Day 1 (October 4, 2010)

Day 1

Today, I went on a company visit to

Social Security System

An agency which is created to establish a social security protection to workers in the private sector, wage earners as well as self-employed persons. It is implemented in accordance with the Republic Act 116, better known as Social Security Act of 1954. The company was located at the East Avenue Quezon City. We arrived at the location at exactly 9:10 in the morning. When it comes to security the company was very strict. They are also very strict in monitoring every person who is going in and out of the said company. While we were inside the company I felt like I am one of the employee maybe it is because I am also wearing formal attire which really fit in the company.

What I learned?

Before I am going discuss the things that I have learned at the SSS I will first share what I have learned from our very educational tour guide. While we are still cruising on the bus we have already learned lots of stuffs and that is because of our very informative tour guide, we are used to call him Kuya Al. He told us that the symposium usually lasts for more or less two hours. Another thing that he shared was a brief history about the Philippines; he told us that Quezon City became the capital of the Philippines during Commonwealth regime and that was year 1976 and from 1976 up to the present year the capital of the Philippines is Manila. Our tour guide also shared about the meaning of the name of the city which is Manila; he told us that long ago Manila was once called as Maynila; “May” which means “meron” or “mayroon” and “Nilad” which means Mangrove tree. While we were strolling at the EDSA he told us another trivia again. He said that EDSA was also called as Highway 45.

The company of Social Security System was the first establishment that we have visited and from their company I learned lots of things from them. For me to be able to make it clearer, I am going to discuss what we did and also all the things that I have learned from them.

The first thing that we did at the company is that we had a symposium at their auditorium. I think it lasted for almost two hours; I did not able to mind how long it is maybe it’s because of the very cold temperature. The master of the ceremony was Ms. Mercy Locena. She was introduce the guest speaker which is Mrs. Marissu G. Bugante who is the current Vice President for the public affairs. With the aid of her speech she gave us students a very warm welcome to their company. Mrs. Bugante appreciates the idea of choosing their company; the Social Security System to be one of the companies that we are going to visit. Then after the welcoming and the appreciation thingy she then talks about the rule of Social Security System through her power point presentation. She also discussed about the protection of the company that they give to their member against the economic and social distressed that is caused by contingencies. To make it more understandable, the Social Security System provides the assistance and benefits for the members who are suffering from future catastrophe such as death and retirement. Social Security System corporate values are trust, empowerment and teamwork; these three things are very important factors to be considered. Another thing that she talks about was the company’s mission and vision which is to serve for the good and welfare for the Filipino citizen. She also talked about the importance of getting a membership and participation to us for the future use and requirement. Mrs. Bugante was finished with her discussion but was followed by the department manager (member relations) which is Mrs. Eugenia dela Cruz. She shared to us the history of the company and also the years when it was founded. I have learned that the Social Security System was originated in the year 1957; and they celebrated their 53^rd year last September 1, 2010. The company has 168 branches which is located nationwide with 14 oversea branches to sum it all up there are a total of 180 Social Security System working establishments. I also learned that from 1970 up to 1983 the NCR Machines are found at Baguio and Dagupan. The NCR machines which are Centralized Computer Processing from 1983-1986 which uses Oracle DBMS. And in the year 1992 to 1996 Social Security System is undergoing a business recovery system which they used the SUNM9000 as the server in the main office in San Pablo.

The hardware specialist of the company was Mr. Leo C. Abayan. He is the specialist on the working technologies partake all the information about functioning equipment inside the establishment. In short, they are the ones who is capable of producing IDs that the Social Security System members were using. They are operated with biometrics ID system for civilian purposes. Unfortunately, they are not producing IDs for the members anymore – the reason behind it was that they are trying to create a new and improved ID production which they called that Unified Purpose ID Card. This ID card can avail in all purposes. In addition to what I have learned is the they have approximately 1.7 billion of information that is stored in their database record in their main server.

What I liked?

After the symposium we are clustered into three groups and then we are allowed to explore what is inside their company. At first I really thought that companies are really full of boring stuffs. Fortunately, the Social Security System proved me wrong with their very amazing history that can be found at their Museum. I really admire how they arranged their vintage equipments and some fun to read history of the company.

What I didn’t like?

What I really don’t like at their company is their auditorium. The temperature was really low that I cannot almost understand what the speaker is saying because I am already out of my concentration. I also don’t like the way they speak because it made me really drowsy at that time.

Today, I went on a company visit to

First Academy of Computer Arts

- One of the country's leading providers of digital TESDA-approved design technology courses. With its continuing dedication to curriculum development, it is fast becoming a preeminent gateway for careers in advertising, animation design, multimedia communication and web development. We arrived at the establishment at 3:06 in the afternoon. When we arrive at the academy we are welcomed by their Career Management Adviser named Michelle. We have waited for a few minutes before we started our discussion. Our first discussion talks about digital arts, we discussed about how the technology and computer arts evolved, and about animation. The process of animation is the series of motion of pictures. They also talk about the kinds of animations; the 2D animation and the 3D animation. The 2D animation which is the classic one the recent and newest generation of animation is the 3D animation. They also talked about PMA or Print Media Arts and under PMA are raster and vector images. They also showed us some examples of 2D animation that were made from the portfolios of their students. They showed us lots of various kinds of animation such as comic type animation and also 2D animation. After the mini presentation that they have made Mr. Chris was introduced. He then showed us how to create a 3D image by using the software which they called MAYA. He made a 3D apple with stem and a leaf.

What I liked?

I was really amazed when the first time I entered the First Academy of Computer Arts. It felt like I am living in a sanctuary where there were lots of stuffs which I really like. Such as computers, artistic designs, their artistic freedom wall and everything nice that is related to arts.

What I didn’t like?

What I didn’t like about their academy is their rooms. It is very small and narrow. There is also something which I did not like and that is their presentation on how to create a sample 3D image. I was a bit disappointed because Mr. Chris did not manage to create a finished work of his sample 3D image which is I think the cause of time overdue. But overall it is very nice that we visited the academy despite of all those little things that made me disappointed.