AMCHAM 29th Honor Your Secretary Day

AMCHAM'S "Honor Your Secretary Day"

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines hosted the “29^th Honor Your Secretary Day” on Friday, 17 February 2012 at the Manila Peninsula.  HYSD is an annual opportunity for AmCham members to recognize and express appreciation to their secretaries and administrative professionals for their valuable help and support.  This is also an occasion to celebrate the secretaries’ valuable contribution in the workplace.  It is a gathering for bosses and their executive assistants or administrative staff.  This year our table was half full since the bosses did not make it for the first time. Even only one boss will make the celebration complete for us.  But sadly no one was there.

With Joema Delfin, Catherine Bayhon-Crusem and Cory Espiritu

With Sunpower Admins : Joema Delfin, Evangeline Malabuyoc, Cathy Bayhon-Crusem and Fe Imperial

Our Guest Speaker and Entertainer at the event

REMINISCING THE AMCHAM'S HYSD IN PREVIOUS YEARS

With my previous boss, Greg Reichow and Cypress MD, Donald Mika in 2004

I was first introduced to the Amcham's Honor Your Secretary Day way back 2004 when Sunpower was just a start-up company in the Philippines. Prior to joining the company I came from a Japanese company and we did not have this kind of event. SunPower is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines.  It was my previous boss, Greg who informed me about the event and that we need to register to participate.  Below were some of the photos I kept on Amcham's HYSD over the past years.

With our bosses : Greg Reichow, Greg Mihalik and Rey Mella at Makati Shangri-La Hotel

Rey Mella and Greg Reichow

With Robert Vinje at New World Renaissance

Share and Learn on Valentine's Day

Our Share and Learn on Valentine's Day

February  is the "Love Month" and I decided to schedule our Share and Learn Session on a special day, Valentine's Day.  This session is held every quarter only. We normally start with a sumptuous lunch inside the conference room and then followed by the presentation.  Topics presented during that session were on Friendship, Unconditional Love and Personality Development. The topics were interesting as they sync together.  Valuable to a person is love, friends and having self confidence. During the presentation, an attendee can make a comment or share something related to the subject matter based on their experiences and knowledge. This is a good learning medium.  So, here were some good points during the session :

"Friends are flowers in the garden of life." Friendships need nurturing to grow healthy and remain strong.

Genuinely appreciate what others do and express how impressed you are with them and their accomplishments. Every little and simple thing one does to a person is an act of love and we should be thankful for that.

It is about acceptance and respecting the way you are.

We all wanted to be loved and we are yearning for that kind of love which is UNCONDITIONAL.  This is the kind of love that gives us true happiness, a sense of peace and fulfillment that satisfies our heart and soul. True happiness is our entire reason to live, and it can only be obtained as we find Real Love and share it with others.

Give of yourself without expecting anything in return.

It is about acceptance and respecting the way you are.

It is God's love for mankind.

It is caring about the happiness of another person without any thought for what we might get for ourselves.

 It doesn’t go away when circumstances are difficult. It survives and even grows during hardships and struggles.

Pet's love for us is unconditional.

My staff discussing her presentation

We are having fun sharing and discussing among ourselves

This is what my friends wrote about me

In the Personality Development portion, we were given a piece of paper and we were asked to write our name.  We passed it around in three counts and three times.  The person who is holding your paper must write something about you after every three counts. 

Love without condition, talk without intention, give without reason and care without expectation.

Doggy Day Out

With my parents, aunt and housemembers with our four legged friends

On a weekend, you see me early in the morning at Nuvali walking, running and frolicking with my four legged friends. A lot of people come to this place to jog, bike, walk with pets, have a picnic with friends and family and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Nuvali is a new developing community located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  It is a refreshing place with green local plants and great landscaping  which serves as habitat for birds.  It makes one feel one with nature. It has a man-made multi-functional lake with fountain, the home of a number of omnivorous, colorful fishes called "Koi", which helps keep the water clean.    You will enjoying watching the multi-colored koi  while fish feeding.  Experience riding the Nuvali boat taxi that will take you around the lakeside Evozone. You can also rent bicycles to stroll around the place with friends and family.  This place was featured in ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang kay Ganda" (A Beautiful Morning) yesterday.

Fish Feeding at Nuvali

8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Daily

Fish feeds are available at Solenad and the Evoliving Center for Php 15.00/cup

Nuvali Taxi Boat

Operating hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily; no boat rides on Mondays

Rates: Php 15.00/each one-way

Nuvali Bikes

Operating Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily

Rates: Php 60.00/hour

One beautiful sunny Sunday, my parents and aunt who was on vacation decided to come along with me to exercise.

