A Five DAY Trip to MANILA for COMPANY TOURS and SEMINARS

Subject: DAY 1 (October 4, 2010)   Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:06 am Today, I went on a company visit to the BayanTel Company On the first day of the tour we visited the BayanTel the first company we visited after we had taken our lunched at the Jade Valley restaurant; then to the BayanTel company we waited for a moment for their were still preparing for us second batch to enter the company; in their the company had showed as a power point presentation of the brief history and vision about the company on widening and powering up more their services to the people not just on giving telephone lines and internet connection. They showed us some of the programs and machines they are working on. The OS and lines in which they had been using. They showed us also a dark room on which the speaker said all the engineers would be working in their in which it’s like a receiving area if there is a malfunctions or problems that would occur in the field in which they are giving services of. What I learned? I didn’t learned a lot of the company for it was just like a brief discussions and the topic we had was more on the networking of the services they are offering to their customers it was more on LAN connection and they asked if they were using a Cisco Packet Tracer that eventually I don’t have an idea for I haven’t taken up yet Net. Tech. and the history and what they can offer more than the other company. What I liked? I liked the presentation thing to shorten-up the whole explanation about their companies goals and vision specially on what do the BayanTel offers best and what their company are up to in the upcoming future matters about and what the business is all about striving to their next projects on expanding their network on some locations here in the Philippines. What I didn’t like? I didn’t like the whole idea of allowing us to see a room that we can barely see because of the darkness inside; it just gave us a thought, what really are inside the room and what machines are in there. It cannot generally give us knowledge but instead curiosity of the room.

Subject: DAY 2 (October 5, 2010)   Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:07 am

Today, I went on a company visit at University of Philippines (Diliman Campus) On the second day, we went to the University of Philippines for the UP-USEP Information Technology Symposium. There were several speakers who had tackle on about different topics which includes Writing a Winning Thesis by Rose Ann Sale, Visualizing Wikipedia Article Evolution with Stream Graphs discussed by John Boaz Lee, Personal Learning Environment by Michelle Lee Moscatel and followed by a minute break and a words of wisdom of about Empowering the Nation through Educational Technology by Dr. Ferdinand B. Pitagan, after that the continuation of Ms. Len de Gracia about Animation and pursuing what you do best, then the last topic that is being discussed is the Mobile Device Game Development by Professor Carlos Bott. What I learned? I learned a lot about the gaming world in which I was really being pushed on to these course to take because I myself really wants to know about the gaming language and programs it used to build a game specially to make one like an MMORPG game in which I would like to know more so someday I could create a game of my own. I came to know that being a game developer your work is not only pure coding but one can also be a designer or an animator it requires a lot of your imaginative side to create a game that is more un and realistic to the player itself. Especially on the part in where Ms. Len De Gracia’s life turn upside down from a programmer into a pro-gamer specialist in which I would find fascinating hope someday I could be like her.         What I liked? There was this topic in which speaker in the symposium that had catch my attention and that the visualizing the things around us by was Mr. John Boaz as she discusses the Visualizing Wikipedia Article Evolution with Stream Graphs. Aside from the topic that sounds very interesting, the speaker also has a sense of humor, a special when he started talking about his topic; every phrase that comes from his mouth seemed to be exceptionally entertaining and fascinating. Some of the audience especially Ms. Mauie liked the topic she even asked some question regarding on the topic in which she really can relate. And even though I was really a first timer on that topic I really liked it a lot on the things that my seem nothing but if you just visualize it in a matter in which you put on an interest you would notice that they have a relation to each other. In a way or another I definitely agree with what he had said. What I don’t like?      