Meeting 4

                The fourth meeting of our Field Trips and Seminars class was conducted last June 17, 2015, Wednesday at the Institute of Computing Laboratory 2. The agenda for this said meeting are the final list of students who will participate in the FTS class, the requirements, the class activities, the financial status of the class, and other matters worthy of discussion.

                The meeting started at 9:00 AM and was led by the class president. He presented the final list of students who officially enrolled this subject for this semester, which has the total number of seventy-eight students. Everyone who attended the meeting was asked if they were sure to join the FTS class this semester, and every one said yes. The president then proceeded with informing the students with the lacking documents and requirements as per CHED.

                The next topic in this meeting was the other class activities. This is composed of the Minor Field Trip, the Interpersonal Skills and Team Building Seminar, and the Parents’ Orientation and Mass. The Minor Field Trip was reviewed and discussed. Then next, the class president has at that moment informed everyone that every one is required to join the Interpersonal Skills and Team Building Seminar; even a single student that would not attend the said seminar, the whole seminar shall be repeated. Lastly was the Parents’ Orientation and Mass scheduled tentatively on September 5, 2015 at the University Social Hall.

                The financial status of the class was discussed next. A deadline was set on June 20 for the amount of Php 500.00 that was needed by the officers to open a bank account and also for the supplies needed for the fulfillment of the required forms and documents. The class president also informed the class that the next payment for the amount of Php 5,500 must be on or before July 3, 2015.

                The last agendum was discussed by our FTS facilitator. He shared some insights on the FTS this year. He also gave examples based on what happened in the previous Field Trips and Seminars classes. Right after that the meeting was adjourned.

Meeting 3

                 This third meeting for our Field Trips and Seminars class AY 2015-2016 was held on May 29, 2015 a Friday afternoon at the Institute of Computing Laboratory 1. In this meeting we had the agenda regarding the course itself, the list of activities that will commence during the undertaking of this course, the itinerary of the major field trip, the requirements that were needed to be filled up and filed. 

                After the round up of attendance the first agendum was tackled. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to explaining what the subject’s purpose and what its requirements are. The next agendum to be dealt with was the list of activities under this course. This list of activities includes what will happen in the major and minor field trips. The main thing that was discussed in this part of the meeting was the number of companies that should be visited and what companies should they be. The class president presented a list that stated the six (6) most feasible to be visited. Aside from this we needed one more company to add to the list, lest every section making up the whole of the FTS class was asked to nominate one. The nominated companies must not be to deviate too far from the city of Manila since this may cause transportation problems. ADMU gained the highest number of votes with 22 out of 62 who voted, while DOST earned the second place with 19. The class president then declared to seek with priority in getting coordination with ADMU, if not DOST will be next in line. Another part of the itinerary that was discussed was the registration for Y4iT. The class president informed everyone that the seminar will be held at SMX Convention Center on September 9-11, with this the early bird registration happening on June 30, 2015. There were 2 options presented for the Y4iT registration, one having a cost of Php 760.00 inclusive of congress badge and T-shirt and the other at Php 600.00 inclusive of congress badge only. The congress T-shirt designs from the organizers were presented so as to let us choose whether to go for the first or the latter. Majority chose the first option, but those who would want to stick with the second option can still register under their choice. After tackling the itinerary the next agendum was the documentary requirements needed by the class members and must be given on time to the FTS officers. These documents were the model waiver stub, duly notarized parent consent, medical certificate, COR, and the Conditions for Activities Outside the Campus Form. The class president then informed everyone that these documents be compiled and submitted to them on or before the 1^st week of class so as to provide ample time in sorting such enormous volume of paperwork. The next agendum was about the Interpersonal Skills and Team Building activity. This said activity was tentatively scheduled on July 20, 2015 at the University Social Hall by the class president. The last topic to be discussed was about the minor field trip which was still under deliberation at that time by the officers as to which company to visit.

                The meeting went all well with everybody informed as to what was going to happen. The meeting adjourned after 3:00 PM.

