Aegis PeopleSupport: My Call Center Life

Feb 4, 2008 to be exact was my first day in PeopleSupport.  The company that serves as my "SANCTUARY" for almost 6 years.

Today January 15, 2014 is my last day at work.  I am leaving this company not with a heavy heart for I know that where I am going is a better place.

Along the way I have met friends and mentors who I will never forget.  

Two of the best leads I had.

Paolo

Kathie

My sets of friends.

Big Four

Fab Five

Bombshells

McGurls

Mga Babae ni Mang Inasal

Sabado Gurls

Sexy Six

THE BITCHES

 

My BFFs

Anadette

Donna

My Kumares

Carmela

Salbe

And the Special Person who is always there...

Ara

Of course the laughter and tears will never be forgotten.

And now, after 5 yrs 11 mos and 11 days...it is my time to go.

Good Bye for now. Til we meet again.

What I miss about my chat family?

1. Everyone belongs to 1 team. 

2. You can address supervisors by their first name or nickname. 

3. You can go to work even if you have a cough, cold, flu or worst NO VOICE and not worry that your customer will not understand. 

4. Emergency leave? Just text or call any available sup to plot e-time or leave immediately. 

5. Everyone knows anyone in the team even with their eyes closed. 

6. One looks forward in coming to work during Saturdays and Sundays. 

7. Everybody is busy "working" and they still have time to accommodate anyone for chika or bonding time (AT THE SAME TIME). 

8. Everyone complains of gaining weight and still find their workstation filled with foods and the like. 

9. You get to enjoy all type of music everyday. 

10. MOSTLY, I missed those people who became a REAL friend in the process. WHO made your daily routine a LOT MORE FUN!

From Sta. Ana to Sta. Ana

My trip to Cagayan started with a 12 hrs ride from Pasay to Tuguegarao City via Victory Liner (www.victoryliner.com/) . The fare is Php 700 / per pax for a Deluxe Aircon bus with a private CR.  We left Pasay at 7:30m PM and arrive at about 7am in Tuguegarao.  

From Tuguegarao, we went to Sta Ana, Cagayan the next day.  We took a non-air conditioned van which cost Php 200 per pax from Don Domingo to San Vicente Port in Sta Ana, Cagayan.  Travel time takes 3-4 hours depending on traffic and other unforeseen problems (such as overheating).  We arrived at the terminal (Don Domingo) at around 9:00am and the van left around 11:30am.  Please take note that the van will not leave unless it is full.  

We arrived in San Vicente Port at exactly3:45pm hungry (our last meal was 7am that morning.  The private boat of our resort is already waiting for us (See separate blog about Jerolynda).  The original plan was to stay in Sta. Ana for at least 3 days and 2 nights for complete relaxation.  I cut it to 1 night due to unsatisfied service.  

We were informed that Florida Bus Line leaves from 1-3pm.  I thought it is every hour.  We arrived at the terminal of Florida around 1:30PM just to find out that the last bus with private CR left at 1pm and there will be no more succeeding bus after that with CR.  Fortunately (or unfortunately), the Florida bus line has a neighboring bus line (I am not sure of the name).  It is the only bus line other than Florida.  It is air-conditioned and HAS A PRIVATE CR!!!  How much?  Php 550/per pax.  A STEAL!!!  So, we immediately board our stuffs and pay for 3 tickets.  WOW, HALF THE PRICE OF FLORIDA!

The CATCH.  When the bus left at exactly 2:37pm, the driver and conductor is continuously picking up passengers along the way even though the bus is already full (ALL SEATS TAKEN).  That’s what I thought.  I never realized that they will give mono block (mini) chairs to these people and put it in the middle of the aisle to sit.  HOW THE HELL CAN I GO TO THE CR TO PEE if there are passengers blocking the way!!!  I was really upset and want to leave the bus, but I do not have a choice.  There will be no other bus.  15-16 hrs from Sta Ana to Manila (I am from Sta Ana, Manila) and I have to control my pee if I needed to.  Not to mention that since the bus is so affordable that anybody can travel with this bus (I am not being too picky on the people I am going to be with but I cannot bear traveling with people who does not have any manners).  Imagine traveling for 15-16 hrs with people whistling and stomping their feet, reclining the seat in front of you as if there is no passenger at the back, not to mention the passenger at the back of your seat is pushing your seat with his/her knees/legs.  Also at the very back somebody just boarded a baggage that spilled liquid making the whole floor wet including MY BAG!!!  Oh, did I mention that it was raining very hard that time and the ceiling was dripping and fortunately the dripping rain just happened to be exactly where I was seating!  Good thing that the rain stopped after 3-4 hrs.  I do not know what I could have done if it was raining the whole 15-16 hrs of my travel.  Oh by the way, just to inform you, this particular bus aside from offering low fare also comes with “SUROT”.  That’s right!  Just see for yourself what happened to me.

It's been 5 days now, I still have those bites.  I am taking anti-histamine for itchiness and putting cream (I have these bites all over my arms, back and both legs).  I cannot wear shorts and short sleeves for days now.

