SunPower Laguna Campus Covered Court Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of SunPower Laguna Campus Covered Court

Marty Neese, Our Chief Operating Officer from our headquarter, SunPower Corporation U.S.A. visited SunPower Philippines last week. After my former boss, Greg Reichow who was the Vice President for SunPower Philippines operations left the company,  I am currently reporting to the COO while waiting for his replacement. 

Marty was invited to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of SunPower Laguna Campus Covered Court to officially unveil and launch the facility last June 22, 2011.  It was just a simple ceremony witnessed by some of the  officers and employees of SunPower based in Fab 1, Laguna Technopark.  The event started at 8:00 AM and it was good that the weather was still in good condition at that time. The  Philippines was expecting a typhoon named "Falcon" that week.

The construction of the covered court at our Laguna manufacturing facility was already planned long before my boss, Greg left the company and finally this had materialized.  It so sad my boss is no longer with us to see it.  We missed him a lot.

The SunPower Laguna Campus Covered Court

This facility will serve as a recreational area for all employees as well as a venue for teambuildings and trainings. Thanks to the Management for providing this. SunPower is indeed a cool place to work !

With our Chief Operating Officer, Marty Neese (6th from right)

A Message from Marty Neese

VP for Fab 1 Operations, Rey Mella

VP for Fab 2 Operations, Boy Alfelor

Director for Module Operations, Ralph Robinett

SunPower Laguna Campus Covered Court blessing

Rey Mella, VP for Fab 1 Operations during the coin throwing ceremony

After the blessing of the facility, the traditional coin throwing followed.  This symbolized good luck and more blessings for the coming year so everyone must collect the coins.

COO, Marty Neese doing the First Throw.  In this photo are members of the SunPower Titans Basketball Team

The Stage at the Covered Court

With COO,  Marty Neese and other SunPower Phils. employees during the event. 

While standing beside him, Marty asked me what will I do with the photos I have taken during the event and I replied, I post them in my blog :)

SunPower Phils. employees witnessing the event

New Balance Trail Run Adventure 2011

New  Balance Trail Adventure 2011

It was raining yesterday and I thought the New Balance Trail Adventure will not push through.  I was wondering whether I should go or not when all of a sudden I got  a text message from one of my colleagues that she wanted to get a ride going to the event. Well,  I decided to go to the venue with her to check it out and I found out that  rain or shine the event is going to proceed.  It was an hour delayed though. There were a number of SunPower employees who registered for this Trail Run  since this was endorsed by our Human Resources Department and announced to all employees.  But not all were able to make it due to weather condition.  The Trail Adventure fell on Father's Day and it was packaged as a family activity on this special day.

The New Balance Trail Adventure was actually my FIRST trail  run since I started running last year so I was excited about it.  I was ready to run in the middle of the rain, get some cuts  from the bushes and soak my shoes in mud and dirty water.  I was asking my other colleagues can we run with an umbrella ? Ha, ha, ha.  In the actual event, I did saw some participants holding umbrellas while running.

This is our singlet and I love the color and design

With some of my colleagues at SunPower soaked in the rain after the run

With my SunPower friends : From right, Beth, Virgie, Marj and myself

The Vice President of Cell Fab 2, Sir Boy Alfelor and his wife, Liza visited the event.  Here we are with other SunPower employees

We had a fun-filled day during Father's Day at the New Balance Trail Adventure.  My father usually accompany me everytime I join fun runs but he was not around this time. He went to our province in Bohol so I just sent him a message on Father's Day. 

A wacky shot in the rain !  We made it ! Yehey !

With my step sister, Darling (in yellow shirt) and her cousin, Phoebe

My always clean running shoes

My dirty socks and shoes...soaked in mud and dirty water !  I will definitely have a hard time washing my socks and turning it back to its original color

We're runners !

Trying to wash my shoes in the shower but can't get enough water

I finally found a running water to wash my shoes and legs. It's at the side of the water truck

Gosh ! What happened to my Sketcher ?  Mud..Mud..Mud.  Washing my shoes in order not to mess the car

1st Philippine Solar Photovoltaic Summit ~ June 1-3, 2011

The First Philippine Solar Photovoltaic Summit 2011

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Phils. (SEIPI) and the Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA) organized the 1st Philippine Solar Photovoltaic Summit held last June 1-3, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The objective of the summit was to increase awareness on the benefit of solar energy and it brought together, for the first time, government, businesses, funding institutions, research agencies, and most of all, manufacturers, suppliers, and power generation companies engaged in wafer slicing, cell fab, panel manufacturing, systems integration and renewable energy solutions.

