My body still hurts from Tuesday’s WTE. My neck and arms are stressed from breaking falls and I have a bruise in my thigh from hanging on a rope. I was hesitant to attend this workshop but it was all worth it.
The Place
We went to The Forest Club in Bay, Laguna. It’s just past Los Banos, so it’s not too far.
I love this place and I’d really like to go back. As you’d expect, the place is all earth, water and greens. Team Matrix CBG rented a cottage and a family suite. I stayed in a cottage that had screen for walls. I could have stayed in the air-conditioned family suite, but since we were already roughing it up, I took a bed by the attic in the cottage.
One of things that I like is the “probinsya feel” of the place. It was nice to just lie down and relax in the cabanas. There were hammocks all around and all sorts of wooden chairs. When I have my own home, I’ll make sure to build a cabana and fill it with hammocks and recliners, even if I don’t have a pool. Hihi. Kahit fish pond na lang and plants around the cabana.
The infinity pool was also nice. I regret not taking my own pictures. The pool water was really hot. I could see steam rising from it.
The Activities
Our first challenge was to walk on bamboo poles set (around) fifteen feet high. I was terrified but the group assisting us assured us that nobody has ever fallen off these bamboos (yet, hehe). I can’t estimate how long it was but there were quite a few bamboos that we had to cross. Scary talaga to be up in the air, walking barefoot on a single bamboo pole, even if there were ropes to hold on to. There were red antiks (big tree ants) in some of the ropes and bamboo. Good thing we all managed to complete the challenge without hitch.
My group headed to the swamp for the first group challenge. We were divided in pairs and tasked to get on a raft. The goal is to get to the other end of the swamp and back. There were no paddles provided. We were to pull ourselves toward one end through a rope. Just imagine a sampayan set low across the swamp. We were all laughing so hard when the first pair sank their raft right after boarding it (Shirley and Jeff). Nash and I were the second pair. We made it through the other end without any problems. When we were on our way back to the starting point, that’s when trouble began. I was pulling the rope too fast so I ended up falling on my back. Poor Nash fell on the swamp because of me. That was even more hilarious. Buti na lang walang lasa yung tubig.
The next activity, I guess, was the most challenging for our team. Each of us had to walk across this log above the swamp. Everyone in our team fell except JV. Galing ha. Most of us were already wet from the raft challenge, so it was really difficult. I heard Boj hurt his thing when he fell. I didn’t notice how he fell, but they said he hit the log instead of falling on water. Ouch! When I fell on the swamp, the mala-burak feeling on my feet shocked me. I’m not sure what was underneath the water. I was expecting to hit sand or something harder. My feet were just immersed in this unknown slimy thing. Hay, naku, I can’t wait to see our pictures. Wet and wild!
Ah, this is where I got my bruise. For the next challenge, each of us had to cross the swamp once again (puro na lang swamp). This time, there are two ropes. Dalawang sampayan po mga kaibigan. Isang mababa, para apakan, and isang mataas, para hawakan. Everyone in my team made it to the other end, Crez, Jenny B., Grae, Shirley, Boj, Jeff, JV and Nash. Pressure eto on me ha. I wore my tattered leather tsinelas (yes, the one that I wear for work, at home, and even sa putikan) because Jeff said his feet hurt when he crossed barefoot. So eto na, natutuwa na ko because my team was cheering me on and I was almost at the other end. Eh, my tsinelas were still wet, so I slipped. I was able to keep my hands on the upper rope, but I just had my left thigh wrapped around the lower rope. Masakit ah. Imagine all 170+lbs of me relying on one thigh to keep me from falling on the water. Naguluhan na ko so I don’t know who among the girls helped me. I didn’t let myself fall this time. Somehow I made it to the other end. I think I saw Crez, Jenny B. and Shirley but I’m not sure whose hands were pulling me. Buti na lang I made it. Kakahiya naman if I was the only one who fell di ba?
