Summer out there (a post- mortem)

If there’s one thing I absolutely detested back in high school, it was the perennial essay question “How I spent my summer vacation”. Year after year until I graduated, our English teacher would torture us – and I suspect that she thoroughly enjoyed seeing our pained faces as we tried our best to fill a whole page – when she asked this particular question in the form of a classroom activity. I wouldn’t have minded if I spent my vacation in Boracay or Palawan or in any other tourist destination: I’d be more than glad to write (boast) about it. But often, my summer vacations weren’t essay-worthy at all-- staying home with my siblings while trying my best not to die of boredom.

Too bad I hadn’t been to Sumilon island back then or else I could’ve written a kick-ass essay that would’ve blown my teacher away. Anyway, daydream aside (and in the grand undying tradition of my teacher), it’s my turn to torture, er, ask some colleagues a few flippant questions about our recent company outing.

1. There had been recent sightings of Jessica Alba in Sumilon island especially during the summer outing. It has been rumored that they are secretly filming the sequel of “Into the Blue” there. If you had the chance to meet Jessica Alba in person, what would you tell her?

I would go up to her, pretend I don’t know her and ask: “Hey, how long did it take you to walk around the sun to look that hot? You’re so hot the sun has to wear sunglasses just to look at you.” OR “If you could be described by words, Webster would have to make another dictionary just to describe you.” Then cross my fingers and hope that Jessica would be dumb enough to fall for the oldest pick-up lines in the book.

Conrad Siega
Systems

2. As expected, the recent elections were marred by widespread violence and massive cheating. Do you think it’s a good idea for the COMELEC and NAMFREL to conduct the quick count of 2010’s elections in Sumilon island?

Yes, I believe it would be a good idea, specifically because of the following reasons:

1. Officers and guards will stop smoking and can concentrate on the job. A single pack of cigarettes costs around P100.00
2. There will be no flying voters. Only swimming voters.
3. For a change, canvassing officers shall use life jackets instead of bulletproof vests.
4. There will be no repeat of the “Hello Garci” scandal because cell phone signals suddenly cut off.
5. Food and drinks are good but extremely expensive. Perfect for dieting- canvassing officers.
6. Transparency. Comelec and Namfrel staff can take a shower in public just like what Mark Lorenzana and Tomas Estrada did.
7. While waiting for the results, they can relax in the Jacuzzi like what Gerard Caniga did.
8. Ocean kayak is another good option for transporting ballot boxes.

Gino Carpio
Marketing

3. This year’s Miss Universe pageant was held in your home country of Mexico. The delegates were fortunate enough to have enjoyed the world-class beaches in Cancun. Considering that Sumilon’s beaches are also world-class like Cancun’s, did you feel like a Miss Universe candidate, especially Miss Mexico, during the recent summer outing?

I didn’t feel like Miss Mexico during the summer outing. However, I was very fortunate to get the chance to go to Sumilon and enjoy the beaches and the place itself. And I am very lucky to be here in the Philippines.

The reason why I didn’t feel like Miss Mexico there it’s very simple; I was not in a contest. I was just hanging out with my workmates, just like a bunch of friends. I really had a great time there.

Anyway, there is a part of me that does feel like “Miss Mexico” all the time. And that is because I represent my country not just for a pageant or a beauty contest; but in the everyday life and the whole time in my job and in with my actions. And it really feels good to share with the people around a little bit of my country every now and then.

Diana Ascencio
Aiesec Trainee-- CSC

4. In the same mold as the famous Amazing Race, the iCOMM Summer Challenge was a grueling test of one’s wits, endurance, and stamina. How do you think the Pink Team, the winning team of the iCOMM Summer Challenge, would fare if they were to compete in this year’s Amazing Race? Please give an honest, credible, and unbiased answer.

Well, the pink team had good teamwork and they have strong determination, especially on the last part which was really a test of one’s endurance. I think they’re capable of competing in the Amazing race. However, they should undergo additional training such as workouts and joining other races. = )

But I’d still go for the yellow team…Hehehe! Joke!

Rachilee Redillas
Accounts

5. This summer outing’s theme was “Catch the Island Sun”. If taken literally, what do you think is the best way to catch the sun without getting burned?

Literally speaking the best way to catch the sun without getting burned is to POUR IT WITH WATER. Joke!

Seriously, for me there’s no need to catch the sun. Simply by watching the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the afternoon is enough to take the agony of being alone.

To relate in real life: Don't be in a hurry!! Take life one step at a time and enjoy each moment of it coz you'll never know when it will end.

Agnes Armada
CSC -- Shipping

6. Sumilon island is a marine reserve and fish sanctuary. If you were a fish living in the sanctuary at the time of iCOMM’s summer outing, would you have been disturbed by the iCOMM people’s boisterousness?

No, I won’t be disturbed by the iCOMM people’s boisterousness. After all they didn’t hurt me and my fish friends. Some iCOMM people even fed some bread to some of my friends who live in the lagoon. And they appreciate our swimming talent very much. In addition, they love our colors, and they are careful not to break or damage our home corals. At the same time, we enjoyed looking at those macho guys swimming and playing in the water, as well as the sexy girls in their nice swimsuits.

Thea Gay Costan
HR/Admin

7. Of Sumilon’s several island pursuits, which one would grab your interest enough to take up fulltime so you could leave your present day job?

Banana boat and kayak are best done when the sun’s not at its peak. Diving and snorkeling is interesting coz you have to be able to swim underwater, obviously, and learn some facts about diving times, depths and how not to get the bends (surfacing too fast). Of Sumilon’s island pursuits, it would go for snorkeling. But for now it's all just for fun. You can't just leave your job just to do this. The company outing is for all of us to unwind from all the hard days’ work and to interact with one another. Life is worth living if you can find funny things in everything. Work, fun, and laughter. :)

Janice Iñigo
Software