SUBSCRIBEOrientation cum work, work and work
20 - 24 October
Together with my teamates for the new group that was formed, we came to Makati to meet our new managers, get a feel of the place, our new workmates and familiarize with the functions. Already my first day was rather busy that I was able to go out of the office at about 1900H after a meeting with some colleagues from other groups planning for the upcoming tasks that we need to finish before the month ends.
Our original plan was that from Thursday to Saturday, we will be scouting all over Makati for a place to stay. Perhaps a house, an apartment or a condo unit that will be able to accommodate the 5 of us from the provinces. However, the next two days saw us busy gathering data, collating these and preparing for a report that our manager needs for her presentation.
While we were able to end Thursday at about 1800H,come Friday, we were able to finish all the slides, with corrections, at around 2330H. It would have been finished earlier if all needed information were readily available. Well, for a start, it aint bad. As my senior manager said, this early, we already had our baptism of fire. Looking ahead, there are still many things to do and the initial plans for bettering the group’s processes are already starting to be developed.
Looking for the place.
We woke up early and had breakfast at McDonalds. the morning was spent looking for a place for us to stay. We’ve scouted the different condominium units that we passed by: Cityland 8, Cityland dela Rosa, parts of Evangelista St., CPT Condominiums and Cityland Pasong Tamo. We thought we already had a place at CPT, the two room condominium unit was a good place, secure, with a pool and gym and a roofdeck, and at 15 thousand pesos, was for us quite resonable. We were already heading back to the hotel to discuss it with our other two workmates who didn’t come with us when Mike, seeing some residential condominiums from a distance suggested that we visit it. And we were glad that we did. The available unit was located on the 18th floor, 70 square meters, two rooms, freshly done and spacious. This is really IT. However, while having lunch, it seemed that two of our teamates found it quite expensive and might not commit for a full year’s rent. I was quite disappointed. But pushing for it would not be good in the long term. It will be much expensive if only three of us will take it. We decided to hunt for another place and looked, and walked and roamed the inroads and alleys of San Antonio village in Makati.
1500H and already we were quite tired walking. Our legs and feet were aching and it seems that no apartments are available until we reached Kamagong corner Catmon Sts that we came to CLC Condominiums. No elevators, 4 floors and the available unit was only at the top floor. We climbed the stairs and looked. Well, looks okay, and at 10 thousand pesos, our two teamates were quite agreeable to it. Well, the unit is not that impressive anyway and seems to have seen better days. But for us, it will suffice after a little improvement, cleanup and arrangement. While almost deciding on getting it, I was told by the guard who guided us that there is still another room, one bedroom though,and smaller, was available at 8000 pesos.
P8,000.00!!! We quickly checked it and it it was perfect for us. not too large, not too big and very affordable. We decided to get it, contacted the owner and set for a meeting at Glorietta in Ayala center to settle the two months deposit, one month advance payment (P24,000.00). By 1800H, the bills were settled and were ready to go back by 3 November.
By 1025H today, 24 October, I’ll be flying out to Davao and prepare my things for the great move.
On a personal note, I cannot yet fully fathom this major career change. A a sense of joy and at the same time angst is enveloping me. I’m kind of overwhelmed with these developments. But I know that all this will be for the better.
