Five Books That Will Change Your Life

By Roland Andrei T. Carada, Senior Digital Media Associate

A confession: I read a lot of books but not a lot of books that can change your life. I live mostly in the realm of science fiction and fantasy.

Don’t get me wrong though. Books have always been a great way to expand your mind and show you a new way of thinking. Some books have these incredible ideas that can have profound effects on the way you do things.

I think I’ve seen some of these books in my 36 years and as one of the “elder” statesmen here at TeamAsia, and I thought I would share them with you.

Here are my five books that may change your life:

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino

No other book has changed the way I think more than this one. It’s a manual on how to be a great salesman wrapped in a familiar story. It showcases the power of attitude and habit, and why certain attitudes and habits dictate your success in life.

It’s important because, at the end of the day, all of us are salespeople. Writers need to sell their ideas. Artists need to sell their craft. Marketers are selling their brand. When we’re applying for jobs, or presenting for our next internal meeting, we are selling ourselves and our ideas. We are all selling something no matter what our profession is.

Pro-tip: Pick up this book, do what it says for over a year. It has very specific and practical instructions on what to do every month on your journey.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/356896.The_Greatest_Salesman_in_the_World

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin

As the saying goes, winners never quit and quitters never win. But that’s not true, is it? Winners do walk away and some quitters have moved on to become great successes in their lives.

The difference is knowing when to quit and when to push on the through. This book teaches you when to hold on and when to let go.

https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Stick/dp/1591841666

Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath

The book has a simple premise. You have a particular set of strengths and weaknesses. Most learning and development programs tell you to eliminate your weaknesses. This book however tells you that you must emphasize your strengths. You can’t grade a fish by telling it to fly.

Strengthsfinder 2.0 will show you your strengths and how to apply them at work and in your daily life.

Pro-tip: Never buy a used one. These have access codes for Gallup’s Clifton Strengths Test, which will help show you what your strengths are.

https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10385/strengthsfinder-2.0-(hardcover)

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

This book will make you fall in love with data and research. In it, you would find out why some people are successful and some aren’t. It exposes interesting truths and little nuggets of information that make all the difference in succeeding in life.

For example, did you know the greatest basketball players are born around January to March? Michael Jordan, the consensus greatest player in the world was born in February. The reason is that, you get accepted into programs faster than most other kids your age by just being born before the summer sports leagues.

But it’s not when you were born that makes you different or successful. It’s the underlying reason that’s important. It allows you to practice more and reach that golden number that Malcolm would say over and over in the book. 10,000 hours. According to Gladwell, that’s the amount of hours you should put in your line of work, before you can be truly great at it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3228917-outliers

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

This book shows you why some teams do everything for each other and why some are stuck in infighting and misery. The secret sauce is in the leaders.

There are good leaders and there are bad leaders. I’ve met some of them in my long and winding career path. There are some people I will cherish forever and some that I relegate to the bargain bin dumpster of “forgotten” and “hope to never see again.”

This book made me realize why I’m where I am right now and why I’m sticking to it. Find yourself a great leader and see where they will lead you.

https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Leaders_Eat_Last.html?id=3SliAgAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y

And that’s it. These are the five books that I hope will change your life for the better. I can’t guarantee that these will make you change the way you think or confirm what you already know, but I do think that they will have at least a positive impact.

The truth is – it all starts with you. The courage to make a change and live your best life lies in the only person that should be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. You.

My Post COVID-19 Christmas Wish List

By Jenny Uriarte Rodolfo, Account Manager

To say that the first half of 2020 has been rough would be an understatement. It’s hard to believe that in only six months, the Philippines has already experienced a volcanic eruption, the African swine flu, AND the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This series of unfortunate events led to cancelled corporate and social gatherings, mass protests, unemployment, and various degrees of community quarantine.

Despite all of this, I’m thankful I made it to this day. It’s officially June. This means that we’re only three months away from Christmas. (You do know that Christmas in the Philippines starts in September, right?)

