#ibmcscphilippines

What a week ... and it feels like I’m here for a month now. I think its because of so many exciting things that have happened this week. We spent weekend in Manila to acclimatise, went to see the IBM Philippines office in Manila and had lunch with country general manager Luis Pineda, moved to Los Banos where we will spend next 4 weeks working for IRRI, kicked-off our projects meeting all the great people from IRRI and SEARCA together with director general Matthew Morell and finally started working on our project.

The project I’m working on with Diana and Kirsten is to help IRRI digitize their Country Briefs - documents that scientists, researchers and management use to prepare for a visit abroad or for hosting an incoming visitor. It can contain info on the country, the collaboration history but also - of course - info on the rice. As like an other organization this information is scattered. It’s our task to find the data and loop it into the country brief. To sum it up: it’s finding the data and the source and than create ‘one stop shop’ where all the data can be found. 

In the first few days we did a great progress, managed to interview few people from IRRI, get closer to understanding of current state in the organisation and think of what deliverables we can deliver in 3 weeks.

I was hoping to blog daily but we have also other important staff to do (like ride a jeepney or climb mountains ) so we help each other and blog every other day. The rest of the team is than more than happy to reblog  :). 

I-view with Jacqueline Hughes  - Deputy Director General (Research)

Team brainstorm

Web team in action

the best team mates Diana and Kirsten fully focused in our office

Morning in Los Banos is very different that in Manila. We have left the city and enjoy the beautiful country under mount Makiling.

After short orientation/security briefing @ IRRI we were ready for the Kick-off ceremony. Time to suit-up. We met with our clients from SEARCA and IRRI to officially start our projects. A lot of people invested their time to prepare this project and the expectations are high so “no pressure”  :).

After the ceremony we moved to IRRI and the real work began.

Here we go ! On Monday morning we are moving to Los Banos but fist we have a planned visit @IBM Philippines in Manila and meeting with Country General Manager Luis Pineda. 

Thanks to the whole IBM team for their hospitality ! 

In the afternoon we had an introduction session @IRRI with the management team and our project mentors. I feel excited and motivated as we go through the IRRI mission. It is great to be here and have the opportunity to help the organisation achieve their goals. Even though we are not going to breed the next perfect rise seeds we still can do our part and help IRRI with their challenges. 

Friday:

After 14 hours in plane + 4 hours in Dubai I had a chance to experience the magic of Manila traffic - approx 5 km to hotel in 2 hours. Looks something like this :)

Later in the evening we had a first dinner with people from the team who already arrived to Manila. 

Saturday:

The first nigh could have been better :) Jet lag allowed me to sleep for about 3 hours and I was ready for the busy day. We had a great breakfast and went for the Orientation session to go through the plan for the next 4 weeks and do some teambuilding. It was great meeting the team whole and learn more about them using the “Roadmap” exercise. My buddy for this activity was Prashand and he did a great job presenting my roadmap (highlights from my life). Here few picture from the morning session. 

In the afternoon we went for a walk to see the City of Makati (one of the sixteen cities that make up Metro Manila).

Church

In the evening a short 20 min. well deserved rest in the pool :)

And finally a team dinner in the Filipino restaurant where we tried local cuisine like adobo, crispy pata, calamansi or halo halo (maybe not 100% correct name of the food :) ). All so different from what I am used to but very tasty. I’m looking forward to try even more from the local goodies. 

Halo Halo dezert

Sunday:

Last full day in Manila and opportunity for us to do some sightseeing before we move to Los Banos where the real hustle begins. We went for a #bambiking to see the famous Intramuros (oldest district and historic core of Manila). Great trip interrupted by rain :) 

I ended up with the most awesome bike.

What an honor to be the first bambiker from Slovakia :)

.

.

.

... and than the rain

This is no fun :) I know for sure that I'll forget something ... 

The first virtual session with our client was great. We shared our career and personal background and had some fun. Diana form US, Kirsten from the Netherlands and Jerry from IRRI Philippines. Cant wait to meet them on site.

Have a look at this video about IRRI’s mission. 

Starting this blog to keep friends, family, co-workers, and everybody else updated on my upcoming trip to the Philippines with IBM Corporate Service Corps (CSC)! For those not familiar with the CSC program, it was launched in 2008 with the intent of providing critical help to emerging markets around the world.  I was lucky enough to be selected last year to be part of this program, with my actual assignment coming up soon.  My trip starts Thursday, June 23 as I travel to Los Baños, Philippines, and return July 24. Together with 14 other colleagues from all around the world - from Brasil, Netherlands, US, Italy, Spain, India to South Africa - I’ll be working at the International Rice Research Institute at Los Banos, Philippines for four weeks.  I have started packing :) ... stay tuned !