First time

The moment my boss told me he's coming to Manila, I jumped on my seat. Since then, I couldn't stop thinking what to do and not to do. Yeah, you can say I was overreacting.  I was convenient just to communicate through phone, email and chat. It's different when you meet personally. I know he wasn't joking when he told me he's visiting. My previous boss once told me that they would visit the Philippines, but it never happened even after they had to let me go for a change of career.

Let me tell you how I started working from home. I used to work in a call center where I handled webhosting account for Digiweb and Webprovider. In 2001, the company assigned ZoneEdit  for me to handle support all by myself. It was just me, Erik and Mike. Dan came after me. I handled ZoneEdit wholeheartedly. But due to just handling one small account, I didn't get any promotion nor a raise. I was happy with my account but not with how I was being treated by my local superiors.

Anyway, in 2004, the Taiwanese owner was planning to change again the name of the company for the 2nd time. The other Filipino stockholders didn't agree and they decided to offer all operations staff money (separation pay) in agreement to voluntarily resign. I was very concerned with ZoneEdit as no one will handle support. I informed the guys what was happening in the company. After that, Erik called me and asked me to do support for them and just work from home. I was ecstatic. After 3 years, the founders of ZoneEdit sold the company to Dotster. I was absorbed by Dotster only for a year and a couple of months. I sent email to several resellers of ZoneEdit. Tom was the one who replied positively. I was out of work for only 5 days! :D 

November 2008, I started working for Tom. This is where I belong. I always feel more blessed than lucky. I believe I'm working with the best team who tries to help and not compete with each other. I treasure and respect each of them.

February 2013, Tom threw the bomb on me. I asked several people any recommendations on the restaurants and places to visit. There were sleepless nights on the first week I got the news. I was crazy!

Why the title?

First time because:
1.) it was my first time to meet The Boss
2.) it was Tom's first visit to the Philippines
3.) it was my first time to go to American Cemetery ( I didn't know we have one here!)
4.) it was my first time to dine in Cafe Juanita (serves Filipino dishes)
5.) it was my first time to be a local tourist in Intramuros
6.) it was my first time to dine in Hard Rock Cafe
7.) it was my first time to go to the airport!

I warned Tom that I like taking pictures and that he must bear with me if I ask him to post a lot. :D

On Tom's first day (April 18, 2013), we met in his hotel, BayLeaf, Intramuros.

Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel

While waiting for Tom to go down from his room, I took a souvenir shot in the reception. LOL

Here are some of the photos taken on Tom's first day in the Philippines:
 Target: American Cemetery and Cafe Juanita

Inside the car.

American Cemetery - I was hiding my umbrella. :D

 

selfie :D

We found some Barretts'

He's lecturing me!

No Ghosts!

He gave us Boston shirts and caps! Thank you!

Tom looks so amused in this picture! I like this! (Johnny Rockets). We had to wait for Cafe Juanita to open.We were too early.

Cafe Juanita

What we ate

My sister Salve joined us for dinner. They talked mostly about running and being healthy.

Before leaving the premises.

We tried it on right after we came home! haha. It fits! :D

This is the 2nd day  (April 19, 2013):
Target: Tour in Intramuros and early dinner at Hard Rock Cafe

Calesa

Casa Manila - we can't take photos inside. Bummer!

Casa Manila

San Agustin Church - oldest church

Brothers

Fort Santiago

Balluarte

 

Being cool

Souvenir Shot

He's playing 4 pics 1 word!

Hard Rock Cafe

I got a souvenir glass!!

Best Hot Fudge Sundae

Souvenir Shot with Tom and sisters

I realized that I over think things. I worry over nothing. Tom is a great guy. He is very down to earth. He's a good conversationalist since my sisters enjoyed talking with him.

I can't thank Tom enough for what  he did. I feel so important and appreciated. I have never treated like this before so I'm overwhelmed with this experience. I just hope that he visit again with his family. Maybe PALAWAN or BORACAY? I know they are going to read this so I intentionally mentioned that! LOL :D

Hasta la proxima vez...