Just a note, I just realized that not only airlines have classes but also buses.  If Florida is first class bus and Victory Liner is a business class, this particular bus company is definitely beyond ECONOMY CLASS!  You will not miss this if you are in Sta Ana; this is the only bus company right beside Florida bus line.

Jerolynda Beach Resort...A paradise not for me

From afar, you can see that the resort is promising.  White beach, pier of its own, quiet and clear water.  PERFECT!!! 

Just upon reaching the resort and talking to the caretaker that my complaints just pouring in.  NO FOOD in the so-called restaurant (you have to pre-order and that is the only time that they will take the boat and go the main city to buy supplies).

We were HUNGRY and this person will tell me that they do not have food.  I am in the middle of nowhere and I NEED FOOD.  Just to make matters worse, I also found out that there is no electricity.  YES, the whole resort is using generator and to conserve energy, they turned off the generator from 7am to 6pm.  SERIOUSLY!?!  34-36 degrees outside and this person with a poker face will tell me that they do not have electricity aside from not having food.

I managed to calm down and just told the caretaker patiently that any food will do.  Come night time when we are ready to sleep, I noticed that there are no screen installed at the windows.  Thought it will not be a problem.  Come morning, my husband noticed that we have lots of mosquito bites!

Oh did I mention that the water coming out of the faucet is colored yellow to brownish.  And I just treated my daughter from her UTI. 

Instead of staying there for 2 nights we decided to cut our trip.  Right that very day after our trip to Cape Engano, we packed our things and headed back home.  My only comment is that the owner should have informed me or any possible guest/s of what to expect from their property.  

I love beaches, I lover tropical weather but with no electricity come on.  How can they expect to have visitors if they will not provide basic amenities.

Cagayan Valley, Luzon's Last Frontier

After a long wait, finally the day has come.  My family and I will be going to the tip of Luzon…Cagayan Valley.  7,107 islands in the Philippines and I choose to go to Cagayan to visit Palaui Island because of the lighthouse that captivated my interest.

We took a 12 hrs bus ride from Pasay via Victory liner De Luxe (Php 700/hd).  The ride was smooth and the 12 hrs long drive is tolerable.  Victory liner deluxe bus has its own CR.  Medium size seats which one can recline without disturbing the people at your back.  We left Pasay at 7:30 pm and arrive in Tuguegarao at 7am.  We did have 1 stop over at Nueva Vizcaya.

From the terminal of Victory liner in Tuguegarao City, our hotel is short walking distance away.  We prefer to take a tryke for about 50 pesos (3 people and luggage) going to Hotel Carmelita. 

Hotel Carmelita is a well known hotel in the area since it also has function halls for bigger events.  It also has a pool.  It also offers shuttle service and has a full service restaurant.  A standard room cost (Php 1130).  This includes a matrimonial bed and a single bed.

By 9am or so, we went to Calvary Hills in Iguig.  Since it is almost Holy Week, I believe this is one place worth seeing.  From the hotel, we took a tryke to bring us to Don Domingo (Php 10/hd).  From there, you can take a van (no aircon vans are available) going to Iguig (Php 25/hd).  The Calvary Hills of Iguig, Cagayan Valley consist of 11 hectares of rolling hills atop which are found enormous concrete statues portraying the 14 Stations of the Cross.  

The place also features a three centuries old well, a Dominican convent ruin and the scenic view of Cagayan River, which can be reached via a stairway at the back of the church.

 

The church, constructed from brick and stone, appears small from the front. In the back, however, one finds traditional flying buttresses; it is the only church in the Philippines to have these.

From Iguig, we decided to go back to the hotel and rest for a few minutes before we proceed to Penablanca.  Penablanca is home to Callao Cave.   

One can hire a tryke (Php 700 RT) if you want to go there and also side trip in seeing the circadian flight of bats.  The tryke dropped us off along Pinacanauan River. 

Crossing the river will cost Php 10/hd per way (kids below 12yo is free of charge).  You also have to pay Php 20/hd entrance (kids below 12yo is free of charge).  After crossing you will have to climb 187 steps.  There is also a tour guide waiting for tourist at the beginning of the step.  The name was derived from the “Kalaw” bird which was previously abundant in this place.  It is a cave with seven chambers.  I first saw this cave in the movie “THE MISTRESS” starring John Lloyd and Bea.

Back at the Pinacanauan River, we rented a boat (Php 600) to bring us to the Mororan and also wait for the circadian flights of bats.  We waited up to 7pm but no bats went out.  I was so disappointed.

The next day, after we have prepared our things, we went to leave for Sta Ana.  It is a 3-4 hrs drive.  We took a van (non-aircon as there are very rare aircon vans available).  We were in the van since 9am.  The van left at 11:30am.  The van will not leave until it is full.  We reached Sta Ana, at around 3:30pm, tired and hungry.  We were welcomed by Jerolynda’s private boat at the San Vicente port.