For those who know me well, giving back to the community is something I am very passionate about. I used to think I would have a career with an NGO or a non profit organization. But I was offered a job with IBM after college and have never looked back. Even though I have had a corporate job for 12 years, I have managed to find ways to volunteer with organizations I am passionate about. For me, giving back to the community is like food for the soul. Not only does it offer some benefit (hopefully) to the community but it also fills me with a sense of purpose and happiness.
On Saturday, we had our community service activity at Taguig City University. All IBM Corporate Service Corps assignments include a community service day where the assignees participate in an activity to benefit the local community. Our project was to host sessions at Taguig City University for university students as well as Senior High School students. I was assigned to facilitate a session for the students on the ‘Internet of Me’ which is a topic related to cyber awareness (how they can protect their online identity etc.). Other team members were assigned to additional topics related to blockchain, analytics, internet of things, project management, English communication, stress management, etc. We were all split up and assigned a group of students for workshops on these various topics. Before dividing into groups, we had an opening ceremony with the IBM GM as well as a Taguig City University Vice President. The IBM CSC team got up on the stage and we introduced ourselves to the students. As we were walking onto the stage, the facilitator asked if we had prepared a group song or dance. Unfortunately, we had not (and yes this was a serious question). In retrospect, we should have prepared some kind of entertainment. But instead we went down the line and each of us said where we were from, and a fun fact or something that we loved about the Philippines. I’m not sure why, but I decided it was a good idea to mention that I love all of the singing that is always a part of every social gathering….and then before I could even finish my sentence, the crowd starting chanting “sample! sample!” I did not prepare for a solo singing performance on stage, so I politely declined and then was made fun of by the rest of my group afterwards 😀
The workshop went well and I was so impressed with the students in my group. They were all very young – most were senior high school students so around 16 to 18 years old. I facilitated a session on cyber awareness and then my IBM CSC colleague, Mary, facilitated a session on Internet of Things (with a lively game of Pictionary in the middle of the sessions). The students were asked to come up with ideas for products utilizing the ‘internet of things’ and we were so impressed by their thoughtful and innovative ideas. Most of the students were more comfortable speaking in Tagalog (Filipino language) so we had a local IBMer in the room to help with translating. Something that struck me about the students is the fact that they were so vocal and comfortable with being in front of the room sharing their ideas. It was inspiring to be around them for the morning and I left feeling energized (although slightly hot!). We even got a chance to have Jollibee for lunch at the school…which is the most popular fast food chain in the Philippines. I heard they are even opening one up in NYC!
A fun fact about Taguig City University – this university is going to be a part of the first P-Tech model schools in the Philippines. P-Tech schools are schools which offer a joint high school / early college curriculum (generally geared towards STEM subjects) with the hope that the students will be qualified for a technical job after the end of the program. I am involved as a mentor with a P-Tech school back home in Norwalk, Connecticut (Norwalk Early College Academy). The schools partner with IBM and they are expanding outside of the US to other geographies. So it is exciting that Taguig City University is going to be partnering with IBM to start a P-Tech curriculum for it’s students. You can find out more about P-Tech schools here: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/ptech/index.html
After the community service event, Malwina, Dmitry and I met with Director Richard at a nearby mall which resembles the Grand Canal in Venice. We walked around for a bit and then he drove us to the Conrad Hotel in Manila for afternoon tea and sunset views. We really have been lucky to have him show us around the city and provide us with these amazing experiences. He drove us back to the hotel, and we were listening to loud music and watching the sunset light up the sky in so many different colors. It was one of those moments that will probably stick with me for awhile. It was once again another great day!
The Opposite Side of the World 