THANK YOU and Farewell!

Most of us look forward to "hello!"s and let the "good-bye"'s come and go... Especially since moving a world away from my native Bulgaria and many close friends and family, have I realized that celebrating the farewells is equally if not more important... - the new friendships and experiences make the heart bigger and the memories fonder.  I will forever cherish the special people, learning and moments from the Corporate Service Corps Cebu experience, and sincerely THANK YOU, all!

After the warm and meaningful client good-byes (miss you, Cebu City friends!), it was time to give hugs to the IBM "Philippines 10" team.  Will surely look forward to seeing you all later and hope we do plan that next reunion!  Best wishes for tremendous success and fulfillment, and hope to please stay in touch!

Philippines 10 Team Forever: Falk (Germany), Alexis (France), Denise (US), Daniel (Switzerland), Phil (US/Ecuador), Tati (Brazil), Janet (Canada), Giovanna (Italy), Nora (Hungary), Gaby (US/Bulgaria), Garima (India), David (Hungary/Spain)

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.  ~Henry David Thoreau

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.  ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!
~Author Unknown

How time flies... when having the time of your life

And just like that the final presentation, workshop, client and team good-byes rolled in... and while we had all been expecting them and diligently preparing materials, games, gift sand cards, and all..., it was more real, overwhelming, rewarding and meaningful than I could have imagined.  

Another lesson in living by our beliefs and celebrating IBM's Values hard at work - I have a whole new perspective on what trust and personal responsibility in all relationships means... and an ever deeper commitment to every client's success.  I am so proud of our team and grateful to our clients for the unique opportunity, knowledge transfer and dear friendships they afforded us.  Daghang Salamat!

June 1, 2011, Social Hall at the Cebu City Executive building, 9 AM...

Gaby, Janet, Nora, Tati, and Garima

- the big final presentation delivery to the Cebu City Government Department Heads, City Administrator, Mayor's Delegate, and other key stakeholders, was about to begin, and working side-by-side with our clients, we were excited to share our findings, analysis and recommendations.

We shared the floor between the Human Resources (HR) and Managed Information and Computer Services (MICS) reports and for nearly 4 hours enjoyed an engaged audience and left hopeful our proposed plans and observations would not only be considered but further disseminated, socialized and ultimately translated into action.  Fingers crossed!

The Dept Heads and Key Stakeholders at the Cebu City Gov't "Special Meeting" CSC Presentation

Juvy's Angels

We wrapped up with many thanks, hugs, pictures (of course!), newsletter interview, invitations to present to additional audiences (which we would have loved to do) and intense conversation re: appropriate follow up.   We were then quickly back to work, heads down finalizing the HR Collaboration interactive workshop, planned for June 2.  Working with the training team was a tremendous evidence of lasting capability building and effective knowledge transfer, both ways!

* * *

Dinner presented a real treat - finally getting to meet some of the local IBM-Philippines Cebu team and sharing stories and a terrific feast with them at the Laguna Cafe.

Lechon

Many thanks indeed, and hope the work our team did during our CSC experience not only lays the ground for a successful Executive Service Corps engagement later this year, but also aids the area's growth momentum and local IBM business.

* * *

Social Mesh Team Exercise (a real winner)

June 2, 2011 created another unexpected learning opportunity as we launched into an HR Collaboration Event, intended to share fun interactive exercises and enhance the Administrative Officers' (who act as HR focals for the 21 City Gov't Departments) teaming and cross-department communications, overall effectiveness and interlock with the central HR Office.

Julie, Tati, Nora, Gaby, and Yvette

It was a few hours in and several demanding exercises into the day that we discovered there was a degree of misalignment between the "facilitators' plan" and participants expectations, which was clearly impacting engagement and performance.  In true leadership and adaptability spirit, we collaborated with our partners to assess the situation and engage the audience to determine the optimal path forward.  You should have seen the spike of energy in the room once we were pushing the train in the same direction - absolutely incredible demonstration of the power of open communication and teamwork.

As hard and dynamic as this was... I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced it and know I was a part of an amazing transformational moment.  Huge kudos to the facilitator team (above) for working together, sticking it though and turning a difficult situation into something special, impactful and memorable for all. 

The tears were flowing freely by the time surprise presentations (see Journey video below), treasured gifts and a dance show by the talented Treasury Dept. were delivered.  Wow!

So honored, humbled and completely speechless (and you know how rare the latter is for me)...  THANK YOU / DAGHANG SALAMAT to our dearest friends at Cebu City Medical Center (and esp. RC and Wena for creating the dedication video!) and the Cebu City Gov't HR Development Office.

