Jan
21
Filed Under (Lifestyle) by prechell on 21-01-2007

Hehehe… and i thought I won’t be able to enjoy my first Sinulog here in Cebu. Tsk tsk tsk… well guys, fortunately I was wrong.

Right after work, Ella invited me to come with her to witness the street dancing in Fuente. Ehem! Kapoi kaau, dghan kaau tao. Grabe na dasok. I said to myself, "dli na jud ko moutro." I felt so, so tired. So harrased by the huge crowd. But oh well, it paid off. Enjoy rin nmn. I was able to meet new friends (Ella’s friends). And most importantly, I was able to see the fireworks sa Ayala ground. Twas really awesome! The cheering of the crowd… the colorful fireworks… the spirit of Sinulog. Nindot kaau. hehehe… i dunno. I guess i was sharing that great moment with around thousands of Cebuanos and even aliens. hehe…

May be next time, kahit pagod galing work or even if hindi, i’ll go and join the parade. Besides, it reminds me of the good old days, ung sumasayaw-sayaw ako sa daan (hahaha…SISA), celebrating our own Sinulog in our school (GCJC). Yah, those old days… shakoy!

Jan
20
Filed Under (love_hullabaloos) by prechell on 20-01-2007

I’ve read this article being posted from a blogsite [WordPress]. Let me just provide you some of the details about this one.

The Science Is Clear: Marriage Should Be Eradicated

Why People Marry
“To signify a long-term commitment to each-other.” (according to an Australian research)

“marriage signifies commitment.” (based on a study made in Canada)

Commitment is a subjective term; and marriage is often defined a commitment to love and fidelity, to predefined moral values, to family, to tradition, and to enhancing power, wealth, and status.

Why Marriage Should Be Eradicated
People marry, studies tell us, because they want to honor and fulfill various ideas about long-term commitment. But science shows that the vast majority of people are unable to fulfill almost any of the commitments that compelled them to marry in the first place.

——- This study may not be directly relevant to us here in the Philippines, but may be it does [somehow]. Things change. And peoples’ perception of commitment and marriage has changed as well.

Personally, I believe in marriage. And i intend to only get married once (this is not America). It’s not really about what people might say, or what the Vatican says about it. Malayo ang Roma from here.

Ambot. define love daw. hehehe… korni! Nonsense oi! Ingon bitaw ko. FYI lang ba. ——–

Jan
20
Filed Under (Religion) by prechell on 20-01-2007

Bibo kaau ang Cebu karon. It’s Sinulog Festival… and I don’t think I’ve got something to write about it coz basically I’m trapped in the office, taking in calls.

Hmmm… it could have been great if naa ko SLR. This is my 1st time to [supposedly] witness the fiest. Ang kaso, I don’t feel like going out or hanging out with friends. La man sad kaau ko close friends dnhe Cebu. My housemates? They’re busy and they’re not into lakwatsa. Dota hinoon.

Besides, me work pa ako later so i’ve got to go home early to relax and prepare for tommorrow’s work (what’s the correct spelling for 2mrw gani?)

Anyway, guys i’m fine. I guess I’m fine. I guess i’ll jz go home and watch TV. Told yah, i’m a couch potato.

Jan
18
Filed Under (Lifestyle) by prechell on 18-01-2007

Been quite a long time now since i started taking in calls for AOL customer service. More often than not, i get to talk to really rude customers over the phone. Patience is the keyword to becoming successful in this kind of work. I guess it applies to all. I’ve been trying my best to excel, not jz because it’s something that my school taught me, but because I think it’s in me. Trying hard though doesn’t work in my case.

This is Rachelle at AOL. How may I help you today? and blah…blah…blah…I hope i was able to provide you excellent customer service.

I say that line everyday, with a smile… hilaw nga smile. That’s after the customer said all those "heartbreaking" words. I know that those rude words may not be an attack against me, but instead against the company’s policy… and I know I should learn to separate that from reality. Despite them saying I’m not helping, when in fact I’m doing my best to address their concerns, I’d have to be as patient as i could be.

Ma’am/Sir, I am helping you out with your concern. I know you feel frustrated about this…(but it’s just that you’re so stupid not to listen to me).

How i wish we’re allowed to say that… hehehe…I hv the option though, but ryt after that, I’LL be terminated from my work. Pathetic!

I’d term my job "shock-absorber-slash-anger-management-control" department. Sounds stressful? It is. Very much! The good thing about this though, I’m getting paid to suck. Gee… spell TROUBLE!

The bottomline remains that I’m just an employee, and i’m there to do my job. That’s all. Life sucks! I know. At least I don’t get paid to clean up my neighbor’s septic tank. That’s worse than mine.

