IBM Business Gets Social: How We Do Business Socially?

If I tell you that I can update my status message, post on my colleagues profiles, and follow a blog while at work - will you report me to my boss and tell her that I am not being productive? Well, that is what we are in my organization - we collaborate, we use technology and we share ideas. To be clear, we are not using Facebook to connect socially with our colleagues or with anyone within the organization around the globe - we have this platform we call the IBM Connections. 

 Live Tweets during the event

It is used internally to connect more than 400,000 employees - to connect those with common interests, to share and collect opinions about a certain idea, to support a project or just to deliver a message. You see, we regulary receive email notifications with link to top executives or even CEO's video blogs (it is like we are subscribed to video blogs like that of Petra Mahalimuyak's!). The top management team are "social" people too - and what is interesting is that even I, a practitioner from the Philippines can even leave a message or comment to the CEO's video blog and share my thoughts and opinions (and yes, she replies to the comments!).

This is just one of the many IBM Social Softwares that were shared to us during the Media Briefing of the Business Goes Social event which was conducted last Tuesday, in Makati Shangri-la.

To know how businesses get social, click Read More...

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The Avengers: Not Your Usual Action Sci-Fi Movie (It's a Comedy!)

The Avengers is a comedy film! Well, it is just my nice way of saying that it is entertaining and that I did enjoy the movie! I am no film critic and a certified movie-reviewer but now I understand why The Avengers grossed more than 100M in two days of its opening. The movie doesn't mainly focused on action scenes and effects, but also considered character building, scripting and how movie-goers can relate to each character.

I got a brilliant idea from a blogger friend - Movie Screening Tickets collectible ;)

I hope to find time to attend movie screenings though.

Never mind if I only had 3 hours of sleep and I missed Vic Sotto's birthday celebration in Eat Bulaga (gosh, I never miss Vic's birthday celebrations!). I battled the traffic and the summer heat, just to get to SM The Block for the Block Screening of The Avengers. Thank you to our friends, I got free screening ticket invites to watch the movie without buying any merchandise. But I might buy some for my niece and nephew (see below where you can buy The Avengers merchandise and apparels).

 Here I am with The Avengers 

The Hulk is supposedly taller.. but looks like I am the tallest here ;)

I would have to put a disclaimer (first) that I am no Marvel comics reader, although I know the characters and I love their costumes, watching The Avengers is like tasting an exotic food for me. No expectations and no comparison, but the raves even before the movie was shown got me all intrigued.

I am totally amazed at how they put together big stars to play superhero roles in one big movie. It is not the typical all-star cast movie - big names with small roles; but each star was given a spotlight to play the character and deliver remarkable lines.

To read more about the movie, and where to buy The Avengers merchandise, click Read More...

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South Bark: New Online Pet Store + Give-away!

If only I have a pet, I will keep these lovely prizes sponsored by South Bark. But we chose not to keep a pet at home. We thought it is like a relationship (you have to nurture them, and have time for them), and we can just simply say that I, and my parents don't want commitment (at this point).

We used to have a cute puppy, then a cat (oh, I love cats!) and then a fish. But now, I am content seeing my friends' lovely pets - especially if they are all dressed up with cute costumes while playing with their toys and/or eating their healthy meals. And for supplies of these pets essentials, there is a new online store called South Bark which has everything you need for your cute pets and/or babies (as most of my friends call their pets!).

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Your Very Own Creation in Ensembles Stores - Fashion Design Contest

Is your notebook full of sketches of dresses and style of clothes you have sewn in your mind? Have you always dreamed of joining the Project Runway? Do you want your creation display in the store window or worn by Carmina Villarroel in her next photoshoot?
 

 

Don't dream. Join the contest! Ensembles is having its first ever Design Competition to make your dream come true. Ensembles is giving you the chance to break into the world of fashion through its WEAR MY DESIGN Contest where winning pieces will be produced for the Spring Dresses 2013 Collection.


It doesn't matter if you don't have experience, or if you cannot use a sewing machine (just ask someone to sew it for you). Just submit a dress prototype creation together with the Application Form. All approved submissions will be uploaded to Ensembles Facebook Page for voting which is 10% of the criteria. There is no limit on the amount of designs submitted.

To know how to submit an entry, click Read More...