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I am excited for the Christmas season because after everything we’ve been through, we all need something good to look forward to. Christmas in the Philippines always means unlimited happy vibes, festive decoration, family bonding, reunions, and all the delicious holiday food we can’t stop eating. I can’t wait!

With the holiday season around the corner, it’s never too early to start your wish list, right? Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

Work from home essentials

Since some of us will be rotating between work from home, and reporting to the office to maintain social distancing, wouldn’t it be nice to make your home office a better place?

If your work involves a lot of conference calls, you should definitely have a noise cancelling headset on your list. A nice and comfortable office chair, ergonomic keyboard and mouse, a helpful laptop riser, or a standing desk would be nice to have too, especially to aid during inevitable overtime!

The homebaker starter pack

Since the quarantine period started, everyone has been busy in the kitchen. Some people even started selling to make some extra cash. You name it, someone on Facebook or Instagram has probably baked, and sold it. From treats like mango ref cakes, Spanish bread, ube-cheese pan de sals, the classic banana cake to savory lasagnas and experimental sushi bakes, here are so many recipes to try to help you earn that dough!

If you’re keen to explore this creative side of yours, you may want to wish for equipment such as a stand mixer, measuring spoons, a kitchen scale, various baking pans (they come in all shapes and sizes), and of course, a starter oven. Don’t forget to add cute food-grade packaging to make your yummy creations super IG-worthy!

Home workout 101

When everyone isn’t working or baking, they’re probably exercising to shed those extra pounds they’ve put on as a result of staying home for the past three months.

If you want to restart your fitness journey, your list should include some (or all of the following, it really is up to you!) — yoga mat, jump rope, resistance bands, dumbbells, treadmill, and a stationary bike.

To keep you motivated, you can also add some cute workout clothes, a double-walled water bottle in your favorite color, and reliable shoes for those pre or post workout selfies you plan to share on Instagram.

Whether you’re on Santa’s naughty or nice list this year, we can’t tell just yet. While we wait for this pandemic to be over — keep healthy, stay indoors as much as possible, and last but not the least, breathe and power through. We can survive this. We’re all looking forward to the day we can eat, drink together, and be merry!

From Phlegmatic to Choleric: How Did Your Temperament Change During the Quarantine?

By: Nina Tambal, Senior Editorial Associate

People change. This is a fact of life. So, what happens when you’re all of a sudden cornered into a situation you weren’t prepared for? A drastic circumstance that life had to throw at you in the most challenging of times.

Sound familiar? With the two months of strict quarantine measures we had to endure, everyone was required to stay at home. A dreaded scenario that many joked as reminiscent of countless zombie or doomsday movies.

During the first few weeks, a lot of TeamAsians had a difficult time adjusting to it while others just liked the fact that they were home. Little did we know that in the coming weeks, the adjustment period would come with a few modifications to our personalities.

The Four Temperaments is a psychological theory that there are fundamentally four personality types: phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric, and melancholic. Phlegmatics are the peacemakers and make it a point to preserve all the relationships in their lives. Sanguines are the free spirits and are the kind to believe in the saying, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time”. Cholerics are the hustlers and lead with conviction in order to achieve their goals. Melancholics are the perfectionists and can be sensitive to what others think of their work.

That said, I don’t remember who or what gave me the idea to take the test again. But knowing the amount of interest I have with psychology and personality tests, I probably just thought it was a fun experiment to try. I took the test last year and was phlegmatic. Several months and life-challenging experiences later, I’m now choleric.

To take it a step further, I had everyone else in our content department take the test as well. Majority of our team members’ temperaments unexpectedly changed.

