The Beep: Purpose | May 2016 by The Beep

PURPOSE

TOPIC

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

TOPIC

THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

From the ceo

’m excited to be contributing for the second issue of The Beep and would like to sincerely thank the Team for creating such a brilliant publication. I hope everyone enjoyed some well-deserved time off over Christmas, New Year and most recently Easter Weekend with family and loved ones. The turn of a New Year usually comes along with time for reflection and this is certainly the case in our household. We talk about things such as: what did we do well in 2015? What are we looking forward to in 2016? And what do we want to achieve this year? I started the year with some New Year resolutions; probably like many people who use this time as a motivating factor to “make it happen” – whatever that goal is. For me, 2015 was a successful year for both family and business, but one area I felt was really falling down was my health. So not surprisingly, 1st of January 2016 was the new start for a fitness regime, better nutrition and a goal to be more mindful of putting my health first. I really wanted and needed to find some serious discipline to drop some bad habits. I can report I had some quick win inspired by an upcoming holiday. I hit the pavement and got moving more often; enjoying jogging a few times a week. But my big plans to hit goals by a certain time faded not long after mid-January. Life got in the way and my mind had a way of talking me out of the right behaviours. “It’s okay not to exercise today”;

“I’m too busy”; “There’s too much to do at home, at work”… and the list goes on. I began to feel disappointed I hadn’t achieve my goal in the timeframe I set. There was something lacking. I wanted to make more lifestyle changes, but my mindset was holding me back. Fast forward a few months and I have discovered a new motivation that is taking my goal achievement and personal success to the next level. It all started with a holiday. Not surprisingly, time away from the everyday environment helps you get perspective.

“

Now I am fueling my motivation through the desire to do better for others. If I am healthier, I can be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter and mentor. The key was not so much that I had time away from my work, it was about having more time to invest in relationships – time with my husband and my sister, combined with being outdoors, having a lot of fun and laughs. One missing part was the kids were back at home. From both a financial and logistics point of view it wasn’t the type of holiday to take a one year-old and a four year-old on. While I was away I spent time thinking and chatting with Mark about the start of 2016. I realised

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO ASSOCIATE EDITOR JERICHO P. GATIP MANAGING EDITOR JOSEFA MARIE D. NAVARRO GRAPHICS / LAYOUT EDITOR PATRICK LOUIE J. PILAPIL CIRCULATIONS MANAGER ANNA DOMINIQUE H. DACILLO WRITERS PAULINE A. MALIJAN MYRON GLENN S. FERNANDO MICHELLE G. DE JESUS HONEY A. RAMIREZ MA. ELISE V. MAGBAG ARIANE G. MAGANTE DARRELL M. MAGAT PHOTOJOURNALIST AKEEMSON F. GONZALES

| THE BEEP

that my mindset and motivation for change was generally previously fuelled from my own desire. I want to feel better, I want to be more healthy, I want more balance for ME. Now I am fueling my motivation through the desire to do better for others. If I am healthier, I can be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter and mentor. I’ve found it easy to talk yourself out of making changes – even though they may be good for you. I don’t think I’m alone with this experience. When I flipped my perspective and started to visualise the positive impact changes will make on those closest to me, it gave me a greater purpose and motivation to change. So far I’ve found I can find more reasons to be more disciplined with the actions I need to take when I consider the impact on others. I have also learned that it’s hugely important to focus on the future, and not the past, when it comes to achieving goals. If I have a not-sogreat day I don’t dwell on it as tomorrow is a new day. I hope that 2016 is your best year yet and look forward to catching up in April to celebrate our successes and the incredible journey so far. Aimee Engelmann Chief Executive Officer

PURPOSE

from the eic

ive months since the launch of The Beep’s premiere issue, we are now releasing the second. What a time hop! The first magazine-newsletter release in December 2015 received praises and constructive feedback—and we are grateful for both! Commendations enable us to know that we are doing it right and encourage us to persistently work hard; but constructive criticisms motivate us to work even harder. As writers, we believe in using these reactions as inspiration for us to move forward and not to perceive them as stumbling blocks. If at some point of your professional quest you have experienced failures and hurdles from achieving your goals and aspirations, fret not and never give up―you might not realise how close you are to the finish line. Keep going. Our imperfections have just made us realise that we have a long way to go in achieving close to perfection for The Beep; and thus, in spite of our busyness for doing business with clients, we strive to improve and transform this magazinenewsletter from a mere employee engaging outlet and entertainment source to a catalyst for change; bringing you thereby this issue’s The Beep with the theme―purpose. American Author Robert Byrne was

precise when he said that “the purpose of life is a life of purpose.” To have a purpose means to have a reason for existence. No matter what a person does for living—CEO of a company, manager of processes, leader of people, administrator of an office, reconciler of accounts, producer of graphics, designer of web pages, typist of data, seller of products, cashier of a restaurant, or even sweeper of streets; each person has a purpose and a mission to fulfill.

“

Once we realise our inner reason, we grasp the need to do things not only for ourselves, but for others. Although our team at The Beep apparently reflects diversity, the perspectives about ‘purpose’ are all common―and each person acknowledges that finding out about it is a personal crusade that each person must strive to achieve. What does it mean to be able to identify one’s purpose?

When he finds multiple reasons to smile even at the storms of his life? When he chooses to use his gifts for God? All of the above! The paths the we take in life define our purpose. Purpose becomes a more noble possession when we finally decide to use it for other people and less for ourselves. Once we realise our inner reason, we grasp the need to do things not only for ourselves, but for others. As Pablo Picasso quotes, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”. Thus, the best way to discover purpose within us is to find it and give it away! If so far you haven’t figured out your purpose in life yet, we hope that this magazine-newsletter in any way, help you find yours. Have a purposeful reading! Keempee Q. Tolentino Editor In Chief

ABOUT THE COVER

When a person is able to work on his passion and something that he is great at? When he is motivated by a necessity? When he works for an important cause?

CONTACT DETAILS The Beep is the official employee newsletter of Beepo. This newsletter is released quarterly to publish employee stories, experiences, and ideas. Beepo is an Australian outsourcing company based in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines focused on serving Aussie and other foreign clients through multitudes of Pinoy offshore talents.

2nd floor and Unit 1F Business Center 9, Philexcel Business Park, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines (045) 499-3253 thebeep@beepo.com.au

Two heads are better than one. This cover embodies teamwork and its absolute importance to the company. Like the trunk of a tree or the blocks of a building, we believe it is the backbone of success. In a growing company like Beepo, every staff is a player that has a vital role to fulfill. On teams, people can work together and accomplish much more than they could by themselves. This concept of synergy only has one purpose, that is to achieve a common goal.

THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

Question for the writers

Keempee Q. Tolentino

Jericho P. Gatip

Josefa Marie D. Navarro

Passion fuels us to do things, but purpose gives us reason to do things. By indulging yourselves with the insights and thoughts Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve shared, may each reader find within themselves not selfinflicted boredom but meaningful revelations about their faith and life and new thrills. All for Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glory.

My crafts this issue speaks about life decisions, practicalities, choices and love. The integral purpose of life is to discover the hidden palaces of might, honour, excellence and affection that were intensively carved along our memories and pain. Excelsior!

A new year signals beginnings and changes. I hope that my articles for this issue could transcend feelings of hope and inspire you, dear reader, to keep on believing in yourself and keep trying to be a better person than you were yesterday.

Anna Dominique H. Dacillo

Patrick Louie J. Pilapil

Hoping this penchant for writing acts as a virtual hug for someone, somewhere who needs it the most :) Not too shabby, right? Keep in touch at: hellodominique. com

Getting through daily busy schedule could be too stressful that we rarely appreciate the beauty around us. I am as ecstatic as my last road trip and adventures in writing the feature story on The Beep. I am glad to share this wonderful experience with you!

EDITOR IN CHIEF

CIRCULATIONS MANAGER

| THE BEEP

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

GRAPHICS/LAYOUT EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Akeemson F. Gonzales PHOTOJOURNALIST

Using visual artwork, I would like to convey emotions that could uplift the mood of the readers.

PURPOSE

What is the purpose of your contributions for this month’s issue?

Pauline A. Malijan

Myron Glenn S. Fernando

Michelle G. De Jesus

For this issue, my purpose was to uncover the innately talented people that makes up Beepo. There are a lot of interesting people working here, and it was a pleasure to get to know them more.

A look back on the events, programs and milestones that our company has reached and accomplished. Promotes the culture and fun work environment that we have.

I hope to inspire my colleagues to always treat people and things as blessings from GOD more than entitlements. To be thankful for those they could keep for a lifetime and to let go of those that are not meant to stay.

WRITER

Ma. Elise Christine V. Magbag

Honey A. Ramirez

Ariane G. Magante

Darrell M. Magat

I would like to believe that through travelling I learn to look at the world from different perspectives, open my heart to diverse cultures, embrace individualities, and deeply love my own land. I hope my colleagues could have a peek of this through my travel articles. Let’s go on an adventure together!

Mine are interviews with some of our fellow colleagues and are reflected on a narrative style, mostly, with twinge, flair, and spark retold on a writing spell. So, I thought these should all show them - their thoughts and feelings on matters that matter without the feeling of being put on the spot? Hope it breathes and resonates life after all.

Giving everyone a gentle reminder to always watch over their health. Being a painstakingly diligent employee has its own rewards. But if it’s done at the expense of your health, all the hard work you put up with would be pointless.

I wanted to share some information and thoughts to my co-employees while keeping them entertained through the articles I’ve written.

WRITER

THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

TEXT BY HONEY A. RAMIREZ

WORK N

o matter what age you are, there’s always a stage where things might still come all new—the feelings, the experiences, the worries, and the hopes that come along when we venture on a new path; say for instance a new career? Here at Beepo, the tales of securing your job comes in many different stories—from the highs and lows of passing the exams, the nerve-wracking point of passing the interviews, and to finally setting your feet at the office, you surely have your own story to tell, don’t you? But for now, let’s handpick a few fellows to retell the nevergetting-old story of their newbie tales—Carlo, Erika, and Marjorie will keep us on a memory trail! For Carlo Andretti Nepomuceno, Client Experience Team Leader, knowing Beepo was more of a stroke of its architectural designs. Its sun-kissed inspired logo popping outside of its building made him ‘curious’ and pushed him to do a little more search online. Marjorie Vitug, Admin Support with Social Media Associate, took the online first and thought of the worklife balance as the most striking of all. A little of inside connection, however, brought Beepo to Erika Raye Liwanag, Wealth Management Team Administrator, for she has a friend working as a Recruitment Manager. But all of them thought, for the very first time, Beepo as a cozy and comfortable environment to work, “because the floor is so spacious and totally different from where I used to work with where we were crowded” noted Carlo while Erika thought “the staff are very accommodating even to the tiniest of my queries.” “But what I want the most is the chill zone,” said Marjorie who often tries the foosball game when her creative mind gets zapped off, “because you get to have fun and release some stress or sleepiness there!”

| THE BEEP

That they easily landed t h e i r spot at Beepo, though, was far from reality. It is a must to have their English skills at par, to say the least, with other employees around, yet Marjorie confided that she was almost caught off-guard by mathematical and geometric equations, “because they were asking for some formulas and the likes which I’ve long buried underground! Come to think of it?” Though they passed, still nothing will make Erika change on hating those subjects while Carlo is thankful to sheer luck or perhaps humility as he passed interview after interview. “I was getting nervous back then because every week that I was invited for an interview. I always see new faces of applicants and wondering what happened with the others?” he recounted. But once tests were over and job offers were signed and sealed, Marjorie sighed and felt warmly received, “since people here are friendly and as I get more colleagues, life here at Beepo becomes more fun and comfortable!” Indeed, Beepo promotes such work-life balance that rarely exists in other companies. “My schedule in my past job was toxic as it started from 1600H to 0100H, now I am enjoying a normal work schedule and being able to enjoy the heat of the morning sun and to go to the mall before it even close,” reflected Erika from her own experience while Carlo

thought it was a like a twilight zone compared to his former company where everything was hustling and maddening, “because when I came here there was this deaf silence and everyone was seated and smiling, like asking myself ‘is this for real?’” So aside from going beyond the basic means of earning, the three find life in Beepo to be truly a blessing and there are some reasons they want to hold on to. “You don’t just earn a job, you also earned a new family here,” said Marjorie while Carlos thought of only one thing; “I can say right now I’m in heaven and I’m locking myself in! It’s a good thing that I followed the light and that led me to Beepo.” Such good regards are of vital part for new employees and, to some extent, to all of us too—appreciating traces us all back to be thankful of what-has-been in so far and be hopeful of what-would-be soon! So for both new and tenured guys around, carry on to the ride of life at Beepo!

PURPOSE

WORK A

sedentary workplace is fatal evidences are piling up why you should not let your office chair and desk bring you closer to the grave each day. According to the World Health Organization, 3.2 million deaths every year can be rooted from insufficient physical activity, which is one of the leading death factors worldwide. The good news is, there are simple hacks you can do to distract yourself from prolonged sitting at work without neglecting your duties. Start rocking your office now!

Gym Desks Working out for gym rats in the office becomes possible through desks that also function as gym equipment like treadmill desks and under-the-desk pedals. Your productivity is no longer limited to office chores; these devices allow you to truly work out while working. They usually work smoothly and quietly so there’s no need to worry about producing some noises. Negating the harmful effects of sitting all day doesn’t come handier than this!

