On the 16^th – 20^th of September we had our Field Trip and Seminars. It is a five day trip to Manila visiting different companies. Going to Manila was our Major Field Trip while we had our Minor Field Trip within the city local on October 1^st. The aim of this program is to help us enhance and expand our knowledge in our field. It also aims to show us the advanced technology which isn’t found here in the local. What we came to Manila was a lot of learning and surprising or rather we found ourselves experiencing new things unexpectedly.

It was my first plane ride and it was so memorable. I get to be responsible for my things and also observant enough to monitor my classmates. I can also see from the faces of my classmates that they are excited and feeling hyped. It really is better if you arrive early since checking in undergoes a lot of process so it’s better to get it done an hour before the flight. While waiting at the departure area, because it is our first time going on a trip with our classmates, we took a lot of pictures. There was picture here and picture there, and even when going to the plane there were also taking of pictures. On the plane most of us was fascinated with the view or the scenery. The scenery from the plane was very nice. When we were getting closer to our destination the weather was rainy. Sudden technical problems arise so we ended up late for our arrival time. We got to tour around the city and then proceed to our next destination. We also get to experience their toll ways which collects payments when you go in and out. The prices of their toll ways are never a joke if you’ve got a car well good luck to you then because you can’t get away from these toll ways. Then, after a few stops we had a lot of funny moments, my classmates forgot the fact that we are in Manila and still spoke vernaculars giving us laughs since the people there began to have those questioning expression. Also, the traffic in Manila is never a joke. It could really be a big hindrance especially when you are following a specific schedule. Although, what we came there wasn’t for leisure so then we went to SSS for our company visit. We had discussions on how there company operates. It’s good to know that even we’ve had fun at the same time we were able to learn though the visit in SSS became history tour, because of the rain we weren’t able to properly tour around the vicinity. The information they’ve shared to us was limited though the main question pin points more on the hardware part talking about their connection to the other offices. We were really exhausted the first day, arriving that day and immediately visiting companies. While checking in we get to experience the pleasure of sleeping with friends like in the dorms. I can really say that every single one of us is exhausted and tired on that day.

The second day we get eat our breakfast in the hotel and waking up early since we are going to the Youth for Information Technology Congress in the SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia. We also had a lot of picture taking before going to our destination. Upon arrival there was a very long line of students participating in the Youth Congress. I bet there were thousands of students participating from all over the country and to think it is only the first day. The security was very strict causing a thick line of students waiting to get in the venue. By the time that the program has started everyone became hyped up and there are also a lot of stalls for selling merchandise, graffiti wall and etc. when the first speaker started the participants were attentive enough. They shared inspirational talks and talks of success. One of the speakers that caught my attention was Ms. Rhea Guntalilib. She is blind but she never let her handicap get the best of her. She showed the world that blind or not she can still do things like those that aren’t handicapped. She was one proud woman though people who get to listen to her stories will really be inspired. If she can do it, why not you can? Her talk was one of the most memorable. The other speaker who caught my attention was Mr. Kevin Lerversee who started his talk with a bang. He played rock music to erase the sleep from each of the participant. Later he asked each of us to bow our heads and pray for the safety of the people in Zamboanga. It was nice that Filipino or not he shared the same sympathy for the Filipinos. Then he asked a question to us getting down from the stage just to get an answer. Maybe at first he was just joking around but later then he caught every participant off guard by sharing a very intellectual and unforgettable quote. It was one of the most interesting quotes he shared; it was “Ignorance isn’t funny”. What he said really hit me, knowing that what he said was true. Being ignorant is never a joke; it isn’t one of those punch lines that you can randomly laugh at. And that thought never left my mind. He also discussed that information shared in the internet isn’t safe. While everyone is thinking that their accounts are on private. Did they actually think that no one is controlling or monitoring the information behind the said privacy? And then again what he said left me with questions and thoughts; “There might be a conspiracy”, “There isn’t assurance”, “Why think of privacy if there really isn’t privacy?”, “Who are the people handling the database?” and etc. Having heard of his talk gave me the thought that people using the internet are penetrated by the people behind the internet itself. Later, after his discussion the speakers talked about networking and all that. Some of their discussions were already tackled in school but the ideas and the thoughts they share aren’t really found in the four corners of a classroom. I’ve learned that the ideas I have now is really far from the ideas that they have today. Their experiences and success might be their most precious prize though failure and disappointment was their strength to achieve all these. Also, I learned that most of the successful speakers are college drop outs which I find interesting and I’m awed by the fact that they made it to the top even though they don’t have their college diploma. You can never tell who is going to be on top because anything is possible, with hard work, dedication and to find your passion there won’t be anything that could possibly get in your way. The venue became loud because of the prizes they gave away. The response of the crowd was superb because the Asus laptop was next in line for the raffle draw. A lot of raffle numbers was drawn but no one went up the stage so the crowd became a lot more alive and excited hoping that they get picked and I know that I’m not lucky when it comes to these things. So after the long wait the Asus laptop was won by a girl from another University and the hyped crowds cheers died down soon after the program was officially closed. We bought memorabilia’s to have some proof of participation and also to mark that day as one of those eventful day since coming to Manila. On the way, we had a lot of fun and laughs though the traffic has caused some troubles it also gave us the time to relieve stress and boredom. It made us forget that we are stuck in the road for about an hour or so. I also had some experience in their local market or should I say Tutuban, where the goods they sell is so low, though I figured that the food in Manila is pricy than here in Davao. If you want to buy goods then you can find it there though you can’t expect that those goods are original. Also, if you are good with bargain then you can really spend your money wisely. I find that day the most exhausting and tiring and I guess that night I slept like a rock.