Meeting 2

                The second meeting for the Field Trips and Seminars class was held last March 27, 2015, Friday at the Institute of Computing Laboratory 1. In this meeting the collection of model waivers was done and the counting of either model A, B, or C would be chosen was done.

                In this meeting those who attended were mostly those who were certain enough and eager to join this year’s Field Trips and Seminars subject. At the start of the meeting the officers collected those model waivers that were already signed by the student’s parents or guardians. There were still many who were not yet able to pass the model waivers at this meeting since some of the students need to go back to their hometowns or provinces to get their parents or guardians approval. Nonetheless the votes were counted and the partial result of the majority was model A. Everyone was elated to know that we were closer to achieving the major filed trip to be held in the cities and companies of Metro Manila.

                This meeting adjourned with the announcement that in the next meeting all remaining model waivers will be collected so that the final decision of the majority may be cast. With the partial result cast the class officers can now start working for the approval of documents for the University and the Commission on Higher Education.

Meeting 1

                The very first meeting for Field Trip and Seminars for Academic Year 2015-2016 transpired last March 4, 2015. In this said meeting we had the election of officers and the selection of what will be the content of our model waiver. This meeting was attended mostly by students who were qualified and eligible to take this subject this year. With this the Institute Computing Laboratory 2 was crowded with would-be FTS takers and the air-conditioning unit almost could not make-up for the volume of people inside the laboratory. Nonetheless, the meeting went well through the guidance and patience of our adviser.

The election of officers happened first. Among the officers that were elected were the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and auditor. The set of officers for our Field Trip and Seminars class decided to create a model waiver. This model waiver is aimed to get the pulse of the student’s parents or guardians as to what will they choose among the presented models. The FTS models would contain set of choices of what will be the format of the series of site visits that would happen. With this the students have the chance to talk their parents through what they want and what their parents can afford. Three models were generated and its corresponding probable cost and constraints were clearly stated on a waiver that would be signed by the student’s parents together with their choice of which model they prefer. These model waivers are expected to be passed on or before the next meeting. The model waivers will also serve as a confirmation that the said student will pursue this subject willfully this semester. All of these were mentioned and agreed in the very first Field Trip and Seminars meeting.

Overall, the meeting went well although approached some bumps because we are who we are. Yet everything was well discussed and everyone was well informed of what will happen and what needs to be done on the part of us non-officers.

FTS Interpersonal and Team Building: A Reflection

                “It was a wonderful experience.” These would be the most common words when you are going to read our articles about the Interpersonal and Team Building for our Field Trips and Seminars. And it is really wonderful; re-identifying yourself and letting others know you then all the while having fun. The lessons that were told were refreshing and very much welcome since us as Computer Science and Information Technology students as we are bombarded with academic knowledge from day in to day out. This knowledge although vital to our concern would not be useful if we are not whole as a person. As I remember the proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” (1659, Howell) means that when a person forgets his leisure time due to overtime at work he becomes bored and also himself boring. We do not want to be boring right? That alone is a big reason that we take our leisure time seriously. And who also does want to be bored, not unless we are that tired and lazy; we as humans must move. And that Interpersonal and Team Building Activity have influenced us to become more human.

                The day started for me as normal as it was supposed to be, and I expected another boring day just sitting and listening while trying very hard not to fall asleep. My view of a seminar was something like a good talk amongst the participants but that changed when I met people who were somehow impatient about such long talks. Even I myself am sometimes intolerant with such very long and mostly boring events. My idea of a calm, collected, but otherwise enthusiastic crowd was tarnished due to these unprecedented things. Knowing batch mates to be rowdy my fear of a n unmanageable crowd was building up. But I was amazed at how my view of a crowd was changed. Our lecturer from the University Guidance and Testing Office was very accommodating and patient at us even at our untimely antics she was still smiling, composed, and in control of the crowd. I was a bit worried at first that everything would blow up into chaos because I knew my classmates to be quite unruly at times. I have known them for four straight years, I have served as the class mayor of our batch for almost 3 years and my temper has been tested a thousand times because of their uncontrollable characters; that has left a fear in my heart that some time during this event our batch would somehow be “blacklisted” due to being such wildlings. Yes I admit that we are wild, and that’s what sets us apart from the others and we are fun. We enjoy such happy-go-lucky thoughts with our so-called secondary family of “angkols” and “antes”. The event proceeded just fine and I have observed my classmates have somehow matured enough and they welcomed the thought of a close encounter with themselves and others.