Some previous cholerics became sanguines and another fellow former phlegmatic became choleric. For the cholerics that maintained their glorious temperament, their secondary temperament was replaced with either sanguine or phlegmatic. Distant from the usual choleric-melancholic personality they had at the office. The most interesting results came from Elton, a dominant choleric who turned into a choleric-phlegmatic (both temperaments with the same value), and Vince, who was a phlegmatic then and is still a phlegmatic (with a slight increase in his melancholic temperament) now.

So, what happened? We unanimously agreed that it’s the quarantine. It must be. After all, we have different coping mechanisms and with the current pandemic, change has certainly been in the spotlight.

While there are individuals who are saddened (melancholic) as they go inward and dissect their many thoughts to cope, there are people who are frustrated and angered (choleric) by everything that’s happening. There are those who just want to have a good time outside (sanguine), even if it’s just to visit the mall. And of course, there are some who have found peace and quiet (phlegmatic) in the safety of their house.

The global health crisis is a matter that is not just affecting the entire world as a whole, but specific entities that contribute to its overall wellbeing, from big companies and small businesses to agile employees and hopeful families. The best we can do is show compassion to one another and keep holding onto that light at the end of this challenging tunnel, for the sake of what still remains good and pure for humanity.

Do you think the quarantine has changed you too? Take the Four Temperaments test here. Let us know what you think and start an insightful discussion about it.

Bouncing Back Stronger

Giving yourself an active boost in the new normal

By: Aiya Rodjel, Senior Editorial Associate

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with good sleeping patterns, balanced meals, and regular exercise along with our other responsibilities is a tough challenge in itself. Enter the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and its repercussions, and maintaining a regular fitness routine may not be everyone’s top priority, and that is okay.

With fitness establishments closed and limited mobility options, it’s perfectly acceptable to have lost track of your fitness goals. Now that we’re transitioning into the ‘new normal’ and as movement restrictions ease up, it’s the perfect time to get back on track. Here are some tips and tricks for a stronger and fitter post-ECQ version of yourself:

Go outside if you can. Now that selected outdoor exercises are allowed as per the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) General Community Quarantine guidelines, you can engage in non-contact sports and exercises such as jogging, swimming, and even skateboarding provided that you follow minimum health standards. Not only would you get your sweat done, you’d also reap benefits from the sunshine and fresh air.

“Sneak” in movement into your routine. As per mental health and wellness website, HelpGuide, you should try to think of physical activity as a lifestyle choice, rather than as a designated event. Household chores can be turned into exercise when done at a brisk pace. You can also squeeze in some squats or crunches between commercial breaks of your favorite TV show. Think of it as a fun challenge, and these little tweaks will lead to results.

Get creative with what you have. You don’t need fancy gym equipment to get in a good workout. Boston-based personal trainer Amanda Brabec suggests getting creative with things you already own. Use wine or water bottles for weights, dish towels for sliders (for exercises like lunges and mountain climbers) or a sturdy chair for step-ups.

Take advantage of free virtual workout classes. A silver lining from this pandemic is that many fitness companies are offering free virtual classes and resources you can access any time anywhere. Nike now offers their Nike Training Club Premium service for free, with nearly 200 streaming workouts and tips from Nike’s own experts. Many gyms and fitness establishments also offer free workout classes via Facebook live video and Zoom.

Just dance. According to the Rush University Medical Center, a 150lbs person can burn 95 calories dancing for just 15 minutes — that’s four to five songs — and it’s one of the greatest (and most enjoyable) stress-relieving activities. While you’re spending more time at home, might as well bust a move, and have some fun.

Aside from achieving your #bodygoals, regular physical activity will bring remarkable changes to your metabolism, your heart, and your spirits. As former Mr. Olympia and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “You can have results or excuses, but not both.” So let’s get moving!

What are you doing to keep fit while in quarantine? Share your fitness advice with us at info@teamasia.com.

Here’s How I’m Surviving The Quarantine

By: Gena Esperanza, Program Manager

Staying at home is a natural inclination and an appealing setup for introverts like me. What a joy!