On the Third Day we had an early breakfast and also our departure time was too early. Luckily that day the traffic is moderate and we arrived early in the first company for the day. That morning the traffic in Manila didn’t really affect our schedule and we were able to start the day arriving earlier than the schedule. The company for that day was PLDT in Mandaluyong. They were very thorough in checking all the participants or the students that will be going inside their company for the tour. I guess I was fascinated by the fact that they can endure two running air condition in a room almost the same size as our classrooms in school. More like we were placed in a large refrigerator. We started our tour taking notes about the history of the company. There was two-way communication, they get to ask us and we also get to raise questions. Their history goes a long way from the very beginning. After having discussed the history of their company we proceed to their Innolab or Innovation Lab. Before starting our tour in the Innolab we took a class picture with the tour guides. Then, they let us view their testing room. What we’ve seen there was the upcoming product they were going to release though at the present they are still upgrading it. The concept of it is to control the appliances at home using networking, so even if you are away you will be able to customize your home. In short, you can control your appliances’ options through your pc or maybe soon using your smartphones. Shortly we went to their other Innovation section for business, call center and etc. Their ideas and concepts are amazing; the networking between the businesses is quiet interesting connecting braches all over the country. These innovations are going to be helpful to those with large business aiming to connect their branches. This concept could help avoid miscommunication and communication will become a lot faster. Later, we went to meet someone or rather an employee from Davao which is quiet ironic knowing that we came from Davao. We had small talks through real time video chat. Then later they shared information about their product which can track a moving vehicle using GPS. The product is name as F.A.S.Track, at the present this GPS tracking device can only be placed within vehicles but most especially the target market for this are the trucks which brings goods. It will help the owner track down their goods and know if it really is heading to the right location. Now it is used by trucks what more in the future? Sooner or later this large GPS device will become smaller which can track a moving person. After that talk we returned to the refrigerated room where we get to meet Engr. Edmund Mamboyo who discussed networking. Although some where tackled in school he discussed it hastily and since we only just limited amount. He also told us that sooner or later the lines of PLDT will be changed into fiber optic so that there will be a lot more faster travel of information in the lines. We had a lot of discussions, where, doesn’t really limit to networking but also discussion about real life experience. He told us to start saving today, even a single peso a day can be helpful in the future so be thrifty.  The discussion wasn’t very serious because Engr. Mamboyo gives us laughs and making us feels at home. He also asked questions and gave prizes to whoever is the one to be able to answer. Then they showed us a short presentation about the Glass Technology. It is a vision of the possible technology in the future where people will use glass to view and do things. In short, we will soon be free from heavy hardware and everything will be sleek and thin, transparent or translucent but definitely free from those bulky stuffs. Getting caught up in the discussion and having asked a lot of questions we ran out of time and so we hurriedly ate our lunch in the bus while proceeding to the next location or next company. I guess I was happy and fulfilled by that time having a very inept discussion. After PLDT we went to IBM. The office of IBM was nice, though I don’t find the other employees as welcoming. I can’t see and feel that hospitable aura coming from them. As soon as we went and started the tour we were separated or segregated into two groups because the space isn’t wide enough to cater every one of us. The tour was about coming up with ideas. Also they’ve shown us their servers. These servers’ serves as storage for those who needs of help or someone who needs to download a big amount of data. These data that they usually download might take up to a year but having these servers it might only take a few months. After using these servers they must be cleared of every data or should I say the previous users of the servers should wipe clean the server that they’ve used. Aside from letting partnered schools or companies use these servers they also provide a working space for those who want to do their projects. If they don’t want to do it in school then they can go to IBM and work it there. One of the good things about IBM is that they provide space for people who are interested to expand their ideas to reality. This inspires those of the ICT field to do what they aim and be able to achieve their goals. Companies like this should continue to help these aspirants because we can never tell; they might be one of the people who can shape the future. After the tour the second batch proceeded and we were left in the room where we get to