CICC Philippine Business Seminar

Attended the Philippine Business Seminar sponsored by the Center for International Cooperation for Computerization (CICC) at their new office in Kourakoen.

I got to meet an old acquintance, Boots Baldoz, a former classmate in a Bridge SE training held in Makati which was by the way also sponsored by CICC. We were among the first graduates of the Bridge Systems Engineer Training course. It was a two-month full-time training which is quite long. I heard that the training program was cut short to 10 days because of the long duration. Apparently, most Japanese companies cannot deploy attendees because of project commitments.

I also got to meet other Philippine participants in SODEC. I hope I gave a good impression. Nobody can be sure what opportunity meetings like these will bring in the future. I feel that I am starting to build a name for myself in the industry.

Mr. Murakoshi observed correctly that we Filipinos are very friendly to each other despite being 'competitors'. I replied that it is a very Filipino trait to be very accomodative to everyone. However, we still understand that there is discretion in giving information. Also, we are not only promoting our respective companies but the our country too. We are united in this purpose.

Mr. Murakoshi delivered his presentation with no difficulty. During the cocktail party, I approached a fellow that could be a prospective client lead, AithCrew. It is an outsourcing firm engaged in India and China. Presently, they appear to be looking for a partner in the Philippines.

Tired. I will take an early rest. SODEC will start tomorrow and it promises to be another long day.

From Kanda to Kamata

Checked out of the hotel and took the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Subway from Kanda to Kyoubashi. It's hard to travel around the city when you carry a suitcase and a notebook computer. I especially dread the flight of stairs and the crowd. After exiting the station, I found my way to the company office.

I met colleagues, Joseph and Murakoshi, at the office. They just arrived from Manila and went to the office straight from the airport. We had dinner with Mr. Kudo before we move to Kamata. A bit tipsy, I dragged my stuff again up the stairs and through the crowd. We took the JR Keihin Touhoku Line from Tokyo to Kamata. There was a bit of commotion when the train stopped at Oimachi for some reason. Impatient, Murakoshi suggested to change train lines. We already climbed a flight of stairs to transfer when it was announced that the train was ready to move again. Darn, we hauled ass back to the train just in time before the doors closed.

We checked-in at the Hotel Urbain Kamata Annex. Dropping the weight of our luggage was a relief. Murakoshi showed us around. He used to live around this area. According to him, Kamata was some sort of Little Philippines in this part of Tokyo. As an entertainment district, Filipino entertainers used to thrive in the area. Since the restriction on entertainment visas, business in the area visibly slowed down.

However, there is still a visible Filipino community as evidenced by the photo below. These are mostly Pinays with Japanese spouses.

Kanda Matsuri

I have never seen Chuo Dori Avenue packed with so many people. If you have fantasies of running around the streets of Tokyo bare-ass, half-drunk and screaming, pick this day.

The Kanda Matsuri is a religious but festive occasion. People dress in the traditional robes. They chanted while they danced wildly to the beat of their drums. You could see sweat running down their faces as they struggle to lift the heavy ark on their shoulders. After the parade, they sat on the streets to rest, to eat, to drink and to enjoy the company of friends.

うれしいそう！

The Geek and the Sanrio Obsessed

AKIHABARA

After a sukiyaki breakfast at a nearby Yoshinoya, I went to Akihabara. The walk from the inn to Akihabara took only around 10 minutes. Akihabara is the electronics town of Japan. Every geek should at one point in their life travel on a pilgrimage to this district of Tokyo.

It is a common past time for gaijins to window shop. For some time now, a new game console is on the top of my wish list.

Checkout the Bic Camera prices.

Playstation3 (60 GB) 59,980円

Playstation3 (20 GB) 49,980円

XBox 360 38,700円

XBox 360 (Core) 29,800円

Wii 25,000円

Ignore the price tag! In Japan, the PS3 rules!

Next in my wish list is a Mac Book. A MA699 (Mac Book 1.83) is priced at 139,800円. I think the price is reasonable and relatively cheaper compared to purchasing it in Manila.

Akihabara is a place to go when you are looking for bargains. I noticed that shops for used goods have increased. However, I personally prefer to purchase my electronic toys brand new. These good could breakdown early in their life and have a life span. When purchasing new products, warranty is very important. For example, I bought an iPod Mini the last time I was in Japan. After only a month, the cable broke down. It is a good thing that Apple offers a worldwide warranty. The Apple Service Center in Manila replaced it. When buying used computers, I noticed that shops only carries a 1-week waranty. Now, if you recognize that devices have a life span, you should realize that you are taking a huge risk when purchasing used computers. If you are still determined to buy a used computer, carefully check the condition of the device and find a good arrangement for a warranty.

Impulsive buyers can spend a fortune in this place. Unfortunately, I do not have a budget for toys :-( In the end of the day, I purchased nothing. Well, I still need a strong pursuasion to buy.

SHINJUKU

Next in my itenerary for the day is to buy omiyage. Girls go crazy over SANRIO products. My wife and daughter seem to be obsessed with the stainless water jug :-) The have a collection now. I think I tend to spoil them. But what could I do? I love them.

You could always rely on a ODAKYU mall to have a SANRIO shop. The variety and quality of the items sold in Japan are better that those sold in Gift Gate shops in Manila.

Tired and hungry, I had a hamburger steak lunch at Pepper Lunch. It was a heavy and tasty meal. I look forward to sample other choices in their menu.

