Monday, February 13, 2012

30 And Then, There's The Ending

I just came back from a 4-day "vacation" in Cebu. We'll it's not actually a vacation. I needed to go back to finalize my turnover with my employer aside from I was required to be there personally to claim my last pay. As some of you already know, I was working with a game development company based in Cebu. As  the person in-charge of all the accounts and clients, I learned a lot. This is my first try in this industry and I was happy, I enjoyed it.. It was September 2010 when they offered me the position and then, there started the history. Met people who I never imagine to be friends with. Like graphic artists, web developers, seo specialist, mobile app developers and project managers. 'twas hard for me. I never kept that to myself. I have been open to my friends that this job is really hard for me. I had no single idea on how to create a game proposals, project estimations and timelines. But they accepted me. They patiently answered my curious questions and ignorance of the nature of their job. Most of them became my friends. I guess, at first, we just didn't have a choice but to work "professionally" with each other. But as time goes by, I realized, I was already going out for dinner and beer with them and unconsciously, I was enjoying their company. Some of them became my diner-over-weekends buddy. Some were my night-til-dawn buddies. We became friends, in short. =)

Working from home for the past 8 months now, makes me feel sad that here comes the ending. Our office will be expanding in the US and will be hiring a little team there to accommodate our clients in the US. And to do that, the CEO and Founder decided to retrenched some of their employees here in the Philippines. And I was part of it. We were only seven people who got affected by this changes. It was a sad, sad news for us. I felt anger in my body. I felt betrayed by those people who I knew would tell me upfront with what's going on. The news was delivered to me via Skype and was told that the termination of my employment will be effective in the next 30days (February 10, 2012) or as soon as I am finish with my turnover. I've got myself soaked up in anger, bitterness and sadness for almost 1 whole week. Since I am based in Manila and our office in Cebu, my mailbox was always full of discussions on matters like separation pay, employee rights and the process of turnover. A week before the effectivity of my termination, finally, an air fare reservation was made for me. 

February 9, 2012, I set my foot in the land of Cebu again. I don't know what to think when I heard the plane crew announcing that the plane had just landed in Cebu-Mactan International airport. I knew this is it. I am back in Cebu not as I expected before. But as an ordinary person, soon with no job. The moment I went out of the plane and started breathing Cebu air, I felt sadness. I knew this would happen. That's why I needed to see my friends first and be happy with them before I set my foot in our office for the last time. I wanted to turn back the time. Behind my loud voice and non-stop laughters over breakfast with my friends, I was so scared. I felt nervous going back to our office. I was so sad inside.. 

Then the time came that I needed to face it. Our office stays dark until an employee who came in first for the day will turn on the lights. Goosebumps all over me. I tried to cover up my sadness and scared feeling by checking in the office. Like familiarizing myself again. No one in the office yet. One--by-one, people started coming in. I hid myself in the conference room while having a discussion with one of my collegues. I guess, I was avoiding questions like "kumusta ka?", because I am not okay... But I can't hide all day. I still wanna see these people who became my friends. I can't just hide myself the whole time I'm in the office. It was nice to see them again. So nice. Really felt good to be back. I wanted to spend more time with them but schedules were not so nice to us. 

I will be always grateful with PODD. Philippine Offshore Design and Development Corp. To my officemates who became my friends, to all the projects I was able to help them with, to all accounts and clients I have handled, to all the ranting and story telling sessions, to all the dinner, beer and videoke happeniings, all of 'em will be part of me. I am leaving PODD as its Account Manager but not its people. I will remain as a friend.

To my boss, I love you. I may not like all your management styles, I love you as a person. You will always be one of my best boss. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and letting me learn. Thanks for the patience and understanding. Cheer up, you're pretty and you deserve a very good month of vacation. Can't wait to see you and have some beer with you again. 

I wish good things will come to PODD. Good luck and I wish for more success in your business. Thanks  for the opportunity to be of help and to work with you.. I am moving on now. In the future that we will bump into each other again, I will still be the "Ness" who was once part of your office. 



Goodbye for now,
Ness




PODD Corp.
2A-2F Pacific Square Bldg., F. Cabahug,
Mabolo, Cebu City 6000
Website: Here



30 comments:

Lei said...

that's a great attitude.. things happen for a reason!!

Pooh said...

Aww.. As they say, all good things must come to an end. And it's great that there is no hint of hostility sa pag-alis mo. :)

Good luck!

YANI said...

Life has to move on :) Good luck on your next employer. All the best Ness!

