My Life

The 8th Philippine Web Awards was held yesterday at the Meralco Theater.  Our company had two bets. SME.com.ph and VMV Hypoallergenics both made it to the finals for Community and Portal and eCommerce categories, respectively.

The whole SME team went there.  Since it’s a Friday, I guess you already know the traffic we hurdled going from Makati to Ortigas!  The awards night was supposed to start at 7pm but as expected, events like this do not start on-time.  It started at 9pm already!!!!  So we sat there at the theater, with our stomachs still empty, our throats dry & thirsty and our hearts beating hard & fast! Waiting and hoping that we’ll win this year’s Best Website for Community and Portal.

The long awaited awards night started.  The first batch of categories were announced and winners were proclaimed.  VMV was among the winners for this batch.  Artjim and Kim, IT officers of VMV, still cannot believe that they won!  They were shaking and nervous even if they already took hold of the trophy and cash prize.

Then the program continued and it’s our time to hopefully be proclaimed.  The Entertainment category comes before Community and Portal.  So when the winner for the Entertainment category was announced, we cannot explain the feeling of anticipation!  It was a mixed feeling because we were happy that VMV won and at the same time nervous because it’s time for the Best Website in our category to be announced.  Finalists’ websites were presented one-by-one.  And after which, the presenter asked for the envelope that contains the name of the winner.  And BOOM!  A different organization was announced as the winner!!!  Our team sat still, clapped our hands and silently accepted that it is still not our time to win.

I immediately saw the very sad look on my boss’ face!  This was his project for 2 years.  We revamped the website not just because of our mission to help the SMEs but because we were also aiming for that award. 

After awhile, we left the theater.  We did not finish the programme because it was late already.  It was 11pm and there are still lots of happenings lined up including the raffle. 

At the lobby, I can still feel how sad my boss was.  He was jumpy and full of excitement before the awarding started.  But this time, he was so serious and quiet.  We went our separate ways and some of my officemates rode with me back to Makati.

While in the car, we all talked about our boss.  We all felt his sadness.  On the other hand, all of us were still happy! = )  And that’s because we did not lose totally.  VMV still won and we were the team who enabled them to become eCommerce capable! 

Oh well, I would just like to think that the brighter side of this is, SME.com.ph can now charge higher for eCommerce enablement because we have a proof of how good we are when it comes to this technology! = ) Haha! More clients would mean more profits for us.

Woohoo! Wireless and I love it!  Thanks to Smart Wi-Fi!  Now, I can access the Internet whenever I want it!  The connection’s pretty fast, truly faster than a dial-up Internet. I hope that it will continue to be this way…

My first post at the comfort of my home…  My apologies for making this short because I’m in the mood to surf and surf til the wee hours of the morning. = )  I just hope that I can still get up early tomorrow for work.  Adios!

I had a full week last week!  Had to attend to some clients’ concerns and assist branch managers regarding the product I’m handling.  But last week was much less hectic and exhaustive than the past few weeks.  You know I actually made this post last Friday, but I think Friendster’s network got haywire that’s why I’m posting it again today.

Well, last Tuesday, my officemates and I had a little chat while having lunch.  One asked what makes a person happy?  There must be a reason why?  A colleague commented that happiness is a choice.  That whatever circumstance or situation you are in, it is up to you to decide whether you’ll just sulk or forget about it and be happy.

I was surprised when I heard them saying that I look happy and that it’s as if I don’t have any problems. Well, who doesn’t have problems?  You and I have various hurts that needs to be healed, problematic situations that needs to be addressed and issues to deal with.   No one is spared from this known fact in our lives.  For me, what matters most is how you deal with these things.  How you’ll react to situations confronting you.  How you’ll tell yourself to be strong and confident amidst the trials that go your way.  I believe in positivism!  If one door closes, another one opens.  I also believe, that if you have a closer relationship with Him.  You’ll never go astray…  You’ll always feel blessed and happy because whatever happens, He’s always there beside you.  Even if the whole world turns down on you, still you know that there’s someone watching over you and guiding you.

What do you believe in?  Are you happy right now? Or do you see yourself as problematic, depressed and pathetic?  I tell you, happiness is a choice!  There are plenty of reasons why you should be happy and thankful.  Start making your list now. Maybe, the first item there would be:  I’m happy because the sun shone upon me. = )

"The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your ATTITUDE!"
- Dennis S. Brown

Last Oct. 25 and 26 I attended an eCommerce Congress organized by the Philippine Internet Commerce Society at Hotel Intercon.  It was a very good conference because I learned a lot of new Web technologies, especially online payment gateways.  The IT industry, especially those into Web and eCommerce, like our company, are really waiting for these things to happen in our country.  Fortunately, our government, mainly the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), are working on how the Philippines can have these much-awaited payment gateways for eCommerce among Small and Medium Enterprises to progress.   

On the night of Oct. 25, PICS also held the 3rd SME-IT Excellence Award.  Actually, I’m an active member of this organization and I nominated four of our clients for this award.  Out of 30 nominations, 3 of our clients became finalists namely, Binalot Foods, Figlia Shoes and VMV Hypoallergenics.  Ang guess what?  VMV Hypoallergenics got 2 awards! The award for Outstanding Customer Orientation and Online or Electronic Service and the most coveted 3rd SME-IT Excellence Award! WOW! That was really amazing!  It really felt good!  Especially when the General Manager of VMV, Ms. Laura de Bertotto hugged me and thanked me and my boss.  Actually, in her short speech, she mentioned our company and told everyone how PDB SME Solutions helped VMV.  Kudos to the SME.com.ph team for a job well done!  By the way, the 1st SME-IT Excellence award was also given to another eCommerce client of ours, Godiva Skin Care way back in 2003.

Actually, what was doubly amazing for me was when Maan Tolentino, the President of PICS, made an unsolicited but very flattering and heart-warming comment about me to my boss.  I really didn’t expect it to come from a person who’s not employed in the company I’m working for! And who I worked with for small organization projects only.  I admit — it was indeed flattering and it felt good. = )  These are little achievements that no amount of money can buy.

Whoa! Haven’t updated my blog for the past few weeks! This is the down side when you only have access to the Internet on workdays.  =(  Thanks to Smart’s Wi-Fi! Soon, I’ll be surfing the Net at the comfort of my home!

What did you do during the long weekend? As for me, I had a peaceful, happy and relaxing vacation. I finally had the chance to recharge my stressed and exhausted body. I spent quality time with Deion and Alex. And even though we did not have a chance to go out for an out-of-town trip because Deion was just recovering from his flu, still it was fun! I was able to bond fully with my son who I really missed so much! That’s what you have to deal with when you’re a working mom.

Actually, last Oct. 31, we were supposed to go trick-or-treating at Ayala Alabang Village with our relatives. Deion’s "Incredibles" costume was already in place but again, because of his condition, it did not push through. The good thing was, our simple preparation did not go to waste! He was able to go trick-or-treat to his ever-supportive Ninang Manets! His Ninang’s house was just a few blocks away from us. He went there all dressed up, anticipating for his bag of goodies. Look at how my little boy celebrated halloween! Simple yet still memorable. = )