                And so the Interpersonal and Team Building seminar started, energy was starting to rise to the roof and the kick-off was a blast. But start was somewhat mellowed by the tempo of our speaker. The technique was effective since it calmed the adrenaline junkies inside our group. Yet the happy, lively, and enthusiastic vibe of the people was not going to go down with that. Majority of all those who were asked to answer the questions were answering with wit and overcoming their fear of answering a speakers’ question. Yes you read it right, even though some of us may be as hyper as a steaming engine; most of us have the fear of speaking in public also known as glossophobia or the fear of the crowd known as agoraphobia. These fears are within us although not that much manifests that’s why it goes unnoticed. I have observed in the Field Trips and Seminars Interpersonal Skills and Team Building that many of us overcame those fears. Public Speaking? No problem.

                Another part of our lives as Computer Scientists and Information Technologists that needs very much improvement is our sense of self. Yes we have that; just like how we were pictured as nerds that have very introverted thoughts. Some of us as I have observed really has the skill and drive to learn but hindered by their timidity. Either some are too shy to ask or some are too reserved to their own thoughts. A low sense of self reflects to the outside world when someone does not immerse himself with others. That is why we must know and believe in ourselves so that others will also know and believe in us. We must always remember that there is more suspicion in hidden agendas. Imagine a classroom or a workplace that has little to no interaction even with the correlated workloads the employees have. This work environment would be hell even if the air-conditioning unit reaches below zero. Why? You would work on a supposedly shared task seemingly alone even if your workmate is just a footstep away if both of you does not have the necessary interpersonal skill needed for just a plain business talk. A shared task should always be shared; it would not be named otherwise if it can be done by some super human. Its ease and especially its burdens should be well distributed. In this fashion when the project becomes successful all team members would have a taste of how it is to overcome a task through effective communication and distribution of work. This alone is not the sole application of interpersonal skills; it can also help with everybody’s social life. Most people engaged in the field of Information Communications Technology are dubbed as nerds, well things have changed. Information Communications Technology people are now called geeks, now defined by Webster’s Dictionary (2014) as a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people, while nerd is defined as a person who behaves awkwardly around other people and usually has unstylish clothes, hair, et cetera. Thus the stereotype of Information Communications Technology people being nerdy is improved to being geeky, and is now the new sexy as what the trend says. This improvement is kind of positive and should be fostered. I am personally convinced that this interpersonal skills training would help us budding technologists and scientists to be outspoken and learn to express ourselves in words and in actions. We should take into consideration that one person who can talk confidently to another may affect the other to talk also.

                In the Field Trips and Seminars Interpersonal Skills and Team Building I have also met other peers; aside from my classmates. I have had the chance of seeing my batch mates, although not merely knowing them but being acquainted with them is a happy thought for me. Yes, it is a very big deal for me to just see those faces and be familiar with them. It is very noticeably refreshing to know someone new right? And that feeling was there right after the event. It manifested much more during the ending prayer where our speaker made us hold a lighted candle while reciting our prayers and our promises to the Lord that we will become better people, with which we will be improving ourselves to become better individuals. Haven’t you asked why interpersonal skills and team building was combined into one activity? This is the answer. Through this we will become better team members when we do our thing as programmers, web developers, graphic artists, systems administrators, et cetera. A team is very vital in our line of work as a single person’s skill set may not be enough to complete an assignment on or before a given deadline. That is why this team building and interpersonal skills training and seminar were established. The value of ones self is as important as the team as a whole. Since we cannot create a team without the single most important entity; the human. We cannot even call a team a “team” when it is not functioning as a single organism. Just like how many companies have crumbled to the ground due to the negligence of some; this starts from the atomic level of the entire organization. It is not true that one man can do no harm, because one man can be all that will make the difference between making it to the top or breaking the dream.

