By
Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG CITY - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 has recently conducted a
five-day teambuilding activity in Manila with side trips to Tagaytay City,
Talisay, Batangas, Calamba City and Los Baños in Laguna.
It was a cultural,
athletic and wellness activity designed to promote camaraderie between and
among PIA-9 employees.
At times, like anybody
else, employees need to have a break from work in order to be more efficient, competent
and productive - easing oneself from stress, tension and pressure.
Enjoyable learning
Team building is not just
purely for fun but educational, too. PIA-9 personnel were given a chance to
visit PIA-Central Office and its divisions; PIA’s sister agencies; namely, the
People’s Television Network (PTV-4), the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and the
Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS); Malacañang Palace particularly the
museum at Kalayaan Hall and the press briefing room at the Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
The group was awestruck gazing
at the great Malacañang architecture that could only be seen in books,
magazines or on television with eyes wide open in enchantment.
Malacañang tour guide
named Diane made the tour an overwhelming experience for the group adding
hilarity to every educational insight and historical value of things seen inside
Malacañang. She regaled everyone with historical facts and trivia relating to
Malacañang and past Philippine Presidents.
“We have to say ‘Malacañang’
if we refer to the whole place or compound and ‘Malacañan’ if we are referring
to the palace or the residence of the president,” she explained.
Tagaytay, Laguna escapade
In Tagaytay, the group
went to the People’s Sky Park, Picnic Grove, Taal Lake View Deck and to the
Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). They also went down to Talisay,
Batangas to experience the close up view of the Taal volcano.
The following day the
group travelled to Luisa Ridge Hot Spring Resort in Laguna with PIA Region 4A
Director Norito Cabutaje and his wife hosting lunch.
They also dropped by Rizal’s
Shrine in Calamba, Laguna and the tallest monument of Rizal in the world, a
22-foot bronze statute.
Back to Manila
Going back to Manila,
PIA-9 personnel met with PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma Jr. and PIA
Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena.
Dir. Gen. Oquiñena treated
us for sumptuous lunch with some of his staff and DDG Boy Galvez.
At dinner, we were treated
by PMD Staff Director Emelyn Libunao to an authentic Italian Pizza House in
Quezon City.
The Trip
Taking a break from work
takes some planning to realize a 5-day trip of re-charging each member of the
team, without leaving a vacuum at work. It also requires some financial resolve
to be able to visit Manila Ocean Park, Luneta Park and Divisoria to scout for pasalubong items.
Piso Fare Promo
As a team, getting to
places is quite heavy on the pocket. Thanks to seat sale promo, especially the
piso fare. It is affordable that each one volunteered to buy their personal
round trip ticket. They also made use of the cultural and athletic fund.
Administrative support
from Central Office for accommodation, mobility and some treats from the bosses;
some staff directors and from PIA Calabarzon, mattered most to spell success to
PIA’s team building activities outside its turf.
The whole trip was really exciting
and fun-filled experience for the group. Teambuilding
is really as important for it brings out the best in a team to ensure
self-development, positive communication, leadership skills and the ability to
work together as a team. (PIA9)