Jan
06
Filed Under (Lifestyle) by prechell on 06-01-2007
You might be wondering why the title. Guys, this is not one of those testimonials-slash-research coming from those hospitality girls. It’s just that I think [ehem] this title would suit best my experience as a call center representative.
For 4 months of my stay now in eTel, I’ve met a couple of new friends and of course, I’ve talked to lots of "aliens" over the phone… everyday. Let me just dissect how things basically works here in the office.
First, come to work ON TIME! It would be a mortal sin for an employee to get late (something which I used to not really observe since birth…pirmi lang late). To make it more accurate, come to work on time AND NEVER BE ABSENT! Whew! You bet, this is something so difficult for me to do. But actually, I’ve surprised myself coz for the record, I haven’t had any absences and I only got one late (remember me watching Devil Wears Prada that’s why I got late).
Also take note that of all the forms that you’d have to sign in eTel, please avoid the CITE form. That form could either mean a minor violation or worst, termination. Gee… so far I haven’t received one nor would I want to get one.
And so, after long days of work, I’d have to head home straight to relax… and of course, sleep.
- - - - -
Now fellas, let’s talk about those people I’ve met in the office. Hehehe… ain’t backbiting you guys. I’m definitely a civilized person so I won’t "broadcast" that online. Hehehe… just kidding.
TL Carlo - my first Team Leader; smart, mabait, and has that very great voice, that kind that could actually sign up a customer without asking them to actually sign up for some services
TL Rambo - at first, i thought she’s unapproachable and very strict but she’s not; senior TL ata to, bigatin!
TL Francine - ang TL na baby face; i’m not really sure how old she is but she looks so young and beautiful also; mabait din and very approachable
TL Mirrel - tough chic, hot chic! no kidding. the description that automatically pops up on my mind. This is a compliment, ok? Kamukha pa nya si Mikee Cojuangco.
Ron - my first trainer; a very good trainer! two-thumbs up!
Gino - gwapo; other than that, NO COMMENT.
Sam - very cute na teddy bear all the way from China; superbait… never seen him angry
Mama Leslie - top outbound agent; a.k.a. the CLIENT (blonde)
Mama Joy - at the age of 32, she’s still immature in a way that (well, in some ways); she’s got a son already na cute kaau (mama joy, sori sa pangbulabog sa imo edad)
Hazel - a.k.a. "Adik," "Rabbit" & so on and so fort; she’s funny and so independent
Ella - a.k.a. "SnowWhite"; super-puti, petite, cute young lady; available pa so if you’re interested, contact me for more info. hehehe…
KR - a.k.a. "The Ultimate Scammer" (by scammer i mean very good mamaligya); quick description, he’s always wearing a cap. Never seen him without one. He’s "fatherly" also, may be because he used to be a seminarian. Toinks!
Abner - a.k.a. "Abnoy"; very tall guy; don’t really know him that much but i think he’s a good guy; medyo walay buot gamay…hahaha…no offense meant

Gelo - the typical type of person who goes to the office to work and only work…hmmm…ewan ko sa kanya
Ariel - if KR’s the "Ultimate Scammer," this guy naman is "The Super-Adik"…gets high all the time. i dunno. undefinable creature itich! i’d like to thank him though for appreciating my entries here sa Blogags. Seriously.
Joebert - my kuya here in the office…sabay kami nag-apply, til we’ve worked for AOL Outbound but right now we’ve separated ways already. He’s with Vonage Inbound while I’m working for AOL MRM
Gil - pa-Gil-Gil, he’s Gennildo guys. my other Brotherhood. We first met each other during the job interview. Married pero dli kaau halata. SIra-ulo na gabakla-bakla at times, but rest assured he’s not.
Hmmm…actually i’ve met a lot of new friends here in the office. Something that somehow motivates me to go to work, and enjoy my day. They’ve helped me cope with the new environment that I am in today. There were days that I felt like giving up the job, but knowing that I’ve got friends around me to help me through the difficult times, it gives me at least a little assurance that everything’s gonna be fine at the end of the day — and that I am not alone.
Drama…drama…drama…
- - - - - -
Now…let’s talk about something else. Some things that I don’t like with the job I have right now.
While there’s some customers that we get to talk real good over the phone, almost I guess 80% of the calls we get come from some domineering, and stupid Americans especially right now in MRM-slash-customer service-slash-billing-slash-SHOCK absorber department.

You, guys, don’t have any clue as to how I, personally, get so nervous every time I encounter irate members. Kurog pati akong bukog! I admit that sometimes some agents committed mistakes so that would be valid on their part to yell at me (but i don’t think it is). But based on what I’ve observed, more often than not, the errors were caused by them (members).
I used to look up at the Americans because of their achievements in different aspects (e.g. science) and because they belong to the what-yah-call-that? "upper class?" I have always thought that they’re all smarter than me. Of course, magaling lang silang mag-English. But you know what I found out? I’m smarter than them in a way. Based on attitudes also, I don’t know…but all I can say is that, I’ve received a lot of calls coming from psycho-slash-scary-weirdo-creepy customers. And that’s just it.
It’s like I’m getting paid to be yelled at, eh? But on a brighter side, I’ve also encountered a FEW whites who were friendly, patient. But just a few. Oh well, I can’t blame them at all. In the US, I’ve heard that it’s normal for them to receive more than 10 calls coming from telemarketers, that’s why they could still yell at me when I was still with the Sales department.
Huh…(sigh)… the bottomline is "CUSTOMERS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT." It’s something I cannot go against with. I’m also a customer and I know how it feels getting frustrated with the kind of service I get. Bahala na lng oi. Pagtiyagaan. Be a little more patient. Be more emphatic. This is what I do for a living. If it sucks, then it sucks.
Oh life! You earn a living to live. It boils down to survival. This is what the world is all about. May be I’m missing some points in there, but I still got some time to discover that… if God permits.
Alright, I guess this is it for now. I’ll try to still update my blog every now and then, if I got free time to do so. Have a nice day guys!