Gratitude

What a tremendous feeling it is when you've accomplished a challenging task and not only that, but are a part of an achievement that in itself demonstrates outstanding team success, commitment and bond, and then also receives validation and support that exceeds your wildest dreams.  We worked hard and we learned tons, but the rewarding feeling of having shared your best and produced results that others truly value, is the greatest.

My sincerest "Thank You!  Obrigada!  Köszönjük!  Благодаря!" to my partners - Tati Romero and Nora Juhasz!!!  It wasn't always an easy walk in the park, but the learning is that much more meaningful because of it, and I am grateful for the experience.

And an even bigger DAGHANG SALAMAT!!! to all of our clients and friends at City Hall and Cebu City Medical Hospital.  It's been a privilege getting to know you and sharing this last month with you, and will forever keep you and the dear memories of this experience in my heart and mind. 

<pics and more to follow... but had to share this over-flowing sense of gratitude...  can't imagine that the CSC farewell dinner will be any easier than our client good byes, and hope to make time to share tomorrow>

(Almost) Show Time

http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/news-announcements/chactivities/837-ibm-consultants-to-help-cebu-city-government

Final presentation to the Mayor and all City Government Heads of Departments/Offices is scheduled for tomorrow, Wed, June 1, and in addition we are working w/ the client team to deliver an HR Collaboration Event on Thurs, June 2, focused on Effective Teamwork, Communications, Project Management Principles and Process Management.

Very excited and in the throws of finalizing presentations and working with the client teams to finalize materials and logistics, etc. for optimal impact.  Wish us luck!

Recharge

Cebu Guitars at SM Mall

First and last weekend on this trip without a packed agenda and travel...  enjoying sleeping in and flexible schedule to do some gift shopping, exploring parts of town we hadn't been to, and generally recharging before the last week rush.

Gelatissimo Sundays

The SM Mall is larger and in turn offers even more (and nicer) stores and we filled a few bags with souvenirs and mementos to take back to our respective homes.  We made sure to have Filipino food for lunch as those days are now numbered.

Back to Ayala for dinner we ventured to do something different and had dessert for our meal - fun and delicious even if not optimal for our nutrition...

Sunday holds promises for mani-pedi and maybe a hot oil treatment and head massage... before digging back into the final presentations prep for next week.

* * *

PS:  Sunday delivered - excellent spa services for a great price, and more relaxing time with friends.

Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) 2011

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Casa Gorordo Museum

Friday presented an unique opportunity to visit many of the city museums and historic sites and witness art, music and dance performances, celebrating Cebu's heritage.

As the key sponsor, RAFI, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s site explains that: “Gabii sa Kabilin” is Cebuano for Night of Heritage, and patterned after the Lange Nacht der Museum (Long Night of Museum) in Germany and other European countries.  The event is designed to draw foreign and local tourists, but most especially Cebuanos, to visit the museums. It aims to reinforce the belief that local museums are venues for understanding and appreciation of Cebuano history and culture. But beyond that it also discounts the stereotype of museums as mere repositories of “dead objects,” rather, as venues for live cultural activities. 

We started with the 4 PM mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, most of it delivered in Cebuano, but with enough of an English welcome to share the message of Love.

We then witnessed a procession of Reina's (queens) representing the Holy Mother's images - some 20-30 gorgeously dresses girls and women (we were told chosen among the city's socialites' families) led the way along the Gabii sa Kabilin walking route to the Parian Plaza.

Cathedral Museum

En route we visited the Cathedral Museum and the Yap Sandiego Ancestrial House on the way to meeting the team and some of our clients at the Casa Gorordo Museum.

It was lots of fun and a spectacular way to see and experience a lot in a short period of time.

We had many attractions and performances to choose from, and were glad to see variety of music with a number of talented youngsters, a tribal dance, and more.

After Casa Gorordo and the Yap Sandiego we went to Fort San Pedro and Plaza Independencia to wrap up the festivities.

The weather was not particularly cooperative and once it started raining more persistently, we called it a night and headed to a recommended restaurant, "Ilaputo," at the Asiatown IT Park for drinks, games, and more fun...

At Fort San Pedro w/ Falk, Wena, RC, Nora, Tati and Garima

About Food, Meetings, and more...

By week 3, I could begin to say that life's settled into some sort of a routine...  just in time for us to start wrapping up, right!