                Lastly, I have reflected in myself that I have been way into myself that I have been rejecting others opinions. I have observed this when reality has come into my senses about me being so into my own opinion and I have had been rejecting the voices of many, when in fact crowd sourcing is the one of the rising stages in which Information Technologists, Computer Scientists, Engineers, and even Entrepreneurs are making their way into worldwide recognition and even making a living. Just recently I have discovered that many of the products that are gaining popularity today are coming from individuals who submit their works for scrutiny of the public eye, thus making their products known while still being in its developmental stages. It is very very wonderful to witness the growth of such innovations unfold. This has given me the idea that I as a person should not rely solely on myself, instead I should seek advices and even help to those people I trust. Studies also show that knowledge of the crown is far more accurate than just plain chance. With these ideas in my mind, I have come to my senses that it really is effective to work as a team. As the saying goes “No one solely owns all the problems in the world” that is why we must share every thought we have, let others help us in our ways so we may be better. And who are we to reject free help right? When in fact we must ask for help for we most of the time needs one. We just need to admit to ourselves that we have weaknesses. Yes we do have strengths but we must also recognize our failures, because failure to recognize where we lack is just the same as negligence itself. The only difference is we chose to neglect and be neglect rather than trying to anticipate what we must improve on. It is indeed true at times that we choose to neglect without noticing it. In order for this to be avoided we must be vigilant in our ways; be more open in what others may say but limiting only to what is workable. Because others may exploit our yearning for advices to scold us or much worse to degrade us; this is not a healthy thought. Although others may think that what they’re saying may be used as motivation yet it serves more as a tool for mocking us. Yes we do need advices and opinions from others but we must guard ourselves against criticisms. Some critics give constructive criticisms but most are just biased on their own opinions. Yet we must not worry too much because as what the Bible says in Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. I myself have worries, that is why I have relied solely on my opinion and observations, but these realizations lately made me re-think my ways and letting others into my world. I just always remind myself to weigh things, every ounce and pound of it so that I may choose the most feasible thing. But then again there is no certainty in this world unless it has happened; we must just choose the things that result in consequences that we can handle and may also serve the good for many. I do hope you who read this article have learned something from my reflection of the Field Trips and Seminars Interpersonal and Team Building Activity.

“JamHowell Quotes and Quotations” Famous Quotes and Authors.com Archived from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-21.

Angkol – commonly uttered term in Cebuano that literally means Uncle.

Ante – Cebuano term for aunt.

What do you expect from your next plane ride?