We went back to the field where the obstacle course was set up. I passed off on the next two races. I’m just not athletic enough. I watched my team for the “Buko” race, and another obstacle course that was super funny. We also had a ski race (in the mud), a spider web challenge, and the trust fall activity. I felt fearless after my trust fall. And I can’t believe that these skinny girls are so heavy pala. Until now I feel like my arms are going to fall off any time because I was on the second row catching Tin Po, Vans, Kaye and Jenny M.
The Food
Morning Merienda: Goto, Tokwa’t Baboy, Ice Tea
Lunch: Fried Fish (Bangus, I think), Sinigang na Baboy, Pakbet, Vegetable Salad, Watermelon, Lemonade
Afternoon Merienda: Pancit Canton, Puto, Lemonade
Dinner: Sinigang na Hipon, Inihaw na Baboy at Inihaw na Saging, Ensalada, Bananas, Ice Tea
The Place
We went to The Forest Club in Bay, Laguna. It’s just past Los Banos, so it’s not too far.
I love this place and I’d really like to go back. As you’d expect, the place is all earth, water and greens. Team Matrix CBG rented a cottage and a family suite. I stayed in a cottage that had screen for walls. I could have stayed in the air-conditioned family suite, but since we were already roughing it up, I took a bed by the attic in the cottage.
One of things that I like is the “probinsya feel” of the place. It was nice to just lie down and relax in the cabanas. There were hammocks all around and all sorts of wooden chairs. When I have my own home, I’ll make sure to build a cabana and fill it with hammocks and recliners, even if I don’t have a pool. Hihi. Kahit fish pond na lang and plants around the cabana.
The infinity pool was also nice. I regret not taking my own pictures. The pool water was really hot. I could see steam rising from it.
The Activities
Our first challenge was to walk on bamboo poles set (around) fifteen feet high. I was terrified but the group assisting us assured us that nobody has ever fallen off these bamboos (yet, hehe). I can’t estimate how long it was but there were quite a few bamboos that we had to cross. Scary talaga to be up in the air, walking barefoot on a single bamboo pole, even if there were ropes to hold on to. There were red antiks (big tree ants) in some of the ropes and bamboo. Good thing we all managed to complete the challenge without hitch.
My group headed to the swamp for the first group challenge. We were divided in pairs and tasked to get on a raft. The goal is to get to the other end of the swamp and back. There were no paddles provided. We were to pull ourselves toward one end through a rope. Just imagine a sampayan set low across the swamp. We were all laughing so hard when the first pair sank their raft right after boarding it (Shirley and Jeff). Nash and I were the second pair. We made it through the other end without any problems. When we were on our way back to the starting point, that’s when trouble began. I was pulling the rope too fast so I ended up falling on my back. Poor Nash fell on the swamp because of me. That was even more hilarious. Buti na lang walang lasa yung tubig.
The next activity, I guess, was the most challenging for our team. Each of us had to walk across this log above the swamp. Everyone in our team fell except JV. Galing ha. Most of us were already wet from the raft challenge, so it was really difficult. I heard Boj hurt his thing when he fell. I didn’t notice how he fell, but they said he hit the log instead of falling on water. Ouch! When I fell on the swamp, the mala-burak feeling on my feet shocked me. I’m not sure what was underneath the water. I was expecting to hit sand or something harder. My feet were just immersed in this unknown slimy thing. Hay, naku, I can’t wait to see our pictures. Wet and wild!
Ah, this is where I got my bruise. For the next challenge, each of us had to cross the swamp once again (puro na lang swamp). This time, there are two ropes. Dalawang sampayan po mga kaibigan. Isang mababa, para apakan, and isang mataas, para hawakan. Everyone in my team made it to the other end, Crez, Jenny B., Grae, Shirley, Boj, Jeff, JV and Nash. Pressure eto on me ha. I wore my tattered leather tsinelas (yes, the one that I wear for work, at home, and even sa putikan) because Jeff said his feet hurt when he crossed barefoot. So eto na, natutuwa na ko because my team was cheering me on and I was almost at the other end. Eh, my tsinelas were still wet, so I slipped. I was able to keep my hands on the upper rope, but I just had my left thigh wrapped around the lower rope. Masakit ah. Imagine all 170+lbs of me relying on one thigh to keep me from falling on the water. Naguluhan na ko so I don’t know who among the girls helped me. I didn’t let myself fall this time. Somehow I made it to the other end. I think I saw Crez, Jenny B. and Shirley but I’m not sure whose hands were pulling me. Buti na lang I made it. Kakahiya naman if I was the only one who fell di ba?