I don’t like the part of the forum that is unappealing for me is when Professor Carlos Bott speaks in his topic of Mobile Device game Development frankly saying a lot of us was bored in his way of talking, mannerism on what he is saying was definitely not catching our attention and simply because we can’t catch up with what he is saying and delivering unto us students he’s quite too fast and I can hardly understand what he is talking about the topic. Sea Change Right after having our lunch in which we were the last to finish, immediately we proceeded to UP-Ayala Land Techno Hub. The whole place was, WOW; It’s like a dreamland for IT people there were lots of company that you can barely see here in Davao City. The first company we visited was the Sea Change. A company’s services includes acquiring, storing, managing and streaming video content and applications for those companies that demand superior performance on Televisions on cable channels in which they had shown us some samples specially the one in which other countries are using right now like in U.S. The company was not that big; but still all their employees had warmly welcomed us. There were a short film we watched in which it tells a short brief story and vision of the company. In which I didn’t understand much because the speaker was talking faster than the film. What I learned? I learned a lot of things from Sea Change from movie streaming to live video coverage in which you can now watch at your own time at your own gadgets; in cell phones, laptops, tablet and etc. an example of which is their way of enhancing interactive video to a high-end definition television. The different software applications they are now using and how they combine all this stuff to create a new and more improved product of watching movies or even music video’s at the same time by multi-tasking at a given period of time only. What I liked? I liked the fact that in just a time the world of watching movies and televisions would be so exciting to be in a click of just a remote control you can access, change, pause and play anything their data center even the environment is so fascinating even the one they were just working on. What took my attention are their employees who are very close to each other’s team in which they treat their selves as a family. It was entertaining to know that there are these machines and programs that are real without knowing from it, from that moment because of the actual output they have shown to us. What I don’t like? I don’t like the first room we entered in where we had a short film and some brief story about the company and its products and what they are working on to other countries in which they are giving services. The whole time I wasn’t in a mood on listening, the speaker was speaking too fast and his words were barely understandable in which a foreigner so I his English was so fluent and has a different accent in which I can’t clearly hear. IBM The second company we visited in there is the multinational computer, technology and IT consulting corporation or the IBM (International Business Machines) Corporation. Still located at the UP-Ayala Land Techno Hub. In which just beside at the Sea Change company. In which I was thinking that the company is still working like the old company I had thought still making computers and IT machines. In which I was wrong. What I learned? I found out that currently IBM had stopped selling computers and other IT machines and gadgets. They had focused on software and services. IBM also has different kinds of services like the one they are now working on giving a free use of their data center; yes a free use of their facilities in your projects. This includes IT services, business consulting, outsourcing services, small and medium business services and other services like asset recovery and software services. And lastly they offer a full finance in every person that would come and ask for their assistance and help for a project or thesis perhaps that you would like to endorse.   What I liked? I enjoyed it when one of their employees introduced to us what type of business they are having at the moment the opportunities they are offering to the people that might need their assistance and help. The services they offer are their data centers you are free to access their facilities free to use and some other information with regards to their company’s latest intervention and program. What I don’t like? I didn’t like the room in which it was too small for us all to see what the one that is giving us facts are and information about the company we had some problem on hearing the things he is discussing  and telling because the room cannot accommodate all of us at the same time.    Back at UP in UP ENGINEERS CENTENNIAL HALL In UP engineers centennial hall we had a tour on every room that every team is working on their projects and thesis it’s like they are giving a brief story about the whole process of the thesis making that the speaker was telling on us back in the seminar we had earlier to us students. What learned? I learned a lot on the project they are working on and how they had grouped their selves according on what specialty they are in. Like in gaming, researching, manipulation, and visualization on things like the game sungka they were making a program that would create a manipulation in which in every one move the game would be over because of just one move.  What I liked? I like the gaming thing about the sungka; it’s so full of brain storming the whole project was so hard to think even in my mind. But still they were so eager to find every whole and loops of the project to perfect it. Even just seeing the white board which I think they had written their hypothesis. The solving and all WOW, my brain cells just can’t take all the data. What I didn’t like? I didn’t like that all are striving to outstand the ones final project or to show that there are more on top of every thesis, but I know they had all have a wonderful thesis, because thinking on their efforts and ability that is more far beyond what I had expected on the real thing, like what I just heard and seen in televisions about their new thesis and projects that are successful.