Our company, SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd. (SPML),  the first largest solar cell manufacturing facility in South East Asia  participated in the event together with one of its joint venture, First Philec Solar Corporation, a wafer slicing company.  The Philippine Solar Car Society also joined our group which featured its second solar car, Sikat (Sunrise) which is  patterned after the Sinag (Rays of the Sun) car, the first Philippine solar car which placed 12th in the 2007 World Solar Challenge race of solar cars in Australia. Both  Sinag and Sikat solar cars were built with the highest efficiency solar cells manufactured by SunPower.

With some of the officers of SunPower Philippines headed by it Vice President for Fab 2 Operation, Telesforo Alfelor II (2nd from right)

With some of the officers and employees of SunPower in front of our booth

SunPower and the Philippine Solar Car Society Booths

The "Sikat" (Sunrise) Solar Car made of SunPower cells,  the highest efficiency cells

First Philec Solar Corporation and the Philippine Solar Car Society Booths

Second Philippine Solar Car, SIKAT "Sunrise"

A team of 33 students and teachers of the mechanical and the electronics and communications engineering department of the De La Salle University designed and created the car, which they named “Sikat" (Sunrise).

Here I am with the Sikat Solar Car and some of my colleagues at SunPower

Our Vice President for Expansion, Robert Vinje was one of the speakers

Speakers representing Asia, Europe and North American markets shared  best practices as well as challenges in finding renewable energy solutions, action plans and results. A CEO forum on “Making the Philippines a Solar Manufacturing Hub” was one of the highlight of the event.

Setting up the Philippine Operations by Robert Vinje

Another speaker from SunPower is Zachary Struyk (2nd from right), Business Development Director for South East Asia.  He presented "Solar in Asia : Lessons Learned from Korea"

With my colleague, Fe at SunPower booth

Manning  our booth

With our VP Operations for Fab 2, Telesforo Alfelor II (5th from right)

SunPower employees visited our booth

A dummy solar cell which we used for display

One of our product, the E19

This booth is Trina Solar, our competitor

4th Annual Summit for Administrative Professionals

The stage at the 4th Annual Summit for Administrative Professionals

About two weeks ago my colleagues and I attended the 4th Annual Summit" for Administrative Professionals with the theme "Diversify : Achieving Excellence Through Innovation" at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.  This was a two day event (May 25 and 26, 2011) and it was our first time to attend this summit. I thanked my former boss, Greg for approving this and letting us  attend this event.  We were so excited what to expect in this gathering.

The event started with the welcome remarks from the organizer and the opening prayer which was beautifully sang by a Christian singer.  While singing the lyrics of the song, there was a sand drawing which captured my attention.  It was awesome !

The Sand Drawing... A live performance art and type of animation which is so amazing !

Here I am with my colleagues at SunPower during our break

Around 500 Administrative professionals attended the summit

We were entertained by a dance performance

One of the speaker, Mr. Bjorn Martinoff from Germany who is married to a Filipina.  He is six feet and eight inches tall.  His topic was all about Advanced Critical Thinking Skills.

The two-day summit was a full packed learning event.  A lot of topics were covered and given by distinguished speakers :

Learning Session 1 : Think Like a Boss, Entrepreneurial Thinking 

By : Ricardo "Ricky" de Vera, MBA 

Learning Session 2 : Conflict Management Skills for Administrative Professionals

By : Flor M. Glinoga, PhD

Learning Session 3 : The Myth of Multitasking : Dealing Effectively and Efficiently with Multiple Bosses and Managing Your Workload : How to Prioritize When Everyting is Important

By : Daphne Barrameda-Granfil

Learning Session 4 : Building Better Work Relationships : Learn Why Successful Work Relationships Help Build Successful Careers !

By : Al Ian Barcelona

Learning Session 5 : The Power of Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Quotient : Handle Yourself and Your Emotions Professionally

By : Jesse Francis Rebustillo

Learning Session 6 : Level Up ! Making the Transition from Admin. Asst. to Exec. Asst.

By : Leonida G. Reyes

Learning Session 7 : Advance Critical Thinking Skills : To Stay Competitive, You Have This Skill !

By : Bjorn Martinoff

Learning Session 8 : Creating Performance Breakthroughs Through Self-Coaching

By : Marie May San Juan-Soriano

Learning Session 9 : The Privilege and Responsibilities of a Business Career

By : Veneranda Geronimo

Learning Session 10 : The Tech Savvy Secretary

By : Severo "Sonnie" Santos

Learning Session 11 : Unleash Your True Potential : Managing Your Career and Professional Development - "Keys That Unlock My Best at Work"

By : Carlos "Pido" Aguilar, Jr.

With my colleague, Grace at the Ariva booth.  Ariva is the organizer of the summit