The Marawi Culture

April 30, 2008

One of my tasks for today was to confirm the meeting of some partner school and of SMART for SWEEP. I also helped Elline and Ms. Kring in the articles about the Maranao Festival and the Ethnic Dances of Lanao. I did research for supporting facts and photos. While surfing the net for research, I got to know that the Marawi City is the only city in the Philippines where more than 90 percent of the population is Muslim. Residents of Marawi City strictly observe and practice regulatory orders that correspond to Islam beliefs and traditions. Alcoholic beverages and gambling activities are prohibited in the city. Vending of pork is illicit and karaoke clubs are also taboo because the people of Marawi believe that such will tempt and encourage people to go to nightclubs and other amusement places --- acts which are not allowed in their tribe. Also, as part of their social custom, Muslim women should wear veils and cover their heads (one of the most visible among their culture). Their culture is really conservative and preserved.

Before the busy day ended, Elline and I pampered ourselves. After going out in the SMART building, we went to Krispy Kreme and bought donuts for takeout… It’s really pampering…

We’ll try to come back in Krispy Kreme again tomorrow.

Last Day, Oh No!

May 09, 2008

I can’t believe my internship in SMART Public Affairs is already finished. I realized how time flies so fast that I did not even notice that I was going beyond the required number of work hours in my internship (which is 100 hrs). Based from my calculation, my work hours in Public Affairs reached almost 150 hrs… and I still want to continue… but then I have to start working in a NGO since it is also part of the requirement.


In addition to our OJT requirements, we had to give the people who supervised us the evaluation form for them to evaluate our performance as interns. We also have to come- up with a scrap- book about our whole experience as interns. Elline and I took pictures (as many as we could) of us in the office and with every thing that has Smart logo in it. We saw some Smart bags and we did use them in our photos. Of course, the people in Public Affairs won’t be absent in our scrapbook. We took plenty photos with them and luckily they were game with it- some even showed wacky faces- which I find so cool.

That afternoon, Ms. Pat, one of the managers in Public Affairs, had a send- off party because is resigning and she’ll be working in another company. There were food (which are very delicious, especially the spaghetti!) and lots of picture taking. They were telling us, especially Sir Mon and Sir Darwin, to deliver a speech about what we have learned and our experiences in our stay in Public Affairs. They also told us to showcase our talents like singing and dancing…Neither we deliver our speeches nor showcased our talents. Me and Elline were quite shocked and nervous because we were shy and we were not prepared for that… Well, that may be possible if we had a little time to prepare and practice.Whew…!


Furthermore, we said our deep gratitudes and goodbyes to all of them. It is quite sad but the happiness in me matters the most because I was able to meet the people there and work with some of them. I will certainly miss everything in Public Affairs- the work environment and or course, the people especially those who are closest to me.

-------------------------------Smile!------------------------------------------

i love SMART.

Finally I got my ID

May 08, 2008

We just got our ID cards this day. It’s funny because tomorrow is our last day in Public Affairs and we just received our IDs this day. Ms. Je Ann, the HR Officer, told us to surrender our IDs by tomorrow to the HR Department because they will shred them-that’s the policy. But even though I’ll be able to use and wear it just for 2 days, it’s still the experience of having the SMART Public Affairs ID that makes me grateful and delighted.

Anyway, since this day is our second to the last day in Public Affairs as an intern, I can’t believe that our internship in SMART is about to end. Time really flies so fast. Even some of the Public Affairs employees were quite surprised that tomorrow is our last day. I will surely miss the environment, the work and the people in Public Affairs.

Tomorrow will be a bit sad day for me but I will do my best to make it meaningful and memorable.

Lighter

May 07, 2008

I feel lighter now especially that I had the chance to talk to Ms. Nova yesterday and clear things out.
I continued to send the letters, registration forms and waivers for the faculty immersion of the 40 SWEEP Schools.

Sir Aj, Elline and I had out lunch in Tokyo Tokyo near Convergys and People Support. Since it was kind of a long walk from the office, when we got back in our working area, Elline and I were hungry again. I think the food that we ate for lunch was easily digested during that long walk.

When we got out in the office, Elline and I dropped by the Schu Boutique. Actually, we were also there last night; we just want to see the funky and stylish shoes again. Just like Krispy Kreme, they pamper us too…

I shared Elline my feelings and thoughts about the conversation that Ms. Nova and I had yesterday. Elline said that its okay and that I have to learn from it. I must also be careful in my words and deeds. I feel so much lighter now.

Learn from mistakes

May 06, 2008

I started to send the letters, registration forms and waivers for the faculty immersion of the 40 SWEEP Schools. When Ms. Nova arrived in the office, I updated her about it and I apologized for yesterday’s happening (wrong sent message). She told me we have to talk but we have to work first.

By 11:00 am, Ms. Nova and I went to the conference room. During our conversation, she said that I am doing a good job as an intern and she was shocked when she received that kind of message from me. I found out that my message was really off to her. The message contains a word that is harsh, but its meaning was not what I meant. I explained to her everything about that message. It’s just an expression of mine such as shocks, oh my gosh, yikes, sh*t and that message was supposedly for Elline. I really felt ashamed and sorry. I almost cried to her. She told me that I must learn from my mistake, keep my emotions in myself and respect people especially the supervisors.

She said it will be nothing to her. I just have to learn my lesson. I will really learn from it.
I felt a little relieved when we hugged each other.

By coincidence

May 05, 2008

When I got in the office this morning, Sir Aj approached me and gave Ms. Nova’s instructions to me. I had to prepare the letters together with registration forms and waivers for the faculty immersion of the 40 SWEEP Schools, print them out and have them signed by Sir Mon Isberto then send them out to the designated schools. Elline, my classmate and also a friend of mine who is also an intern in Public Affairs, told me that I'll be joining her and her Dad in their interview with Toni Gonzaga in the afternoon of that day. So I got excited. When I finished printing the letters, registration forms and waivers, Sir Mon was currently in a meeting and Sir Darwin was out so I texted Ms. Nova to whom should I have them signed. She said that we’ll just send all of them tomorrow. Since I was looking forward to send them all, I was quite ‘nanghinayang’ because I wanted to finish the task that was given to me.

Elline at that time was already in the interview. I texted her saying that I’ll be sending the papers on the next day and I also asked her if I can still go there and join them in the interview. By coincidence, I sent that text message to Ms. Nova. I texted Ms. Nova and apologized for what I’ve done. I’ll say my sorry to her tomorrow. I really feel sorry. I am shy for what I’ve done. Really.

Beyond the limit

May 02, 2008

Just like yesterday, I researched and revised for another article. I also did some follow- ups for the Hotel Reservation that Ms. Nova will be staying in for the SWEEP meeting in Cabanatuan.

When I saw my Daily Time Record, I tried to calculate the number of hours that I already rendered. I found out that I’m going beyond 100 hrs (which is the required number of hours). But that’s fine with me because I know that in every time I am spending it sensibly in every work, and I’m getting pleasure from it.