watch a game show. The show was about three players; two were human while the other player was an AI. The IBM programmed the AI and made it play the game. The more general information you knew the more chances of winning. But, the off side about this game is because the AI’s database was embedded with the information or data from the Wikipedia. For sure the AI has the more chances of winning though the other two players never get down without giving a fight but the ending was that the AI still won and gave his cash prize to a charity of its own choice. It was a very intelligent AI and somehow it was funny in its own way, that AI was truly fascinating and more of terrifying in its own way. Then, after the tour of the second batch there was quiet a discussion and the most discussed topic was more on database. Surely, because of that topic, Sir Pabilona was given an idea on how to give a challenging task for those who are taking up database 2. Later, going out from the IBM we just got to take a little picture but never did I hear the front desk ever giving smiles to us while we were going out of their company. After visiting two companies, and learning new things has made us feel all excited and happy, always talking about our experiences while having a tour in those two big companies while going to our next destination which was SM Tri Noma. Some of us didn’t went to tour around Tri Noma instead we just stayed in the bus and took the chance of being able to use the karaoke while inside the bus and we sang our hearts out with my other classmates. While waiting for our classmates we observed that the streets of Manila are always busy and that there really are a lot of people in the city.  Then suddenly the rain poured heavily but my classmates were able to get on the bus before the rain has started to get heavier. I also was awestruck by the fact that one of my classmates was able to win a cellphone in Timezone with just spending 50 pesos. I guess he really is lucky for being able to win a cellphone. That day was really informative because the companies we visited gave us a lot of information not just about their company but also things that are quiet helpful for our field.

At the Fourth Day we woke up I guess a bit earlier than the previous days because we will be travelling from Pasay to Laguna. We got to depart early so that we will be able to follow our itinerary and also to avoid traffic which is just and everyday scenario in Manila. The trip was long and I figured that a lot of my classmates are sleeping in the bus, for waking up early they are taking their time recovering the lack of sleep. The view from Manila to Laguna wasn’t that superb but there are a lot of landmark the tour guide has shared to us. I’ve also observed that there are still a lot of trees in Laguna and that the way going to Laguna is slightly comparable when travelling here in Davao to the other locals. The distinguishing factor of all was the toll ways they were also there in the highways of Laguna. We came 30 minutes earlier than the schedule so we stayed in the bus and waited for a few more minutes before proceeding to our next company visit at TOSHIBA, in Canlubang, Laguna. We need to change our shoes so that we can continue and well get inside the plant. I observed that they are strict with their rules. There was a funny moment when some of us went to the ladies room. We found their toilet bowl amazing and we were dazzled by the cleanliness of the whole plant. After the ladies room session we proceeded to the room where we were introduced by the head. One of their head gave a speech though we find it hard to understand his words because of his accent, take note he is Japanese, so we had a hard time listening. I think because of his accent he got everyone’s attention and you can really see from the faces of my classmates that they are trying their best to understand and to take note of every single word that he said. They shared the history of TOSHIBA, it was a combination or a joint company and it changed a lot of names before coming up with TOSHIBA. They also said in the discussion that the number of women is a lot higher that the number of men working in their company. TOSHIBA finds the meticulous side of the women and their careful nature is fitting in handling these kinds of operations, operations where they have to assemble parts. They also don’t limit their employee’s educational background to those who are college graduates instead they are rather willing to accept these high school graduates who are looking for a respectable job. Not only did they shared about their companies history but they also shared to us an information concerning their employees where they would held a yearly activity opening up their plant for the family of their employees. They aim to share and show to the family members of their employee how well and safe their company is for their family members. Also, TOSHIBA have activities aiming to help the environment. They aim to push the preservation of the environment by planting trees and caring for the trees until it grows. Also, there are graduates from the University of Southeastern Philippines there, in short graduates from our school who got to work in TOSHIBA. Though, TOSHIBA has recruited and looked for potential employees from other schools as well and they are all from Davao. They were welcoming and they have big smiles saying that you are welcome here. We were given plant