FTS Meeting 4

On this meeting, we we’re told that we will be having an Intrapersonal Skill Seminar. The purpose of it was to enhance, improve, harness and mold our bond with our fellow Field Trip and Seminar Classmates. We were also shown the possible itinerary and the cost of the trip.

FTS Meeting 3

It was the moment that we had been waiting for. The announcement of what FTS model won. It turned out that the Model A had won. Many of us were happy and excited because it would their(some of them) first time to board on a plane.

FTS Meeting 2

The second meeting was all about choosing the venues and companies we will visit. There are lots of companies on the list, but the officers told us to choose seven “7” companies only. We are grouped so that we can come up with different set of answers. The answers were mixed, but the officers took those venues/companies that the groups had in common. The officers also showed us the “tentative” expenses of the trip.

FTS Meeting 1

It was in the month of February when we held our first meeting of our Field Trip and Seminar. If my mind is not playing tricks on me right now, the meeting was held at the Institute of Computing Laboratory 2 wherein all of the Institute of Computing’s students who are qualified to join the Field Trip and Seminar was present. Ms. Yu, the former FTS president explained to us what are the upcoming events and what we should expect. She also shared how their Field and Seminar went. And we are also introduced to the different Models of the Field Trip and Seminar.

FTS MAJOR REFLECTION

Seminar Overview

                Five days being away from home, I thought I it too much for me to handle, but it seems not. Our Field trip and Seminar or also known as “FTS” was the greatest thing that ever happened in my college life so far. We already know about this subject before we actually had it. We are told by our seniors about this subject. They told us how fun and exciting this subject can get. We are fascinated by their stories, and that made us very excited about this. But one thing that bothered me was the price that I’m gonna pay for enrolling this subject. This subject costs 21 thousand pesos. Well, that is only if we would pick the Model A. Me, and some of my friends decided to choose Model C, so that we can pay less, but we lost over the number of student who voted Model A. Before we got into action, we were tasked to do two reflections. First, a reflection about which FTS Model we prefer, and second, what we are expecting on our first/second flight. We are successful to comply it, and it took a month before we can finally have our FTS. We also had a lot of meetings for updates on our FTS, and we even had a seminar with our parents regarding our FTS.

                It was September 7, 2015 when we are finally at the Davao International Airport, waiting for our flight. Hours after that, we arrived at the Ninoy Aquino Internation Airport 4, and after that we went into our respected buses and started our journey. Within the span of 5 days, we went into different places, companies and we learned a lot. It was an honor for me to step on the buildings of ginormous companies. Five days’ worth of travelling was not bad, because we had the best tour guide, kuya Karlo/Carlo. He was so energetic and entertaining. He fed us with lots and lots of knowledge and trivia.

                This trip was made possible by my mother’s hard work and those who sponsored me. If it weren’t for them, I would be able to attend this seminar. I was so grateful by their help, and I already thanked them. But, words are not enough. So, I’m trying my nest to graduate and repay them, especially my mother.

                 

Day 1

               

                Today, I went on the Department of Science and Technology located at Bicutan, Taguig. It was the first company that we ever visited right after we had our breakfast. Not to mention that it was our first time to visit there. During the trip on the road to DOST, our tour guide, Kuya Karlo/Carlo told us that DOST is under the government, thus shouldn’t have an over the top expectations of its facilities. When we arrived at the location, what Kuya Karlo/Carlo told us about DOST was right. It was like a huge compound with lots of buildings, and most of the buildings “looks” abandoned. I don’t what’s the real deal about so, I’m just saying that it “looks” like abandoned.  We went inside the conference room, and we are welcomed by the people there. They taught us about the Project Noah, and I was so impressed about it. They showed us their map that would map out the areas that will be affected in case of a flood situation.

                After that, we had our lunch at Kenny Roger’s at Katipunan, Quezon City. We filled our stomachs so we can be ready for the next company.

                The next company that we visited was the Social Security System or also known as SSS, located at East Avenue, Quezon City where the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s printing and minting branch can be also located. We sat there at the SSS’s conference hall and listen to the speakers. They told us about SSS, and the way how it works.

               

                We were so exhausted at that time that wanted to head straight to Kabayan Hotel, and rest. But, there’s still one thing we have to do. Malling. We went to Trinoma, and did our malling there. I did not buy any gifts since it was very to do so. So, I just bought a bottle of water and some snacks.