Lady Patchy said...

Charge it all to experience. i'm sure there are other better jobs coming .Try overseas's,mas malaki ang sweldo and mag eenjoy ka for sure ,new country ,new environment ,new friends .

Vonn Angelie David said...

changes are never easy.. but a few years from now when you look back, you're sure to wear a smile

Algene said...

It's good that you still know how to thank your boss despite the management styles na di mo gusto :) Good luck for the new chapter in your life. Marami pang blessings dyan!

GagayMD said...

oh! this is sad.. ;( but surely, you'll get a new job soon, a better, i guess..and as what others said above, the Lord has a great reason why you need to move out from the company..

btw, sana nagmeet tau dito Cebu anoh?hek hek.

Trisha said...

I just joined/followed youon GFC :)

Good luck here, my friend! :) May God bless you! Hoping for the best!

Sionee said...

This is a really nice post. Medyo mabigat sa dibdib but it is full of sincerity and gratitude! Good luck on your future endeavor!

ROMELO said...

what kinds of games do they develop? for what platform? any popular titles? I'm sure you'll get a new job... :D

chrisair said...

ang cool naman ng work mo, iba talaga ang mga talented

PALiiiTS said...

There's no such thing as ending, I look at it as a new beginning :)

Nancy said...

Aww! I so totally know how it feels like. Been there too...just different company name, different people, different stories but similar feeling. It's okay. There'll be a brighter future ahead of you Ness. If you have done things for your previous company quite well, you can do better to the next or even more than that.

nessie said...

With all that experience and knowledge under your belt, I'm sure you'll find a new job. I'm sure that your if your boss had a chance, he will try his best to keep all of his employees. But the recession makes this a very impossible feat. Just be glad that you had a chance to be part of something great. I'm sure their memories of you are nothing but fond too. :)

Michi said...

it's sad but it's the reality, nothing is permanent in this world but i like your attitude. =)

lalalaPatricia said...

Things come and go. And there's a reason behind it. Good thing you were not bitter about that! Goodluck on your journey! :)

enzo said...

Yeah...things happen for a reason. Before you knew it, you will be in another office working for a new company. Maybe then, with a better pay and a better working environment. Saying goodbye is always a part of life.

MheAnne said...

changes like losing ones job could be tough, but when we think of it as a blessing in disguise then it becomes easier to accept.i'm sure our Heavenly Father has a better plans for you! glad you can cheer up and move on.good luck!!

athena said...

awww i hope u enjoyed cebu during your stay even if it was for work :>

Rachelle Nessia said...

Keep your chin up! Better things await you. When you're down, there's no other way to go but up. The Lord will give you that dream job, in His perfect timing. :-)

Baterya said...

Cheer up! i know there will be more great opportunities that will come on ur way . your friends will also miss you, just keep in touch with them. they are still ur frends even if ur not with them now. god has another plan for you. best plan for you. god bless!

Chilipina | Ayzee Casimiro said...

I feel you. This is the risk we take for working in an offshore/outsourcing company. I was almost affected by the same thing in my current employer. Fortunately, things changed in my favor. Pero yun nga, ngayon naghahanap na ko ng Phil-based company to work for. Don't worry, something better will come to you :)

Unknown said...

think positive... there'll be greater opportunities along the way. GOD will bless you.

CrescentFire said...

I rather think this is a new beginning for you, keep on moving, better things will come your way. :)

ArjAngel said...

Wow nice share. Don't worry with your attitude you can see a better tomorrow

Noel said...

That's normal feelings you feel but sooner it will pass by and don't worry if someone close the door for you there's someone will open it for you so don't be sad that's life and life must go on.. cheer up think your dream and push it yourself to reach that dream.. thanks for sharing your experience..

markpogi said...

Just remember, as God closes his door, he opens thousands of windows for you. Everything happens for a reason and that reason would be the best for you.

Irene said...

Aww this was sad. It is difficult to say goodbye because you've made so many wonderful memories with wonderful people. But the story inspired me as well. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful story.

God bless on a new chapter of your life. :-)

Gil Camporazo | RandomThoughts! said...

It's a sad account of your job termination. Anyway you've to accept the painful reality. You don't own them. You're just a part of them, being hired for a job. Just keep on trying to find another job, a secured job. Sooner or later you could have one, a permanent and well-secured job for that matter.

Jhoveleen said...

As what they say, things happen for a reason. Though sad but surely in the coming days you'll just noticed that you're laughing out loud.

Good luck in your job search! God Bless!

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