Ever since childhood maybe all of us have been mesmerized by the view of an airplane passing by overhead. When we hear the sound of its engines we run outside and frantically search the sky for that big flying object. The beauty of it and how it colors our childhood days is a testament of how we as humans want to fly and see the world from up above. It may have appeared in one of your dreams that you were flying or on the cockpit of the plane and feeling its controls under your palm. Oh how would it feel like to jump from ten thousand feet on a free fall with just a parachute and our innate fear of falling face first to the ground below? The thrill and excitement would be so memorable for those who will ride an airplane for the first time. I have ridden an airplane four years ago, I was sixteen then. It was summer and I was given the chance to go north, to be precise to my aunt's house in Bulacan and spend the vacation there with side trips out-of-town. It was somewhat of a prize from my aunt when I topped the class at the end of my junior year in high school. I still remember the day when she handed over the plane ticket to me and I read all the details written into it. The sheer excitement to finally ride that big flying thing for the first time is something to remember. The day the ticket was given to me and the date of flight was two weeks apart. For those fourteen days I was hopping on my toes secretly and calmly preparing my things and my self for what was about to come. And when the day was near to come I could not sleep for more than six hours, I would instantly wake up in the morning. Childish as it may sound but that is the honest description of how I felt at that time. I can really relate to my batch mates in this Field Trips and Seminars class of Two Thousand Fifteen. They may be hiding their unnerving anticipation of the coming major field trip but they can never hide the look in their faces. I would definitely ready my camera to capture those moments and laugh at their candid photos and how they look like. I myself did not have a photo while on-board on my two flights; the departure from Davao City was my first flight together with my aunt, uncle, and my younger cousin. On my first airplane ride I experienced something like floating on the air upon take-off. I do not know if it was the jitters or if it is science but right then and there I know we were above ground. The elation was amplified when I looked outside the window. The view was majestic. I am a fond of pictures of clouds seen through airplane windows but seeing it right in front of me was surreal. What's even more astonishing was the view of the Philippine islands down below. At that time the farthest I have gone was Tagum City so to see other places from high in the sky was a welcome treat. The images that you can see from Google Maps would come to life; patches of rice paddies, banana plantations, pineapple farms, and even fish pens look like puzzle pieces from ten to fifteen thousand feet. The island of Mindanao was full of greens and floating cotton clouds clustered above mountains on that day. Visayas on that day was not so clear to me since there were thunder clouds due east and the airplane was level so it was impossible to see what was below but I can say that sea routes around Cebu and Mactan was very busy; you can even see big cargo ships as some of them are docked while others were navigating the Mactan Channel. Also I was preoccupied reading the flight emergency manual of the plane in English and Filipino translations and trying out the powder room, not to mention that the flushing system amazed me. When we approached the Luzon airspace it was mid-afternoon, I was clutching the arm of my seat in anticipation of the descent and landing but I suddenly remembered how traffic the Manila Airspace was. It was maybe thirty minutes above North Luzon before we slowly descended so I had the chance to immerse myself into the view of La Mesa Watershed, Laguna de Bay, Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and the Cordilleras. I could really say that these landmarks were big and it would be impossible to say that these places were in danger because of human negligence of our duty to take care of nature. Yet their enormity was enough to make me remember the saying that we use to say in trekking or hiking in Boy Scouts: "Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but memories." Can you imagine how it hit me? All the pain I felt in my ear on take-off from Davao were gone, all that's left was awe. We are so small but we can definitely do great things. The feeling baffled me and made me sit back and sigh. Finally the "fasten seatbelts" sign lighted up, we were on approach for landing: Manila I was definitely there. My second airplane ride was on my way back here in Davao. I did not have anyone with me on that flight which added to the thrill. The fear or exhilaration was not on the thought of the flight itself but on the idea that I would be travelling alone. But that did not stop me, from the check-in counter I just smiled my way through; I noticed that the flight stewardess was the same one on the counter and not to mention she is a gorgeous Davaoeña. The thought that there was someone from where I am on the flight staff was a relief, add to it that she has got the looks, for sure all fear will be blown away by the plane engines. On that flight I was