Staying at home the whole day for two whole months make a big difference to this habit, though. Striking a balance between recharging and socializing is key to emotional and mental health, and each person has a unique approach with a certain phase that works for them in achieving these. How do you strike the balance and survive the struggle during a quarantine? What worked for me?

Being mindful

I fervently monitored news about the COVID-19 pandemic until it became overwhelming. While it is good to be in the know as news is steadily spewn across all forms of media, it is crucial to be mindful of what we consume because it strongly affects our overall outlook. Remembering “observe, don’t absorb,” a technique by psychotherapist Ross Rosenberg, helped a lot when thoughts and worries about the health and safety of the world crept in. From then on, I limited the periods and the sources of my news intake: before and after work-from-home (WFH) hours, and only from CNN Philippines for trustworthy updates.

Filtering social media feed has also served me well, particularly on Facebook and Instagram where I’m active. Posting activity of people substantially swelled during the quarantine, and posts were a flurry of article sharings and personal opinions with varying moods and tones. I took time to review who I followed, guided by the thought of “does this person serve me the facts or the energy I need during this time?” I then unfollowed those who didn’t. Digital detox!

Looking sharp (with power earrings!) to feel the WFH vibe

Being intentional
TeamAsia prepared well for business continuity and for a seamless transition to WFH setup. While our home had spaces conducive to working, productivity was a hit-or-miss challenge. Our physical office setup feeds the mindset and the discipline of my working momentum, and not being there required me to be more intentional in keeping the productivity alive. This entailed changes to my weekday routine: I started each day early at 7:00 AM (or earlier sometimes) to have breakfast and freshen up in time for our team check-in and company pop-up from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM. I wore casual clothes fit for summer instead of pambahay to avoid the feel of lounging around and so that I’m presentable for those rare video calls! For output and time management, I paired a written checklist with our online timesheet.

My daily WFH essentials: Checklist, water, and motivation

Outside WFH hours, my personal time is divided among family, friends, fitness, and faith. With the quarantine setup, proactivity was crucial to maintain relationships and routines. I had to be intentional in spending quality moments with my family, scheduling catch-ups virtually with my friends, working out through guided fitness videos, and devoting time for prayer and reflection. Weekly video calls and regular yoga practice were activities that greatly helped curb anxiety and sustain sanity throughout the prolonged quarantine.

Being grateful
Coping with the COVID-19 crisis was certainly challenging in every imaginable aspect for everyone, but what struck me the most was the value of being grateful – always, all ways. Grateful for safety and provision. Grateful for the service of frontliners all over the world. Grateful for the outpouring of help and of hope from various sources. Grateful for the opportunities to reach out and to extend kindness, even from the confines of our homes.

Watching the sunset was a habit I immensely enjoyed over the course of quarantine since our daily hustle normally kept us in the office beyond the sunset hour. It became a regular reminder that despite what’s happening outside and no matter how your day went, there’s still beauty at the end.

One of our internal Zoom meetings, where we exchange bright and shiny energy virtually!

An attitude of gratitude made a world of difference – I wouldn’t have survived the quarantine without it.

Five films to catch up on during the ECQ

By Elton James Gagni, Senior Editorial Associate

Since the enhanced community quarantine took effect, we’ve gotten creative with our ways of coping. While work from home keeps us busy most of the time, we also need to learn to set boundaries as we continue to tread uncharted waters.

As the saying goes, it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Well, it has certainly been more and for me, it’s watching at least one film after work just to cleanse and relax my mind from writing articles and handling a crisis. Here are some recommendations that I keep coming back to and hopefully, these titles would help you laugh a little, outstress you from work, tease your mind, or simply keep your feelings in check.

I’m Drunk, I Love You (2017)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS52h2vTQAY

As far as mainstream Filipino romantic comedies go, I’m Drunk, I Love You shies away from the usual grand gestures and dramatic lines, and ultimately keeps it fresh, real, and simple. It captivates you to be part of the fun and also aspire to have the kind of friendship that they have. It may be one of the most chill romcoms out there in terms of narrative and storytelling, but it still packs a punch with their hugot lines, tucked in nicely between moments and conversations.