Walking Meetings Meetings don’t have to be boring, dull and held in a room. With walking meetings, there is a more productive benefit than realising your agenda and targets - improving you and your colleagues’ physical well-being. A Stanford study says walking stimulates creativity and increases creative outputs by an average of 60 percent, not to mention creates a closer bond between workmates. Personally Interact Breakthroughs in technology have made life easier for all, but may not be healthier. People working on computers have higher chances of clicking the chat button than talking to someone seated few steps away from their cubicle. Personally interact with your colleagues by visiting them at their desks―think as if you are in the 80s when the typewriter is still considered modern technology and no device hinders verbal communication yet. So don’t Facetime, it’s time to face them instead!

Office Workout Routines

TEXT BY KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO

Use Your Chair Against Inactivity The chair you’re on matters, as you may also use it to fight your sedentary ways. Have you just completed a very stressful task? Use your swivel chair in the office, to race by yourself on a clear area and go weeeeeeee! Or you may purchase an exercise ball chair - one that promotes good posture causing you to frequently change positions. No matter which chair you use, the purpose of using a variety of them over the traditional one is to keep you moving as you work.

Unlike gym desks, there are also simple routines you can do at work without the need to purchase anything. Every 20 minutes, it helps to move by doing things like: standing to raise your toes for about 20 seconds, stretching your arms sideward and frontward, lifting office stuff like a full water bottle or tumbler (as dumbbells), raising your lower legs interchangeably under your desk for about 15 times, squeezing your closed fist and walking around the office to check on your colleagues. Set up a Reminder Simply setting up a reminder in your computer (because we can’t use phones in the office) to stand up every 20 minutes is a good practice to combat the harmful effects of too much sitting. There are computer programs and mobile applications that reminds you in a trendy fashion. It doesn’t matter which type of reminder you use—as long as it interrupts your sitting.

THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

WORK TEXT BY JERICHO P. GATIP

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

WORK T

he way office romances are judged is that men do it for love and women do it to get ahead, according to a research conducted by Huffington Post.

It has always been a debate among supervisors down to entry-level employees whether or not office romance is maintained to be healthy and professional inside the workplace. Factors involved transgress around professionalism, focus, conflict of interest and worst-- scandal. CareerBuilder.com conducted a recent survey to 8,000 workers and have collated results saying five out of 10 employees dated someone at work; 17 percent of them have done it twice. How ideal it is date someone at work? As conservatists might disagree with this concept con principle, there are few groups who might object and say that this a probable and immediate source for inspiration and glow which may and should lead to innovative ideas and solution. And if this fails? Full reverse effect. Absences, tardiness and cancelled meetings will reflect the time tracks. Misaligned intent will divert the focus that may lead to incompetency, inefficiency and non compliance to duties and responsibilities; where the goal setting will be pretty much affected. Quoting Huffington Post, “there’s a familiarity and commonality, not to mention proximity and convenience. There’s often plenty to talk about. Although the CareerBuilder survey also found that 72 percent of workers who have office relationships don’t try to hide them—compared with 46 percent five years ago—interoffice dating, even among colleagues on equal levels or in different departments, is not without complications or negative reactions. And though both men and women who take part in office relationships are judged, women, it seems, bear that judgment far more.” Also, history proves that office romance has been emerging compared to previously accounted cases. Metrics represent the diminishing variables of office, but not limited to corporate, rules and guidelines regarding these common stories as this is continuously becoming rampant day by day. However in 2009 a published article from Western Journal of Communication reveals that there is a significant number of employees who perceives office romance as a negative indicator. Various discourses have debated the reasons behind every single lovestory grown and developed inside an office set workplace. These lingers between lust, ego, pride and the most common agenda: career growth. Yes, this is an emerging factor why most of the accounted employees participated in the so called office romance. As to men, there is a probability and possibility that love becomes true and it really exists but for woman, I doubt it, and they have proven it. Ceteris paribus, in economics, setting all else equal, career-women usually take advantage of this to get ahead. As to the most parallel factor for men, it would be lust; if not love. WJC also released an analytic report which says women are motivated by job—the prospect of some employment-related advantage—while men by the less professionally threatening love or ego. Going beyond the idea of being involved in a sexist issue, it is becoming a gospel truth that among the partners inside an office romantic relationship the woman takes the situation as a fuel to go beyond her career gameplan; and the man remains to become a willing victim. For what? Repeat after me: All for love. Gents, the next time a lady asks your help for a broken computer plug down her office desk, think twice.

THE BEEP | *reports from Huffington Post and Western Journal of Communication

TEXT BY JOSEFA MARIE D. NAVARRO

hate to break it to you, but you’ve been using your “NagPasko naman e” alibi for too long now. What month are we now? Oh yes, May! Five months after the Christmas season and you haven’t started your diet plan yet, much more renew your gym membership. So stop hiding in your security blanket and work your ass up. Don’t lie to me if you didn’t list “Stay fit” as top priority among your New Year’s resolutions. And after all, summer is here which is definitely a win-win situation if you start soon. Since gym memberships are expensive and you’re prolly still broke from that Christmas shopping galore (where you’ve spent your 13th month pay), I’ve compiled the best free workouts that you can try at home, or even in the office during breaks. Whispers: Just be quiet, okay? What you’ll need: water bottles paper plates milk in a carton sturdy chair

| THE BEEP

Chair Squat

A chair squat is going to work the hamstrings and the glutes, will strengthen your thighs and will help stabilise your muscle from your ankle all the way up to the back. Starting position would be your legs straight up and down, hands crossed shoulder level. Look straight and forward to keep your posture nice and high, creating a natural arch in your back. Bring your glutes down and slowly bend your knees and let your butt touch the tip of the chair and then back up. Repeat a few more times.

Push-Up

Push ups are great because you don’t need any equipment.There’s a couple of different variations of doing a push up. Here are some key tips to look out for so you can do the basic push up most efficiently and effectively. Come down and put your hands above the paper plates placed on the ground, a little bit shoulder width apart. Feet on tiptoe. Slowly go down in a plank position and then push up straight back to your starting position. There should be no curving or any movement in the shoulders. Repeat a few more times.

Reverse Fly

Reverse Flyes are one of the best exercises in your arsenal; you’ve just gotta know how to do it right. A lot of times people work out what they can see, most of the time the front portion–chest, abs and biceps– forgetting the importance of a nice and proper back exercise. The problem is you get to be stronger, but your back is getting weaker. Working on Reverse Flyes will help you get a stronger back and a better posture. Begin this exercise by grabbing your filled water bottles. The trick here is to not grab anything heavy like dumbbells because your body will overcompensate for that weight and you’ll end up engaging other muscle groups in order to finish each repetition. Bend over, just about parallel to the floor and begin the exercise. Act just like you’re hugging a tree and then let go while bring your arms up. You should end up with your arms wide and thumbs facing the floor with each repetition. Overhead Triceps Extension This is a single-joint workout that targets the muscles on the back of your upper arm known as triceps. They help you stabilize your shoulders and support your arms’ flexibility and range of motion, resulting to improve performance in sports like tennis, badminton, swimming and basketball. Sit in your chair, back straight. Grab the carton and bring it up over your head while elbows are still glued to your ears pointing forward, not flared out. That will be your starting and ending position. Bring the carton back down and then back up. Good rep range is anywhere from eight to 12. Like many other female on earth, I tend to waver along with my desire to have a sexy and toned body and my desire to eat all the chocolates in the world. After years of procrastination, I finally accepted that I’m never going to be a gym person. We can all agree that exercising is an exhausting activity, but being smart about how we exercise is the key. Are you ready to burn that muffin top? You’re left with no excuses, so get started! It’s time to get moving, you sexy beast.

PURPOSE

HEALTH 5 Facts What Pulling an

All- Nighter Does To You HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

TEXT BY ARIANE G. MAGANTE

ime check: it’s already 2:38AM and you’re still wide awake but half alive.

Whether you’re an employee beating a project deadline, a student reviewing for final exams, or just taking care of a loved one in the hospital, pulling an all-nighter has already been our best buddy since the Big Bang. But the question is, do you really think it’s smart to stay up at the crack of dawn to get your thing done? Short answer is no – it actually does more harm than good. Let’s tell you why by science-ing the bad effects out of sleep deprivation: It ruins memory retention. This might sound counterproductive for a student who was enthusiastically faced down on the handout from dinner to breakfast, striving to ace that big exam next morning. Why? Because science has it, the lesser sleep you get, the harder it is for your brain to process, store, and retain information. Well that simply means, it doesn’t make you learn more because you keep forgetting the things you fed your brain. It makes you a bad decision-maker. A study from UC Berkeley says that lack of sleep powers off the prefrontal cortex – a fancy word for the small portion of the brain responsible for planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Abruptly disrupting your sleep patterns might jeopardise your thought process. It triggers mood swings. Your boyfriend wonders why you didn’t get angry when he ‘liked’ a girl’s picture on Facebook but totally drove you nuts when he forgot to pour non-fat milk (instead of low-fat) on your coffee. Worst, you just change moods with no apparent reason. Before you suspect bipolar disorder in hindsight, try to hit the bed earlier than the usual. It ages your skin. You may not notice it in the first few days, but pulling an allnighter is in fact making your skin worse – fine lines getting more pronounced, texture becomes rough, and elasticity wears off. When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, your body releases cortisol – the stress hormone. In huge amounts, this hormone breaks down collagen which is the protein that maintains the smoothness and luster of your skin. If cortisol is produced more than the collagen does, it would dull your skin and look like you age more. It doubles the risk of death. It certainly sounds morbid, yes; but it’s the truth. Remember the copywriter Mita Diran? She’s a 24-year old Indonesian national who died after working 30 hours straight. She was deprived of sleep for days, having only a tiny siesta when she got the chance. Here’s my two cents, don’t wait for crickets to echo on the background before giving yourself a well-deserved sleep. OK? The good rule of thumb is: adults must get 7-8 hours of sleep not every morning but every night. EVERY NIGHT. Like E.V.E.R.Y.N.I.G.H.T. This is a cardinal law that’s not meant to be broken. Tip: Right after watching Dolce Amore, go get tam tlip!

| THE BEEP

TEXT BY JOSEFA MARIE D. NAVARRO

here’s nothing like the new year to usher feelings of hope, fresh start and commitment to change for the better. A new year signals a clean slate, like a blank paper ready to be filled out with important notes and silly doodles. And for most of us, it is imperative to want to start the year right with a number of resolutions. Unfortunately now that we’re approaching the mid-year (time flies so fast!), most of these we don’t commit to pursue: Here are seven resolutions that are commonly broken when the going gets tough: 7. I will sleep early or get enough rest. By half of the year, exhaustion creeps up and we are reminded of the many activities that required us to be zombies for them to see the light of day. How many times we’d say to catch up on sleep during the weekends, only to find ourselves drowning in the pool of never-ending work, hobbies, or relationships. 6. I will start dieting. After binging over the holidays, making healthier food choices is a must. However, it’s quite challenging to accomplish especially when you’re living in the Philippines, a country where food is the highlight of every gathering. Besides, holidays never end since we always find reason to celebrate even the most mundane occasions. 5. I will quit smoking. I’ve never had to tell myself this because I’m not as smoker. But a lot of you, my coworkers, do. I guess some of you have resorted to all sorts of things to wane yourselves from the habit, including purchasing those electronic cigarettes. My question is, have you successfully quit? Or bukas na lang? 4. I will exercise. Realising how much food and alcohol we’ve consumed, we usually trick ourselves saying whatever calories we’ve gained, we’ll burn through exercising. But that never really happens, does it? It’s really hard to squeeze in time for sleep much more a workout. But you always have your options (see my other article in this issue). 3. I will get organised. At the start of the year, I have bought planners and stashed away my old ones. My clothes are neatly stacked. My cabinet is organised and I know exactly where to find my things because I sorted them myself. But it doesn’t take very long before everything turns into chaos. If you’re like me, you’ve probably have a stack of receipts in your bag. Or useless purchases last Christmas because you’re just too rich for shopping. One day you find yourself sleeping in your dirty clothes, a specific reminder that you need to do your laundry. 2. I will say goodbye to toxic relationships. It may be a relationship with a lover, a friend, a family member or a colleague that’s just wrong. The person could be a player, a user, abusive or simply a bully. He or she could have halitosis, or be the type who says “stuffs”. You could actually love each other, but bottom line, he or she is just plain trouble. All logic would tell you to stop, but your conscience tells you otherwise. So what do you do? 1. I will save money. Money is always a big source of stress. Keeping yourself from running dry is hard stuff, especially during troubled times. Temptation is also harder to resist with the rise of online shopping. And even when everything seems to be smooth sailing, by payday it just feels so much fun to go all out. THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

Life

TEXT BY DARRELL M. MAGAT PHOTOS BY ELISE V. MAGBAG

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

LIFe

ummer is just around the corner and with over a month to spare, we’ll be sweating yet again in blistering heat and humid air. It’s that time of year when people just can’t get enough of adventure trips, fiesta gatherings, summer parties and the famous fruit shakes. It’s also definitely the season when beaches spell the word paradise for most of us, with local and foreign tourists flocking wherever land meets water just to go swimming, sunbathing, diving or kayaking, to name a few. But whatever your plans for summer are or whether you’re heading out for a summer getaway or not, be sure to pack your summer bags ready for here are the top five must-haves for a surefire perky, trendy and cool summer experience.

