, it's very appropriate. Hey do you still remember which famous cartoon show tag line it was? I already forgot, it's one of my fave back then.


Actually this one is more critical than the last one, considering the failing rate is quite low. Imagine, they will be flying back again next week. Oh well, maybe they just like me that much...ha ha ha


And you may say, hey it's kinda serious and should be taken seriously. Yes, I am, I really am taking that into that level. Obviously, I just wanted to use another approach and see what happens next.


I just learned from previous experience that, I usually put additional pressure on myself for motivation. Don't know why, maybe it's just my style in order not to loose momentum of what I'm doing. But realized at the same time that the more I put myself into pressure, the more I can't move. So this time, I would like to try like playing, but surely hitting the nail and I believed that it's more light and fun.


I'll end this post for now and let's see how my next entries goes, better watch for it...@_@


Have a nice weekend every all.

Three points shot

Finally, after four months of distress figuring out the root cause and resolution, we have seen light and fingered this one.

To pin down analysis straightway for a new failure was really difficult. I'm somehow helpless during initial stages of the experiment as our 1st leg matrix on two group samples showed different result.

It only made the problem worse and complicated plus the need to explain why is it so...argh!...considering that we issued instructions of ways to control it, don't tell me now that somebody didn't follow the exact sequence. In which we find no abnormality after investigating.

But with our 2nd leg still not able to simulate the same defect, has lead us to conclude that we're not hitting anything and thus made us to step back and re-check everything.

And so far, with the pilot lots showing promising results was a complete relief. There's not much to be done apart from continuous monitoring to establish confidence...TYL!!!

With that, I hope I can post as much as I could or say at least once in a week would be fair out of this mediocrity. And I hope I could post not only work matters but of personal stuffs as well...Actually, I don't have much idea what to share for a single like me. On the contrary, I think telling about one's child development and family affairs is kinda more interesting. It's just that there are lots of subject to be tackled about than just oneself, particularly myself....he he

Oh! did I just said I wanted to get married already? hmmp, can be, but not really. On the side, I'm still enjoying the benefits of single hood, but of course if God provide it soon, so be it, no objection. By then, I'm going to retire...he he, although I really can't figure out myself staying at home doing home stuffs, especially for a lazy one like me, it is my dream to be one when it's already my turn. You may say, let's see, but for now all I can say is read it right! ha ha

P.S

While thinking of a suitable title for this entry, I came to write it as "Three points shot". And just in case you wonder why? just spare my explanation. Life in general is ain't easy and there are times we need to step forward, make difficult decisions and take the risk. But once you shot the ball into the basket similar to shooting it from a three points lane, then it's a great achievement. A sure winning shot!

Will close this post for now, have a nice weekend to everyone.

Latest Phils experience

In case your wondering why this blog was on hiatus for a while was because I was in Manila for 2 weeks and immediately jumped back to work after coming back in Taiwan.

My anticipated merry vacation turned out to be a blow as our only one taxi was carjacked which tested once again my then frazzled serenity. We're supposed to go to Baguio the following day and wondered what sort of hustles then if we've left earlier...whew!

But what terrified as more was the driver, who was my older brother, a family man. The incident happened last Aug31 at 10PM along Pasay Rotonda where a certain man rode and asked to bring him to Pasay General Hospital.

Shortly, the guy asked to pick-up another man whom he said was his companion. With just thoughts of helping in such emergency, my brother did as told and in an instant the second guy declared holdup pointing a 38 cal gun on my brothers' right abdomen.

Mindful of his young children, he told the robbers to get everything they wanted but leave him unharmed. They then entered a desolated narrow street, took his 450 pesos (10 dollars)income, cellphone and the taxi.

The next couple of days are even more stressful especially to my mother who was the owner. It was our parents hard earned possession after being a sidewalk vendor for 12 years. Contrary to my air-conditioned, pretty nice work place but with a brain draining job, I still cannot whine just thinking of my parents sacrifices for those hot sunny days and cold rainy days in the street.

So despite the fact that I'm physically and emotionally exhausted, though this vacation didn't turn out as expected, my feelings were superseded by just seeing my mother's own sweat and blood turn into void.

It was her source of income, but more worried of her sons who get there living out of driving it. Even at the age of 72, mother is independent financially to her children. She never asks unless it's necessary. She even treats me when I'm in the country and I will forever treasure those moments and be grateful to her.

God do answers prayers, after 4 days of searching and waiting, a QC police called and told us that our taxi was found abandoned in Cubao Q.C. It was a great feeling of relief and joy that everything will now be settled. He even provided police officers who never took advantage and assisted us in many ways. It has somehow regain my broken trust in our security system.

So before I end this long entry, hope you never slept on it...^____^...I would like to thank once again the police of Quezon City's Pride, Pasay Best's and TF Limbas Crame for their unwavering commitment. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!!!

Clock is ticking

Since last week, Taiwan is experiencing heavy rains and thunderstorm. So, most of the time I overslept, too lazy to get-up in the morning for work. Treasured times where tickling my pillow is way much better than pressing my laptops' keyboard.

My workplace is not that far from my apartment, and my usual transportation everyday is riding a bicycle. Thou it's a little uneasy due to sweaty thing and awkward feeling riding it while wearing slacks on sunny days , I missed now my bike. Just love the feeling riding it and it's also my sort of exercise. And so, for the time being, my means not to get drenched is by taking a cab. Only this time...

The truth is I can't imagine myself riding a bicycle back home. There's just so many means available, that even it's just 2 blocks away, I may think of riding the tricycle. But living here thought me to be practical and not to be so concern on stuffs like what we called as "porma" (get-up). For the locals, no one will care or even dare to stare. What also amazes me on my early days here is to see elite cars such as BMW's parked along sidewalk vendors just to buy or eat something. It's just something rare to be seen in the Philippines.

No wonder though that most Westerners wanted to stay in Taiwan. Why? because living here is so simple, not complicated. Aside from the cheap cost of living...yeah read it right, no imposed 14% tax for every items bought, Taiwanese folks are very nice in general. Hard workers as usual Chinese people trademark, they are soft spoken and loving individuals.

No wonder too that I also love staying here. It offers great security and health care. Although the government does not offer migration for foreigners like me, my employment has enabled me to avail of permanent residency upon completing 7 years in the country. So that would be, 3 yrs from now and by then I could go back and forth without hurdles at the embassy. What else? Hmmp, not sure if I could also get my family to stay with me permanently.

It's getting late once again and I should start to snooze, but before that I just realized that time is also ticking for my D-Day...ha ha...tick tack...tick tack...yeah, 14 days to go and I'll be stepping on the 30's. Oh, how time really flies and another year will be added to my age. Can't help to think now if I'm getting matured or still immature at this point...ha ha. Just the same, still thankful thou that I have reached this age.

Let me see, what should be my plans then? Hmmp, I'm supposed to be in the Philippines at the time and hoping that the weather will cooperate. Just wondering now what's the weather when I was born?oops...hope it's fair then. Of course, have that gathering with family and I hope those close friends I've been missing since college will also be there. What else? we're supposed to go to Boracay and Hongkong if time permits. I really do hope that I could squeeze my schedule for this 2 weeks vacation. All hopes!