 

Coffee and Otap biscuits

  AM - wake up, make Via coffee in the room to enjoy while getting ready,
  oatmeal with mango or bananas for breakfast most days, meet at the lobby
  and load up on the MICS vehicle b/n 7:45-8:00 AM to get to City Hall.
  If going to the Medical Center we'd take a taxi...

  Upon arrival we are greeted with coffee
  and esp. Mam Terry is always around to
  make sure we have everything we need
  and lately has been bringing in special
  snacks to share various Cebuano
  delicacies with us. 

Kutchinta

  NN (noon time) - lunch break is observed very strictly at the government offices from 12-1 PM.   The food vendors come by City Hall ~ 10:30 AM and many would take a break then to go to the rooftop, where the vendors gather, to pick up their lunch.  At noon all lights are dimmed and many take a rest, napping at their desk or empty conference rooms.  We haven't taken on the latter habit yet, but there have been a few days when it sounded quite tempting.  No down time...

Rest during the lunch break

We usually go to nearby restaurant serving local food for P40-75 ($1-1.50) depending on how many options one picks, and eat soup, rice, pancit (noodle dish), and a variety of fish, pork, chicken, veggie dishes they offer (3-5 different choices each day).  They also have desserts we sometimes pick up for merienda (snack) at the office.

PM - we leave work ~ 5 PM if working at HR to use the City Hall office vehicle to take us back to the hotel, or else take a taxi back.  Over the last week or so, we've opted to take a few afternoons to work at the hotel where the network connection is more reliable, and we can discuss our observations and prepare materials.  We are in the midst of the final push to build our presentation and organize reference materials we'll submit to our client and will likely work from home (i.e. our suite at the hotel).

CSC working team meeting

CSC team meetings take place most evenings at 7:30 PM in the lobby or one of the suites, esp if we have a new treat / discovery to share or work on something together - e.g. Harvard Business Review program assignment the other night, or planning group activities like our Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) outing tonight.  Most often we go out to dinner and combine a trip to Ayala Mall, where there is a good variety of local and international cuisine, with laundry drop off/pick up and any other errands - shopping, spa, etc.

Pichi Pichi

  The other night we had
  special desserts to try - Daniel brought in
  pichi pichi and Phil had ordered

Mangosteens

  mangosteens (most delicious but out of
  season and hard to get).  Thanks!

  Throughout the weeks we've gotten to enjoy
  Hungarian spirits, Swiss chocolate, Brazilian
  candy, Oregon hazelnuts, etc. and discover
  many Filipino foods.  Will definitely miss the
  mango most and thinking of creative things
  to bring back home to share with friends and
  family - definitely some of the dried mango.

Huge fish selection

Homemade kinilaw

A few nights Tati and I enjoyed dinner at the hotel, mostly to save time and be here when family on the other side of the world are awake and available to skype, or to get ready for whatever the next day may demand.  The best home dish was making kinilaw - raw (we got tangigue) fish marinated in cane vinegar with calamansi, onion, tomatoes, ginger, and hot peppers, also good with a splash of soy sauce.  David helped us pick some fresh fish from the market and make it the other night and we enjoyed with (garlic and plain) rice from the hotel restaurant - yummy!

* * *

Now, meetings... we've had many many one on one interviews and small group sessions, but it wasn't until this week that we got to observe typical meetings.  They start with a prayer - usu. accompanied by music and inspirational images and text projected on screen.  We've been told that usually the national anthem follows, and we are including it in our plans for next week's final presentations and workshop.  Meetings seem to start about 30 min later than scheduled and any schedule changes or absence notifications are handled via phone texting.  While there is agenda and in the example we attended, materials, those were not distributed and everyone was expecting to capture what they needed from the content.  Minutes are taken but also not shared, rather saved for the record.  Interactive discussion.

Planning HR Collaboration Event w/ Yvette and Julie

Most of our work requires iterative input and findings validation, which in turn has afforded us opportunities to meet with many interesting people and representatives from different areas of the HR function.

City Administrator, Atty. Poblete

Core HR Work Group - Mario, Ma. Perla and Ma. Terry

Meeting w/ HR and Mayor Consultants, Ms. Seno and Ma. Belle

* * *

And because we work hard and play hard, I must share our latest adventure - a visit to Mountain View park, arranged by our CCMC clients - thank you!  The trip was exciting, the view of the mountain and city lights were enchanting, and we had a tremendous time doing karaoke (a favorite pass time here) and wrapping up with a nice pizza dinner at the mountain top.