Sunglasses. With the Celsius scale skyrocketing during summer, it’s almost hard to strut your way in

broad daylight without any eye cover, be it a piece of paper, a fan or most of the time, your hands and this sometimes causes inconvenience. So to avoid any hassle and to better protect your eyes from the sun, grab your pair of sunglasses and see all the fun with a tinted twist!

Flip-Flops. Perhaps their being lightweight makes these slip-ons the ideal footwear for summer. Not

only are they stylish, they also are comfortable to wear, providing soft and rubbery feel. They’re just perfect for on-the-go gimmicks with friends.

Skin Protection. As much as it’s the best time to soak yourselves up in the beach under the sweltering sun, it’s also the perfect time to lose all that you and your papaya soap have worked on for the most part of the year. Sunscreens, moisturizers and again sunscreens are summer staples you dare not forget.

Summer Prints and Patterns. And who says summer is the absence of rain? Not at all ‘cause

it’s raining florals and prints in this time of year. You’re sure to see patterns of leaves, flowers, stripes, anchors and what not in most summer outfits. Enough of the pattern, summer clothes like board shorts for men or skirts for ladies provide freedom of movement amid the balmy weather as they are usually made of lightweight materials and loose enough so check if these are hung on your closet, as early as now.

Beach or Swimming Pool. Come on. Who would dare miss the water this summer? Whatever it takes, you surely wouldn’t want to let summer pass without feeling that cold blue water damp all your body wet. Summer truly will never be the same without a visit to the beach or a dive in that six-feet pool.

And there goes the list. With all these summer essentials, you’re sure to have a summer oozing with comfort, style and rip roaring fun! So what are you waiting for? Grab your ice-studded cola and shout: It’s summertime! THE BEEP |

TEXT BY HONEY A. RAMIREZ

nce, a Vietnamese co-worker asked if I had been to the 5th floor of our office. I replied that I did — all of that by taking the stairs due to elevator repair! To his shock, he said; “You should’ve taken a lift.” Hearing this made me just think; “Did he just say I should’ve carried myself or at least someone else should’ve done it to me as if I’m disabled?” Sounds dumb of me? Little did I know he was referring to the elevator too, since it had been fixed while I was climbing with all my might. Something like this can be pretty similar to all of us — perplexing situation when we communicate with a fellow who happens to speak the same universal language, the English! With almost 100 countries taking this as their official language, it might still take someone a bit of a detour comprehending or making the conversation a bit smooth when he doesn’t exactly hear what’s being meant or said. For instance, bumping into Australian folks

| THE BEEP

may make someone think they must have swallowed some of the sounds along the way. What ever happened to the ‘good’ in a greeting which sounds ‘g’day’ on them? Or is it just me? A mosquito word gets discounted into mozzie? And mainly for British, ‘r ’sound is missing on words like ‘water’, ‘pepper’, and so on, although we’d be rightly informed they only are silent and are not gone — never was and never will be! Just what was that? Are trousers for pants, cheers for thanks, and tube for subway barely not confusing enough, not withstanding our fellow Asians who speak the language too with some distinct pronunciation and sounds? For Timothy Witucki, Senior Vice President of Beepo who has seen more than the above, the secret lies on being patient in which America, his country of origin, takes it as a virtue.

PURPOSE

LIFE

“For example when I am having a conversation with someone from Australia I might have a problem truly understanding every word that they say to me, because of the strong accent depending on the state where they’re from. Same goes with UK. It might be easier to understand someone from London compared from someone in the countryland in Bournemouth or a seaside community,” said Timothy who still experiences it after so many years talking with all the people he has come in contact with worldwide through the years. “So the bottom line is I try to capture the main point of the discussion that I’m engaged in and apply ‘active listening skills’.” On the other hand, Noreen Cena, an Executive Assistant, takes it quite directly when her clients’ sounds seem too fast to catch— she tells them to slow down. It might seem a bit like a backlash on her part for not being able to get everything on the spot, but she just thought “because it’s not about my image, actually. It’s about fully understanding what we are talking about. Another thing, I don’t want to assume. I really want to be accurate since I want my clients to know that they are being heard well. Besides, they too sometimes ask if their speaking speed is raging.”

spell it ‘s’ instead of ‘z’?) more interconnected. We understand each other more than ever; businesses expands thru it, and even dialogues for peace are done by it. Perhaps the best way to really use this language then amidst differences is, as Timothy puts it “...to give it your best when communicating in English, be yourself in your own true color, be sincere, be kind, treat others as you would like to be treated, and that will go a long way!” So with all the complexities surrounding our international language, we still find a great common ground and purpose in using it, after all! And shouldn’t we all agree? We bet we all should!

Humor or humour, whichever spelling suits, could also be a part when making mistakes along the way. Complicated words such as ‘advise and advice’, ‘affect and effect’, ‘compensate and compromise’, ‘ensure and insure’, or as simple as ‘they and their’ being mistakenly used could bring that inner twinge of laugher or sometimes ‘irate’ feelings from someone being talked to. Indeed, Timothy finds this tense-filled, especially for someone who’s just started speaking the language at work with foreigners. “I have many never ending stories when people say the wrong word or pronunciation in a meeting, or client presentation or over friendly dinner or lunch,” he shared from his experience “but I always try to show respect for this person, maybe they are asking me about living in America, or they were just recently hired as fresh college graduate that is nervous, shy or scared to speak English to me for fear of messing up.” “Yes, some misunderstanding happens along the way due to communication lapses,” added Regienald Fundanera, a Client Experience Team Leader. “But I try to remind my team members to adjust since there are many factors to consider when communicating. An Australian may be feeling good with first-name-basis approach while Americans may want to be addressed formally. Same with the spelling and grammar structures, these too differ across Englishspeaking countries. Do we correct them? Absolutely not! So when I tell my team members to adjust, it includes setting proper expectations for effective communication. It has to be there”. True enough, English has seeped into many diverse cultures around the world. We have made it our own - a way to make this globalized world (or should I even

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY JIM-LEMUEL O. CHAN

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

life

t has been quite a while since I have really enjoyed watching basketball. I vividly remember the days when the Chicago Bulls have reigned supreme in the NBA, then I started to fall in love with the game. The Jordan-Pippen-Rodman trio, as they paraded the court donned in their red, black and white jerseys, literally dominated the game by setting a single season NBA record of 72-10, and ultimately became the NBA Champions that same year. That record stands and is still considered by millions as unbeatable. No other team has ever gone close to tying the record, more so, beating it. There were glimpses of the possibility of surpassing that record as shown by some teams. Like when the Kobe-Shaq duo has led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 67-15 regular season in 2000, or when Dirk Nowitzki almost single-handedly carried the Dallas Mavericks to the same number of win-loss season record in 2006. However, almost a decade later, last year’s Splash Brothers and the Golden State Warriors bragged the same winloss season, and in my opinion, they are the only team that has come close to emitting that spark of greatness that the Jordan-led Bulls had during their prime. Last year, the excitement of the game was brought to new heights as it has evolved to a quicker, faster, and more scoredriven system, as evidenced by the Golden State Warriors’ offense-oriented plays. Watching them play brought back memories of when we have tried to mimic Jordan’s moves in doing fade-away jumpers and hang time reverse lay-ups, with your tongue showing; hoping and wishing the shots would go in. In 2015, I cannot help but be mesmerized by Curry’s sweet shooting as everything he throws from way beyond the arc simply do not miss their mark. Do not get me wrong, I am a diehard Bulls fan, and will always be one. But I just really appreciate what the Splash Brothers, Green, Bogut, Iguodala and the rest of the team have done to the game we all love. To top it all off, all these happened in the same year when King James has returned home, with the promise of carrying the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top. That promise almost came true as the King, with the help of Love and Irving, drove the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. They have gotten really close to claiming the promised land and appeared to be on a roll when they have stolen Game 2, and the homecourt advantage from the Warriors’. Later, they won Game 3 at home, which gave Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the Finals. At that moment, the Cavaliers seemed to have found the key to stopping the Warriors’ offense by adopting a slower pace and a more physical game, and it looked that way until the Warriors

decided to shift gears and chose to take the smaller but faster engine as they revved their way to winning Game 4. They never looked back and eventually became the 2015 NBA Champions. The Comeback, as we now know it, was brought about by the Warriors’ intense desire to play their style of game, to bring back their rhythm, and to not let up when they have found it. In retrospect, I was simply dumbfounded at how Curry weathered the storm brought about by the Cavalier’s defense as they attempted to remove him from the picture while they ventured forward to claiming the crown. Initially, all their efforts gave the impression of placing Curry’s offense on the sidelines, which appeared to have also paved the way for them to secure the top spot. It was working just fine for the Cavs, when suddenly, Curry’s display of his out-of-this-world shooting started to materialise. And I have learned and realised at least three things from having watched Stephen Curry play in last year’s NBA Finals: Sometimes, no matter how good we think we are, at some point, we will all become overwhelmed by whatever it is that life throws at us, much like how the Cavaliers drew their defensive plays around Curry. It is during these trying times when your supporting cast (your family, friends, mentors, teammates, etc.) plays a crucial role. Ask for help and it will come. There will be moments when you will need to ‘step back’, for you to get a better look of your goal, and for you to have a better shot. Keep shooting. If we practiced and worked really hard to be where we are right now in an effort to reach our goal, we just have to continue shooting, believing that our shots will eventually find their mark and would finally start to fall in. In reality, there will always be misses along the way, and you will never know when you get hot and start making those baskets endlessly, but not until you have taken those shots. This kind of resilience demonstrated by Curry and his team has deeply inspired me to continue to become better and to never stop working on my goal. I have shared these as I am certain that these realisations would help other people as well. Then again, all these were taken from last year’s NBA season. Curry and the Golden State Warriors of 2016 have not only continued their run as one of the greatest teams in the NBA, but have proven they are the best when they have beaten the Bulls’ long-standing record, and made history by setting a new mark of 73-9 winloss record in a single season. All these, notwithstanding the fact that they are, yet again, the heavy favorites to be 2016’s NBA Champions as they are the top-seeded team in the Playoffs. THE BEEP |

TEXT BY PAULINE A. MALIJAN

hen driving and stuck in traffic, I have no choice but look around me and observe everything I see—street vendors chasing cars in between stops to sell food, bottled water, rags and even toys. I also notice how traffic enforcers are so exposed to the sun, the pollution and unfortunately rain and floods. It makes me think deeply about the journey that we all take everyday, to make a living and provide for our families. At some point in our lives, we’ve probably had humble beginnings or knew someone that inspired us to work harder, to lead us to where we are today. I interviewed some Beepo employees, and listened to their inspirational stories. I asked this question: What was the most odd, peculiar, unusual or extraordinary job that you had?

“I sold bamboo to help my grandparents. I also worked at an early age to sell cellphones.” -Joy, Admin Staff “I taught little kids how to make art in art workshops during college. It’s not the oddest of jobs, but it was definitely the most fun!” -Gibby, Graphic Designer

“I worked as a Core Fabricator in a foundry - at Holden Engine Operations (in Melbourne). There were a lot of machineries running and so there were a lot of dust and fumes too. At the end of the day, I was all black and dirty that only my eyes were the visible part of my face.” -Naomi, CE Team

“I worked as a Frontdesk Receptionist in one of the hotels in Bicol when I was in college, to support my night outs with friends. I also worked as a sales rep selling stuff from house to house to hit my quotas.” -Sab, Accountant for HVG

“I used to clean tables and cooked palabok at Susie’s Cuisine. It was my first job, after high school when I turned 18. I didn’t go to college right away. Then after college, I worked in call centers... and landed a job in Beepo.” -Alex, Project Coordinator for Techwell and a Customer Service Officer for Formaliti

No one should pursue a job simply for acquiring a title. There is more to that. Most of the time, people go for the one with the thickest paycheck, or just something that puts bread on the table. But how do you create passion for what you do? How do you make your profession meaningful to yourself, to others? Certainly Joy, Gibby, Naomi, Sab and Alex have found the path to fulfilment from the things that they’ve learned from their previous jobs, and made things better for themselves. If you feel you’re not quite where you want to be, don’t have the drive, or feel that you don’t have the skills and experience to get the job that you want, find a way to obtain them. You can do three things: • • •

Accept additional responsibilities, even if it’s not in your job description. These could open new opportunities for you in the future. Get the most from your job. Work with passion. It’s not always about the money. (Look around you, you already work in a great office. Give your best everyday.) Find your sense of purpose and “Love Your Work”. Always see the value in what you do.

We all need to start somewhere.

| THE BEEP

If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well. - Martin Luther King Jr.

TEXT BY MICHELLE G. DE JESUS

“When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when He sends us trouble?” -Job

et me start by sharing with you a verse from the Bible from Job 2:10 which says, “When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when He sends us trouble?” Few years back, I was blessed with a lucrative job that allowed me to put my earnings in an investment, healthcare, life insurances and personal savings. I enjoyed this abundance for a number of years and aside from the self-fulfillment that it brought me career wise, it also gave me the chance to share my financial blessings to my loved ones and to others as well. And this was, for me, the most rewarding fruit of my hard work. After some time, due to some unforeseen turn of events, I had to leave the company for a greater purpose. It was quite difficult to leave because I was getting a good amount of pay. It may not be the most wise thing to do but I believe it was the most loving decision. As a result, I had to cut back on my expenses and I had to always make both ends meet with what I have and with my meager salary.