Subject: DAY 3 (October 6, 2010)   Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:08 am

Today, I went in visiting the ASTI (Advance Science & Tech. Ins.) I didn’t know that the DOST had a sister company which is the ASTI until I had visited the place I still had a good feeling about the whole forum on what the ASTI had done for the past years on developing some gadgets to help people and find ways to make machines that is more cheaper and easy to use by people who are in need of such machines to cope-up their daily needs like the one which regulates the soils moisture which would help the farmers to see if their farms are in good conditions or needs to be watered to compensate the whole planting process. And there were lots of their gadgets that are useful but that was the most machine I was fascinated with. What I learned? I learned that there are some gadgets that don’t need to have a big cost price that would help big in the community a certain machine would be much better than any costly machines are. The one like tsunami alarm, the one like a flash drive which served as a port which let a PC to send an SMS to cellphones. What I liked? I liked the process in which they would visualize a certain problem or dilemma that they would create a machine that could help even just a small help that would impart something to the community like the tsunami detector and soil moisture machine. What I didn’t like? I didn’t like the thing that they would sell their machines or gadgets which is I don’t see why? When our governments is the one that is supporting them. Am I right, just so thinking what if they would elaborate more some of their studies and some up the people there that is more on technology basis that would just study and build a machine for our government a program perhaps that some-ups all the bank accounts of all taxes that would be collected and withdrawn. SSS (Social Security System) I had a wonderful time in the SSS because they warmly welcomed us in their main office specially the A for effort for what they had done in giving us some short brief discussions on the process and benefits of being an SSS member. The speakers discussed the different programs of the SSS such as the loans, and benefits in time of your retirement and on how and what to do on becoming a member and showed us the process. We visited first the office were all SSS transaction were being process, then on their mini-library and mini-museum on the relevant information, history and some artifacts with regards to the SSS company.  Not telling the treasures they had under the mini-museum they have, the oldest type-writer I had seen, the cellphone and many more what a life changing experience that was. Exciting part when they showed to us a room where the entire machine that makes the whole process of the SSS company makes their thing, like their member IDs, the verification to which they would know if the name you had have been taken already or you are filing two people at the same time. WEW, what a cheat.  The most fascinating experience I had there was when they showed us a book that year almost the age of our hero Jose P. Rizal. WOW, that was too old. What I learned? I have learned that SSS had more than what I thought it was, the machines they had there was too old, the one they were using had stop because of some parts that are too hard to be found. But the program they had used in locating and measuring some thumb marks for the people who are brilliantly making ways to earn money what a heck... They are using the biometrics system; this system enables machines to validate the exact person identified in an ID through systems such as a password or a physical identity, popularly through the use of fingerprints. What I liked? I liked the their way of generosity, and warmed welcoming on all of us who had visited their company, specially the food they had serve, even some of us, where sleeping because of the busy schedule which so tiring but still they gave their best shot on showing us the whole facilities and machines they had, specially the program they are using on finding out people who are doing monkey businesses. What I didn’t like? I didn’t like the part when we had a forum pertaining to the safety measures of their company when they had two database system for any problem that would come up in time, so that they can have back-up files the answers was too, unprofessionally answered by the speaker when a student asked, What if the two database center would shut down, is there a certain hidden although there were still a big WOW, for the company because I learned a lot of things from the speaker and specially from the company artifacts.

Subject: DAY 4 (October 7, 2010)   Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:08 am Today, I went on a company visit to Hitachi at Laguna Techno HUB In the fourth day of the tour we had a time bonding in our way to Laguna Techno Hub Center in our way we had games and some knowledge while going along SLEX road it was a long drive while going to Laguna and while chit chatting we passed by the controversial C5 road extension, passing all the housing of Senator Manny Villar; which is just along the said road in which we were passing by. There I saw a lot of things which were like I’ve seen in the movies and streets of America it’s like a street in Laguna I even took some picture in it for I was amazed by the scenery I was looking at. And at last we arrived in the Laguna Techno Hub Center but we took a wrong turn pertaining that the entrance was at the back of the Center. In the entrance of the company we were entertained by the front desk which gave us instruction to fill-up some application form and gave us I.D’s for some safety measures and a covering on our shoes; It was like we were in Japan, that was the time I learned that the owner of the company was a Japanese and even the whole cabinet in the left side of the entrance were full of Japanese accent there was a Japanese doll in which the first time I saw one we entered in a room just a meters away from the entrance in which their products were being exhibit and was put into a glass box. I learned new things about the whole process of making hard desk from its raw materials into its small pieces and assembling it into a hard desk. I was shocked on the price of a wafer which the slider came to be, it was worth 4 million pesos, WOW; so after a small inter-action in the room we had they entertain the questions and reactions we had after the whole conversation. Then we had proceed in a room where they showed us a film which tells the story, vision and how the company came to be from a small company into big corporation, from 2 employees into millions of people in just Japan into several countries and of how the terra byte memory had come to reality a new generation of data storage and so on and so forth. Then they gave us jackets for us to use on our tour into the actual process of the products, specially the process of the slider from a single wafer into thousands of slider.  What I learned? I learned that there are a lot of hard desk to be specific with in any gadgets that would require a hard desk specially the raw materials that are be needed are more highly expensive than I expected like the wafer perhaps; Specially the cutting and numbering of the sliders from its mother from is far than my expectations, it’s so fascinating that from a single form into thousands of sliders that are already being tagged for the tracking of each piece from the start of the process in its size itself it’s hard to think they really are capable of doing things far more beyond what we can think of. Specially the terra byte process and discovery and from transferring data’s into the flash drives or hard desks. What I liked? I liked it when we entered in a space somewhere in the entrance they have a small presentation of each hard desk for each hand held gadgets like a cell phone, camera, or a laptop perhaps even on your personal computers in their they placed e very thing that would give an over view of the products they produce in their company in which they are very proud of to say they had discovered the terra byte data storage in which they are very much giving as knowledge on how the process works inside data storage desk for a certain details they were giving even they showed as a film which are basically telling the story of the products. Especially the part when the when we were being toured in every stage of the wafer were it is being processed into sliders in every room another stage would take place in order to insure the products good outcome in the market. What I didn’t like? I didn’t like the two front desk person it’s like they are very strict and hard to accompany with, the attitude they were showing on was not an accompanying type or maybe it’s the company’s protocol. And also the whole time we were there. It’s like there not into people who are asking for a tour on their companies. It’s far more unto the fact that I was expecting like they would treat us more livelily and welcomed us to their company warmly than I expected. And if taken by chance I would really want them to elaborate the whole process of their products, or even show us a demonstration in the cutting of the wafer.