Our housemembers join me at Nuvali.  They have been helping me with our dogs

A panoramic view of Nuvali... Me and Batibot

It's playtime...Fetch that bone !

Jacob... This is mine !

Scotty... I finally grab it !

Batibot... I'm stealing it away from you ! Catch me if you can !

Little Rudolf (3 month old puppy)... Can I have the toy bone ? I want to play too !

Fleur De Sel

FLEUR DE SEL

I found this on my desk when I arrived in the office a few days ago.  I had no clue what it was  and if it was edible since the label is not written in English.  Looks like German or French to me.  My boss who is a German national came out of his room and informed me he was the one who put it on my desk.  He brought it from Germany and it is salt. Salz is salt in German language.  

The  label indicated "Fleur de Sel" and I wondered what it meant.  I found out that Fleur de Sel is "Flower of Salt" in French.  It is a type of sea salt and the world's most expensive kind of salt. Produced in several coastal areas around the world but particularly in Brittany, France, this sea salt is hand harvested by scraping the top layer of the salt before it sinks to the bottom of the salt pan. It is enriched with more minerals than ordinary table salt ~ Sodium Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron and Iodine. This is great and  interesting to know these facts. Thanks boss for your thoughtfulness ! Food will definitely taste better with this "Fleur de Sel".  Cheers !

A Beautiful World

Elvie at 3 years old

I came to the world

Like flowers that bloom in spring

Full of life, vibrance and spirit

* Elvie *

A breathe of fresh air

Garden full of flowers

Adds beauty and colors to life

Freshness, joy and tranquility

* Elvie*

A Sweet Bird

Wake up in the morning

Hear the cute bird singing

A song of praise and thanksgiving

* Elvie *

Water ... a gift that sustains life

Water that gives life

Flows gently from heaven above

A blessing from God

* Elvie *

Trees play a vital role in our ecosystem

Lovely trees down the road

Waving its leaves as the wind blows

Giving a warm hello

* Elvie *

Refreshing view of mountains

Mountains touching the sky

peaceful, calm, reaching out to God

Feel His warm embrace

* Elvie *

Stunning fishes in the sea

 Oceans in blue and green

Majestic marine life dwells

with all shapes, color and sizes

Mysteries of the deep blue seas

* Elvie *

Chinese New Year 2012 ~ Best Wishes To All !

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012

Today is a special non-working holiday in the Philippines to commemorate the Chinese New Year or "Spring Festival". Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important festival for Filipino-Chinese including ordinary Filipinos in the Philippines. It was the first time that Chinese New Year was declared a special non-working holiday throughout the country through a Presidential Proclamation.  This is a significant milestone in the Philippine-China relations.  The Chinese culture and influence had been part of the Filipino life.

The year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon which begins on Jan. 23, 2012 and ends on Feb. 9, 2013 according to the Chinese Zodiac.  The Dragon symbolizes spiritual power and the ultimate symbol for success and happiness.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR !

May you have abundance, peace,  good health and happiness throughout the year !

Magical Moments at Enchanted Kingdom

The Magic lives on .... ENCHANTED KINGDOM  !

It was Christmas Eve and  I have decided to take Manang Daisy (my stepmom's sister), Darling (my stepsister) and two of our household members, Elsa and Ivan to Enchanted Kingdom.  It was a Christmas treat for them before they go back to their respective hometowns, Bohol and Bacolod.  They have not been to this park and they were very excited to see the place and have fun and relaxation.

Enchanted Kingdom is the very first and only world class theme park in the Philippines which first opened to the general public on October 19, 1995.  From that time onwards, the magic spell spread fast and it has become a popular destination among locals and tourists, young and old. 

This 15.5 hectare kingdom is the "Disney Land" of the Philippines" situated in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  The theme park has incredible, heart-stopping thrill rides, beautiful children's playgrounds, carnival stuffs, souvenir shops, food and entertainment.  There are seven (7) park zones that takes you to a journey back in time across different eras :

VICTORIA PARK ZONE is inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule.  In this zone, you can meet the park's mascot, Eldar the Wizard and the main attraction is the Grand Carousel.  Other features includes XPP Extreme Paintball, Bungee Fun, Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe, Princess Victoria's Dream Shop, Victoria Souveni Carts, Victoria Photo by Trans Ocean and Thrift Shop.