2:10

In the midst of my challenges, I only had to cling more to God and Job had been a source of inspiration because even in all his sufferings, he said nothing against God. He even spoke in the book, “I was born with nothing so I shall also die with nothing. The Lord has given and the Lordhas taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:22) I then realized that the blessings I received or I am receiving are never a right. I am not always entitled to good treatments, gifts, high paying job, nice car or high tech gadgets. They are but undeserved blessings—true enough to think that when they cease or are taken away from me, I will be reminded that I don’t have any right to complain to God or even blame others. All I need to do is to have an attitude of gratitude whether they remain only for a reason, a season or for a lifetime. No matter how tough and painful life had been and would be, I had and have to learn to let go gracefully of the things not meant for me or to say the least, not meant to stay. And so goes the adage, “enjoy while it lasts.”

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY ANNA DOMINIQUE H. DACILLO

ince we’re usually up to our arms with the countless tasks we need to do each day, we forget that the thing that we need to work on the most is ourselves. One of the very crucial things that we should consciously do at one point in our life is to cultivate a healthy state of mind. It’s not an easy process, especially with the number of responsibilities we have to take care of, coupled with the negative information that we so easily find on the internet and media. We sometimes reach to the point of questioning ourselves about the world we’re living in — which subconsciously affects our mental health. And we only notice that we are losing grip when it’s too late. Sometimes my peers and I began to have this conversation: why is our generation suddenly preoccupied with #hugot posts? Is it just a generational fixation? Why is overthinking suddenly a thing? Don’t we need to take a closer look at our community and also with ourselves? Maybe we are all waving a white flag asking for help. 1. Turnaround Negative Thoughts: Reframe your mind on how it sees your daily challenges. We tend to be so reactive of all the stimuli that surrounds us that we fail to see it for what it really is: a challenge, which needs a solution. 2. Keep A Daily Journal: List three things that you are grateful for everyday. Include the simple things that made you smile. Also, include the things that you had reacted to negatively and list them down in a separate column. Then at the end of the week, thoroughly assess if those are real problems.

| THE BEEP

3. Be gentle with your body, say to yourself everyday: You are all I have. And nothing is stronger than my love for you. Make sure you don’t miss your meal consumption and water intake all throughout the day. Our mental health is also proportional to how we take care of our bodies. By giving your body enough love and support by keeping it in shape and well nourished, your mind will follow suit. 4. Perform a random act of kindness, everyday. 5. Live Big: If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap. If you want happiness for a day—go fishing. If you want happiness for a month—get married. If you want happiness for a year—inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime—help others. -Chinese Proverb The secret is true: You are the energy you attract. What you give off to the the Universe will return to you. Use positive words to describe your life, hang out with people with the same goals as yours. You only have one life. If you live it the best way that you can, then one is definitely enough. Living big doesn’t mean that you have to have a higher salary or a bigger house, it just means that you live an enriching life. Feed your inner life, read the best books, listen to good music. Be happy in your solitude. Stop doing that overtime work, maintain your regular hours. Go home early and eat the best home-cooked food. Challenge: “I will consciously live out the best life for me. I’m not doing this for anyone but I’m going to do this for me.” Duration: 21 Days Reason: It only takes 21 days to make a habit. We can train our body to setting a goal that becomes a habit that eventually becomes who we are. Now let’s put great work in the map again, shall we?

TEXT BY KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO

pur·pose ‘pərpəs/ noun the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

o matter where you are right now, look around: You might have a computer keyboard that enables you to enter letters on the screen; the shoes you are wearing that protects your feet from dirt and harm; your car’s rear view mirror that gives you a back view while keeping your focus on the road; or the stainless Starbucks tumbler that preserves the temperature of your drink for your whole-day routines at work. Purpose. Everything you see, feel, touch are defined by their mere existence. We are humans. More than entities that eat, work and breathe, there is a mission and a reason for all of us. That said, have you identified yours? Whether you know already or not, here are few trends to help you figure it out:

Captive Movie (2015): You Can Be Used by God Regardless Who You Are Captive, a real-life 2015 drama-thriller narrates the struggles of Ashley Smith, a meth-addicted single mother held captive inside her own house by Brian Nichols, an escaped convict who shot dead the judge and policemen in the courthouse, and then ran away from the massive manhunt. For seven hours, Nichols hostaged Smith inside her house at gunpoint. As Ashley started to read aloud Rick Warren’s best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, divine intervention moved mountains as the killer faced his life crossroads and realised that he has a purpose even at the heights of his darkest moment. Cited in the movie is a line from Warren’s book, “the greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose”, which reverberated inside the head of Nichols when the authorities had discovered his whereabouts—eventually causing him to surrender. This life-changing event has touched millions of viewers as the story was also featured in the Oprah Show. In the same show, Warren quoted, “You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. If God only used perfect people, nothing would get done because none of us are perfect.” This relates to Smith, being used by God to deliver the message of hope to Nichols despite her drug addiction. “No matter how bad your problems are, God’s purpose is bigger.”

The Walk (2015): Fuel Your Purpose With Your Dreams What are you willing to risk for your dreams? The Walk is a 2015 biographical-drama about Philippe Petit’s perseverance to wire walk between New York’s Twin Towers. Set in Paris, 1974, Petit is a French street performer who juggles while wire-walking. One day, he found a magazine that printed the image of the Twin Towers. Little did he know that this magazine led him to his new mission: to wire-walk between the 1,350-feet tall Twin Towers. Getting awed by the heights of the towers, he was determined to meet his dream, although it wasn’t all straight path. People, including his family ridiculed his mission but with a steadfast spirit, defends that he is not a clown in the circus but actually an artist. Getting close to his dream, he was supported by his ‘accomplices’ who’d helped him set up ropes. Once they were successful, Petite started his walk while his accomplices cheered and cried in euphoria. When he was able to cross the building the first time, he felt the need to cross back. And then found guards at both end bargaining at him to surrender. To put it in record, he was able to cross the twin towers eight times. Petit’s purpose was driven by his dream, being reminded that the “first step is always the hardest” as he encounters fear at his initial move, but later on disappeared.

Justin Bieber’s ‘Purpose’: Never Too Late to Change The growth of Canadian singer slash songwriter Justin Bieber has just upgraded from physical to spiritual as he launched his fourth album “Purpose” last November 13, 2015. Not only that, his musicality as an artist has changed also from a cutie-patootie teen to maturity to a really grown up man of his 20s. Purpose contains a total of 18 songs which among those that stood out are: “Sorry”, a song about being man enough to admit your mistakes and apologize; “Love Yourself” narrates how a woman used his fame to get to her to her ambitions; and “Purpose” is nearly a worship song as he talks to the Lord, seeks forgiveness and acknowledges that God has given him his greatest blessing: purpose. Other tracks are Mark My Words, I’ll Show You, What Do You Mean?, Company, No Pressure, No Sense, The Feeling, Life Is Worth Living, Where Are Ü Now, Children, Been You, Get Used To It, We Are, Trust, and All In It. The Purpose album generally is themed with repentance, change, growth, and faith in God. This album manifests also Bieber’s change of heart from bad-boy image to a real God belieber. Change is indeed never too late for everybody.

Stephen Curry’s Nuggets of Wisdom: Glorifying God Through Passion From the looks of it, Golden State Warriors Point Guard Stephen Curry is more than an NBA legend. His words of wisdom just makes him a more valued player among those that support him. Curry, as a Christian openly acknowledges that he plays for God. This sense of purpose gives life to what was written in l Corinthians 10:31 about doing things for God, “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Two of his most notable inspirational quotes are: (1) “I do a little sign on the court every time I make a shot or a good pass and I pound my chest and point to the sky—it symbolizes that I have a heart for God. It’s something that my mom and I came up with in college and I do it every time I step on the floor as a reminder of who I’m playing for.”; and (2) “It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you have or don’t have, what you lack or what you have too much of, but all you need to have is faith in God, an undying passion for what you do and what you choose to do in this life, and a relentless drive and the will to do whatever it takes to be successful in whatever you put your mind to.”

| THE BEEP

Colonel Sanders’ Finger Lickin’ Purpose: Ease Others’ Lives Eating in fast food chains is something that appear to be regular to most people. But aside from devouring my favorite chicken treat one day in a Kentucky Fried Chicken store, I was awed by a quote that was printed on the surface of the chicken bucket lid that says: “It makes me feel good that my food has helped make life a little easier for people. - Colonel Sanders”; It was an epiphany for most of us, patrons of such food chain to realise that the food that we enjoy at present was made from pure passion and love. Tracing back to 1930, the roots of KFC was started by Harlan Sanders by selling chicken in his roadside restaurant in Kentucky, during the worldwide economic depression. His chicken, which apparently was loved by all served as a light in a dark season. To date, KFC has almost 19,000 outlets in 118 countries around the world. Purpose, in this sense becomes the joy of making lives easier through talents and passion, which is truly exceptional.

Made By God, For God The utmost reason for mankind’s being is stated nowhere else, than in the Bible. “Every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea, whom I have made.” (1 Peter 4:11 ASV). That said, the ultimate reason for our existence is not a work-earn-pay-die routine; but in fact doing things to honor God regardless of what it is. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Apostle Paul wrote that no matter what we do, all things must be done for God’s glory. Man is created by God to fulfill works for His glory. We can never do much; but it is when we do not own the glory for ourselves on the things that we do—and then giving it only to God, then only shall we fulfill our true purpose. “For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory forever.” (Romans 11:36 ASV)

Small Ants, Big Purpose Did you know that ants play an essential role in pollination, or the production of seeds in some plants species? Without them, there would be a drastic disappearance for some of these. Aside from this, they also help plant roots reach oxygen by digging tunnels in the soil. Man, as a supreme and dominant being on this world may at times perceive ants as small and useless things (and sometimes pesky); eventually ends up wondering why God has to even make them exist. The answer is simple: PURPOSE. Everything in this world has it. Have you yet discovered yours?

THE BEEP |

f you are a TV junkie, you would probably end up bickering with book nerds that claim reading is more productive than watching TV. While reading books is educational, watching TV series can provide an educational value just the same (though probably less with the ‘literacy factor’). Watching these series through the years didn’t only provide a personal entertainment outlet, but opened me to worlds of openness and new ideas and impossibilities that awed my eyes. Even if most TV series are fictional, in most cases they mirror the realities that we are into, or sometimes even the realities that we refuse to face.

GOTHAM (SEPTEMBER 2014-PRESENT)

THE FLASH (OCTOBER 2014-PRESENT)

We grew up watching Batman fight against Joker and the other bat-villains, but like any other heroes, every villain has a story to tell. Gotham is the city where Batman and the villains dwelled, but this TV series is not about Batman. It’s about Jim Gordon, the local police officer who stood with integrity and morality in the midst of a broken and corrupt world. Postscript: So you see, if you consider yourself the protagonist of your life’s TV series, think again. It’s not always about you. Even those that live against your beliefs and ways have their own interesting stories to tell, too.

Most of us knew The Flash as a one of the Justice League members. Playing as the main hero in this series, Barry Allen or The Flash works toward fighting the evil metahumans of the Central City who gained their superpowers after the Particle Accelerator of S.T.A.R. Labs exploded and released a shockwave (same with how The Flash got his). While clashing with the supervillains, he wears a communication device that allows him to talk to his team at the lab that monitors the villain activity and provides scientific support to restrain them. Postscript: Every hero has his allies. Life is not a battle that we should face alone. For every success in life that we celebrate, there are good friends behind us who helped us one way or another. So thank God for them.

BONES (SEPTEMBER 2005-PRESENT)

TEXT BY KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO

The story revolves around Forensic Anthropologist Temperance Brennan and FBI Agent Seeley Booth whose daily work deals with solving crimes through bones and (minimal) human remains. As they are working with a team at the Jeffersonian, concluding with successful results through bones of victims and chasing after the criminals have been a routine for them. Brennan, as one of the bests in her field grew up with a painful past; the reason why she was introduced as cold and distant to people around her. But in the latter seasons, she finally opened up herself with people building close friendships among her team and marrying her partner, Booth. Postscript: People may be cold, sometimes harsh. But believe it or not, their dark past contributes to what we think inappropriate about them. Be compassionate to unkind people, it’s them who need love the | THE BEEP most.

THE WALKING DEAD (OCTOBER 2010-PRESENT) Now on its sixth season, The Walking Dead features Rick Grimes and his squad (they’re A LOT) as they survive the zombie apocalypse. The struggle is not against the walkers alone, but also with fellow human survivors with cruel intentions against them. Through the six seasons, only Rick and a few of his mates remain steadfast and alive in the series. They have met new friends and the next thing were eaten alive by walkers. Postscript: People come and go. Some people remain in our lives for a specific purpose, and some people go because they have their own purpose to fulfill. Learn to let go and accept things when they come against our expectations.

