TO THE WOMAN OF WORTH, (YOU)

This advocacy is born out of a heart that is passionate to witness a generation where every woman is well-aware of her worth in a holistic point-of-view: physically, emotionally, socially, legally and most of all, spiritually and Biblically.

In a world where women experience inequality, violence and discrimination, this advocacy aims to raise up Christ-Empowered Women, who live to empower her home, her husband, her children, her ministry and career, her generation and her nation.

This advocacy believes that this is her time because she is PRISCILLA TODAY.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Araneta Center Inc. Internship


WEEK 1

If my first week of my Araneta internship was an event opening, it would be a total blast opening with sparkling colorful fireworks, grand parades, and pretty flowers hanging all over. and I am not exaggerating! haha!

See, I entered the Araneta marketing team just in the middle of the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 season wherein numerous events are taking place, and these events are not just events..they are life changing events!

The first two days were all office works. Ms. Marjorie Go and Ms. Paula taught me how to manage all the press releases, newspapers, and online journals related to Araneta Center, everything from concerts, to Binibining Pilipinas, to basketball games, to mall events, to corporate/business events, to competitors, name it! They have it! I had to compile all press releases and categorize it into different folders. I would do it from morning 'til night, unless some of my "bosses" would ask me to give or get some important documents from another departments. 














Actually, I have a big workload on my shoulders considering the fact that I am their only intern for the moment since, the other interns would come probably this next week or the week after next week, but it's alright with me since I am a workaholic girl and I love the fact that I am working in a real professional workplace with real professional people. It also feels good to be the only intern, even my bosses call me their 'unica hija' and I love the feeling of being part of their family even for just a few weeks.

Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Paula, one of the PR officers, approached me and told me to help in the event the following day which would be the opening of the Operation Smile event of the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 that would take place in Sta. Ana Hospital. The Operation Smile is a medical mission that aims to repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable health care systems for children and families. The ultimate goal is create smiles, change lives, heal humanity. Ms. Paula told me that the candidates of Binibining Pilipinas will be there to give their own time and effort to make the program possible and to make a change in the life of the cleft-palated children forever.  I got excited with the event that I involuntarily and enthusiastically answered with both twinkling eyes and a beaming smile, "Which equipments will I carry for tomorrow??! What time to I come here? Omygolly, what can I do?!!"

Ms. Paula laughed for a moment and called Mr. Efren to give me some responsibilities for the event the next day. Mr. Efren, the nice and jolly guy, gave me the three banners and told me I was in charge of setting all those up in the venue and I was also given the giant pink check which would be the "money" for the whole operation procedures. Pressures. 

So, that afternoon, I was helping the marketing team in their pre-event preparations, specifically in the preparations of the press kits.






The Event Day: Operation Smile Mission Day 1

Together with Ms. Paula (PR Officer), Ms. Ali Amistad (Digital Marketing Manager), and Ms. Tessa (PR Manager), we met the Binibining Pilipinas candidates on the 11th floor at around 7:00 am in the morning. They were all putting make-up. Actually, they look simpler that what I expected in person. They were my height. Their facial features looked like my friends' and mine. and they all acted like normal people, laughing without poise, chatting about their hard life, and complaining about their beauty problems like we normal people complain about too...but after putting on heavy make-up and long fake eyelashes, they look like glorious beauty goddesses of the Philippines!

We went down and rode three big vans...and inside, while I was waiting for the other girls, I took pictures of the outside and also o myself (vain attacks haha)

















The next thing I know, I was seated next to.....


...the one and only Ms. Universe of 2011, Ms. Shamcey Supsup!!

When we arrived Sta. Ana hospital and just when I got off the van, I was immediately greeted by some director or some manager of a certain organization (probably Operation Smile or the Sta. Ana Hospital or the Binibining Pilipinas) he approached me, shook my hand, and told me this wonderful words: "Hello! Welcome to Sta. Ana hospital! Thank you to you and your fellow candidates for giving the time and---"

"Uhm..Sir, I am not one of them po. I am part of the marketing department of Araneta, I am an intern!" I shook his hand and gave him the most confident and professional smile I could ever give. Random people behind me were taking pictures of us with their cellphones and stuff. 

