Team Building Outing at Nawawalang Paraiso Resort

I thought I'm gonna missed out again on a summer outing this 2014. Fortunately, our project team were included in two-day and one-nigh team building activity organized Amazing-Race-Style at the Nawawalang Paraiso Resort & Hotel in Tayabas, Quezon Province last June 13-14, 2014.

Initially, the team building activity was planned with the official blessing of the company (and I guess budget). However, as things turned out, the team building was initiated by our own colleagues on their own. Nevertheless, I am thankful that I became part of it.

The whole delegation is composed of staffs who are working on three different project sites. We are grouped into 8 teams, combining personnel from different sites to achieve familiarity and camaraderie. The teams who will garner the most points in the different activities will win the winner-take-all prize of 30,000 pesos.

We left Manila around 6 am. We had our breakfast and a little side trip at the serene and peaceful Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon.

Around lunch time, we arrived at the Nawawalang Paraiso Resort & Hotel in Tayabas, Quezon to the welcoming enthusiasm of the staff. They were the ones facilitated the games and the activities of the team building.

Image from the Resort's Website

After lunch, the competition began with the cheering competition for each teams. Luckily, my GREEN team, was able to come up with a passable impromptu cheer.

Then the physical activities at the resort grounds followed. There was the blindfolded-flag-gathering challenge, the coin-at-fingertips relay and the hulahoops-on-body relay.

Indoor games at the resort function hall was next. There was the centipede race and my favorite, the pass-the-ball-hit-the-bottle challenge.

Wet games at the swimming pool was my least favorite because I do not know how to swim.

The evening culminated with dinner and the showing of pre-recorded dance & music videos for each team. I was glad that I only had a cameo-role dancing. hehehe!!!

Even though we were not able to come out on top of the competition, I won just the same - new friendship, new experience and unforgettable memories in this summer outing of 2014.

Read more...

Side Trip to Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban Quezon

I started updating my blogs this last week of July 2014. I guess it's time to update this one as well.

Last June 13, 2014, I finally experienced a company summer outing. Colleagues have organized a summer excursion/team-building ala amazing race style.

Before proceeding to the actual venue of our summer outing, we did a side trip to Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon.

Kamay ni Hesus is a sprawling 5 hectare shrine in Tinamnan, Lucban, Quezon known as healing center and a specially popular destination during Holy Week pilgrimage.

The Shrine was built rising up a hill, culminating with a 50 foot statue of Jesus Christ in outstretched arms at the top of the hill. The 14 Stations of the Cross is depicted in the slope of the hill via giant statues, visitors need to climb over 300 steps of stairs in stones to reach the top.

Photo by Robert Ryan Bangoy

The Shrine was created in 1998 through the leadership of Fr. Joey Faller who celebrates healing masses there regularly.

As our presence there was just a mere side trip. We had our breakfast at the foot of the hill and then climbed the stairs to the summit.

Photo by Robert Ryan Bangoy

As I walk the steps, I even met a batchmate in high school. We greeted each other quickly and went our own separate way.

I totally agree that the place is perfect for some self-reflection and meditation. I hope I can go back during the Lenten Season.

Here are some other sites for more information about Kamay ni Hesus:

• Geejay's Travel Log about Kamay ni Hesus
• Backpacking Philippines directions on how to get there and Contact Information

Read more...

Missing Summer Outings :(

It is raining now, here in Mandaluyong City. That means Summer passed yet again and that I have not been to any summer outings this past two years.

February of last year, I was gainfully employed in a construction company. Although there were talks of plans to have a team building summer outing, it never materialized. Busy schedule at work has pushed the planned summer outing all the way to October.

Mercifully, we had a team building summer outing at Club Balai Isabel, overlooking Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. There we were able to have some games but I do not think that camaraderie was truly improved by the event.

Right now, it was announce that we will have an outing this coming June 29th and 30th at a resort somewhere in Antipolo.

Although I would still be glad and thankful if this plan pushes through, I still would be much happier if this happens during the Summer.

I pray that in these dates, the Sun will be cooperative in giving all of us a last taste of Summer.

Read more...