a sleepyhead, I just slept almost halfway and only woke up when we were in the airspace of Mindanao. Thank God this time there was lesser pain in my ear; I can attend our band practice right after landing. Luckily I was on the seat near the window again and I saw the white sand lining the beaches of the Island Garden City of Samal. The airplane was banking then for the descent, many times we circled around the said island so I had the bird's eye view of the grandiose. I did not want to compare how green Mindanao was than Luzon but the difference was very noticeable. In Luzon when you were in the Metropolitan area you would not see a tree nor a plant for kilometers, and when you see one it would be crowded with overhead power lines. The traffic was ten times more congested comparing Cubao in Manila and J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. Although I only had few chances of riding a jeepney in Manila because most of my side travels I rode train, the traffic was visible right after we went out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal Three. Well going back to the flight experience, when I approached the airplane doors of Cebu Pacific Airbus A380 on my very first departure flight from Davao I was surprised of how airy the tarmac was. By the way we walked from the airport terminal to the airplane that time because all passenger tubes were occupied by other airliners. The tarmac walk experience made me jumpy because you could see the enormity of the airplane itself; you could see its turbofan engines rotate and feel its light pull on the air as you take the stairs boarding the plane. When we arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal Three and I was on the airplane doors I was surprised at how hot the air was I said to myself "Are we still in the Philippines?" The temperature difference was very evident and I bet my batch mates in this field trip would notice. I had a short tarmac walk upon arrival in Manila on our way to the waiting coaster which was nice because it was air-conditioned. The runway there was a lot bigger but way more crowded with waiting airplanes than here in Davao International Airport Terminal. On my flight going back home I was refreshed when I went out the door of the Zest Air Airbus A330 and felt the cooler Davao sea breeze. The air is definitely am identification of where and what city you are in the world. Now to answer the question "What do I expect from my next plane ride?" I would answer it with a smile, why? Because I am confident that I would control my self not to be too cocky or should I say boastful about my first airplane experience to my batch mates. Yes I would tell stories about how it went but I will be more cautious about how I would tell the story because I do not want to appear as someone who knows everything. Who would want to be called boastful right? I can say proudly I have experience but as much as I can I would share it prudently. I am also expecting more excited faces as the day of departure comes; as excited like a kid who expects a candy falling out of a piñata. I have not seen my face nor my reaction and actions on my very first plane flight that is why I am excited for those who will ride an airliner for their first time. At least I could picture my self in them when that day comes. Witnessing someone's first time is always memorable right? Especially when they are your friends the shared memory becomes a lot more meaning full. Another thing I am expecting is that the pain in my ear upon takeoff and landing would be minimal and bearable. I pray the first timers would enjoy and welcome that pain as an experience and think of it as a rite of passage; more like circumcision or losing your virginity (no pun intended). Truly everyone must pass that pain or else they would not enjoy their very first flight experience. I also expect that everyone be calm, collected, and professional when boarding the plane. I know my classmates in Computer Science to be loud sometimes but I do hope they collect their demeanor. Peace classmates! Haha. I also hope that those people who try to control the crowd be more patient; I know and understand their concern but we must bear in my mind that this flight will be there first time so let us expect lots of excitement on their part. On the side of us that have flight experience I expect that we try to be happy for our batch mates who will have this first time, let us be models on how everyone must act; not too boastful and very prudent and mindful of our manners and most of all watchful of our things. I expect no one throws bomb jokes or else I would punch him myself. I have witnessed someone who threw a very bad bomb joke on a park ranger without knowing that such act is punishable by law. Not to mention the fear of being in jail just because of a very bad joke is beyond regret, I am afraid you would be afraid to smile again after being caught especially on an airport as Davao International Airport which was bombed before and security is always high. Lastly I am highly expecting to be on a window seat again so that I could see how the landscape has changed over the past five or six years. Or better yet I be placed on an aisle seat so that I could chat with my friends and watch over those who need assistance. Yes I know I am too concerned but this who I am. This is the scientist on the run expecting a great field trip soon.