THE BIG BANG THEORY (SEPTEMBER 2007-PRESENT)

GRANDFATHERED (SEPTEMBER 2015-PRESENT)

Featuring a bunch of nerds, this sitcom is about quantum physicists Leonard and Sheldon, friends with Howard, Rajesh, Bernadette, and Amy who are equally weird like them. Silly as it sounds, Penny, a cheeseburger waitress who also appears to be a hottie becomes their friend and eventually falls in love with Leonard and marries him. Together, these friends create imperfect but funny and meaningful memories that brought laughter to fans all over the world. Postscript: It does not matter who you are, what you are, and what you have. There are billions of people in this world, and never lose the hope that there will be a number of them who will appreciate you and love you for who you are.

Jimmy is a 50-year old bachelor who runs his own restaurant, one day discovers he has a 25-year old son, Gerald from one of his previous relationships. But wait, there’s more: Gerald has a 2-year old daughter, Edie. That makes the rich bachelor an instant grandfather. Postscript: Not everything that we see in people is everything that it seems. Sometimes, even people themselves don’t realise yet who they really are.

LUCIFER (JANUARY 2016-PRESENT)

SUPERGIRL (OCTOBER 2015-PRESENT)

Everyone knows Lucifer Morningstar―the fallen angel of heaven. This series humanises Lucifer by making him decide to go on a vacation from hell to Los Angeles. There he meets Los Angeles Police Department Officer Chloe and helped her punish criminals. Some episodes depict Lucifer’s denial with the change he feels within himself, when his ally Mazikeen started to see the change in him—starting to care for humans. Postscript: It can be refreshing to see Lucifer in a human form and more caring, but hey, this character is Satan so don’t get carried away. Looks can be deceiving.

Superman’s biological cousin Supergirl or Kara stars her own superhero series as one of the last surviving Kryptonians. Like Clark Kent, she lives both personal and superhero lives who wants to be identified as Supergirl, and not the cousin of Superman. Postscript: Sometimes people know people because they are connected to someone else. Who wants to be identified because of his connection to another person? Every person has his story, has his own character. Let them build their own.

THE FOLLOWING (JANUARY 2013-MAY 2015)

PRISON BREAK (AUGUST 2005-MAY 2009)

The entire The Following series revolved around the manhunt of FBI Agent Ryan Hardy for serial killer and cult leader Joe Carroll who’ve been involved in series of murders after escaping prison. Through the seasons, Carroll has gathered a significant number of followers who’ve proven that they are dedicated to commit murders for his revenge against Hardy, who initially brought him to prison before breaking out. Postscript: Birds of the same feather flock together. Sincerely choose the people that you would like to be friends with. It’s either be the light in their darkness, or walk away and find those who bring no evil.

Desperate to prove his brother’s innocence, Michael Scofield robs the bank to get incarcerated to the Fox River State Penitentiary where Lincoln, his brother was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. As one with the brilliant minds, Michael plots a detailed plan to escape his brother out of the prison. But even if he was successful, the perils did not end there. There were series of police manhunts; and through the seasons, these brothers just really nail heart-pounding stunts and thrilling dramas in the course of their escapes. Postscript: Although it was revealed that they were not brothers by blood, Michael and Lincoln have proven that love and genuine concern for one’s brother has no requisite for biological connections.

THE BEEP |

“

I am tough when the case warrants it. But I don’t shout. I mean, respect begets respect. I am adamant of integrity, and as long as we don’t make a mistake that will put it in bad light, we are fine.

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

people TEXT BY HONEY A. RAMIREZ PHOTO BY AKEEMSON F. GONZALES

BRINGING ON THE TORCH A MOMENT WITH OUR NEW HR MANAGER A

few clicks on our email history and you might exclaim: “So that’s him sending gentle reminders!” Well, perhaps it’s about time for us to know our new Human Resources manager. And yes, there’s certainly more to life than clicking those emails he sends every now and then. But, who is he again? A psychology graduate with 10 years of experience in the field, Jim Chan is absolutely not a stranger to sometimes sporadic demands in HR field, especially in BPOs. Take for instance our very own Beepo, composing of professionals who often express their minds frankly, in which, an HR manager could just easily swing from being the well-admired in town to perhaps the brunt of everyone’s ire. “I think HR is dynamic. There’s no such standard approach in dealing with everything. I tend to take time and absorb first, making sure my actions are time well-spent,” he says with composure, “and the key for all of us is to show respect. It is the foundation of our responsibility and roles.” he adds. Seemingly like approachable, Jim wants to be an inspiration in touching people’s lives given his position. To his credit, the recent photo booth culminating the so-called ‘love’ month of February has been a craze for almost everyone, letting their creative spirits high and costumes all on! Ever walked into the office with bars of chocolate being handed out to you while greetings of ‘happy Friday’ abound? We might deny ever wishing of getting the guessing coin right, but alas, we did for luck’s sake while keeping our fingers crossed! And yes, thanks to Jim and the ingenuity of his HR gang, it sold like hot cakes to most employees around - breaking the monotony in the office at least. But the HR department, in all honesty, is not all fluffy and smooth, and pleasing all employees is like punching the moon. So when the going gets tough, how would the new HR manager, Jim, fair? “I am tough when the case warrants it. But I don’t shout. I mean, respect begets respect. I am adamant of integrity, and as long as we don’t make a mistake that will put it in bad light, we are fine,” he explains. His predecessor, Jean Capidos, on the other hand, was able to increase the Service Incentive Leaves (SILs) from six to 12, push for the Quarterly Employee Award Program, and improve Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) benefits - to name a few

and advised him to be sincere and never forget to separate his professional and personal lives. In the context of comparison, does this entire thing ring a bell on him- say for instance, boiling pressure to fill up her shoes, to be at least on par or better yet surpass her achievements, or to seize better visions or plans for the entire Beepo family? “We sort of clicked when she was still guiding me, actually,” he shares, “I find her to be a motherly type of individual and, no doubt, a premier HR practitioner. Yes, there’s pressure, admittedly. But we need to continue the good things she started and what we could do more.” In most BPO companies, employees mostly live around the walls of their cubicles and are fixated on their computer screens and managing calls or composing emails. An HR manager and his function could be just seen as another impersonal world mainly focused on reminding them of the details in employment–salary, taxes, hiring, terminations, promotions, and the likes. So although he drives a red car and sports a rather almost bald hair to save time from hair fixes and be more efficient, being felt by the employees is something Jim sees and is eager of. “To be specific, I’d like to drive more participation on their (employees’) end. For instance, we intend to have the event committees where planning or logistics will be participated to employees. Engagement is not only the responsibility of the HR, but it should be of them as well.” There’s certainly no silver bullet to anything as they say, including achievements. There should be hard work, determination, and a whole lot of passion, no matter how cliché these things have been said time and again. But time, yes, we all go through our moment and our time. So let’s welcome someone as time permits, changes as time allows, and people like Jim Chan as time, his time, suggests. Respect begets respect as the saying goes and we’ll never know we could be caught in a pouring rain one day while heading to our offices and he too could give us a ride, at least if the price is right? “No!” saying in jest and flaunting a smile, “I’ll give any Beepo employee a free ride of course.” he ends.

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY PAULINE A. MALIJAN PHOTOS BY ALBERT EVANGELISTA

ourteenth of December 2015 was a fabulous evening with a lot of eye candies. Beepo employees dressed up elegantly moving away from the usual jeans and t-shirt showing their inner fashionistas during our Red Carpet Christmas Party. Aside from the finalists: Myron Fernando, Warren Mindanao, Don Yambao, Keempee Tolentino, Nica Gopez, Amber Sy, Crystel Carreon and Rica Ocampo, here’s a list of our other favorites who NAILED IT Despite the fact that everyone had such a limited time that day to get ready, they still came out looking fabulous. I asked them, what made you get up and go?

The Ladies of HR: Jean Capidos (former Senior HR Manager) Christine Manaloto: “We only have rare chance of really getting dolled up, so might as well give all your best to look beautiful. :)” Julie David: “My get up on the event was all my friends’ idea. (from recruitment team) Thanks to their great fashion sense that made me fab”.

Rinna Dizon, Recruitment & Kamilla Reyes, MEC Mining

| THE BEEP

Kaye: “‘Coz I know it will be fun to attend the party with friends, all glammed up.” Rinna: “I just made my look simple as I want to be comfortable as well. I also did some research on what hairstyle would I want, so I just showed the stylist. Also something that can compliment my dress.”

& Company Katleya Datu

k on rience, to wal eat new expe gr a s It’ :” ya Katle with friends.” the red carpet

Evanika Makabali, HVG Van: “#iwokeuplikethis”

Hainah Garcia, Junk2Go

Melodee Galman, Project Team Dada: “It was really exciting for me to fix myself up especially I don’t do that quite often. With the limited time we have, I just kept it simple and let my confidence do its job.”

Hainz: ”It’s not every day that we get to mingle with the whole Beepo staff and at the same time dress up due to our busy schedules, so my excitement gave me the energy to glam up and hopefully gain a new friend, or two, during the event.”

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY JERICHO P. GATIP

AIMEE ENGELMANN Most Played Track: Adventure of a Lifetime by Coldplay (This is my theme song of 2016) Most Favourite Artist: Rudimental (At the moment... it changes all the time) Most Played Album: Current by Tame Impala

MARK ENGELMANN Most Played Track: Ocean Drive, Duke Dumont Most Favourite Artist: Boy & Bear Most Played Album: Down to Earth, Flight Facilities

GIZEL SALABAO Most Played Track: The Beginning by One OK Rock Most Favourite Artist: Fall Out Boy, 東方神起, JYJ, One OK Rock, Halsey Most Played Album: Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy /

MITCH PUNZALAN Most Played Track: Locked Away Most Favourite Artist: Brian McKnight / Maroon 5 (Adam) / Michael Buble Most Played Album: Superhero

TIMOTHY WITUCKI

Most Favourite Artist: U2, DJ Tiesto, Coldplay, Tupac, Biggie

| THE BEEP

On-Repeat Track: The Less I Know The Better - Tame Impala Shuffle Playlist: 1. Holdin On - Flume 2. Ocean Drive - Duke Durmont 3. Valerie - Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse 4. Not Giving In - Rudimental 5. Higher - Hilltop Hodds

6. Can’t Feel my Face - The Weekend 7. Are you With Me - Lost Frequencies 8. Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (I also love Downtown by these guys) 9. One More Time - Daft Punk 10. Jimmy Recard - Drapht

On-Repeat Track: Ocean Drive, Duke Dumont Shuffle Playlist: 1. Sun Models, Odesza 2. Peanut Butter Jelly, Galantis 3. Ocean Drive, Duke Dumont 4. I Got U, Duke Dumont

5. Jubel, Klingade 6. Get Lucky, Daft Punk 7. Lose Yourself to Dance, Daft Punk 8. Ride the Storm, Carl Kennedy 9. Sugar, Robin Schulz 10. This is Your Life, Robin Schulz

Badlands by Halsey On-Repeat Track: Hallelujah by Panic at the Disco Shuffle Playlist: 1. Girls like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko 2. Love is War by Hatsune Miku 3. Wherever you are by One OK Rock 4. 비가 오는 날엔 by Beast

5. Ghost by Halsey 6. Irresistible by Fall Out Boy feat. Demi Lovato 7. 紅蓮の弓矢 by Linked Horizon 8. Disenchated by My Chemical Romance 9. The Hero by JAM Project 10. Love in the Ice by 東方神起

On-Repeat Track: Biggest Part of Me Shuffle Playlist: 1. Biggest Part of Me 2. Locked Away 3. Everything 4. Better Together 5. Stitches and Burns

6. Win 7. See you again 8. True 9. Tin Man 10. Lucky

PURPOSE

travel

TEXT BY PATRICK LOUIE J. PILAPIL PHOTOS BY KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO

here do broken hearts go? If you’ve seen the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana”, then we’d probably share the same thoughts. Regardless of your relationship status, after seeing the movie, you’d have this urge to leave the hustle and bustle life. Go to that remote tranquil town up north, surrounded by wondrous caves and cliffs - that place where you can shout and cry at the top of your lungs. That ruggedly enchanting place called Sagada.

THE BEEP |

The Inspiration Since That Thing Called Tadhana became a hit, a part of me has been yearning to go to Sagada and try the same beautiful destination as the characters of Mace and Anthony (played by actors Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman) have experienced, or at least show off and tell my friends that I have been there. Fortunately for me, I found friends who share the same desire as I do. Unfortunately for us, a big bulk of the Filipino population does as well. The Trip Be warned that going to Sagada is heck of a challenge. Our entire trip took around 15 hours of twisty and often bumpy, long ride on mountain passes. Our travel package includes stop overs in Nueva Vizcaya, Banaue and Bontoc, but nothing is to really be expected from trip except a close encounter with what remains of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Also, with the great number of tourists going to Sagada nowadays, expect traffic along the road. Our pick-up point was SM Pampanga; our transport service came around 10pm and we reached Sagada around 1pm the following day.

Our stay The package costed us nearly P3,000 that already included a travel itinerary for three days and lodging. For most travelers, this is enough time to see all of the attractions. But because of the inexpensive cost of living, travelers can stay for as long as one week or sometimes even longer. P500 is more than enough to suffice your daily meal budget. Also, be advised that Sagada is a cash only town. As far as I know, establishments still do not accept credit cards and only one ATM is available around town so make sure to bring sufficient cash to fund your stay.