                After our malling, we headed to a restaurant named Tramway. But before that, we passed by the famous Big Brother house. Unfortunately, we were not able to go out and take a picture of up close because we are out of time. We arrived at Tramway and had our dinner there. We ate a lot so much due to the fact that we are starving after a day of travelling.

                The best thing happened right after we had our dinner. It was because we were finally able to take a rest at the Kabayan Hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, we were held for a moment for the room assignments. After that, we happily went to our respected rooms and took a rest.

               

What I learned?

               

                I learned a lot of stuff about Project NOAH. About how they started this to increase the peoples’ awareness about the possibilities of an upcoming calamity and to prevent future damage. I also learned that the creator/inventor of Project NOAH made his parents as inspiration. It is because that the creator’s parents are living in a rural area, and is prone to flood. I haven’t learned much from SSS, because I was too exhausted and I was so drowsy that I cannot even focus on listening. But, they haven’t really gave us something that is new to us.  

What I liked?

                Aside from the food(just kidding), what I liked that day was the seminar with the DOST speakers regarding about Project NOAH. As what I have said, I was impressed by Project NOAH. It promotes awareness about the possible calamities to come and to prevent large scale damage. I also liked our malling at the Trinoma mall. It was my first time to stroll there. I was amazed by the mall’s eco-friendly design.

What I didn’t like?

                There are few things that I did not like during the first day. First, I weird and stranged when we went to DOST. Just like what I said, the buildings looked like they were abandoned for a long time. It’s like everything there was left by time itself. The compound was like a ghost town. Then, another thing that I didn’t like was the seminar at SSS. Yes, I was drowsy and I had a hard time focusing, but I still listened. What they taught and told to us that day was nothing new to us. There are things that we already knew, those can be easily found on the internet.

Day 2

               

                Today, I went on IBM Philippines located at the AyalaTechno-Hub and Accenture Inc. located at Libis, Quezon City. We went first to visit the famous Luneta Park and took pictures of it before we head our way to IBM Philippines. Supposedly, our seminar would start at 10:30am, but when we got there, we waited for an hour because the speaker was late. We slept while we were, and Sir Gamboa took a stolen shot of us sleeping. After moments of waiting, we finally got into IBM’s building and started our seminar. Then after that, we headed to Accenture Inc. We had our lunch on the bus. It was such a real struggle for us to eat while the bus was moving.

               

                When we arrived there, we waited for moments just like we did earlier at IBM. So, we watched TV shows and took a nap until we were able to go inside. Accenture Inc.’s building is amazing. Their seminar hall has a pantry. Everything in that building looks awesome. After that, we went to Great Eastern Hotel to have our dinner and went to Kabayan Hotel after, but we experienced a 3-hour traffic on our way home. It was horrible.

               

What I learned?

                When we were at the IBM Phils. I learned a lot of things about Cloud Storage and its 3 different versions. I also learned more about IBM’s new technology Bluemix. I already knew it before we had our FTS, but my knowledge of it incremented. The speaker even showed us how easy to make a program now with Bluemix, and he showed us his inventions using Bluemix and it was pretty awesome. Then in Accenture Inc., I learned the purpose of their company, and I learned that Accenture Inc. is not only about BPOs.

What I liked?

                The thing that I liked this day was when the speaker showed us how to create a program that would allow the e-mail recipient to automatically reply the sender by just using nothing but Bluemix. No compilers were installed, everything was done on the browser.

               

What I didn’t like?

                It was the seminar or Accenture Inc. that I did not like. It was fine, but it was kind of “meh…”. What we did there was listen on what Accenture Inc. is and their origin. We even played a game there and we watched the application developed by two of their employees which is underwhelming for me.

Day 3

               

                Today, I went on the Philippine Youth Congress Information Technology or also known as the Y4IT event that was being held on the SMX Convention Center at SM Mall Of Asia. MOA is such a huge place and it is so cool. After that, we went to Tutuban to have or shopping.

               

What I learned?

                To be honest, I haven’t learned a lot this day, because I slept on some topics. But, I managed to learn more about Windows 10’s HoloLens. I already knew about this, but the seminar added informations about this. Then I learned that the internet here in the Philippines is guarded by a so-called “Gate-Keeper” that would monitor the browsing activity of the user and would interfere if necessary.