Enchanted Kingdom's mascot, Eldar the Wizard

Victoria Park's main attraction ~ The Grand Carousel

Grand Carousel Ride

Soar up high and do a somersault at the Bungee Fun

MIDWAY BOARDWALK ZONE is a vibrant and colorful zone designed  after the Coney Island known as "America's Playground in the 1930's.  It features the Wheel of Fate, Anchors Away,  EKstreme Tower Ride,  Bump N' Splash, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Up, Up and Away, Enchanting Barbie Play House.  Clowns, jugglers and mimes are found in this area.

The Wheel of Fate

Roller Skater, a mini coaster

A pirate ship ride ... Anchors Away.  It moves like a pendulum at a very fast pace.

A sudden drop at the Ekstreme Tower Ride

JUNGLE OUTPOST ZONE is conceptualized after the Amazon jungle.  Experience  the exciting  Jungle Log  Jam and Swan Lake as its main attractions so be ready to get wet.

The Jungle Log Jam

A breathtaking experience riding the log jam and sliding from a tall slide

A calm and tranquil ride at the Swan Lake

BROOKLYN PLACE ZONE is a theater and shopping zone that takes you to a time travel down the street of Brooklyn, New York in the 1940s.  It gives you a recollection of slapstick comedies and silent movies during the era.  The main attraction is the "Rialto", Brooklyn's motion simulator theater which combines sight, sound and movement.  You are not just watching the movie but you feel you are in the movie.

RIALTO's "Journey to the Center of the Earth". The main film is a montage of clips from the 2008 film Journey to the Center of the Earth. The 15 minute film takes guests on a journey through a never-before-seen world where they discover creatures and objects that are unimaginable.

Inside Rialto

In front of Rialto with a snowman

A dance presentation

The Chorale singing Christmas carols

 PORTABELLO ZONE  has a colorful carribean atmosphere.  It is a  place in Panama in the Carribean Sea where the riches of the Incas were shipped by the Spaniards.  This zone houses the largest attraction in the Enchanted Kingdom, the "Rio Grande", a wet and wild adventure.  It also features the Flying Fiesta, a giant rotating swing and the 4D Discovery Theater that will make you experience thrill and action while watching the movie.

RIO GRANDE RAPIDS

An inflatable rubber boat rides in an artificial man-made river with big waves and waterfalls along the way  

Expect to get wet (like taking a bath) in this rides so bring extra clothes

FLYING FIESTA

A high revolving swing ~ The Flying Fiesta

4D DISCOVERY THEATER ~ An action motion simulator theater that gives you a visual and sensory experience

SPACEPORT ZONE inspired by sci-fi films and the NASA space program of the 1960s with the 11 storey high Space Shuttle Max as its main attraction.  Other features are Kart Trak, Eldar's Tent, Zorb Ball and Lazer Mission.

SPACE SHUTTLE

The country's first and only triple loop coaster turns riders upside down six times - 3 times forward and 3 times backwards

KART TRAK has a 600 m. Go Kart Track. It was built according to international standards for performance and safety by the  Carmona Racing Circuit

ZORB WATER BALLS... Experience walking on the water

 

BOULDERVILLE PARK ZONE has a prehistoric cartoon look, an era ruled by dinosaurs. It has dinosaur mascot, puppet shows, stone age souvenir shop and offers kiddie rides and play facilities likeAir Pterodactyl, Boulderville Express, Bumbling Boulders, Dinosaurus, Triassic Tag, Petreefied House, Rock Quarry, Stone Eggs.

BOULDERVILLE EXPRESS

DINOSAURS

STONE EGGS

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. - Norman Vincent Peale

A beautiful "Belen", a diorama of the nativity of Jesus Christ

There was a Nativity play at that time and here I am with some of the casts

Santa Claus is coming to town so better be nice !

We had a great time at Enchanted Kingdom !

TICKET PRICE

Carousel Ticket:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 150.00
Weekday Rate: Php 150.00

Descriptions: Free admission to the park grounds and unlimited access to the Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, and Boulderville Express.

Regular Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 500.00
Weekday Rate: Php 400.00

Descriptions: Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchor's Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosaurus.

Junior Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 320.00
Weekday Rate: Php 250.00

Descriptions: Applicable to children between 36” to 47” tall. Children 35” and under are FREE. Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchor's Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosuarus.

ENCHANTED KINGDOM OFFICES

Sta.Rosa Main Office

San Lorenzo South, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Tel . No. : (02)584-3535

Tel . No. : (02)584-4326  to 29

Fax No. : (02)584-4332

Makati Sales Office

Unit 1B Ground Floor, The Biltmore Condominium,

102 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village,

Makati City

Tel . No. : (02) 830-3535
Tel . No. : (02) 830-2112 to 16

Fax No. : (02) 812-7118

Sales Direct Line: (02) 812-7291