I was feeling down for almost a week now coz of some incident on this event *look at the title pipz* but now that things are half way cleared I’m feeling like myself again…. and i made a testimonial for the event too… but i was not able to deliver it coz of some time constraints…. I don’t want to waste it… and I really want to share such great experience to everyone so…

I entered Tourism, not just because I dreamed of traveling a lot, of riding an airplane or giving service to people of various cultures since I have watched Ever After of Drew Barrymore when I was young.

I also did it, as a rebellion, against those people who taught that I’m only born to deal with Science, or to be a lawyer or to be someone whose talents rooting from my family are worth… someone successful and serious: like my uncles and aunts who are either a businessman/publisher, a professional photographer, a scrub nurse, a teacher, or an architect.

I did it to rebel against myself. To push from the limit which I’ve set upon myself. To be someone different. To be someone happy. And so I did. And I have never thought, and as much as to others’ surprise, I am able to make it… to have a College life, full of learning and fun. And I am so grateful to be given the chance to share one of the best parts of it with everyone.

I just the same as everyone, I have dreams to be successful. To have my own business and to drive my own car… but I guess one of the best— and probably worst thing about me is that I am always so content. I take what I have or what I was given, value it and make the best of it. It’s seldom that I would think of wanting more…. Believe me, that applies even to my clothes! So when we were asked to start in our 2^ndPracticum, I’m a little confused. I’ve never thought of it— what do I really want after UNI?

After I prayed about my confusion, God gave me the answer! Mam Yolai then told us the demand for hotel personnel, especially abroad. It’s like a ring of bell in my ears. Now that’s something I want to do. So I and my "justfriends barkada” went and found FERSAL HOTEL GROUP. It’s quite easy entering their program. We went Thursday/ Friday and we started our internship on Monday. Sadly, we were separated on different branches.

I was first assigned to the Accounting Department. And since I’m in the first batch of trainees… it’s like a mess… a total mess when I came. The files are everywhere. So naturally, I did all those filing. I felt kinda depressed at first thinking that I might spend my whole 200 hours filing. Trainees are not allowed to touch the computer without guidance. Fersal has this centralized MIS. All movement of each computer is monitored by the Information System Manager. In God’s grace, after I week, I finished filing and organizing everything. And I became their information assistant; their lost and found officer.

After gaining their trust, they finally let me handle the accounting documents. I checked the inventories and official receipts of all the five branches in Metro Manila!

During that time I wasn’t aware that I was being observed by my superiors, until I was called up in the HR office. I was petrified. I kept thinking and rethinking what I could have possibly done wrong. Then the HR officer told me that I am one of the "few chosen” trainees, recommended by our superiors, to join the BPI-FERSAL-MALIBU Bazaar: The Big Outlet Sale held at the Megatent, Makati City. And what made me more proud was that I was not the only PUPian chosen… there I met two great people, Camille and Sharika. I’ve never been happier that we have a subject in MICE!

I was assigned in the Customer Service where we were tasked to watch over guests, check tickets and assist them in their needs. And, well… we had to practice our good communication there! Especially with all the foreigners and rich people around… but hey! We managed it well and were commended of doing great.

After that I was transferred to another branch for the Hotel training, another 200 hours. I was thought of housekeeping at first. And I couldn’t believe there are too many chemicals involve in the process… some really dangerous that we’re commanded to wear. What more? I was the only Tourism student in there! Among other 20 trainees from Bicol, Ilocos, Bulcan and Nueva Ecija, I was the only one untrained in beddings! But the people there are great too. I was able to have a group of friends in less than a week and we always study hotel things together. I also learned about the front office operations. And every now and then we get a little freaky especially when there is a scheduled auditing in the branch. One speck of dust, even the tiniest piece of hair fall, uneven bed linen in housekeeping, one mistake of digit in the front office… it could mean hundreds or thousands of pesos deducted from the employee— well, a memo if it’s not that often or its really not that severe.

And again, I was grateful I entered PUP Tourism! Because when January came and the very late Christmas Party of FERSAL HOTEL GROUPS came, I was able to contribute a lot as well. Fersal always have a theme for their party and now… guess what? They chose a United Nation theme. And well, because of our practice in organizing shows like the world escapade and the other side of the dice… All of us worked hard in finishing the costume just in time. And yes, my branch won the best in costume award! Though the opposing branch who copied the belly dancing costume of BST 1d World Escapade courtesy of my classmates Cherie Mae and Brigitte in the other branch seemed to look good too.

Lastly, I entered the last 200 hours and I was again transferred to the Inn Café. There I was thought of restaurant manners, hostess responsibilities, and I even realized that I have the love for cooking! And this time I would like to thank my Nihongo professors— for without them I wouldn’t have been able to survive weeks of serving a certain Japanese Oji-san who kept on loitering around the hotel restaurant. I even understood when he called two of my male co-trainees "Bakero”.

The most unforgettable experience I had was when a co-trainer found out, after giving a room service, that his uncle, the husband of his mother’s sister, has an affair. Hotel information is confidential. Blood is thicker. I was glad I was not in his shoe by that time. And I learned to not let my emotion on being pissed off at him. After all, I had to be professional in one way or another.

It was such a great opportunity to be able to work in a hotel/MICE/Restaurant company, especially after having to experience Amadeus and a travel agency OJT. Not just because it’s something new, but because it made me realized what I really enjoy doing. And for that, I have made up my mind on what job to take after college and what path to take seriously in my life. As far as this training goes, I’ve learned plenty of things:

1. Be confident but humble.
2. Gain Trust and learn to keep it.
3. Work Hard, apply what you’ve learned before and strive for more.
4. Make friends but be professional.
5. Enjoy the experience and in everything you do, do it for the glory of God. For if you love what you’re doing and you give it all for God’s glory, the fruits of it will be sweeter.