What I liked?

                What I liked about that day was the HoloLens topic and internet topic (capping, privacy, etc.). First of all, I liked the HoloLens topic even if I already knew it because it was something that I can relate. Then the internet part grabbed my interest. It gave me an additional knowledge about how the internet is manipulated here in the Philippines. I also learned that there is a plan to have WI-Fi connection in all bus stops here in the Philippines.

                The greatest thing that I like was the

What I didn’t like?

                The thing that did not like was the Y4IT event took so long to finish. A lot of us slept during the event and died out of boredom. But there was nothing in major that I did not like.

Day 4

               

                Today, I went on the MMDA Traffic Engineering Office located at EDSA, Makati. When we went there, I did not expect that their building is a narrow upward building. I was expecting that their building is huge. We are hoping that Mr. Tolentino was there, but he was not. We were in this room on the 3^rd floor where there was this huge glass that overlooks the monitoring panels where you can see a huge monitor showing multiple live CCTV footages.

               

                Then we went to Tagaytay to have our sightseeing at the People’s Park in the sky. It was like a dream when I saw the Taal Volcano when we were having our lunch at Max’s. Going the People’s Park in the sky was a real struggle. It is really exhausting because it was an uphill walk, tho you can ride a jeepney. But it is worth the struggle when you reach the top. The view is too majestic for our eyes. After that, we went to the place where we were all excited to visit, Enchanted Kingdom. We were given a “ride-all-you-can” ticket and we tried all the rides there, even the extreme ones. It was the most epic experience in my life so far.      

What I learned?

                Well, I haven’t learned a lot in MMDA. They only showed us their huge monitor, and what I learned form that is that there are 4 phases of CCTVs shown on the monitor. Those phases are just referring to the age of CCTVs. In short in phase one you have those old CCTVs which if I remembered it correctly, those were the CCTVs from 2008. Then in phase four, you have those latest high-quality CCTVs.

                When we were heading our way to the People’s Park in the sky, Kuya Karlo told us the history of it. It was supposedly a property of our former first lady Imelda Marcos, and she wanted to build a mansion there. But when the People Power Revolution happened, and the Marcos’ were defeated, everything they owned were ceased from them, including the ones that we’re referring as the People’s Park in the sky.

What I liked?

                I liked the part where the MMDA showed us their huge monitor. You can see everything what’s happening. Also, I liked the part where the showed us a CCTV footage where an MMDA officer was caught extorting money from a man. They said that they were just showing a previous batch of students how their new CCTV works, and they filmed it coincidentally.

               

                And of course, I liked the part where we had our sightseeing in Tagaytay. The feeling was awesome. The views are majestic. It is like have escaped from the harsh reality. Especially when seeing the Taal Volcano, it felt like a dream come true. Then, the highlight of the day, the Enchanted Kingdom experience. It was the thing that I liked the most that day. It was a once in a lifetime experience that is why I liked it a lot.

What I didn’t like?

                There are nothing in major that I did not like this day. It was all amazing even if the seminar in MMDA was a little bit of boring.

Day 5

               

                Today, I went on the University of the Philippines Department of Computer Science , UP, Quezon City. And, we went on Resorts World Manila for our final malling before we go home.

               

What I learned?

                I learned that their campus is so huge and wide. It’s like 5 times bigger than our university. I was also amazed by their student’s thesis project, it was like they are out of my league. Their projects are way beyond my level. We had a tour around their campus and I learned what are the purpose of each room we went. If there’s one thing that I learned from them, then that is they are way smarter than me. It seems that I cannot compete with their IQ.

What I liked?

                I liked everything that day. The thought of you standing on the grounds of one of the most well-known universities was overwhelming. I liked the thought of strolling in their huge campus. And also, I liked how they welcomed us. And last but not the least, I am going to tell you that the thing that I liked the most that day was when we were strolling Resorts World Manila. The mall is so luxurious, you can smell the expensive stuffs in the air. It was a once in a lifetime experience to walk on its grounds.

What I didn’t like?

                The thing that I did not like was, I was hoping that we could enter some of their facilities in UP, but we were not allowed because the facilities were occupied at that time. That’s all.