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Drink (Nescafe) Decaf and Get a Chance to Win Trip to Asian Country

I love coffee more than I love alcohol. It is a fact; which is I think is good and I would like to think that drinking coffee would do me good than drinking alcohol. It was funny that the last time I went to a hotel bar for our last night out in Indonesia, I asked the waiter if they serve coffee. Unfortunately, they do not. My love for coffee probably was ignited when I worked as a barista in one of the famous coffee shops today. I made hot drinks and cold drinks, including that drink they call Frappuccino which we call the Ice Blended Drinks. I prepared lattes and cappuccinos, and I could pull a perfect shot of espresso. I love drinking coffee, even if there is no need for me to stay up. So sometimes, the caffeine no longer has that effect on me.

 Even during lunch or dinner, I and my friends crave for coffee.

Our meal during our day-trip in Macau

I always crave for the bitter, dark-roasted taste of coffee with that strong aroma. Whenever my friends and I would meet up late at night, we rather stay and talk in the coffee shop - and I usually order for decaffeinated coffee. But staying in a place called Manila where the nearest coffee shop is a drive away, the craving for a decaf coffee during late hours is a pain for me.. well, it WAS a pain for me. Thank you to Nescafe Decaf.

To know how to get a chance to win an Asian Trip, click Read More...

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How I Survived with Only One Luggage and Lessons I Learned

A blog series about my in-country assignment to Makassar for IBM Corporate Service Corp.
Follow along https://www-146.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps/ 
 
It is more than a month, but I love thinking of the great experiences I had in Makassar, Indonesia. Arriving in the island is already a journey. On March 11th, the IBM Indonesia Team 3 was already complete - arriving from different parts of the globe - everyone has arrived in the Hotel Kempinski, Jakarta in the midnight of March 11th. At 7:30 AM, we were ready to leave to the airport and take the plane which will take us to our assignment destination.

 Our luggage and bags

The night before, we met up with the IBM Indonesia Team and Country Manager; and had a hearty dinner at Lara Djonggrang Restaurant. It is such a beautiful restaurant! But I am skipping a blog post about it since I am still awaiting for the pictures which will be sent by the General Manager. He was such a nice guy who offered to send me high-resolution pictures for the feature blog. I wasn't able to take very nice pictures that night because I couldn't get the perfect setting for my camera.

Anyway, time to depart. Our Program Manager advised us that by 7:30 AM, we should all be ready to go and had checked out; and I know that when they say 7:30 AM, it is 7:30 AM sharp. I was at the lobby 5 minutes before 7:30 AM. I had taken a very good breakfast from Signatures Restaurant. I know there is no room for leeway during this assignment as I would be dealing with people from different geographies and they wouldn't understand what is Filipino Time.

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Do You Have a Firande Story? Share and Win Prizes!

If you have been following me on Twitter, you might have seen or noticed the label #Firande that I use whenever I tweet something nice and exciting.

What is Firande? Firande is a Swedish word which means feast or celebration. It is nice that simple things can be called for a celebration, especially if it is captured by a camera or video. Interestingly, Electrolux traces its roots from Sweden. I am sure you have heard of Electrolux, this is one brand which gave me chance to share my ideas and even gave me interesting prizes.

Now, to celebrate Electrolux's 10 thoughtful years, it invites everyone to join the Live, Love, Firande! Photo Contest by sharing their unique moment of Firande through photos – from remarkable achievements and important personal milestones to fun family vacations and exciting getaway with friends.


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(So Far) My Best Breakfast Buffet in Hotel Kempinski

When I woke up this morning, my first thought was - What's for breakfast? I remember the breakfast we had in Hotel Kempinski. They say that one should get a heavy breakfast to start a day - and I think Hotel Kempinski took it too seriously.

We were not only served with the usual cereals, breads and eggs. When our Program Manager said that Hotel Kempinski offers the best breakfast buffet, I have to believe her even if she shared it during dinner and even if I had not seen what is in the buffet table/s.

I love buffets (check out my Marriott Hotel Brunch experience here and Sofitel Buffet Dinner over here) and I know I gained weight during my whole month stay in Indonesia. My boss told me I now have a baby bump, and my colleague took notice of my "big" stomach. What can I do, but just enjoy the company of my teammates and good food.

The breakfast buffet in Hotel Kempinski is served in the Signatures Restaurant located at the first floor.

To know what is in the breakfast buffet, click Read More...

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Arriving in Jakarta, Meeting the IBM CSC Team and Staying in Hotel Kempinski

A blog series about my in-country assignment to Makassar for IBM Corporate Service Corp.
Follow along https://www-146.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps/ 

#ibmcsc #teamindonesia3

I am home (in Manila) for a week now, but I still think and remember the great memories and experiences I had in Indonesia with my team - and all other people I met in Jakarta and in the island of Makassar. Most of the time, I find myself checking our Facebook Group for updates - posts, comments, likes, any activity from any of the team member. I miss them so much - and it is really hard to go back to my life. "Reverse Homesick" is what the CSC alumna calls it - and I am feeling it now.

