Summer Welcome

Last March 7, we welcomed the summer season with a trip to Villa Alfredo's Resort in San Fernando, Pampanga to join the company outing.

The weather was fine in the morning but it became scorching hot by noon. The weather has been like this in the past few weeks. Once the sun is up, you got to find shade and it better has air-conditioning.

It was Mat's first time to travel outside Manila. He was naturally amazed at his surroundings and very much eager to explore.

Have fun this summer!

TSPI At Crowne Plaza

TSPI celebrated 20 years in the Philippines last February 28, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Ortigas District.

The first activity was the annual General Assembly where each business unit presented their respective annual and midterm plans.

This was followed by an address of TSPI President Jiro Hanzawa. This was the best speech I heard him deliver. In his speech, he outlined his vision for TSPI expansion to be a software giant in the Philippines.

A keynote address was delivered by our guest, Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Chairman Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III. By the way, prior to assuming this position, Mr. Roxas-Chua was vice president of the Technology Investment Banking unit of Citigroup Inc. in Palo Alto, California, where he focused on securities underwriting, M&A advisory, and loan syndication for technology companies. He is also currently the Chairman of the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC). This council is facilitating the procurement for the 2010 election automation equipment, a difficult job since many powerful forces in the Philippines are against election automation because the only way to keep themselves to power is through election fraud. But I think Roxas-Chua has the integrity and the competence to pull this task through. I wish him success in this herculean undertaking.

It was a truly memorable evening. Everyone was looking and feeling great. It's been a while since TSPI had a grand event like this. Although there was a lavish dinner, I hardly ate. Instead, I indulged in beer and wine. Live song and dance numbers prepared by my fellow associates were the best I have seen in years.

Never Gonna Give You Up ;-)

Service Awardees (minus Rojie)

Cool Song Interpretation Number

Alabang Boys

Former MSI Group

Former APLIX Group

The 3rd Business Unit - Diesel and MISC team

TSPI Managers

More photos in Facebook.

TSPI At Dusit Thani

TSPI celebrated 13 years of partnership with NEC Communication Systems, Ltd at Dusit Thani hotel in Makati last February 27, 2009. This is the first of a two-day celebration of TSPI's 20th anniversary in the Philippines.


There was a brief presentation on the "History and Future of Mobile Phone" by a Senior Executive of NEC. The lecture was followed by a gift-giving ceremony where TSPI received a gift from NEC.





What's for dinner?






Everybody wants to be seen in pictures.

More pictures in Facebook.

P.S.

Note - ALWAYS make sure that the audio-visual system facilities are working perfectly. Thumbs down on Dusit's audio system :-(

15 Years With Tsukiden

During the 20th anniversary celebration of Tsukiden Software Philippines, Inc. (TSPI), I was awarded a Loyalty Award for 15 years of service with the company. This blog is a recollection of the points I delivered in my acceptance speech. Since the speech was done impromptu, there are areas where I wish to have used different words and references to express my thoughts more clearly.

I entered TSPI in 1994. TSPI recruitment was very selective back then. It was recruiting less than ten engineers annually from the best universities in the Philippines. I remember it was a rigorous screening process. First, you have to pass the initial interview with our dear Ms. Aleli Infantado, then Human Resources Manager. Second, you have to pass several sets of examinations – a technical exam covering computer hardware and software, a personality test and an IQ test. Third, you have to go through a technical panel interview. In my case, the interview was headed by Gary Guiang. Finally, you have to pass a confirmation interview with Ferns Yu and Lando Ang, who I had mistaken as a Japanese. I was so happy and so proud that I got hired.

The people that I had met and had the privilege to work with in TSPI are among the brightest people I have known. Most of them have moved on to new ventures but there still those who stayed with the company. Those who chose to remain are the managers and officers that currently run the organization. I am proud to be part of the TSPI 'family'.

I learned a lot in my first year. Like most of my colleagues, I travelled to Japan and got involved in challenging projects. But my first big break came in 1997 when I was assigned to head a small team to work in NEC Abiko – Processor Engineering Department. It was the first time that I took full responsibility of a project. I communicated directly with our Japanese clients and was deeply immersed in the product development cycle. The experience I gained was invaluable. I believe my career in TSPI rapidly moved up since then.

Without any intention to be presumptuous, I would like to give three pieces of advice to my colleagues with plans to have a long career with Tsukiden.

First, your personal values should have something in common with company values. Tsukiden values loyalty. Consider your stay in TSPI as an investment whose value increases over time.

Second, you basically need three skill sets - technical competence, management skills and Japanese language proficiency. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Develop your weakness and sharpen your strengths.

Third, work environment in TSPI could be very stressful because of the long working hours. There are situations where you have to give a personal sacrifice. You must find ways to have a balanced work and personal life. You also must have faith that if you always give your best and treat people fairly, blessings and good opportunities will come to you.

To our President, Mr. Hanzawa, thank you very much for this award.

To my colleagues, I look forward to working with you into the next 20 years of TSPI.

Ateneo Accident

Julian Carlo Miguel “Amiel” Alcantara, a 10-year old boy was hit and killed by a moving van inside the Ateneo campus. Read this link for details.

Understandably, the father of the victim is determined to press charges. Watch his interview in this link.

The driver, whose son was reportedly a classmate of the victim, was recently released on bail. She refused to be interviewed but appealed for public sympathy through her lawyer. Watch his interview in this link.

Interestingly, Rolando Villones, the lawyer of the driver, is a close relative and ninong. He is like a second father to me. Tito Rolly is an experienced trial lawyer with a brilliant mind and a mild demeanor. Because this case caught the interest of a lot of people, I am afraid that his quiet family life might be troubled by the media sensation of what appears to be a long legal battle ahead.
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As a motorist who frequents Miriam College, also in Katipunan, I recognize the risks of having many vehicles and children together in a small space. Accidents could indeed happen. Motorists inside campuses should drive more carefully.

Proper security measures and procedures can be established to reduce the risks but negligent drivers are so pervasive in Metro Manila roads. The news is filled everyday with accidents caused by bus drivers racing along Commonwealth Avenue, by truck drivers falling asleep while driving hitting innocent motorists and bystanders, and road rage resulting to fist fights or even shootings.

Discipline must be strongly imposed on our roads. The way we enforce our traffic laws is a reflection of the rule-of-law in our society.
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Peace, prayers and blessings to the families hurt by this tragic accident especially to the Alcantaras.