Team Building

The term team building came to be known some years ago with the advent of BPO operations in the Philippines.  As far as I know, it seemed to have been popularized by these outsourcing firms.  Maybe to make their employees feel that the company cares for them even while they are being abused or misused!   Ha-ha! 

     We had the equivalent of such an activity in our company while we were engaged in special events.  Our events were mostly held in malls and special events were done on holidays and occasions that needed commemorating.  We held concerts, trade shows, variety shows that involved audience participation.  Because of the circumstances and timing, our staff all needed to work on holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Independence Day etc.  Despite the fact that I always made sure we ended events before New Year’s eve, finishing up required more work such as accounting for and storage of props and equipment used.  New Year’s Eve, therefore, always found my crew scampering for home just when celebration was craziest with firecrackers thrown all over the streets. 

     To compensate for the quality time my staff missed with their families, I often allowed them to bring family members to our events as well as what we then called our annual outing.  This was an all expenses paid for trip to a nearby resort with all the staff and members of their families invited.  I often timed it for the first week of April as we geared up for summer events and continuous hard work ahead.  It’s taken for granted that we all had a good time during these breaks because I never heard any complaint.  There was one outing, however, that would truly remain in my memory and I am sure, in the memories of all those persons who worked with us.

     I cannot even now recall what year this happened.  All I remember is that I was busy then with meetings and planning for forthcoming events.  So busy that the hubby had to take over the chores of preparing the annual outing or there would be none.  The hubby then recruited help from his buddies.  One suggested a private beach resort somewhere in Anilao, Batangas.  He claimed that the resort was owned by a friend and that it was newly constructed.  Excited to give this place a try, the hubby immediately made arrangements for the trip.  First off was the booking of a bus that can accommodate everyone.  Day before the outing, I checked all the details which seemed perfectly planned.  The bus, though, had me thinking because it was cheaper than most that I rented before.  Hmmmm….. the hubby’s reason was that it belonged to a friend.  It was smaller and can accommodate the employees and families but we were going with his friends who were bringing their cars.  So, the preparation went on.  Food for arrival was being cooked and groceries bought.  The place being private, I had correctly assumed we had to bring everything – pots, pans and supplies.  

     The day dawned and the sun was shining for everyone.  In a joyous mood, we all waited for the bus to arrive.  The cars were there ready to roll.  Then, the bus, rusty and old and non-air-conditioned, rumbled along.   Whaaaaaat!  This the bus?  Right there and then, I decided that I had to ride with the employees in this rusty old bus.  I did not want them to think that the company skimped on their comfort!  We rode in a convoy with the cars and friends et al leading the way.  As we arrived in Anilao, we cruised along a very narrow makeshift road that appeared like it was on top of a hill looking down on the ocean.  Somehow, someway – with just one single road we needed to traverse – we got parted from the cars and were lost.  Not knowing where we were supposed to go, we could not even ask for direction.  No houses nor humans were in sight anyway!  Remember, this was a time when they have not yet invented cellular phones.  Oh, yes!  This was THAT long ago! 

     At any rate, through mental telepathy, the hubby realized they had to come back for us and we were all happily reunited.  So we cruised again, until our main man found the break that had a small lane leading to the promised land ----- NOT! 

    The beach house turned out to be an abandoned construction.  It had a roof, walls and a beach front!  Anything else must come from our own imagination!  There was not even toilet facility!  Luckily, we were told to bring blankets and sleeping bags so sleeping would not be much of a problem.  Unless, of course, one is prudish because we all had to sleep in one long line at what passed off as the verandah of the place.  The interior was just totally hopeless with dirt and grime!  The verandah also served as the dining place. 

          The verandah that served as dining area and .......  sleeping quarters!  

     The beach was not sand but little sharp rocks and broken corals all over.  Swimming was going to be quite a challenge especially for the kids.  Someone creative immediately branded it Bato Bato Beach!       

     To add fuel to my temper which was nearing boiling point, all the cooked food were spoiled by the time we got to the place.  The heat and the unusually long travel time just totally took their toll.  There went my image of all of us playing in the water as soon as we hit the place.  Instead, we had to busy ourselves cooking the supplies we brought.  By the time lunch was served, it was dinnertime!    

     The problem was that it was the peak season for diving and all the resorts were teeming with Japanese tourists.  Getting alternate accommodation was impossible so we decided to just make do with what confronted us.

     To compensate for the difficulty in swimming, we took to boating and sailing the different shores of Anilao with the pier as our last stop.  This was where we reinforced our food supplies with the fresh catch of the day from fishermen in the area. 

     Stressful experiences like these just made me appreciate my team more than ever.  It seemed that nothing can dampen our sense of humor especially as a group.  We managed to loll around the shore pretending to be mermaids.  When we sailed, we waved at all the tourists that were gawking and smiling at us.  We told stories and vented on the guys who planned this disaster from time to time while slowly realizing that we could be anywhere and it would still be so much fun – taking a break and just being alive! 

     The following year, however, I ensured that I personally handled all preparations for the annual outing.  The resort I chose was roomy and cozy and food was served ready to eat without our lifting a finger.  Just press a buzzer and order!   It was a very relaxing break for everyone.  We had the chance to go skinny dipping in Sombrero Island and the kids snorkeled.  Dining was on a raft with endless swimming, singing, laughing and constant eating until we headed for home. 

     Despite all the planning and preparation, however, I bet that one and only one outing stands out in everybody’s memory!