People think that we had a holiday - but it is all hard work, especially for me, who had never done such type of a job. Our team had fun, that's the truth - but we just made sure to make the most of the experience - and that means sleepless nights, sleepless weekends and sleeping in the road.

I didn't find time to blog real time/timely during assignment (although I have some blogs here), but I just want to share my experience - so here I am, opening blogger and writing this post.

Let's start with my departure - or should I say, arrival in Jakarta. It was my first time to travel alone - in another country. The only thing that was keeping me secured is the fact that I was heading to another Asian country - if things get worse, I can always book a flight back to Manila. But of course, ABV and IBM took care of everything - and that made me more secured.

My flight was at 7:00 in the morning, and the night before, I was packing and re-packing - ensuring my luggage weight did not go over the allowance. I told myself that this time around, I would travel light and just bring the essentials (I would talk about my luggage more on the next post). I registered a new blog (check it here) for the IBM CSC assignment and published two entries on it, but decided to publish everything here - since this blog  feeds through the CSC site.

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) brought me to Singapore then to Jakarta. On our way to Singapore, I was seated next to a guy from USA and his girlfriend (Chinese) - they are on their way to Singapore for vacation. How nice it is to travel with your loved one? What is sweeter, the guy was reading a book about Chinese culture.
 

The aircraft that safely brought me to my assignment

To know how I met my team in Hotel Kempinski, click Read More...
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Congratulations to the Winners of Human Nature and Social Entrepreneurs Giveaway!

I will make this short and simple (and quick) - as I am also running late and preparing to go to work (after one month of being on assignment in Indonesia! Time to get back to reality). Anyway, thank you to everyone who joined the Human Nature and Social Entrepreneurs Giveaway! I am happy with the number of entries we received - but most importantly, I am happy to know that more and more people are supporting this cause to help our social entrepreneurs.

My only hope though, is for the continued support from readers and netizens to help and support the "wonderful, wonderful" products of these social entrepreneurs and to promote their cause (you may refer to this post).



I wish I could tell you more how much I love the products - Human Nature, Enchantea, Golden Eggs, Cafe de Sug and Theo and Philo!

Anyway, without further talk and blogging, here are the winners of the giveaway -



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Ready to Play Under the Sun

Sun, sea and sand.. Summer is coming.. Summer is here! I just came from a business trip in Indonesia (with fun-filled weekend activities) but I am now longing for another trip. What surprise me is that a lot don't like the sun, and are hesitant to take the plunge and enjoy. I know it is not about the two-piece bikini, but ladies (and even gents) are afraid to get those red spots after long hours under the sun.
 
I, for one didn't care much about sunblocks or sunscreens. I have to admit that I hated putting on sunblock every hour whenever I would be out under the sun. Plus, I hate the greasy feeling after putting it on. But after seeing fine lines and reading more about harmful effects of the sun - I have to include sunblock in my packing list.


And I worry - not! Sunplay, the number one sunblock /sunscreen in Japan, is now in the Philippines! For my dear readers, you can do more than just wear your two piece and pose for pictures - guys can do more than flex their muscles and display their abs. ;)

To know more about Sunplay sunblock, please click Read More..

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IBM CSC Team Indonesia 3: The People from Different Countries Who Changed and Inspired Me - You Guys Are Missed!

A blog series about my in-country assignment to Makassar for IBM Corporate Service Corp.
Follow along https://www-146.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps/ 

#ibmcsc #teamindonesia3


Blog written/started on April 7th - Saturday


I am sitting here in seat 06B of Philippine Airlines aircraft bound from Singapore to Manila. It's all over now. It is funny that I almost missed my flight - probably it just showed that I am not yet ready to go home.

It seems like only yesterday when I boarded the flight to Jakarta, and it was my first time to travel alone. Now, I am heading back home - with swollen eyes, dry lips and sad face. I cried alot, and it seems like I was the only one who cried. I admire how the rest of the team can control their feelings. "Don't break the seal.." - is something that I learned from Jessica (USA) - but it seems that she was the first to break hers yesterday.

I would be the first to arrive back in my home country, but most of them will be on vacation - so the CSC memories might soon be overshadowed by new memories, new pictures, and new people. Before, I dread the day that I would be heading for assignment - because I didn't know if I would like the people, if I would do good in my assignment, and if there are new things to discover because Indonesia is alot like Philippines. But after one month of being on assignment, I realized it was the people who made the difference.

To know more about the people who changed my life, click Read More.. 

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