'Oh no, I am not a binibining Pilipinas candidate, people!' I thought.

He looked at me from head to toe. I was in my favorite vertical striped Bayo blouse, my perfect pair of dark jeans, and standing in a pair of red velvety pump heels which made look fashionable enough to make people think I am one of those girls hahah! (feeler? kainis) and I am also naturally tall and  just as tall as the candidates so maybe that's why people mistake me as a binibining candidate. (aba eh flattered naman ako ng sobra sobra...haba ng hair ko)

Though, I'd like to think I looked pretty enough, I still had to come back in my own senses and realize that I should be sweating and running everywhere to set up the press con venue. 

I rushed to the van got all the roll ups, banners, and the big pink check and went all the way upstairs to the 8th floor to help set up the venue :)

March 24, 2012 Operation Smile Press Conference:



 After all of the people setting up everything needed..the press conference was just about to start! :) People were gathered already, the hospital people, the media, the press, the BP candidates, the Araneta team, and everyone!









Manila Bulletin: 'Operation Smile' Brings Cheer, Hope

By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
March 24, 2012, 12:02am
"MANILA, Philippines — Reigning beauty queens and this year’s candidates of the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 brought smiles of hope in the lives of at least 50 children through a special medical mission of Operation Smile Philippines recently held at the Sta. Ana Hospital.




Led by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) Chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta and Smile Ambassador and Ms. Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup, the ladies assisted in the medical mission as part of an advocacy recently embraced by BPCI. Operation Smile is a private, non-profit organization that conducts medical missions in partner-countries.

During the Ms. Universe 2011 pageant, Shamcey Supsup was one of the selected candidates that participated in the Operation Smile mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bb. Pilipinas International 2011 Dianne Necio and Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon, a registered nurse, were also on hand to assist in the mission.

The ladies were warmly welcomed by Operation Smile Philippines trustees Robbie Antonio of Century Properties and Ann Gonzales of Havaianas and Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Mario Lato. John Joseph Javier, PAGCOR’s, Assistant Manager, Community Relations and Services Department and Manila Bulletin’s Badette Cunanan and Barbie Atienza also graced the occasion.

One of the highlights of the activity was the R600,000 pledge of BPCI intended to fund a future medical mission to benefit at least 40 children. Mrs. Araneta says that “the Binibining Pilipinas is not only concerned about the external beauty of face and figure. Beyond this kind of beauty, we espouse compassion for those who are underprivileged, those who have less in life. The effort becomes more meaningful because through this partnership with Operation Smile, we can actually help bring radiant smiles of hope in the lives of these children.”



Stella Marquez Araneta, BPCI Executive Board Member Conchitina Bernardo, together with three reigning beauty queens Shamcey Supsup, Dianne Necio and Isabella Manjon assisted in the operation of eight-month-old Armhea Lucas, whose cleft problem was so bad it pushed to her nose. After less than an hour, Armhea was brought out of the operating room to her tearful mom, with a brand new countenance. Mrs. Lucas, Armhea’s mom said, “Hindi ko po akalain na may ganitong mangyayari para sa anak ko. Mabuti na lang ang nagpursige ang asawa ko na hanapin ang Operation Smile. Ngayon, walang kasing tamis ang magiging ngiti at buhay ng anak ko. Salamat sa Operation Smile, Binibining Pilipinas at Pagcor.”




Roberto Manzano of Operation Smile welcomed the Bb. Pilipinas queens and candidates into the mission. “We see this as an important highlight in our 30th anniversary celebration of Operation Smile in the Philippines. In Operation Smile, we believe that when you create smiles, you change lives and you heal humanity. It is a touching scene when you see a beautiful girl lifting up the spirit of a child whose cleft deformities and face will be changed forever. It gives an altogether tangible dimension to beauties promoting hope and world peace.”