Interstellar (2014)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSWdZVtXT7E

Our natural curiosity towards the unknown is what keeps Interstellar relevant up to this day. While we’ve had numerous features on space exploration, no other film has done it as much justice as Interstellar. Set during a time when the Earth is slowly succumbing to death, it tackles the lengths that a parent would go to keep their children safe, and let them have a brighter future, even if it’s on another planet.

Coco (2017)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvr68u6k5sI

While everyone loves Frozen, let’s not forget Coco and its take on family and traditions. Set during the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead, this film focuses on Miguel’s journey to become a musician, even if it’s against his family. Finding himself in the land of the dead, Miguel must now search for a way to come back and still pursue music or risk being one of the dead permanently. Also, prepare for waterworks, especially when Remember Me finally kicks in.

Your Name (Kimi No Na Wa) (2016)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU47nhruN-Q&t=

Considered as one of Japan’s most successful animated films, Your Name perfectly combines the beauty of Japanese animation, an unconventional love story, and superb musical scoring. Your Name is about highschool students Mitsuha and Taki who have recurring incidents of switching bodies when they wake up. While they’ve grown fond of living each other’s lives, what happens when it suddenly stops after a meteor crash?

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue80QwXMRHg

I believe we can all agree that Thor: Ragnarok is one of the best, if not the best, non-Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Why is this part of the list? Well, here are five amazing reasons: (1) Chris Hemsworth as MCU’s resident funny man Thor; (2) Tom Hiddleston as the sly and shady Loki; (3) Tessa Thompson as the drunk kickass Valkyrie; (4) the one and only Cate Blanchett as the Goddess of Death Hela; (5) Taika Waititi. Enough said.

While five may be a short list, here are some honorable mentions that are also worth going back to:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzGXqJSDJ8

The struggle of adapting books to screen has always been the faithfulness to the source material. Luckily, the silver screen version of The Hunger Games did not disappoint, but the most praise-worthy is the second film, Catching Fire. If you’ve read the book, you’d be amazed at how each scene pans out. It’s as if you see the pages flipping right before your eyes. From the Victory Tour to Katniss’ wedding dress reveal, even the entire 75th Quarter Quell, everything was perfect to a tee.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOZwUQKu3E

From one adaptation to another, The Devil Wears Prada gives you a glance of what happens in the fashion industry, on the surface at the very least. From Miranda Priestly’s (Meryl Streep) eloquence to the overall story and production, the film has earned praises from critics for improving on the book. While Anne Hathaway was one of the lead stars, it was Streep and Emily Blunt who took home praises for their effective and scene-stealing performances.

Parasite (2019)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xH0HfJHsaY

Fresh from its winning streak, Parasite feels like a timely film to watch, given the social commentary it presents. For those unfamiliar, Parasite tells the story of how an impoverished family climbs the social ladder by latching on to a rich family, until the consequences of their actions come to haunt them. Fiction as it may be, many see the film as a reflection of society and the invisible lines we’ve created to divide ourselves in classes, dictating privileges, opportunities, even our respective futures.

Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frKM41BlZY8

From a Korean family, let’s meet the Salazars who the Philippines is most proud of. Four Sisters and a Wedding continues to resonate with the people’s hearts because of its accurate portrayal of the complex relationships of a typical Filipino family. Mixed with different quirks and nuances, it balanced out comedic banters and big dramatic moments. It is an emotional and cheesy journey with a strong semblance of family at its core.

