BACK!

Just finished my news release for the 8th TIICTD Cluster Meeting of BIMP-EAGA, the event that brought me to Palawan.

It was one of the toughest topic I had to write about. Even if I spent three to four days sitting down in various working group meetings, even if I took pictures of the slide presentations, I still cannot fully consolidate all the topics discussed. My major problem is, after all the reports, I still cannot identify the final output of the activity. Well, I'll be receiving feedback days from now. I just hope it's not that bad, to make them regret their decision for sending me there.

Despite my anxieties before the trip, I ended up still grateful and relieved. First,  gave me chance to bond with four of my officemates, who I never interacted with while we were at the office. Second, I had an almost 5-star experience in the hotel where we were staying. It's the newest hotel in Puerto Princesa, and is considered to be the "5-star hotel" there. New as it is, the service is also in its start-up stage, which spells INEFFICIENT. But I really saw the efforts of the people there to be as polite as they can be to compromise the bad service. 

Talking to the delegates felt like Rarejob all over again. Contrary to my perception, they are actually very friendly, and are even comfortable sharing some of the personal details of their lives with other people. I actually dread the part when they start talking about technical things about the forum, because it means I'd have to pretend I know what they are talking about. But, as usual,  bluffed my way out, again. It's somehow refreshing to be able to see the human side of these business executives, handling their respective lucrative jobs.

The Chairman of the Cluster shared that he has been traveling for two weeks straight, and he just wants to go home, go nowhere. And I thought: "Wow, the Chairman yearns for some bumming session, too." I've also talked to a Malaysian guy, from the Ministry of Transport.  We were also able to agree that we don't necessarily need to love a degree to finish it. There was one night when I sneaked out from a dinner event, because I badly wanted to explore Palawan already. While I was in their "tiangge" I saw one of the participants there (almost didn't recognize her in her casual wear). I smiled and asked why she didn't attend the dinner. She said: "Nah, we're too tired, we want to go shopping instead." Yeahright. Wish I could call my errand as "shopping", too.

Well, these simple encounters inspired me. The world can be connected in so many ways. Differences are close to nothing if everyone starts a conversation with friendship and kindness in mind. In fact, effective intercultural communication need not always be about breaking the barriers, sometimes it could simply be forgetting that there are barriers.

Nothing beats spontaneous and honest conversations with (nice) strangers, one of the things I love about travelling! 

Be careful of what you wish for.. :)

I’m going to Palawan this weekend. Palawan. Palawan! Puerto Princesa Palawan!

During my first interview in this office, the panel asked me about how I feel about traveling... a lot. I answered with a smile, and said I love traveling. I didn’t want to sound too excited so I said it lifelessly.

They even tried to scare me that I might be sent to the remotest areas of Mindanao to follow-up, launch, or cover a project. I still smiled, but part of me was already scared. One reason why I never pursued a career in broadcast communication is my lack of bravery and aggressiveness (which is mainly required from field reporters), and it seemed like it was what they were asking from me.

On my first few weeks here, almost all of the staff from our department were already traveling. One went to Manila for the IFEX Expo, the other to Lanao del Norte for a project turnover, and another one went to Kidapawan. I was assigned to some events too, but they were only around the city, as you may see in the previous posts.

I was completely fine with that, but I was also hoping for some out of town travels. With out-of-town, I was imagining Kidapawan, Surigao, Zamboanga,General Santos, anywhere near.

Last month, they told me that I might be sent to Palawan for a BIMP-EAGA event, since the rest of them need to attend a wedding on the schedule of the event. I didn’t take it seriously. The event was still a month away when they said that, so many things can change.

I received my iterinary and e-ticket yesterday. Departure date: June 19, 11:50am. Arrival date: June 25: 09:50am. My mind screamed WTF.

My friends are apparently excited for me. I should be, too. But everything’s still so surreal. I have always wanted to travel alone, and now that the opportunity is hugging me already, I’m freaking out. Well, being alone in Palawan is not a very bad idea. I’m more scared of staying in Manila for a night, first time and alone. I don’t know if I’ll survive like the others.

Another source of apprehension is the event itself. My Chief trusted me to cover the event, and it’s relatively huge and highly technical. Right now, I’m just worried how to capture it the way I’m expected to. How to provide a Palawan-trip-worthy story when I come back. *gaaaaaaasssshhhh*

Finally, I’m a little depressed about probably missing the Underground river tour because of other tasks assigned to me.  I might be at Brooke’s Point on the same day that the tour will happen. Brooke’s Point is definitely not the best that Palawan can offer. Oh well, guess we can't just have it all.. :(

Will definitely be providing updates here next week!