Travel destinations Ohh, the travel itinerary. How fun is it to have one. No more hassle of thinking what travel destination is to visit next and what time to go. Unfortunately ours was just busted. Our driver decided to play a role-playing game, with him playing the role of Kuya from the famous reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother and us, the tourists playing the role of housemates. He had sent us text messages every now and then for us to know where he plans to go next. Here are some of the best destinations around that we visited: The Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley One of the most popular attractions in Sagada are the hanging coffins. It was really awesome seeing these ancient burials up close, especially the ones perched high up on the side of the rock. The starting point of the trek is at the St. Mary’s Church. You would have to walk past the cemetery and make

| THE BEEP

your way down into the valley. From the top, was a relatively easy 15-minute hike to the coffins. The package already include a tour guide for the safety of the guests. Note: In such a case that your tour guide offers you a reservation with the hanging coffins, please, just say no! Or else you’ll end up screaming “Guys, bakit nyo ko binubuhat?!” (Guys, why are you carrying me?!) The Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint Kiltepan Viewpoint is a terrific way to start your day in Sagada. The highest point in the area, it’s known for its breathtaking views of the sun rising from behind the Cordillera mountains over an ocean of clouds. It was made famous by the scene from the aforementioned movie where character Mace cried her heart out above the clouds. Unfortunately, it became too famous and mainstream that the spot has been flooded with tourists lately and

unfortunately for us, we weren’t able to experience the same scene especially with all this tourists waiting for the sunrise, side by side with us. You need an actual figure? Around 300 tourists is a safe bet. Note: If your package includes a jeepney ride to Kiltepan, try the topload, or riding the roof of the jeepney. It’s gonna be surreal. The Trek to Lake Danum About an hour’s trek each way, the lake itself is nothing to marvel really. But the walk there is beautiful and very relaxing. You can also try visiting Bomodok Waterfalls, also known locally as the “Big Falls”. Another Viable option is to go Orange Picking at Rock Inn. And for the brave souls, you can also go Spelunking in Sumaguing Cave, which is far and away the most frequented destination in Sagada for the adventure junkies.

Where to eat With Sagada being so remote, supplies are very limited. Pretty much all restaurants offer the same menu so don’t expect too much variety, or ask for seafood. Good news is, food is cheap and decent, and often served in big portions to satisfy hungry tourists. Expect to spend around 200 to 300 per meal with drinks. Sagada Brew One of Sagada’s newest and most modern-looking restaurants, Sagada Brew serves one of the best, if not the best coffee and desserts in town. Owned by a fellow Kapampangan, the place also offers a bigger variety of savory items on their menu like a variety of Kapampangan-style -silogs. Note: You can converse with their service crew in Kapampangan, as majority if not all are Kabalens. Yoghurt House One of the older cafes in Sagada, it’s one of the better restaurants in terms of interior design complete with a second floor and balcony seating. Be sure to get one of their yogurt lassis. They’re really good. Note: Try ‘em after trekking, not the other way around. Trust me, I’ve been there. Salt & Pepper Diner The actual restaurant is located on the second floor of a business complex so it is a little hard to spot so watch out for the sign below. One of best goto places in Sagada if you’re looking for a festive restaurant environment. Sagada Lemon Pie House The Lemon Pie House is best known for basically one thing and that is, well, the lemon pie of course. In fairness, they offer a few savory dishes as well but people really come here for their zesty and refreshing lemon pies - Sagada’s best delicacy. Note: Lemon Pies are one of the best pasalubongs from Sagada as they can last up to four days without refrigeration. For a complete travel experience, try Sagada’s two main local dishes, the Pinikpikan and the Etag - often served fried (Try not researching them in Google).

In reality, Sagada’s current image as being the nation’s hugot capital and a destination for lonely hearts and soul-searching wanderers is somehow starting to be illusory. You might just find yourself getting disappointed. But if you just consider it as another travel destination to cross-out off your bucket list, regardless of your relationship status, you might find a new hidden getaway place overachieving your expectations.

THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

travel

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ELISE V. MAGBAG

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

TRAVEL I

f you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city or your wanderlust is bugging, take that as a valid excuse to take a break and go on a vacation.

Patar Beach, Bolinao It seems that nature painted a thousand colors in one picture and named it Bolinao, Pangasinan. White sand, rock formations, mystical caves, pristine beaches, and a glorious sunset are what Bolinao offers. Budget: Php1,500 - Php 2,000 How to get there: By private car:4-5 hour trip from Pampanga By commute: Victory Liner and Five Star bus liners offer trips from Manila to either Bolinao or Alaminos. Fare: Php 330 for Ordinary Buses and Php 400 for Air-Conditioned Buses What to do: • Chase Waterfalls. There are three falls in Patar, namely Bolinao Falls 1, 2, and 3. Why complicate things? You need to trek for 30 minutes passing terrains and rivers to reach the last falls, but every sweat and blood is worth it. If you enjoy the adrenaline rush, try jumping off the 20 meters cliff. After all, we only regret the things we didn’t do. Go ahead and chase waterfalls, sunsets, or exboyfriends. • Drop by the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. This lighthouse is proudly standing for over a hundred years now atop the Punta Piedra Point, and as the second highest lighthouse in the Philippines. Don’t miss the chance of having the #BestSelfieEver with the lighthouse as your background #lightWillGuideYouHome. • Be captivated by the Enchanted Cave. It is literally enchanting. Its clear emerald water and mysterious stalactites formation can take your breath away, but willingly. • Take a selfie with the Rock Formations. Being in the coastal side of the Philippines, Bolinao is blessed with many seaside natural wonders. Numbers of beautifully crafted unique rock formations are scattered along the stretch of the seashore. Just be careful with the waves at this part of the beach because it can get nasty sometimes. • Fall in love with Patar White Sand Beach.

There is a beautiful love story between the creamy white sand and the pristine clear waves of Patar. It is as if the waves are kissing the shore goodbye but it kept on coming back. All the while, the sand is waiting willingly to embrace the waves again even for a short while. #MayForeverSaPatar 2. San Juan, La Union San Juan, La Union is known to be the Surfing Capital of Luzon, a haven for the surfer stars. Budget: Php 2,000 - Php 2,500 How to get there: By private car: 6-7 hour trip from Pampanga. By commute, Victory Liner and Five Star bus liners offer trips from Manila to either Laoag or Paoay. Fare: Php 280 for Ordinary Buses and Php 320 for AirConditioned Buses. What to do: • Surf at Suan Juan Surf Resort. Of course, what else to do but flaunt your surfing skills. It’s not complicated as it seems, if you aced your Calculus and Physics you may also do a good job with the surfing board. Surfing fee is Php 400 with a board and a hunk instructor. • Chase more Waterfalls. There are two waterfalls where you can try cliff diving. As the youth always say You Only Live Once, so might as well do it. But for those who are afraid of falling, you just enjoy the 45-minute trek and sightseeing. • Chill at The Circle Hostel. This is a haven for the gypsies and the hipsters. No rooms, no air conditioners, just hammocks and bunk beds. The hostel is simple, cozy, and affordable. There is a common area where guests can stay and meet other travelers. A lot of Instagrammable walls too. 3. Baguio City Where do broken hearts go, asks, Tita Whitney. Just like for Mace of the movie That Thing Called Tadhana, you may also mend your broken heart and find your own Anthony in Baguio. Maybe it is

the cold breeze of air or the 4-5 hour travel that fix the broken hearts, but whatever it is, Baguio has become a must-go place for all the hearts that got broken (or unbroken). Budget: Php 1,500 - Php 2,500 How to get there: Ride a bus or van routing to Baguio. Travel time is 4-5 hours. What to do: • If you are a bookworm, dig into the Mt. Cloud Bookshop and find great treasures from philosophy to literary to scholastic books. Tag along a friend cause you might meet Manong Karl Marx, Tita J.K Rowling, Mareng Anne Rice, or the handsome Manix Abrera there. • Go back in time at Casa Vallejo. This is a home for spanish officials during the colonial era, turned to be a hotel and restaurant, a little bit creepy because of its age. Nevertheless, the place and the food are equally magnificent. Hmm! • Be amazed by the beautiful chaos of Ili-likha. This now becoming popular to travellers hungry for good food and good art. The place is basically an art itself. I can’t think of anything artsier than indian sitting in a tree house fully vandalized with doodles while eating fried salad. • When in Baguio, eat Ketchup’s Ribs at Canto. Do not go down the mountain without devouring this meat. I repeat, do not go down the mountain without devouring this meat. • Everything is beautiful in the Cafe by the Ruins. Even before Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman had a stopover here on their journey to Forever, this cafe is already on top of my list. There is indeed forever in Sinigang at Batirol, even if that didn’t sound so good. • Visit Tito BenCab! It is owned and run by none other than The Benedicto Cabrera himself. Hailed as a Master of Contemporary Philippine Art, a National Artist, conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in Malacañang Palace. Need I say more? If you love paintings, museums, and coffee, this place is a must. Quick fun fact: Paul McCartney owns a BenCab painting! *heart pounding*

THE BEEP |

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GIZEL M. SALABAO

he McDonald’s at Macau serves Nai Cha, while the one at Hong Kong offers hash browns as a side rather than fries. Hong Kong’s also has the Sweet Corn Pie that made my sister salivate, but we ended up ignoring that when we saw boxes of Matcha-flavoured Pocky on sale at the grocery store next door. During our first night in Hong Kong, we had dinner at one of the noodle stands near the Temple Street night market. My mother couldn’t finish her bowl; she simply watched me and my sister while we ate. The little old Chinese lady who owned the shop spoke no word of English and it took minutes for her and mom to understand each other about ‘take-out’. She held a Styrofoam cup in front of us and raised her right index finger up while saying things in Cantonese, as if hoping it would mean something to us somehow. A dollar for a cup, mom understood. She nodded, smiled and continued watching us as we ate. The two of you would be at home here, she said as the kind lady scurried away to the kitchen. My sister and I didn’t disagree. We considered noodles of any form, be it ramyeon, ramen, bihon, and even the cheap instant ones, as our staple food instead of rice. Mom wasn’t that interested in the food, anyway. She wanted to check out of the night market. And so we went there as soon as the little old lady went back with our noodles-to-go.

40 |

THE BEEP

PURPOSE

travel The Hong Kong night was calm and cool when we finished roaming around the night market. We’re supposed to be heading to the station to catch a train back to our guest house. At least that was the plan. I took out my phone from my pocket and opened Google Maps, thanking Hong Kong’s fast data connection and feeling a pinch in my heart due to the fact that this is hard to come by back home. Yau Ma Tei station looked near enough and it was easier to get to if we’re back on Nathan Road. The only thing separating us from Nathan Road is a maze of streets, which appeared oddly different on a virtual map versus in real life. My phone’s battery wasn’t on our side either; and neither my mom nor my sister used any kind of map application. My mom’s heels clicked and clacked behind us. She suggested earlier to ask someone, anyone for directions. But seeing this as the part of the city where there were less people who knew how to speak English, she didn’t push any further. I wouldn’t attempt to, anyway. My Chinese language skills are composed of 90% Mandarin pop culture references, 10% random Mandarin phrases found online and 0% Cantonese. If I were to approach someone and ask for directions, I might just end up awkwardly spewing out random Chinese celebrity names. Ni hao. Do you like Jolin Tsai? How about Fan Bing Bing? I’m a fan of Fei Lun Hai and Song Qian. Wo bu ming bai. Xie xie. We walked for an hour or so, taking elevators to cross roads and circling around the streets, only to consult Google Maps every 20 minutes. Mom muttered about how we’re better lost here than in Metro Manila. I silently agreed and disagreed, remembering how I found myself lost in the rowdy streets of Pasig in the middle of the night all by myself. Manila’s streets might be scarier. But, aside from the strangely comforting aroma of Chinese herbs and medicines, the streets of Hong Kong that are far off tourists’ paths look and feel the same as those back home. When we finally reached Pitt Street, my sister and I sighed in relief. It’s only a straight walk towards Nathan Road and only a few meters turn towards Yau Ma Tei station. We passed by dozens of wet market stalls, all of which have unnaturally large vegetables. People talked loudly despite the hour and it was hard to tell whether they’re talking in Mandarin or Cantonese. We got back to our guest house at Prince Edward just an hour or two before midnight. The days that followed were filled with the usual Tourist-y things you’d do when you’re travelling abroad. Going to the usual tourist spots like Disneyland or any commercially renowned place that’s been featured on almost every media there is, taking selfies in front of scenic views, getting someone to give you a step-by-step tour of the city (which we had, all for free when we were in Macau for a day) – those kinds of activities. But that’s when I realised that these usual Tourist-y things don’t exactly make up for a really good cultural experience that’s worth remembering. THE BEEP |