uniforms, caps and polo, and we were given with instructions before going out of the room. Then on, we were separated into two groups for the tour. Before proceeding to the tour we took a groupie or a group picture for memoir. Later we were separated and they toured us in the lobby where they displayed their preserved plants powered by electricity, the plants were artificially taken care of inside a glass container where they have a constant supply of water, air and the heat coming from the fluorescent light. They also offered to us seeds if ever we want to plant trees. Then we lined and went on inside the plant. First they showed to us their server room and the testing room where their products such as HDD and SSD. They have a robotic hand inside that room to operate in carefully handling the products. If ever they found broken products they will then move it to their next process. The broken products will be tested again and they will look for the source of the problem so that it won’t happen again. They also test these products to find more ways on how to improve and make it a lot better than the previous products. Also, from what I have observed their servers are a lot bigger than the one in IBM. We also go in a straight line avoiding the yellow line which they have said is the line for the passer-by’s and to always keep right. Every time we get to pass an employee or employees they would greet us. Anyways, they run a lot of test for their products and I can see well how they observe proper uniform whenever going in and out of a specific area in the plant. We would have been allowed to go to their production room if it weren’t for their proper attire rule. We got to tour around the whole plant and get to talk with employees asking them for a lot of questions. The tour took too long and while we were still taking a tour I can see from the faces of my classmates that they are hungry. Though, they never quiet shows it to the tour guide. Then we came across their storage room, it was a very large room, what’s placed in there are the finished products and some are the recently arrived parts for the soon to be HDDs and SSDs. Going to the last part of the plant tour was the wall where they placed their vision, mission, goals and their achievements. It was great to hear that there are such companies that took good care of their employees and prioritizes their safety. They have won this award in which they were known as the company with no accidents or with high safety level. Hearing that was cool enough and then after going through the achievement wall we returned to the room we first came in. They have prepared snacks for us which were great considering that we get to tour a very large and wide plant. While we were eating they took pictures and then we returned the plant uniform. Before finishing the tour they let the USeP graduates give a short speech. One was a graduate from the College of Technology and she has just graduated a year ago, the thing is she had also gone to Japan and has her training there. The cute thing was that she really did prepare a speech in which she placed in a piece of bond paper. Then another graduate from USeP gave a speech, he was a licensed engineer and to think the world really is small because he is the brother of the developer of the Project NOAH. After giving his speech another graduate from Davao gave a speech, he was from the Ateneo De Davao University. He spoke about the equality of everyone and that they aren’t biased as to what your religion is. And, soon after the speeches we officially closed the plant tour and greeted them goodbye. Some of the employees, most from Davao, were jealous by the fact that we are going to Tagaytay after departing from TOSHIBA. Before actually departing we took a jump shot in front of the plant. We have happy faces before travelling to Tagaytay even though we are hungry and already late for our scheduled arrival in Tagaytay for our lunch in Max’s Restaurant, in which has a really great and a very clear view of the Taal Volcano. After taking a lot of pictures from the Taal Volcano we went to our next destination which is the People’s Park in the Sky and it was located in the formerly called Mount Sungay. The view there was breath-taking and relaxing. I get to experience the fast changing of weather there in Tagaytay, where in a moment from now the sky is clear and then after a minute it suddenly rained, it really is because of the location of the city. After the sight-seeing and the buying of “pasalubongs” we went to Enchanted Kingdom which made everyone excited more than ever. Upon arrival in EK we were really ecstatic in trying all the extreme rides. Our first ride was the SPACE SHUTTLE MAX who took our breath away after the ride was finished. Then we tried the ANCHOR’S  AWAY, EKsTREME TOWER RIDE, ROLLER COASTER, DISK-O-MAGIC, FLYING FIESTA, RIO GRANDE RAPIDS which has dampened us, JUNGLE LOG JAM, and ended with WHEEL OF FATE. Every ride was so exciting and also it was extreme. Some made my classmates panic and well afraid but I was pretty sure that we had a lot of fun. Soon after we returned in the bus I can see that we are all satisfied with the experience and are still hyped up because of the adrenaline rushed produced by the terror of riding the extreme rides. Later that night some slept like a rock because of the energy drain. This day was the most fun filled and the most memorable extreme experience I had in the trip.