BuyBust (2018)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVFuFSJOVhw

Finally, a film that I’m extremely proud of because it’s the first time that my dad didn’t fall asleep in the cinema. BuyBust is a social commentary on the administration’s war on drugs, showcased through a buy bust operation gone wrong. Similar to Parasite, BuyBust presents a fictional reality that holds water because of the short but powerful exchange between Nina Manigan (Anne Curtis) and Biggie Chen (Arjo Atayde). Why is it on the list? Because of its relevant message and also for the adrenaline junkies out there.

Watching films or reading books offer you an opportunity to be transported to different worlds, places, and narratives. Just like music, they can be a form of escape, a way to disconnect from reality even for just an hour or two, and relieve you of the stress or pressure that you feel from work.

We may have different ways of coping, especially in the midst of this pandemic, but the important thing is we keep ourselves and the people around us in check. And with the relentless heat of the summer season taking over, always remember to keep your water bottle close to stay hydrated while you add these films to your watchlist.

Looking Forward to the End

By: Justin Carlo Estor, Senior Digital Associate

When you watch a movie or your favorite TV show, you sometimes find yourself trying to guess how it will end: will good win over evil? Will the true villain reveal itself? Will there be a part two? In the case of this pandemic, however, what you really long for is a happy ending, and you want it to come as soon as possible.

As a TeamAsian, you tend to overlook the daily musings of everyday work life: making sure the elevator reaches the 18th floor before 9:01 a.m., figuring out where to get your lunch, thinking if you wanna walk to CENA (arguably the office’s top foodie destination) or if you just wanna order from FoodPanda, and even considering whether or not you need to go overtime for a deck or if you can pull it off tomorrow. These things are usually part of a possibly tiring cycle as a TeamAsian. However, this cycle isn’t something we get to experience today anymore – and it’s a cycle that, in my opinion, we’d surprisingly welcome to go back to soon.

The people you can call home inside the office

We also want to go back to our office mates feeding us (Erika <3 Aire)

We also want to go back to our office mates feeding us (Erika ❤ Aire)

Apart from that, I think it’s a general feeling that people even in other organizations are experiencing right now:

“I miss the office.”

“I miss going out.”

“I miss eating at restaurants.”

“I miss talking to people… face-to-face.”

I miss hugging sad officemates, too (Don’t be sad, Darell)

Some of these things you may have taken for granted when everything was still normal. Now, we’re stepping into what people call the “new normal” – physical distancing, curfews, paranoid hand washing, and whatever you consider as a precaution in this pandemic.

Still, you can’t help but still wish for things to go back to the way they used to be, and a part of me is saying that it will.

Instead of hating being stuck at home, we’ll go back to ranting about long traffic lines.

Instead of hating on eating the same home-cooked meals, we’ll go back to getting mildly disappointed for wrong restaurant orders and gently asking for the correct dish, which is the one you ordered.

Instead of hating on becoming physically distant, we’ll instead chat about that one friend that forgot to pay their share on the bar tab.

Instead of hating on figuring out what to watch, we’ll go back to struggling to book a flight during a seat sale, but still being excited about the entire trip you’re planning.

Office Rant #43: “Why can’t this be an email?”

And once we’re back to ranting on all the things we seemingly dislike, we’ll realize that we actually loved these instances. Because, let’s face it, it really is easy to take most things for granted – especially when even the simplest forms of freedom are taken away from you. It’s safe to say that we now have a newfound appreciation for things we’re actually privileged to have – from being able to hang out with friends and officemates to simply being able to go outside.

I imagine myself, sitting back in my office chair, smiling after internally complaining about fully booked meeting rooms, water dispensers that go empty fast, and excruciatingly long meetings then thinking:

“We finally made it to the end. Things are back to normal. We can already start anew.”

So if you ask me, I’ll choose that cycle anytime over this pandemic, and I’ll be forever thankful once it’s over.

I’m really looking forward to it.

What binds us together

By Mayren Guico, Karen Mantukay, and Riely Monte, Content Interns

As the pandemic halted the world and changed the daily lives of people, we now experience the new world as the Enhanced Community Quarantine was announced and enacted. While others are sacrificing their lives to heal and protect the people from the virus, others are blessed to be working from home, away from the dangers of the pandemic. Working remotely has given not just employees but also interns a chance to continue their work life while ensuring that they are safe and with the comfort of their families.