The Operation Smile mission is just one of many activities of the Bb. Pilipinas 2012. On March 25, there will be a grand Parade of Beauties around the Araneta Center starting at 4 p.m. On April 8, a pre-pageant Primer will be aired on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best. Coronation night will be on April 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and will be aired on ABS-CBN."



After the press conference, everyone was brought into the room wherein kids with cleft lip and palate were playing, crying, and sleeping. Beauty candidates and managers/directors interacted with them while the press were taking pictures.









And I took some moments to take some "souvenirs" YEAH!



March 26, 2012 Last Day of Operation Smile:

Ms. Ali and I met at Mcdonald's and headed to Farmer's to meet all the Binibining Pilipinas candidates. This was the last day of the Operation Smile and it was time to check out the status of the Sta. Ana patients, specifically the kids with cleft lip and palate.

When we arrived Sta. Ana, we headed all to the Operating Room. I was assigned as the photographer for Araneta therefore I was given a chance and opportunity to take pictures inside the room, but unfortunately I only have the Araneta DSLR camera in my hand and my personal camera is in my bag which I left in the meeting area.

Together with the candidates, we changed into the required operating room outfit... it was fabulous! haha!




We witnessed a life-changing experience inside the operating room. The kids who were undergoing a surgery were all asleep while the doctors, the nurses, the assistants were all working hard to give them quality operation and a new hope and a new life, while the parents outside were all worriedly praying and nervous about everything. Being Araneta's official photographer, I aimed to capture the best photos I can. Kneeling down to get the best angle. Tiptoeing above the chair to get a great view and a dramatic angle. and just everything to satisfy and impress the Araneta marketing team and to show them that I am serious about my job. 



But sadly, I don't own those DSLR pictures so I should only upload my own copies from my own camera.










So after all the surgey and after seeing all the kids with normal lips and palate, I felt as if I was so happy about being a part of the event in my own little ways. It was also shocking at the same time seeing the whole procedure of the operation, all the blood and sweat, just....nuff said


Lunch break and interaction with the post surgery - recovering patients (as well as the pre-surgery patients):


This is where I began to make friends with the Binibining Pilipinas candidates and discovered a lot of things about them too :) while they also discovered things about me through asking me questions about my course, my internship, my college life, and more...















So that would be all for the week and I shall now sign off for I will be preparing myself for another event tomorrow (Sunday, March 25, 2012) It would be the Parade of Beauties! It will start at 4pm at the Araneta Center. Come?




 WEEK 2


March 25, 2012 Sunday 

Araneta Center's Annual Parade showcase Bb. Pilipinas Beauties 

It was a big sunday for the Binibining Pilipinas candidates and for me as well. It was one of the events I was looking forward to as an intern in the company. I loved how I was given a balance of exposure whether in office work or in field work.I love both kinds of work but field work and events management seem to be more adventurous. No routine. Just risks.


Our calltime was at 2pm at the Balay (in front of Farmer's market). Inside the conference hall, 24 beautiful girls were all preparing for the grand parade that will take place at the streets surrounding Araneta Center Inc. A few were retouching their eye makeup, with their faces all close to their own mirrors, busily and focused in putting on lashes and eyeliners, while some were already made up and just listening to their iPods as they rest their eyes. Whatever they do, they were all seated in a cool place and trying to be at their most comfortable state before their big moment....

While I was outside under the heat of the noon scorching sun, making sure that everyone was present and in their places. The fiesta dancers? check! Cars? all present? Check! Now, it's time to put the numberings and the three balloons each car (taco bell balloon, dairy queen balloon, and pizza hut balloon) and by the time my job's done. I shall capture these pretty colorful scenes in my camera...and of course, in Araneta's DSLR camera since I was made the official photographer of the event with Mr. Efren Deblois:
