Yookoso

It was a very long day.

Restless. I think I only had 4 hours of sleep. I was up and ready at around 4 am.

My sister drove me to the airport. She would be flying to Las Vegas on the 20th to get married and to settle down. We may not see each other in the next 3 years. It is regretful that I can't be in Manila in the last week before she flies to the US. Fortunately, I would return to Manila on the 19th. At least, we still can have a day together.


NAIA

If you are traveling from Manila. It is advisable to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight. The lines to the check-in counter is as long as the lines for buying a ticket to watch Spiderman 3. It took me 1.5 hours to complete check-in, pass immigration and boarding inspection. I flew Japan Airlines. If you are flying Northwest, expect longer processing time. Security staff may inspect your check-in luggage. Really, American airlines have their own security staff.

Airport terminal fee increased from P550 to P750. Make sure you bring cash. Unlike other airports, you pay this fee before you get processed in immigration.

Make sure you follow these basic rules. Be at the boarding gate 60 minutes before the flight. Be ready to board 30 minutes before the flight. Remember, the gate will close 5 minutes before the flight.

NARITA

I really want to know the reason why they don't show inflight movies in JAL. Passengers have no other option but to read and to listen to their music selection.

I was anticipating some verification from Japan immigration. I wrote about this in Japan Visa Blues. Relieved! After waiting for 30 minutes in immigration, I got finally cleared. That's what you get when you have a bad rep. Make sure your travel papers are in order. It was a hard lesson for me. We should closely protect our freedom to travel. Remember, visiting to other countries is a privilege not a right.

TOKYO

涼しい！The first thing you notice once you stepped to the streets of Japan is the cool breeze. It was a welcome relief from the heat of Manila.

From the airport, I checked in to a business hotel. I am staying at Flexstay Kanda Inn until Monday. It has relatively new facilities. Nice place.

I will have a chance to witness the Kanda Matsuri or Festival. The festival is held on weekends close to May 15. Floats, wagons filled with dancers, and around 200 mikoshi are paraded through a large area of downtown Tokyo in honour of the deities of the Kanda Shrine, shinto priests on horseback accompany the parade. The main Kanda matsuri is held once every two years in odd-numbered years, while festivals held in even-numbered years are on a smaller scale.

Do you notice the close resemblance between the mikoshi and the Ark of Covenant?
To wrapup the day, together with Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Kudo, I had dinner with prospective clients. I met guys from AZing - Mr. Kurita and Mr. Shibuya. It was a pleasant meeting. For Japs, they seem to be cool guys. They had a bad experience in business outsourcing but look hopeful in doing business with us. Likewise, I hope we get this account.

Seven

Baby,

When you were turning six, do you remember when you insisted to have a princess party? You can't wait to turn seven to have a birthday party. You may not have a seventh birthday party of your own but you attended lots of parties.

Do you remember the times when you were so afraid of party mascots that you would hide under the tables? Admit it. You still are afraid of mascots.

Do you remember the days when you would cry out loud when you end up empty handed after a pabitin game?

Do you remember that you could always deliver the looongest happy birthday note?

Does the phrase High School Musical still ring a bell? Do you still dance to the beat of "We're all in this together"? Can you still sing "When There Was Me And You" from the heart?

Do you remember that you and mommy are always ready for bringme games?

Do you remember me and other daddies who used to look silly in party games? Remember the baby bottle?

Do you remember the time you always get excited just by thinking of balloons, cake, ice cream and loot bags?

Cherish your childhood memories. We hope they bring a smile to your face. That smile is our most precious gift to you.

Happy 7th Birthday Patricia!

Love,

Daddy & Mommy

Sofia's Birthday
June 16, 2006












Sofia's Birthday

August 4, 2006

January 19, 2007

Angelica's Birthday

January 20, 2007

February 24, 2007

Aijo's Birthday
March 10, 2007

Anika's Birthday

March 17, 2007

SODEC Buzz

The media was abuzz with promotion for the Philippines' participation in the 16th Software Development Expo (SODEC) with articles from CITEM, Business World, PDI and Manila Bulletin.
As part of the media promotion for SODEC, Joseph Valdez, our Engineering Director was invited for a TV interview in David Celdran's Business Nightly at ANC last May 4. He was accompanied by Jun Lasco of Ayala Systems (ASTI). I was there to take some pictures/video and to provide support.

For IT people like me, appearing live in television could be a nerve-rattling experiance. Personally, I am always conscious of the camera and I am not comfortable being in the spotlight. It requires a lot of nerve and confidence to pull a dignified appearance. Also, as part of the preparation, we had a simulation of the interview before the show. Overall, I think their stint was a success. There were awkward moments but they managed to pull it off. Congratulations!

David Celdran is a real pro. I was impressed by his wit and his ability to bring out interesting talking points within the 15 minute interaction. I gathered his questions and will attempt to provide answers in my own words.

What kind of software is outsourced to the Philippines?

What are embedded systems?

Do you work on simple or complicated operations? What is the knowledge base?

As far as Philippine software is concerned, is there a particular niche that we can fill?

Is Japan looking at the Philippines or is the Philippines reaching out in the world?

What are the opportunities that make Japan a lucrative market?

How do you describe the Japanese market?

Is there anything else that make the Filipino competitive? How do we compete against software giants?

Do we have the supply of knowledge and engineers?

Are we now buying foreign companies to get a foothold on external markets?

What are your plans for participation in SODEC?