Some are not as lucky to have the opportunity to work from home. But thanks to TeamAsia, we still get to learn and keep brands alive at the safety of our homes. Everything is exactly the same–the only difference is that we don’t get to see each other physically, and bond together like we do every now and then in the office.

Now that we’re on our 10th week of the work from home setup, we came to better understand what exactly binds TeamAsians together despite not being physically together. This very reason is also why we find motivation in waking up every morning, making coffee, and bracing ourselves for a fruitful day to connect with our colleagues and give our best shot as we usher to this new normal.

Every morning we look forward to our morning pop ups. It’s like a daily check in to see what we’ve been up to at home and how we’re coping with the current set up. It’s fifteen minutes of sharing and chatting with TeamAsians to ensure that even though we’re not physically together, we are never apart at heart. Aside from it being the perfect boost to our every morning, it also displays the kind of company TeamAsia is–that despite being not physically together, it’s not a hindrance to keep the company intact and motivated to face the day with vigor and gusto. Nobody is left out. Everyone is checked up by one another, because this is not a company that functions through individuality but rather in harmony achieved through inclusivity.

No one can deny the camaraderie every employee has in TeamAsia. It’s one thing to be in such a progressive and collaborative environment, but it’s also important to be in a headspace where you are cared for not only as an employee but also as a part of a family. This familial culture is reflected on the way TeamAsians work. This builds our identity–this is reflected on every piece of work we have done. This is why we value what we do, and this is why we are here.

For a company to function, employees should feel and want to be a part of it. This very familial culture of TeamAsia is exactly what binds us together. We live by it. This is how we keep our passion and brands alive.

PHOTOS

Quick photo opp before Content and the interns proceed with the weekly Edboard

TeamAsia family celebrating Next Level Experiences

TeamAsia celebrating Women’s Month by showing a sign of solidarity for equality

TeamAsia’s 2019 Havana Nights Christmas Party

TeamAsia’s Be Bright Family Photo

Keeping the fun through virtual lunchtime!

By: Jay Quilanita, Graphic Artist

The clock strikes 12. We know it’s lunch time again. Everyone is scramming! One by one, people are stepping away from their computers and getting ready to open their lunchboxes. Some of them will start running towards the pantry to secure the perfect seat to eat their perfect baon. The smell of savory dishes takes over on one side of the room while the aroma of creamy sauces lingers on the other. You hear laughs, loud voices from another room, and different dishes being passed around.The noise and commotion may be unpleasant to some people, but you don’t care because that’s how lunch time is supposed to be.

In TeamAsia, lunch time will always be a happy hour for everyone. It’s a time where we are able to take a break from work, a time to breath. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the food you prepared or the meal you bought from a nearby store.

Ever since ECQ was implemented more than a month ago, a lot of TeamAsians have expressed how they missed eating together with their teams and being able to share what they have for their baon. But of course, TeamAsians love to eat and always get things done, so there’s no way this ECQ is going to stop us from doing what we love to do.

Every day, we have a pantry bantry, wherein various members of the team send out photos of their lunch via chat, some even send out their work in progress. We get to see different dishes, all equally appetizing. And by doing so, everyone feels like we’re all having lunch together, just like what we usually do inside the office. We get to see and taste (we let our imaginations go wild) what each TeamAsian is having for lunch. It’s like having a virtual pantry! Not only do we see scrumptious dishes, we also get to discover that a lot of TeamAsians have a passion for cooking.