"The event coincides with the Araneta Coliseum’s 50th anniversary – the pageant’s venue for the highly anticipated Coronation Night on March 6, 2010. Clad in chic gold-hued swimwear, the candidates toured the Center onboard sporty Mazda Miata cars. Reigning beauty queens Pamela Bianca Manalo (Miss Universe-Philippines 2009), Melody Gersbach (Bb. Pilipinas International 2009), and Marie Ann Umali (Bb. Pilipinas World 2009) looked regal atop a Greek-inspired float. The Philippine Navy and Marine Drum and Bugle bands provided the lively accompaniment, while drumbeaters, poi dancers, mimes, fire eaters, and other street performers wowed spectators lined up along the streets of Araneta Center. Motorcycle riders of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Dairy Queen added to the festive mood.
The annual parade is the penultimate activity for the candidates before they go through the final stage of the competition to clinch the three major pageant titles. The annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant is the major fundraising project of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), which for the last 46 years continues to bring the message of hope and love across the nation. BPCI is the official franchise holder of the Miss International, Miss Universe and Miss World beauty pageants. True to BPCI’s mission, the young ladies involved with Binibining Pilipinas show that real beauty lies within, as they pursue projects that help improve the lives of the underprivileged members of society." - official BBP site

After the parade, everyone was lead into the stage wherein all candidates and the three queens will be presented. It took place in front Gateway Pavilion, wherein I was backstage tasked to give cues to the technician for sounds and to the host for the voiceover script. I was given a certain amount of time wherein the whole program had to be done. I was in the guidance of the Gateway Marketing Officer, Ms. Kristel. My training with my Events Management class, Theater class, TV prod class, and my extracurricular Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam (wherein I once took the role of Stage Manager) made me go beyond what is expected of me. I made an impression that I knew what I was doing. Pats on the back and congratulating smiles from my bosses met me as I was done with the event, and it felt beyond fulfilling, even I was surprised with what I did. 
 After the event program, the next task was to gather everyone (candidates, queens, media, event organizers, drivers, etc.) involved in setting up the event for dinner at the Gateway Oasis. I brought all the press kits into the registration area where I was assigned to get the contact details of the media for future events wherein they will be needed for press release and publicity.
Problem Encountered: the Gateway Oasis is a floating open air restaurant and it was already starting to rain. The food is already placed in the buffet table and half of the guests were already at the registration booth and dinner starts in 15 minutes.
I remember back in my Events Management class that we were taught the importance of knowing the venue and the importance of having Plan Bs especially in events that take place in an open air area. I joined the discussions of the marketing team on  deciding what to do next and it was a good thing we all are familiar with Gateway that is why we decided to move dinner to Gateway Suites conference hall just two floors above. And everything now fell into place, I transferred all press kits and met up with each and every media myself to inform them and usher them to the next location. One group from the media approached and thanked me for accommodating them and also this group even remembered me helping them ever since the Operational Smile Event! Hearing that made me feel special and important! 