What is your preferred FTS model and why?

What is your preferred FTS model and why?

                Due to the growing need to be updated and to learn more I choose FTS Model A. This Model is the best yet the most expensive among the offered FTS models. Nevertheless, I outspokenly suggested this model to my guardians as this will give me the best experience of a field trip. This FTS model will include one major field trip outside Mindanao, one minor field trip in Mindanao, 1 national seminar and 2 hours interpersonal skills training.

                There are four major reasons why I choose this model. First is, it presents an out-of-town trip. Who does not like out-of-town trips right? The feeling of going into a trip with your batch mates and learning while you are there is kind of exciting. All of us would love to experience a trip to the countries’ capital and learn through its diverse environment the ways of the business world, the corporate world to be exact. Although not all of us would enter that world, majority of us would still find our way in to businesses. In that reason, experiencing the business world at its busiest is a must and will add knowledge to us of what we may face ahead. Aside from all that academic stuff is the fun that comes with the trip, the unforgettable experience of watching your friends’ first airplane ride, the look in their eyes when they first set foot to Manila, all of those are priceless and will add to the memories of being a college student.

Second reason is the one minor field trip in Mindanao. I love this big island of ours with no doubt, I even wanted to start my dream road trip right here. And this minor field trip here is a welcome thought for me. I hope and pray that this minor field trip would happen in Cagayan de Oro for I haven’t been there and a very special friend of mine have said that Cagayan’s ICT industry is booming together with its growing metropolis. But aside from that I also love to see nature, the flora and fauna that surround Mindanao that we may encounter while on our way. I am a nature-lover and I am guilty of that, all I can do for now is admire the beauty of Mother Nature while watching my very own carbon footprint.  Sitting on a bus window seat and just immersing my self in awe and wonder at nature, mesmerized in its lush greenery and relaxing this strained thinking machine inside my skull. While on that floating imagination, I will be thinking of ways and means to improve my skills as a Computer Scientist not only to help the economy but above all to help manage resources and ease up the burden to our environment. All of this wishful thinking will only come to life is and only if that one minor field trip in Mindanao will be held to Cagayan.

Third reason is the Y4IT national seminar that is included in the travel itinerary. I do not have an idea of what is in store in the said event yet, that is why I am interested. How would an event as big as that would feel like? Meeting and interacting with other ICT students from other parts of the Philippines would be awesome and may inspire the scientist in me to create and innovate. Not only this may become a meet-and-greet it may also pave the way for realization of ideas or things that I want to do after college, may it be my own startup business or apply for a position in a company. All of us students have a long term goal of being successful but the road to that success is vague and not to mention the challenges. That road becomes vague in the sense that, we as youth do not have the clear insight of the path that we want to take, or if that path is what we are in or not, if it is for us or not is not in our hands. This national seminar would greatly give us a bird’s eye view of the latest in the industry.

Lastly, the interpersonal skills training included. This workshop would definitely boost our confidence in expressing ourselves, not just our opinions but our bright ideas to the people that matter. Imagine a classroom or a workplace that has little to no interaction even with the correlated workloads the employees have. This work environment would be hell even if the air-conditioning unit reaches below zero. Why? You would work on a supposedly shared task seemingly alone even if your workmate is just a footstep away if both of you does not have the necessary interpersonal skill needed for just a plain business talk. A shared task should always be shared; it would not be named otherwise if it can be done by some super human. Its ease and especially its burdens should be well distributed. In this fashion when the project becomes successful all team members would have a taste of how it is to overcome a task through effective communication and distribution of work. This alone is not the sole application of interpersonal skills; it can also help with everybody’s social life. Most people engaged in the field of ICT are dubbed as nerds, well things have changed. ICT people are now called geeks, now defined by Webster’s Dictionary (2014) as a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people, while nerd is defined as a person who behaves awkwardly around other people and usually has unstylish clothes, hair, etc. Thus the stereotype of ICT people being nerdy is improved to being geeky, and is now the new sexy as what the trend says. This improvement is kind of positive and should be fostered. I am personally convinced that this interpersonal skills training would help us budding technologists and scientists to be outspoken and learn to express ourselves in words and in actions. We should take into consideration that one person who can talk confidently to another may affect the other to talk also.

                The said choice of Model A is hereby made because it exemplifies the meaning of a field trip for me. A field trip for me means going in to places to learn new things and be up-to-date to the trends in this world of ours banded with the new technology, explore unfamiliar territories for future ideologies that may help us think of what are needed, what needs to be done, and what needs to be re-done - in short re-thinking the old ways to solve new and emerging problems, above all of this is to learn through observation of the real work that happens outside of the classroom. In line with this, I also believe that field trips can help us be ready to face the real world - the professional and corporate world ahead of us when we graduate. I am positively looking forward to the realization of this year’s Field Trips and Seminars of our batch. A crazy ride ahead would sure to give us an exhilarating and fond memory. Hasta la vista!