Fostering bonding and camaraderie in a corporate family

Almost all companies that I worked with have an annual event for all employees that is usually pegged on the Accounting books with "team building" expenses. It aims to foster bonding among the employees and is usually an outdoor event.

This year, our company team building was announced much earlier for almost a month in advance. It was indeed an out of town weekend getaway. Everyone was excited, everyone from my team wanted to join. It was no-effort for me to encourage them to attend. The sad part was that I can not let all of them come along. At least three members have to stay to man the three shifts of our 24x7 operation. With their love of seeing everyone together, a few of them even volunteered to do an ocular inspection in advance. They offered to go and test the network connectivity if we can set up remote support at the venue. That is how they love seeing us all together. I laughed with a pain in my heart. I laughed at the idea that they are very much willing to do something not necessary for the sake of the team. And the pain is for the fact that I can not risk our operation. The ocular inspection may be favorable when they do so but we never know how the weather will be during our actual team building. It is rainy season in the Philippines!

In the morning of Saturday, 29th of June, we met at the office for the office blessing. Due to the company's growth, we transferred to that office in February but had the chance for the office blessing only this time. We invited a priest to lead us for the celebration. Finally! That gave us the opportunity to still have even a short time with the one who was on duty before we left him for our team building.

The trip to the venue was fun. People, mostly my team members, can not stop the jokes and teasing in the coaster. We even discovered a blossoming relationship. Yay! We will be witnesses to a sweet corporate story if that flourishes.

The activity was at Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort in Batangas province. Travel time was about four hours from Metro Manila. Since we knew that we will be somewhere in the middle of the trip during lunch time, our very reliable coordinators have prepared light lunch while we were in transit. Late lunch will be waiting for us at around 2:00 PM.

It was raining when we arrived at Stilts. Crew assistants were there waiting for us by the road . They helped with our packs as they directed us to the reception area. While our HR was busy registering us, we the others were busy looking around. No one can miss these slices of Stilts story hanging by the reception wall.

One of the many things that we noticed in the reception area is this miniature seascape of the floating cottages. We occupied one of the floating cottages called Peace. Well, they have the others as Inspiration, Happiness, Love, Beauty, Blessing, Dreams and Wishes cottages. Peace is that one to the right of "Look" reminder. It is the only one with its lights off. One of my colleagues said it is because it is not yet occupied.

"Really? Does it have a sensor to know when there are people there already?" I asked.

"No. They turn the light here manually."

Anywhere you look around the resort, you will find good foods for thoughts either carved or painted on woods. I was keeping the observation to myself until the following day when our CEO said so. "You know, I really like all those beautiful sayings around."

We were directed to the dining hall after our registration. We asked if we can first settle ourselves in the cottage but we were advised that it is not yet ready. After all, the dining hall is very near the reception area while our cottage is down there on the waters. Yes, we might as well eat first as our late lunch was waiting. After lunch, we got settled in our cottage. Finally, I got up-close to the cottages and the water!

Some of us, including myself, were supposed to have discovery course of scuba diving but the weather was not good. All water activities were prohibited by the resort management. I asked our HR if I can at least ride a jet ski. It was nine years ago when I rode a jet ski. I was a bit frustrated back then because the speed was controlled no matter how I hit the accelerator. After my ride, I complained and the crew was saying they intentionally controlled the speed because there were many accidents when riders would try to fly the ski. What the... that was what I was trying to do. "You're clever," I thought of the crew. I would love to try flying a jet ski now with the hope that they did not control the accelerator.

"All water activities are not allowed, including jet ski."

Too bad.

^{View from the cottage porch.}

"So what do we do now?"

Scuba diving was supposed to be the activity for the rest of the day for some while others ride the ATV (all-terrain vehicle).

"We all do the ATV instead."

The resort admin was saying there are only five ATV units available so we need to ride by pair. The first batch who were really scheduled for ATV ride went first. After about half an hour, we followed and listed ourselves for the ride.

^{Our orientation on how to operate the ATV. This photo is from one of my colleagues and used with permission.}

Since we rode by pair, we have to switch drivers along the way. My tandem was so nervous when I took over the control specially that it was raining. Most parts of the route were so muddy. He thought I will overturn the vehicle. When we were nearing back to the base, our admin manager carrying our COO overtook us. I was challenged and hit the accelerator. There were already two ATVs in a row in front of us but I squeezed in. My tandem behind me was screaming of nervousness! He thought we will hit any or both of the two ATVs that I overtook. After the ride, our COO was saying he was very surprised with what I did. He was not expecting that I would take such risk. Well, yeah. That is how competitive and adventurous (and dangerous) I am.

After the ATV ride, some resorted to the swimming pool and I just enjoyed watching them. They were enjoying the rain while in the pool. And while our volunteered "official" photographer was busy catching the scenes, I was busy catching behind the scenes. Yes, my friends know me by doing this. People take photos and I take their photos in turn.

It was already dark when the team finally decided to get off the water. Everyone then got ready for dinner.

The dinner was "super-duper" because the servings were big enough for two persons each serving, plus the fact that we had late lunch so most of us are still full.

^{We had one long table. Try to find me there if you can.}

After a super full dinner, we got down to our cottage. Along the way, my two lady colleagues were enjoying their photo shoot. As usual, I was also busy capturing behind the scene shots.

And of course, I have to capture the stillness and beauty of the night.

Back to our cottage, we ladies occupied the beds at the mezzanine while guys stayed downstairs. We were chatting on what do we do aside from getting drunk (we brought six cases of beer from Manila and I don't drink!) when our CEO called me out from downstairs.

"Lumen, are you having a massage? Your masseuse is here." Yes, they offer massage service and on order basis.

We ladies looked at each other. We were just telling ourselves earlier this afternoon that we will see if we want to have a massage. Now a masseuse is here?! Certainly, I did not ask for one but for some reasons I am the one being looked for. That was a very good sense of business opportunity. Just be there in case they will need you! So we do not send the masseuse back and empty handed, I said yes, I will have a massage. The ladies left me alone and joined the others downstairs.

While I was having a massage upstairs, I kept hearing laughter from the porch. They were having a great time. I was jealous! After my massage, I looked down by the window and saw this. Indeed, they were having a great time playing game.

The game was about having your own sign that the others need to mimic right after they finished their own sign. Whoever's sign was mimicked should follow suit: play his/her own sign then mimic someone else's. If the person on the line committed a mistake, he or she should take a shot. Too bad, I made few mistakes when I joined and someone has to take the fall by taking a shot instead of me (again, I don't drink.) After their hands and laps have turned red and painful with the many claps since they started, we stopped the game. It was pass eleven o'clock at night so majority of us decided to go to sleep. A few stayed drinking at the porch.

That was a day full of fun and excitement. Tomorrow is another day as the night is still and the bed is so inviting.

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