Monday was dedicated for office work. I was working and focused in what I’d like to call ‘my own desk’. I had the privilege to have my own desk since I was their only intern. For that day, I was reading the newspapers to note on how frequent the event yesterday, the Parade of Beauties, appeared on the print media.  Several newspapers, such as Manila Tribune, Manila Bulletin, and Taliba, had the Parade of Beauties media coverage at the front page, while the Parade of Beauties news story appeared on the entertainment sections of widely known newspapers such as Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer. It was a good thing that almost all newspapers had a news story for the event yesterday. Araneta was in every newspaper that day and the coverage was all free.
  This monitoring task always reminds me of my Public Relations class, it was very essential for the company to always have regular contact with the media and build good relationships with them to keep the company’s publicity going. I remember during the after-parade dinner, our Public Relations Manager, Ms. Tessa Mangahas, was seated with the writers dining with them, laughing with them, and strengthening relationships with them. I encoded all the new media contacts from the registration booth wherein I was assigned to take charge of during the dinner last night. I had the list with me in which I asked the every single media person to sign in with their names during their dinner last night at Gateway Suites. I roamed around every table making sure they get media tokens (Binibining Pilipinas paperbag with Bb. Pilipinas T Shirt inside) and thank them for coming to the parade. At that moment, in my little way, I was Araneta Center Inc.’s spokesperson or representative to communicate to the media.
Technically, the Parade of Beauties event was over and next in line was the Araneta Grand Summer Sale on March 30 to April 4. It was an upcoming event that was heavy for the advertising group in the marketing department so I had to assist them in whatever tasks they are doing. I was given the responsibility to do digital marketing for a while (posting advertisements of the upcoming sale, posting pictures of promo items and thinking of captions that will surely make the readers want to shop). In this task, I was given the opportunity to use my copywriting skills and I have been able to apply my copywriting knowledge of the importance of not only being clever but also being conversational and understood by the market. 
As I was in the middle of posting the Araneta Summer Sale photos, I was asked by Mr. Joey, the Advertising Head of Araneta Center,  if I was good at DSLR cameras and photography and asked if I could take photos of Gateway shops and promo items. I quickly admitted that I am not that trained and experienced in photography (unlike my some of my blockmates who took photography as their electives) but I remember I told him that I am more than willing to learn photography if he would want teach me how. Right away, Mr. Joey took a DSLR camera and taught how to use the on and off button and what to click when I want to capture a photo and then that’s it. He then told “I think that’s all you need to know. Just go and just take pictures! Just follow your instincts”, while I was starting to panic inside knowing I never knew the “photography” angles, lighting, etc. No matter how afraid I was, I put on a brave smile and answered “I will do my best, Sir!”
Not only was I going to take pictures, Ms. Alicia Amistad also told me to interview shop managers regarding their promo items and biggest sale percentage during the Grand Araneta Summer Sale.  This was a sudden field work. I can say that it was also one of my biggest responsibilities in Araneta since I was alone in doing the research and photography and I was not with someone of a higher authority when I conduct interviews and take photos. I was my own guide and supervisor at that moment. 
Armed with the Marketing Department’s DSLR camera, my notebook and pen, and my Araneta ID, I went store to store in Gateway Mall introducing myself as Araneta Marketing Department Representative (as what I was told to say) and then interviewed them. The funny thing is that whenever I professionally and gracefully introduce myself as a representative of the Araneta Marketing Team, they would immediately stand straight and give me their warmest smile and their best foot forward. I felt respected as a professional every time they do that wondering how they would react if I admit I was just an intern, but my boss forbids me to do so because they might lose interest in the interview.
So coming back to the office with loads of pictures piled up in the DSLR camera, I took a deep breath and showed Ms. Alicia and Mr. Joey my photos (my first-time photos). Oh well, I couldn’t just believe it. They approved my pictures and told me they were going to use it for future publicity (maybe for the website or for the press release!! Who knew?)
Tuesday was the same as Monday. Office works. But it was it was my orientation day wherein I knew Araneta Center much better (its origins, its properties, etc.)! I also got to acquire and apply the company’s mission and vision into my passion for work. I remember Sir Bagaman, my PR professor, saying that employees are more motivated to work in their company when they apply and put into heart its vision and mission. This is called Internal PR/Communication. Sufficient knowledge about the company is one of the components that foster effective employee involvement. In our OJT Orientation, one of the Internal Communication Tools was implemented: Audio Visual Presentations and Powerpoints.













Wednesday night (overtime), I helped the marketing team set up the Binibining Pilipinas exhibit at the Gateway Mall. It was more fun than I imagined. This kind of activities really strengthens our teamwork and our professional relationships with each other! :)







Friday marked the Araneta ONE HOT SALE! This day everyone inside the marketing department were all busy making calls, sending faxes, photocopying, carrying posters around, distributing flyers to each property, and I? I assisted in every task I know I can help with. I was in charge of producing the raffle tickets and preparing the raffle prizes for the grand draw!















WEEK 3

This week is marked as the official Holy week wherein Thursday, Friday and Saturday were officially holidays, so I assumed work for Monday to Wednesday would be as light as ever, but I was wrong! Aside from the required office work and all the Public Relations monitoring, the whole marketing team was preparing for the Easter Event on Sunday. So I had to get out of my way to help them with the packing of kiddie prizes such as candies and sponsor freebies. 