Fried Tilapia mixed with an experimental steak sauce by Jay Quilanita

A savory lunch with Beef Caldereta x Fried Tanigue from Pam Jocson-Osasona

Truly Filipino lunch with Lechong Paksiw and Fried Dilis by J Darell Sapin

This habit of ours eases the feeling of missing everyone in the team. Our virtual lunchtime brings back that wonderful (almost nostalgic) feeling when the clock strikes 12 at the office and everyone heads towards the pantry. And even though we don’t have the opportunity to eat out together with our team right now, simply sending a photo of what we have for lunch makes us feel we aren’t miles apart and are still close with each other.

Healthy combination of fish, egg, and eggplant, with fried banana on the side from MIH.

A classic combination of Fried Fish and Rice plus garlicky vinegar dip and even dessert by Hans Amancio

Pancit Canton ala MIH

We still miss eating in the office pantry. We still miss having to share our baon with one another. We still miss having to talk about anything under the sun with each other while enjoying the comfort of our food. But as long as there’s a need to stay at home, when the clock says 12, virtual lunchtime will continue and the online fun won’t stop.

Making a productive remote internship work

Making a comprehensive remote internship work

by Mayren Guico, Karen Mantukay, and Riely Monte, Content Interns

An internship is a great opportunity to obtain work familiarity and knowledge. There may be times or changes that are new to us, but we use those moments to develop our character and ethics. It is more than learning how to make a good cup of coffee. It is a phase where an intern should learn how to discipline themselves, discover patience, utilize their strengths and reinforce their weaknesses.

The greatest challenge to our internship is probably the COVID-19 outbreak. As a precautionary measure, TeamAsia adopted a work-from-home scheme to guarantee the health and safety of its employees and that includes us interns. While we understand the situation and why the decision was made, working from home as interns is not easy as it seems. But thanks to technology, we have the tools we need to guide us to a productive and efficient remote internship experience.

Based on our collective experience, here are some tips that we would like to share with our fellow interns who are also experiencing remote internships at the comfort of your own home:

1. Set a schedule. It is important for your employers and colleagues to know when you will be working. This allows them to map out certain projects they can assign you to do based on your schedule. Set the best time where you can be productive and also remember to take a break. Create a schedule for your internship and make sure that everyone who needs to know it is well informed about it.

2. Avoid distractions. Working from home, you may have a tendency to procrastinate which will definitely affect your productivity level. Just like how it is necessary to create a schedule, it is also essential to have a workspace where you can avoid distractions. Turn off the television, skip the social media, and create a version of your own office where you can concentrate.

3. Be professional. You won’t be getting a lot of supervision at home unlike in the office. However, this doesn’t mean that you should no longer dress up. Act as if you are having an on-site internship. Remote internship is just the same as any regular internship which is why it should be approached the same way. Stay focused, organized, and always be professional.

4. Always communicate. Checking in with your supervisor and colleagues regularly is a good way to stay on track. It is a good way for you to stay motivated because you are able to report how much work you’ve finished. Constant communication also allows your supervisor to assign you tasks, keeping you focused for the entirety of your internship. Cement your relationship with your colleagues by staying connected with them even while working from home.

5. Be proactive. Working remotely offers you a lot of time and freedom but this doesn’t mean that you take them for granted. Just like in the office, never hesitate to ask questions, raise ideas, and ask for feedback. Doing so will give you chances to work on a variety of tasks which will improve your skills professionally. This may also make you stand out to your supervisors which will lead to exciting and interesting opportunities.

6. Put your best foot forward. Remote internships offer you an opportunity to show your commitment, dedication, and passion for work. Never lose sight of your goal even if these are extraordinary times. Do your best to gain skills and knowledge, and leave the best lasting impression.

Treat your remote internship like any other onsite internships. With technology, determination, and discipline, these tips will surely help you maximize your learning experience just as it has been for us. This also lets you build connections and enhance relationships, while creating an impact at your internship even if you are just at home.

The key to securing a comprehensive remote internship is to see it as an opportunity to earn great experiences that will help you succeed in the real world. Get creative, absorb the learnings, stay focused, and take the extra mile.

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