And the rest of this day was in the Laguna having lunch at MAX restaurant, then into the Tagaytay’s “People’s Park in The SKY” we had a goodtime while travelling going there the roads was full of interesting views and wonderful nature creation of God the road was quite scary and thrilling from going up and down. We had fun on sightseeing at the top of the mansion. The whole Tagaytay can be seen from the top. They had some souvenir stores in which we had lots of decision making what to buy and the price were much higher than the other year. And then the next stop was “Enchanted Kingdom” I don’t know exactly how many hours did the travel had taken for us to reach EK but I think a half an hour. The first time I entered .the entrance I just said, WOW, I had finally stepped my foot on the ground which I can only see in pictures and hear from my cousins. The first stop we had was to ride in the space shuttle kind of weird because the line I thought would take an hour before we can ride it. But unfortunately we ended up on wasting two hours for one ride, Gosh that was not a good strategy for the whole trip on EK I wish I could come back there and ride the entire fun ride in there.  Subject: DAY 5 (October 8, 2010)   Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:08 am
Today, I went on a company visit to TTI (Telecommunication Training Institute) On the fifth day of the tour from our hotel we then took the road off to our next destination to Valenzuela City to visit TTI or The Telecommunication Training Institute on going their tired and sleepy for our last day at Manila, feeling sad because it was like a hurricane just back then we were just planning our tour now we have just got to our second to the last destination. While travelling we had a new tour guide Kuya Aries we had lots of game including Videoke and, answer and question portion. What I learned? I have learned a lot of different things with regards to telecommunications and wirings that are being used in telephones specially the first Filipino satellite which named AGILA; Also the other things about the fiber optic wires that would be use in time which will speed up more the internet connection also the voice fixed bandwith which is being applied in telephones. Things like the satellite they used and repeaters are also being discussed for the use of communication. What I liked? I like the machines that they have shown unto us even though the things they use are old and out stand by the new technology in the market still all the things that they are using are the most common in the world of telecommunication and still they have new gadgets to boost of the one I rarely see it’s like a built mini satellite which is handy in used for any places which you can pull in and pull out for some usage in the field for some equipments. Specially the Fiber optic wires which was my first interact with its use that can make the internet connection more faster and liable in the coming year; and the upper room which they also have a satellite and a solar panels which powered their whole facilities for their usage and a satellite also that they were using for how many years. What I don’t like?      What I don’t like in the TTI was their whole facilities I don’t know if it is just the buildings old infrastructure or out of money to renovate the place but the place was kind of freaky and scary a bit. The first thing that grab my attention was that I observe their floor was kind of so dirty and old it could a bad impression to the facility and the place was not well ventilated and kind of spooky in every room we enter at least there was one room I likes were their new equipments were being stored. It is not a typical learning environment I would consider.    MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority “Traffic Engineering”) And after the TTI we had lunch at Belore and went on to our next destination at MMDA or The Metro Manila Development Authority located at Makati City, Especially on their Traffic Engineering Facilities and equipments they are using on regulating and monitoring the roads of all over Metro Manila. They showed us their facilities on monitoring first in there we saw lots of monitors which they can see all the roads that they had entangled with a CCTV cameras. They also thought us some facts and story of their ongoing projects and activities in their day to day movement on listing and checking every event’s on the road. Like the one that had happened in the Bagyong Ondoy from a simple rain into flood and into becoming like a sea then into their Traffic Engineering facilities were the machine and programs that regulates all the traffic lights and traffic amendments is being situated.  What I learned? I have known the MMDA’s from televisions to their late Pres. And to their works and help from giving information’s and guide to the Manila but I never thought the MMDA was more than what I had thought from planning, to monitoring and coordinative functions. They are using wireless IP CCTV cameras; to monitor the traffic and incidents that occur within the Metro Manila. With the use of Multiplex software they are able to view the road situation in a monitor. They are also using Fortran as their main program and their data storage system can hold up all the videos that are taken in a week that would be placed in a compact disc for back-up files and future uses. What I liked? I like the whole idea of their wireless CCTV cameras in which they are having a good eye site from a long wide screen that acts as their eyes in every roads of Metro Manila in which all the incidents or road accidents would be taped and saved for any verifications and uses. Just like a video that they had showed us an incident which had happened a month ago. Which they can see who really is in the right side the motor cycle was going straight even the traffic light had colored red light and got hit by a bus in which the bus is in the right side on following the traffic light. What I don’t like?      I don’t like their lower facility office in which the room was too dark and the equipments were everywhere. It’s like the whole place was not in their proper position and the people were kind of a bit aloof at us they were not into something on or maybe there just some miss-understanding.