We went back to the field where the obstacle course was set up. I passed off on the next two races. I’m just not athletic enough. I watched my team for the “Buko” race, and another obstacle course that was super funny. We also had a ski race (in the mud), a spider web challenge, and the trust fall activity. I felt fearless after my trust fall. And I can’t believe that these skinny girls are so heavy pala. Until now I feel like my arms are going to fall off any time because I was on the second row catching Tin Po, Vans, Kaye and Jenny M.
The Food
Morning Merienda: Goto, Tokwa’t Baboy, Ice Tea
Lunch: Fried Fish (Bangus, I think), Sinigang na Baboy, Pakbet, Vegetable Salad, Watermelon, Lemonade
Afternoon Merienda: Pancit Canton, Puto, Lemonade
Dinner: Sinigang na Hipon, Inihaw na Baboy at Inihaw na Saging, Ensalada, Bananas, Ice Tea
Breakfast: Fried Fish (don’t know if it's Bangus, because I don’t eat fish), Tapa, Sinangag, Fried Egg (pinahaba ko pa tapsilog), Pandesal, Kesong Puti, Hot Tsokolate
There was unlimited brewed coffee. Some of the Team Leads mentioned that the drinking water tasted salty. Not sure if it’s from a spring or something. It tasted different but my stomach didn’t complain.
I’m not fond of Sinigang but I enjoyed theirs. The Inihaw na Saging was a delightful surprise. It’s wasn’t like Banana-Q or Pan Fried Banana. Masarap siya ha. I was also surprised that I took seconds of the Pakbet. I’m not even sure if it’s Pakbet because it wasn’t sautéed. Parang steamed sitaw, talong, okra, boiled kalabasa and really good Bagoong on the side. Mmmm, yummy talaga.
During dinner, a lot of the participants were too tired to go to the dining hall. It was expected after all the physical activities. After our trust fall, I took a nap and woke up at 10PM. I was dead tired but I kinda panicked when I saw the time. Reason for the panic: baka wala ng food. Haha. So I got up and went to the mess hall to find just a small group drinking their san mig lights and lots of food.
There was unlimited brewed coffee. Some of the Team Leads mentioned that the drinking water tasted salty. Not sure if it’s from a spring or something. It tasted different but my stomach didn’t complain.
I’m not fond of Sinigang but I enjoyed theirs. The Inihaw na Saging was a delightful surprise. It’s wasn’t like Banana-Q or Pan Fried Banana. Masarap siya ha. I was also surprised that I took seconds of the Pakbet. I’m not even sure if it’s Pakbet because it wasn’t sautéed. Parang steamed sitaw, talong, okra, boiled kalabasa and really good Bagoong on the side. Mmmm, yummy talaga.
During dinner, a lot of the participants were too tired to go to the dining hall. It was expected after all the physical activities. After our trust fall, I took a nap and woke up at 10PM. I was dead tired but I kinda panicked when I saw the time. Reason for the panic: baka wala ng food. Haha. So I got up and went to the mess hall to find just a small group drinking their san mig lights and lots of food.
xXx
It’s been a long time since I’ve had this much fun with my colleagues. I’m glad I stayed in Ops long enough to be in this year’s WTE. There were also a lot of realizations about myself and about our leadership team. My mood: still happy after the WTE. It inspires me to build a stronger team.
1 comment:
I think that pinakbet is the Ilocano style - not the sauted type. I saw my HE teacher in elementary cooked pinakbet that way. And hirap kasi dapat magaling kang magtantya. You just put all the ingredients in the pan or kettle or whatever and cover it. After a few minutes, luto na siya. Ihahalo mo na lang.
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