PURPOSE

travel

TEXT BY JOSEFA MARIE D. NAVARRO PHOTOS BY KAMILLA S. REYES

| THE BEEP

t’s that time of the year again when we are torn between wanting to hit the beach and staying inside the house because of the scorching heat. This summer, our weekends are mainly comprised of lying in the sofa and eating ice cream, with the air conditioning unit running 24/7. We do not dare to go outside and when we do, we basically head to the mall for cool air. In the meantime, Team Gie had another thing in mind. Last April 16, we decided to hold our first ever team building and travelled South, to Morong in Bataan, amidst the scorching heat and zig-zagged mountain roads. We dubbed it as “Road To Awesomeness: Team Gie’s First Team Building”, ‘cos why not? Each and every one of us in Gie’s team believes that to be able to deliver our best is to also be able to take a break‒to sit back, exchange ideas with colleagues, play games and just enjoy ourselves. And what better way to learn (while relaxing) is to have a team building? The team building consisted of eating (a lot) and participating in the various games. We had five games, each of which had a goal to inspire, to build friendships and to tell lessons afterwards. One game (‘A Road To Forever’) particularly tested our ability to adjust and make things happen with scarce resources. The goal was to reach the finish line just by stepping foot on the carton. Anyone who touched the sand would automatically repeat from the starting line. Just like in our jobs, we need to adapt to the requirements of our clients and to the changing trends so as not to be left out. There was also a game (‘Tell Me Where To Go’) that required us to have good hearing. The player was blindfolded while someone stated directions on where to go without tipping over the plastic cups laid on the sand. Communication should be two-way (1) to listen and (2) to give feedback by asking questions like “Am I stepping on the right spot?” This is a common mistake among us employees. We hear but we don’t listen. We nod but are too shy to ask questions. Let us always remember to practice this situation, after all, clients love employees who are proactive. You see, amongst Beepo’s strengths is its people. The company boasts of its highly professional and effective staff who are always willing to deliver beyond clients’ expectations. To be able to do this, we should find a way to maintain that fire within… that is to keep going. The everyday work life of others is based on rules, procedures and instructions. Ours is based on trust, cooperation and support. We are not just a team, but we’re family! Kudos to all the people who made this team building a success! Road To Awesomeness: A road to forever T ell me where to go E verything you ask, I answer yes or no A call from the client M afia #ATEAM #TeamGieTeamBuilding THE BEEP |

TEXT BY JERICHO P. GATIP

lanning and execution were never subjects and verbs that will always agree. Traffic, budget and travel-packing dilemmas would commonly block your way through the doors of your abode. Then comes the repeat-after-me mantra of all time — “I’ll pass, first. Maybe next time.” But here comes the sun to your endless storms: you can continue your plans without the hesitation of saying “I’m good to go. Ready?!” But, are we literally speaking of the word “go” in the complete syntax of “good to go” in the revised mantra? Staycation is the revolutionary way of spending your trip while staying in your place. Just do some cleaning— well made bed is a requirement, pick some food either in groceries or 7eleven, get good movies and you are good to go—or good to stay— to correct the linguistics. Or better yet, upgrade your staycation with the help of these sites that will add an extra mile with your orgasmic desire to stay at home while enjoying the day.

Travelbook.ph

TravelBook.ph is an online hotel booking service dedicated to offering great value hotel booking for every Juan. They offer a varied selection of Philippine hotels and resorts in Baguio, Batangas, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Laguna, Metro Manila, Palawan, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Zambales, and more. As TravelBook.ph gains ground, they will be venturing into providing reservations for other destinations in the Philippines.

| THE BEEP

Airbnb.com

Airbnb began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travelers looking for a place to stay. Now, millions of hosts and travelers choose to create a free Airbnb account so they can list their space and book unique accommodations anywhere in the world.

Agoda.com

Agoda (www.agoda.com) is one of the fastest-growing online hotel platforms worldwide, listing hundreds of thousands of hotels and providing services in 38 different languages. Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., the company behind Agoda.com, was established in 2005 by two veterans of the online travel business and in 2007 was acquired by Priceline Group, the largest seller of rooms online. Priceline Group is publicly traded on NASDAQ (Nasdaq: PCLN) and is a part of the S&P 500. Agoda.com employs more than 2,000 travel professionals, representing more than 20 countries. There are major operations in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Budapest, with an additional presence in major cities across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Dedicated market managers maintain close relationships with Agoda.com hotel partners around the globe, creating special promotions and marketing programs to help Agoda.com offer some of the best deals on the Internet. This competitive edge is backed up by a bestprice guarantee.

TEXT BY DARRELL M. MAGAT

ho says only students or workers run late? Well it’s high time you know that even the calendar, yes, the very piece of paper we ink our appointments on, runs late… sometimes. Hence, we have leap years. 2016 is a leap year, which means that some four million buddies around the world born on February 29 are set to celebrate their literally long-awaited birthdays – real birthday at that! Sounds fun? It surely does but have you ever wondered why it takes about four years before we get to add February 29 on our precious calendar or why do we even need to have leap years at all?

This first calendar maneuver was found to be effective but not until the 16th century. The year 1582 saw the calendar drifted off by 11 days. Why? The continued addition of the leap day every four years at that time caused the average year length to be 365.25 and this was about 11 minutes longer than the actual solar year which is estimated to just be 365.242216 or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. The 11-minute surplus caused a day of discrepancy every 128 years so by the 16th century, the calendar stepped out by almost two weeks.

The answer? So we won’t celebrate Christmas in July. In other words, we need leap years so we can synchronise our calendar with the length of time it takes Earth to orbit the sun, known as solar year. The position of the Earth around its orbit actually determines the type of season and the month we should have here on Earth.

To compensate for the time corrupted, Pope Gregory XIII moved the calendar by 11 days. The result? People went to sleep on March 11, 1582 and woke up next day, March 22. Isn’t that mind-blowing? The pope also polished the rule for leaping year. The new rule stated that any year divisible by four would be a leap year and that century years couldn’t be leap years unless exactly divisible by 400. And this is the rule we follow today, though it’s not yet really perfect. Yes, our calendar still has few seconds of discrepancy in relation to the solar year but that’s okay, 365.242216 is such a hard number to synch the calendar with, as they say. With the Gregorian rule, the calendar will drift by a day every 3000 years, not every 128 years, so we still have a lot of time to do the math on how we can perfectly sync our calendar with the solar year.

There have been many civilisations who tried to mend this astronomical lapse but it was around 45 B.C. when the idea of revamping the calendar really pulled off. Julius Caesar, hailed as the Father of Leap Year, has noticed that festivals, harvest time and cultural occasions slipped out of sync with the seasons that they were projected to fall. To realign these events back to their expected calendar season, Caesar, with the help of his astronomer, Sosigenes, revamped the then 355-day Roman Calendar. Sosigenes measured the time it takes Earth to orbit the sun and came up with the Julian Calendar, one that had 365 days, adding an extra-day every four years to it.

So that’s how Leap Year has started. Wew, that was complicated. Even then, what matters now is that we have an extra day this year to enjoy, so let’s seize it. Oh let’s not forget to greet our leaplings ‘Happy Birthday’ as well. Cheers! THE BEEP |

TEXT BY KEEMPEE Q. TOLENTINO

alking towards my colleague to his seat, I was contemplating about client tasks, which apparently caused my cluelessness to what was about to happen. I touched his shoulder with my index finger andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ZZZAAP! My contemplating mind got blown by a shock that none of us has expected. One second, I was thinking like an ordinary office guy, then the next thing I was led to this impression that I could have been the real life The Flash. Whether I was amazed or astounded, it does not matter. This electrifying experience did not end there; in fact, it has just started. The occurrences mostly took place whenever I touched door knobs, the metal part of our desks, chairs, or just anything metal. What happened to me is known as static shock. This occurrence happens when electric charges redistribute between two materials by getting in contact with another. All materials have negative electrical charge or electrons and positive electrical charge or protons. The electricity that we feel whenever we touch something or someone occurs because of the build up and transfer of charges.

This consists of molecules woven into the fabrics to make them last longer. They come with atoms that share electrons with the other atoms to produce this durable quality. Examples of synthetic fibers are polyester, acrylic, nylon, and spandex. On the other hand, natural fibers, like cotton, linen, silk, and wool are less prone to static shocks because when the working condition is warmer and humid, they absorb and retain greater amount of moisture to the body.

While static shocks are harmless, they can be irritating and most of the time, painful. Some people maybe more prone to static shocks than other, depending on the body type, outfit, shoes, and the things that people wear. Here are four things we can do to prevent ourselves from getting this shock:

4. Touch a non-conductor thing first. If you have been somewhat traumatized by a previously unexpected encounter with static shocks, you can try this simple hack. Grounding, or touching a non-conductor item like wood prior to touching metal reduces the risk for getting shocks as charges are drained off to the other item. So next time you visit the restroom, make sure to touch the wooden door first before touching the doorknob.

1. Wear clothes with natural fibers. Synthetic fibers produce more static charge than clothes made with natural fibers, because of the chemical that is used to produce them.

| THE BEEP

2. Choose leather-sole shoes than rubbers. As we walk on the office carpet, static charges buildup in our shoe soles as scraping them on fabric surfaces generate electric shock, especially if the floor is made up of nylon carpets. Wearing leather-sole shoes and cotton socks help reduce the risk of getting static shocks in the office. 3 . Moisturize your skin. Dry skin increases the risk for getting static shocks, so make sure to apply moisturizers to your skin before getting to work.

PURPOSE

TOPIC

THE BEEP |

et your boarding pass ready as we prepare to take off into a brand new flight towards the better (or worse) (or even worst) Philippines. As we are preparing for the next big step in Philippine history, it is the time of the season when all of us would ask “Who will?”. But this who-will should mature towards who will really make the Philippines the nation all of us wanted, a nation it should have stood, a nation with strength, power and rule. Keep your seatbelts fastened and minds opened as we are about to choose the next leader who will lead our Land towards the long awaited paradise of change, sea of hope, city of dreams and heights of loyalty.

Choose ONE: It’s definitely OKAY to be choosy this time Jejomar “Jojo” Binay

He is the pilot who has made a small airline successful. He has a pending case in the Human Resource Department for allegedly overspending on supplies. He is a mathematician as he is an expert in mathematics fundamentals: Multiplication (200M projected budget X 10 = 2B Actual Spend) and Addition (15,000 actual price + 1M mamahalin fee = WTH is this even real?).

| THE BEEP

Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte

He is the Iron Man, Robocop, Mad Max of the airline. Everyone obeys him. His hobbies includes killing, executing, gun firing and massive dating. He is a self-proclaimed womaniser and currently maintains and keeps three girlfriends at the same time. He won’t allow drug use and sale during the entire flight, and there is a flight curfew (when you reach 4000 meters above sea level, no one is allowed to stand).

TEXT BY JERICHO P. GATIP

Grace Poe

She is the last minute Pilot her nationality was questioned. She is an OJT with the airline and just recently finished her 6 months-regularization. A stateside who returned to the Philippines just recently, and now she aims to be the head Pilot (be careful what you wish for). She is the daughter of the all-time-Filipino-star favourite, Blacksmith (shh. The translation again. Can I just say it even for once? PANDAAAAY!)

Mar Roxas

He is the saviour of the current Head Pilot as he is the heir of the Straight Road (eww the translation.) He is the mastermind of Yolanda incident (He kept on bragging this with his script: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was there, before, during and afterâ&#x20AC;? *this is a recording* that makes us all think that he did all the cloud seeding and storm surge cooking to produce a Yolanda-strong storm so he can use it as a probable campaign strategy. He is the Mr. Palangke-ro and he has a terrible wife.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

She is currently in the Airline Clinic right now. She is an all-time favourite senator with her jokes and yes-all-good pick up lines. She is the Iron Lady of Asia and half of her purpose in the Philippine government is to fight with Enrile. Expect that sometimes your flight might be delayed as she might volunteer for the research study for cancer cure, again.

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY MYRON GLENN S. FERNANDO

CHRISTMAS GLAMOUR’

INSTA-SHOT WINNERS HAILED!

BEEPO JOINS AUF CAREER FAIR

Targeting to invite applicants from the upcoming graduates and alumnis of Angeles University Foundation (AUF), Beepo joins the roster of participating companies for its first job fair for 2016. The University Career Fair was held at the AUF SC Complex last 29 January where companies from different industries participated as well.

Beepo wrapped-up its first online contest, the Beepo Insta-Shot Contest where participants took creative photos of Beepo’s jeepney top ads and office building. The winners were announced last 18 December 2015. The 1st placer named was Raymark Visda, winning a brand new Instax Mini 8 camera; Arvin Lopez, 2nd placer and Katleya Datu, 3rd placer were both awarded a pair of IMAX tickets. Just in time for the Holiday season!

‘WHITEY’ PARTY FOR BEEPO’S 2ND YEAR

Beepo celebrated its 2nd year anniversary with the theme “White Party” last April 29 at the rooftop of Azzuro Hotel, Balibago, Angeles City where everyone showed up wearing stylish looks of all things white from dressy-casual to summer getaway look. Even with dark clouds hovering that caused occasional rain showers and cool breeze, nothing could stop the Beepo staff together with CEO Aimee Engelmann from enjoying a night of good food, music, dancing and massive flow of booze and drinks. Among the program highlights were the awarding of the four outstanding employees of the quarter, raffle prizes, announcement of contest winners and the much anticipated Beepo Acoustic Battle. The celebration continued at the after party where everyone got to jam and rock it out with a live band and dance to the beats of the DJ and of course more booze and drinks. | THE BEEP

‘GLITZ

Christmas was indeed ‘merry’ during the Glitz and Glamour party held at Widus Hotel & Casino, Clark Freeport last 14 December 2015 as everyone dressed-to-kill for the occasion and graced the floors with classic suites and elegant gowns. Big prizes were given away through raffle draw, dance competition and the best-dressed people. Truly a gift-giving season.

