IBM Goes to Puerto Azul

In April 2007, I had the chance to go on a trip with IBM to Puerto Azul. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore a new place, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to write about my experience until now because I have been busy with other things. The trip started at PBCom near Valero Street, where we gathered for departure. The original time of departure was 5:30 a.m., but to my dismay, we ended up leaving at 8:00 a.m. I felt it was a waste of time since I could have been doing other things during those two and a half hours of waiting. However, despite the delay, I remained positive and looked forward to what the trip had in store.

As we set off, I couldn't help but feel excited about what the day had in store for us. It was a chance to explore a new place and bond with my colleagues. During the journey, I had the opportunity to chat with my colleague Arcy, who was the only representative from eBay on the bus. The rest of the passengers were on the Sprint-Nextel account, along with two management personnel, including myself.

Arriving in Puerto Azul, I noticed that the place seemed a little run down compared to the last time I saw it. Despite this, I was still excited to be there and made the most of the opportunity. Although I didn't know many people on the trip, I spent most of my day with Arcy and a group of escalation specialists. They were all friendly and knowledgeable, and it was great to spend time with them. However, due to exhaustion, we decided to head back to the bus early, around 4:00 p.m. The bus eventually left at 5:00 p.m., and we arrived home at 8:00 p.m.

The trip was generally a good experience. We might have utilized our time more effectively if the organization had been better, in my opinion. Nevertheless, I'm appreciative of the chance to travel and spend time with my coworkers. Exploring new areas and developing relationships with people is always fun, and I'm glad I was able to accomplish both on this trip.

Checking out the menu by the poolside

During our trip to Puerto Azul, I represented the management group alongside Carlo Tiamzon. Arcy was the only representative from eBay on the bus, while the other passengers belonged to the Sprint-Nextel account. It was an excellent chance for individuals from different accounts to mingle and socialize during the journey.

Assembling representatives from various accounts can be an excellent way to network and exchange ideas. It offers a chance to learn from each other's expertise and experience. My presence as part of the management group may have given employees an opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns they had.

Although I was frustrated with the delay in departure time, the bus ride itself could have been a valuable bonding experience for everyone on board. It's crucial to make the most of opportunities to connect with colleagues from different accounts, as it can lead to a more harmonious and supportive workplace environment.

The view that the place has to offer

Nostalgia

Our group arrived at Puerto Azul around 10:30 am, and the travel time was relatively short since we took an alternate route through Pasay going to Cavite instead of the usual south expressway. Upon arrival, I couldn't help but notice that the place had deteriorated since the last time I visited. The maintenance was subpar, and the once bustling resort was now mostly empty during peak season, which was disappointing. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed my time there, reminiscing about past memories and taking photos to preserve the experience. I've uploaded all the pictures to my Multiply account, and you can access them at http://kirktonic.multiply.com. While the resort's upkeep could have been better, the nostalgia and the opportunity to bond with my companions made the trip worthwhile.

Checking out the ocean

The path of life

Despite my excitement for the Puerto Azul trip, I realized that I only knew a few people on the bus, including Arcy. As we arrived at our destination, I found myself sticking close to Arcy and a group of escalation specialists throughout the day. Despite my initial disappointment at not getting to interact with more people, it was still an enjoyable experience. The group was friendly, and we had a good time together.

As the day progressed, however, we began to feel the exhaustion of the heat and activities. We decided to return to the bus at 4:00 p.m., which turned out to be a good decision since we were able to avoid the worst of the traffic. We eventually left at 5:00 p.m. and reached home by 8:00 p.m. I was so tired from the day's events that I immediately fell asleep upon arrival.

Overall, while I would have preferred to interact with more people on the trip, spending time with Arcy and the escalations specialists was still a pleasant experience. The early return to the bus was necessary, given how drained we were feeling, and it allowed us to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Despite the aging appearance of Puerto Azul, I'm grateful for the opportunity to revisit it and create new memories with new and old acquaintances alike.