The next day or on the last day of our stay in Manila we were both happy and sad but I can assure that we achieved our purpose in coming there. Our final company visit was in the MMDA where we are very much welcomed. I learned that the MMDA monitors the streets of Manila 24/7. They don’t limit to monitoring the streets but also they monitor the weather conditions for faster action and dissemination of information to the public. Also, their cameras can turn 360 degrees enabling a more flexible way of monitoring the streets. They also stored past files and have back-ups for the recording of the accidents that happened in the past. They also have equipments capable of assisting the public whenever there is a calamity. I liked the part when they weren’t biased in showing the stored files from the time there were accidents that had happened. They have really shown us the reality of the streets in Manila the possibility of accidents happening anywhere. Also, I liked the part when they let us try the Shake, Rattle and Learn House. It was great because letting students try it will help them understand that experiencing earthquakes isn’t funny and it can cost a lot of lives. Imparting us this information and letting us interact with the things they have and also giving us additional information about earthquakes was definitely a plus in our trip.  All-in-all our last company visits was educational and informative because of the additional information. After our visit in the MMDA we were transported to NAIA for our departure later that afternoon. We said our goodbyes to Ma’am Meann and the ones that accompanied us on our trip for five days. Then, we checked in early so that we can rest assured that we won’t be late for the flight. Then, soon after we have finished checking in we ate our lunch in the airport knowing that we are ready to go. Soon after we got in the plane I can see the exhausted faces of my classmates and the happy atmosphere. We had a delayed flight because we took off later than the flight schedule. Upon arrival we took our baggage’s and said our goodbyes looking forward in going home.

On our Minor Field Trip we went to PSSCC the local or our very own version of MMDA in Davao. I learned that the PSSCC monitors the city 24/7 which is quiet the same as MMDA and that the cameras were installed for 2-3 years ago. There are certain cameras that can turn for 360 degrees and there are cameras that are still or those that are already fixed in certain angles. 200 more cameras are from IBM which was installed on the month of July expanding their operations. IBM provided cameras aiming to create a smart city and they chose Davao City. They also have large screens for the constant monitoring of the streets and places in Davao City. The PSSCC uses unified edge where they centralize their communication. The unified edge is the line where the different government agency are connected and are able to communicate at the same time to be able to respond to any problems that might or have occurred in the city. It is great because the dissemination of the information will be a lot faster since they are connected into a main line. The cameras that are installed have their individual power supply. The camera can also zoom even for how many kilometers. The PSSCC is also supported or powered by IBM and Abratique. They also have generators if ever the lights are out for their back up and for them to continue to monitor the city. The PSSCC office is a lot bigger or wider than in MMDA. Also, the monitors in PSSCC are larger than of the MMDA. It also amazes me that the cameras here in Davao doesn’t have delays however in MMDA there are time lag or delays. Though, the MMDA is operating years before the PSSCC, so, it is clear that the PSSCC has a lot more advanced monitoring device than the MMDA since it has only started a few years ago. The MMDA and PSSCC are monitoring 24/7 they don’t restraint their monitoring to streets but also they expand their resources into monitoring the city whenever needed. The monitoring of the PSSCC is really wide and we are able to see clearly how they monitor the streets of Davao. Also, we were all accommodated because the place is wide enough for all of us. I was also able to know where they have placed their security cameras giving us ideas where to watch. They also gave us ideas as to how they monitor the city using these cameras. They also have cameras for crowded places so that they can monitor any suspicious movement within the range. I also liked the idea of having a main line where the different agencies are able to communicate whenever there are problems in the city. It will also be helpful enough so that they can easily go to places where there help are needed. The PSSCC can really help monitor our city and making it one of the safest cities all over the world. It is really great having this kind of offices in the city because we can rest assured that we are in good hands and that our safety is the main priority.

What I have experienced in this trip isn’t just all fun and fun and fun but these experiences are worthwhile, one that will imprint in my life. Also, what I learned in the trip isn’t limited to academics but also the importance of things and that there is a really big world out there for us. I’ve also learned that opportunities can open anywhere and there is a big chance for each of us to be able to achieve our dreams. Learning and experiencing things at the same time can really be of a good help than just single-handedly learning things without being able to experience it. I am sure that this trip has opened our minds and understanding not only about school but also about the life that we should be taking.