THE LAUNCH OF THE BEEP

The Beep was formally introduced as Beepo’s official employee newsletter to the Beepo community. The introduction was led by The Beep Editorial Team during the 2015 Christmas Party at Widus Hotel & Casino, Clark Freeport. A video presentation was aired to share a glimpse of the magazine’s contents prior to the official release the next day.

WITH

BEEPO JOINS HOTS JOB FAIR

Participating its second job fair of the year, Beepo joins the panel of employers at the Hired On The Spot (HOTS) Clark Job Fair. It was organized by the Clark Development Corporation at Robinsons Place Angeles last 25 February. 100 locators from different industries participated in the event and was attended by thousands of job seekers all over Pampanga.

BEEPO JOINS HOTS JOB FAIR

DWAU 104.1 FEATURES BEEPO IN RADIO GUESTING SERIES

Beepo pioneers an on-air discussion in coordination with AUF through its in-house radio station dubbed as DWAU 104.1. The radio guesting series started last 22 February. Attending as guest speakers were Beepo staff that talked about the following topics: “Introduction to BPO industry and some revelations on common misconceptions about BPO”, for the first week (Recruitment Specialists Myron Fernando and Diane de Leon); “How to write job-winning resume and acing interview”, second week (Recruitment Specialists Rayn-Ane Louise Bonus and Fernando); “How to prepare a portfolio for graduating students”, third week (Project Team Leader Keempee Tolentino, Website Developer Nica Gopez, and Graphic Designer Akeemson Gonzales); and “Working in Manila vs. working in Pampanga”, fourth week (Marketing Manager Gizel Salabao and Digital Marketing Associate Anna Dominique Dacillo). The series of discussions were aired every Monday, 10:00 - 11:00 AM. The program targets to act as a tool for students and listeners towards a vast and open understanding about the BPO industry and to be of help for job seekers.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

60 easter eggs were strategically hid all over the Beepo office last 24 March for all male staff to find, in celebration of the Easter season. Each egg hatched open included a number inside that corresponds to exciting prizes.

PHOTOS, COINS, CHOCOLATES—ALL FOR LOVE!

Love was in the air at Beepo during the week-long celebration of the Love Month last February with the theme “Believe in Love”. All employees enjoyed free Snickers chocolate bars and participate in two thrilling contests: A photo booth contest expressing ‘love’ where winners Aziel Bondoc, Neil Bautista, and Maria Joanna Valiente won cash prizes; and a coin-guessing contest featuring a fish bowl filled with coins having Beepo employees guess how much of it was inside the bowl. Being able to guess the closest was Michelle Punzalan with P2,985 entry.

THE BEEP |

TEXT BY ARIANE G. MAGANTE

Every day, we struggle to get up in the morning to do the 7-to-4 thing. A large percentage of our daily routine is dedicated to making a living. With that, we get along with people hailing from different provinces, possessing different personalities and dispositions be it good or bad. Without further ado, here are the types of employees you see in the Beepo office:

BRANDON THE BUZZER BEATER

NANCY THE NEWBIE

If not always, Brandon comes to work late 4.5 days a week. The moment the jeepney stops, he runs to the office at the speed of light. Reaching the work floor without catching his breath is an impossibility.

Almost everything seems tough for Nancy — trying to fit in, eating lunch alone, and getting herself accustomed to HR Hub and Payroll Pie.

Takeaway: Brandon must set a list of times in different intervals in his phone and fight the urge to push the snooze button.

When Nancy views her payslip, she screams internally: “My income tax is how much?!” Finding out whether or not the Payroll Officer withheld the correct tax amount from her salary would ensue for maybe three months or so. Takeaway: Firstly, Beepo employees are mostly friendly and welcoming, so it wouldn’t be long before you form a squad of your own. It’s also normal that someone smiles or says good morning on your way to the locker room. Secondly, HR Hub and Payroll Pie are really tricky to use at first, best to ask someone to help you out. As for the income tax, you don’t have to worry about it because the Payroll Officer is a woman – she’s always right.

| THE BEEP

LARRY THE LOYALIST

While Nancy’s ID number is 547, the number 006 is owned by Larry. Beepo had been rebranded, vendors at the pantry had come and gone, 9,786 of tissues had been used up. But Larry stood the test of time watching Beepo as it evolves. It’s no surprise when he still logs in via Workflowmax if the Dinosaurs come to existence again. Takeaway: Larry knows too well the factors why employees get disengaged. He could also teach you how to keep your client happy and ultimately receive a high Net Promoter Score (NPS). Get some golden nuggets of wisdom from him or you might miss out on a lot!

BETTY THE BATHROOM BLABBER

Betty enjoys the comfort of her throne while discussing her life’s struggles and career ambitions with the person who innocently brushes her teeth. It’s as if there’s a correlation between verbal diarrhea and amount of wastes expelled. Takeaway: Betty likes to initiate small talks but her forte is long conversations. She might rub it the wrong way if you show indifference to everything she says. If you couldn’t share your own stories or relate to her, at least make her feel you’re listening by saying “Oo nga”, “Ganyan talaga”, and “Nakakainis talaga pag ganun”.

MR. AND MS. CONGENIALITY

BELLE THE BEAUTY

Mr. or Ms. Congeniality is friends with anyone, everyone in the office internal and client-based employees alike. They are an epitome of the phrase feeling close but in the most positive way. It is with these employees that a daunting task becomes stress-free and enjoyable moving forward. They are also the best constituents of what makes a great work culture great.

Say cheese! Belle is photo-ready all the time. Even in her wacky and candid shots, she still looks 5x better than the Kardashians and Jenners (except for Kendall, of course) combined. Takeaway: It is with no dispute, Beepo is a melting pot of beauties. Period.

Takeaway: Don’t worry about making the first move to be friends with Mr. or Ms Congeniality on Facebook because you would’ve gotten added before you know it! You would also then find out that the number of your mutual friends are way more than you could’ve imagined. You both are friends with your longtime crush, your neighbor, and your grandma even.

EDGAR THE EGGHEAD

HARRY THE ALWAYS HUNGRY

Beepo office isn’t just a battlefield of pretty faces. There’s more to the company than meets the eye. Just like this employee – during team huddles, Edgar’s cleverness is demonstrated every time he shares smart, interesting insights among his group. He often gives you that ‘light bulb’ moment and wows you with his perfect English and impressive vocabulary. Apart from that, getting a Client Love Award or being praised by his client almost seemed to be a day in the life of Edgar.

Harry eats breakfast before leaving for work. In the office, he takes egg + hotdog at 7:15; longganisa at 7:34. Harry is now full of energy to hit the ground running. He sends a long email to his boss, outlining the list of tasks he’s about to work on for the day. Then again, Harry’s stomach growls, telling him to go downstairs and eat instant noodles. The workfood adventure goes on and on and on.

Takeaway: This is a no-brainer. Every Beepo employee is intellectually gifted. No one in Beepo is worthy to be thrown out of the window. After all, you did get managed to solve the perimeter of a square and hypotenuse of a right triangle during the initial test, didn’t you? If that’s not one hell of a skill, no one would know what is!

It’s 2:42 PM and Harry sees a team having a pizza and pasta party because of a job well done. “Wow, ang sarap naman nyan!” a subtext has just been expressed. It’s now 3:57 PM and Harry’s WFM. Is. Full. Of. Deception. Takeaway: Beware of this kind of employee. His appetite is comparable to that of a velociraptor’s.

OLAN THE OLYMPIAN

Full of strength, stamina, and agility – things that best describe Olan. He does best in whatever sports you put him into. He’s a jack-of-alltrades, master of Foosball. Looking back, he was just mere employee that purely does his job day in, day out. But a few days after Chill Zone was launched, he already had made his first breakthrough performance. It was when, during the January 2016 Tournament, he took the over 360-degree hard spin shot with his injured goalkeeper foosman. Takeaway: Due to the rigorous trainings employees go through during breaks, more Olans have emerged. It’s simple to spot a Foosball Olympian – their competitive, slouching stance with their feet strongly held onto the ground is their distinctive feature.

So, there you have it. I bet you have had a specific colleague in mind while reading each persona. Haven’t you? THE BEEP |

Have you spotted a celebrity-look-alike colleague roaming around the workplace? With all wit and pride, The Beep is favoured to announce the rebirth of

Clash of Clones v2.0 Kindly send your entries to thebeep@beepo.com.au and use â&#x20AC;&#x153;COC v2.0â&#x20AC;? as the subject line and wait until your entry will be included in the choice circle for the the next leaderboard of the Beepo Clones.

| THE BEEP

PURPOSE

OPINION

- Chonaisa Q. Simbulan, Campaign Manager, NTT DATA

WHAT IS YOUR CHILL ZONE WISHLIST? “Massage Chair”- Michelle Ann Punzalan, Project Team Manager, Beepo “A flat screen t.v, X box 360 and Dance Central kinect game! =)” - Aldrin M. Garcia, Data Entry Staff, HTG “Basketball Court, Badminton and Tennis Court, Xbox with Kinect, more fun and board games. A park or a mini library for employees who wants a peaceful corner :)” - Karla Cindy Fuertez, Graphic Designer, CV Services “Karaoke TV - to watch movies Treadmill X-Trainer Stationary Bikes Other Exercise equipments Massage Chair” - Naomi Tolosa, Client Experience Manager, Beepo “1. Replace the Scrabble board and tiles to ones that won’t injure me with splinters when I play them. 2. WiFi access at the Chill Zone 3. After hours Zumba or fitness classes” - Chonaisa Q. Simbulan, Campaign Manager, NTT DATA “adult-sized Foosball(hihi) and Xbox with kinect ^_^” - Charlene Gonzales, LeadGen, NTT DATA “Acoustic Guitar PS4 with Kinect Nintendo Wii Smart TV with Cable channels like NBA Premium channel Netflix to watch tv series Acoustic and Electric Guitar Guitar Amps Base Amp Drum Set Keyboard Beatbox“ - Joseph Pasamonte, Sales Admin, Active Stride “Basketball Arcade Monopoly Set” - Rinna Dizon, Recruitment Specialist, Beepo

“PS4, xbox, billiard, dart, chess clock, dumbbell, stress ball, another set of sofa” - Aldrin Aguilus, Technical SEO, Beepo “Billiards Table (Official Size not the MIDGET), Guitars and Beat box with cymbals (Acoustic session) and a Jacuzzi.. If Google can do it, so can we =)” - Regienald Fundanera, Client Experience Team Leader, Client Experience “xbox 360 kinect (just dance)” - Christina Serteza, CE TL, Beepo “Billiard Table and Stationary Bike” - Paul Michael Sy, LeadGen, NTT DATA NAME ONE MAJOR CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE COUNTRY WITHIN THE NEW PRESIDENT’S FIRST YEAR IN TERM? “Improved Government Offices service (SSS, LTO, Pag-ibig, DFA, etc)“ - Michelle Ann Punzalan, Project Team Manager, Beepo “Abolish the minimum wage because we are all Filipinos what’s the difference between the employee working in Manila and in Clark?” - Aldrin M. Garcia, Data Entry Staff, HTG “Approve the additional pension, improve and be strict on choosing a driver for our public transportation/utilities. Make our country a better place, lessen the corrupt politician because removing or eliminating all of them is impossible for now. More campaign on protecting our nature for a better future for the generation :)” - Karla Cindy Fuertez, Graphic Designer, CV Services “Lower Taxes and Higher Social Security benefits” - Naomi Tolosa, Client Experience Manager, Beepo

“Clark International Airport as the primary airport of the Philippines” - Charlene Gonzales, LeadGen, NTT DATA “1 major change? How about changing the mayor in Mabalacat? or like bringing back the death penalty for crimes such as rape, drugs pushing, and plunder, all who are proven guilty gets death by hanging. or another thing... destroy political dynasties. One term only per family up to the 3rd level. “ - Joseph Pasamonte, Sales Admin, Active Stride “Increase employment rate. ” - Rinna Dizon, Recruitment Specialist, Beepo “One major change will be in the form of campaign. Any form of candidacy in banners / commercial ads / tarpaulin / tv appearance or rallies isn’t allowed 2 months before election. And all candidates will only be given 2 months to influence the people. Anyone who fails to obey the new rule will not be able to take part as a voter or candidate in the election.” - Aldrin Aguilus, Technical SEO, Beepo “IMPROVE our country’s puny internet bandwidth which is aligned to a dial up connection. High time for the Philippines to be at par with the worlds best countries providing reliable internet service, bang for the buck!” - Regienald Fundanera, Client Experience Team Leader, Client Experience “since BPO is a booming industry in the Philippines hopefully the government will create a bill or executive order to protect the welfare and add benefits to the call center agents and even to small outsource businesses.” - Christina Serteza, CE TL, Beepo “Improvement in education system.” - Paul Michael Sy, LeadGen, NTT DATA

“1. Across-the-board salary increase for minimum wage 2. Socio-econ development plan with a more aggressive prioritisation of the environmental agenda (UN Sustainable Development Goals)” THE BEEP |

CONDUCTED BY JERICHO P. GATIP