At that night, the marketing team and I  had to set up another Bb. Pilipinas photo exhibit again. So it was another opportunity to take overtime and to build great team work with the officers!


Packing of candies was way more fun than I imagined. The conference room wherein the packing has to be done was filled with mountains of different colorful candies! It was as if I was in Candyland! the look of the room and the sweet smell of the room brought me into cloud nine so I didn't have any problem packing 500 bags of candy. After all, even the bosses of the marketing team were also packing with me!







 After the packing, my next task was to finalize the judges kit for the biggest night of Binibining Pilipinas, the Coronation Night. So for the whole two days I was working on the judges' kit and also I was encoding the candidates' writeup which I really enjoyed doing since I got to know more about the candidates' life!


I wasn't really expected to come at the Easter Egg Race event. It was a Sunday and it was Easter which should be a holiday, but it was the perfect time for the company to reach out to their market. My marketing boss gave me the choice to come or not to come because she told me that if I would make it, she would put me as co-host of the event, marshal of the games, and finally judge for all the artwork competition. Since I was a girl who loved new experiences....I SAID YES!
























 I really love doing kiddie events. It really feels so nice to have the power to put smiles on the kids' faces and also on their parents' faces. I loved how they looked up on me and call me "Ate Zel". During the event, I could say that I got a lot of exposure, even the media (ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5,etc.) who were there for the coverage knew me as "Ate Zel". 


It was all such a great experience helping with the games, the prizes, the freebies, the easter egg painting, the easter egg race, the judging of artworks, and many many more! That day I knew I was great at managing kiddie events and I had to this again and again!


135 hours down...15 more to go!





WEEK 4

The Binibining Pilipinas Coronation Night was getting closer and closer. The marketing team was also getting busier and busier. I even lost count of my hours! At first, my focus was to reach 150 hours, but at that moment my focus was to make sure that the Coronation Night would be successful. 


So I was tasked to do the judges' kit, the press kit, and also the invitations for the victory party after. I was introduced to the new interns of the marketing department. I thought at least I get to experience having co-interns and not being alone.















After all that, I went back to my timecard to check on the number of hours more to work on, and to my surprise, I've finished 162 hours already!


I immediately told the marketing team about it, especially to my immediate supervisor, Marjorie Go. I thanked them for all the exposure, experiences, and opportunities they have given me without any second thought and they also thanked me for working with them and they even told me that I was one of the most competent and efficient interns they had. I also got more heart warming messages from them such as "You will always be welcome in Araneta Center, especially in the marketing department", "We will miss you in the office", and last but not the least "If it's alright with you, would you extend until the Binibining Pilipinas Coronation Night? It would be really nice to have you work with us there, but that is if it is okay with you?"


And again, I gave my biggest smile and happily said "Of course!"

GRAND FINALE 
(Extra OJT work) 

I knew even if I was just extending, I still needed to become as competent and efficient as I was before since I agreed to work with them.  I was assigned to manage the Media registration booth, and I never thought I was going to meet big media people like Ginger Cornejero, Mario Dumaual, Ricky Lo, etc.!




The interns were all given Media IDs so they could roam around the audience area, stage area, and backstage area. Thus, I was able to watch the most beautiful show of the year!
















FORMAL CLOSURE / EXIT INTERVIEW


Everytime an intern finishes his/her internship with Araneta, the intern should always be interviewed by the HR Department regarding her experience, her bosses, her co-interns, and everything regarding the OJT.  


















And I can say the whole OJT was a great experience. I was given a lot of exposure and I was surprised by the events that took place which I never knew I could become a part of. I remember as a kid, I watch Binibining Pilipinas on television and who would know that one day I'd become a part of it (of course, not as one of the candidates) but at least a part of it. I have even tried almost every work, from office work to field work. I have even made professional relationships with the media through Binibining Pilipinas and also with Araneta's youngest market through the Easter event. And what I like most about being an intern of Araneta is knowing that I have already experienced my future work. After all, I was already in the Araneta HR Department 's Talent Bank.