TeamAsia

TeamAsia Pop-up!

Making TeamAsia POP!

I do not look the part but I have already been working for well over a decade and a half. TeamAsia is the latest stop in this crazy adventure I have been on since I graduated from college.

When I got here, the first thing I noticed was the culture. You felt it in the air. It animated the way people spoke and interacted with each other. Even though the backgrounds are as diverse as in any organization, there is a palpable sense of a singleness, a unity that you just cannot define. It makes the word “team” in TeamAsia more real somehow.

The question is: what makes TeamAsia tick?

Read our feature from BusinessWorld SparkUp! About Pop-Up! here: Staying Alive – Employee Engagement in 2028.

WHAT’S OUR SECRET SAUCE?

“A culture is strong when people work with each other for each other. A culture is weak when people work against each other for themselves.” – Simon Sinek

Forbes.com defines employee engagement as how much employees are emotionally committed to the organization and to the organization’s goals. Employee engagement is important because of how it affects the bottomline – Brilliantfuture.se reports that companies that have engaged employees experience at least an 8.6 percent increase in profits.

That same employee engagement is important to creating the culture we have in TeamAsia. When employees put an emotional investment into their organization, it leads to a smoothing of egos; a unity of ideas; a single language that pervades each and everyone on the team.

A big part of why TeamAsia’s employee engagement is so pervasive is also because of its engagement activities. If we pride ourselves in bringing next-level experiences, it should be fitting that we also bring next-level employee engagement.

Enter TeamAsia Pop-Up!

MAKING TEAMASIA POP!

Work Stops, Everybody Pops

Here at TeamAsia, we have our own employee engagement tradition which we call Pop-Up! Every month we set aside a few hours for meaningful activities with the whole team.

My first Pop-up! happened just a few days from my first day in TeamAsia – the annual TeamAsia GeTAway (note the use of TA in our activities which stands for TeamAsia). For the following month, we all stopped working for a few hours to do some spring cleaning and create something wonderful from all the things we accumulated over the years.

Just last month we had our special Halloween Pop-up! called TAkot. We all dressed up in our musical Themed Halloween costumes presented a twist to happily ever after.

The Experience Department

The Creatives Department

The Marketing and Accounts Department

These activities have an impact on the people that participate in it. For Justin and Chiara, two of our newest members on the digital team, TAkot definitely left an impression. “TAkot was a reminder that at the end of the day, people need to experience life even in the workplace,” says Justin. Chiara notes that TAkot was a great opportunity to get to know her new officemates better.

This concept has been a hit for TeamAsia, garnering it two Quill awards for Employee Engagement.

CONCLUSION

The Digital/IT Web Teams

In all my years working, I have always believed that the deepest bonds are formed on the proverbial battlefield. It is not the stress that forms that bond, it is the moments in between that create stronger relationships.

That single purposeful voice in TeamAsia leads to us taking that next step in making brands more engaging. That energy makes us all bright and shiny and renews our commitment to taking brands to the next level of experience.

Read all about our latest Pop-up! here: Staying Alive – Employee Engagement in 2028.

TeamAsia invades Conceptrum!

By: Koji Arsua, Senior Editorial Associate

Let’s play a game. Given the three situations, which one would you rather be in and what would you do? Would you rather be wrongly accused of a crime and you have to prove your innocence, find the backup power source that will paralyze a town before time runs out, or to look for a psycho killer responsible for your friend’s disappearance?

 

Through Conceptrum in BF Homes, TeamAsians were able to experience all of these fictional scenarios by going through a series of mission-based game rooms. We were able to test out our investigative skills. And boy, was it fun!

 

Conceptrum has three rooms: Framed, where we had to go through several challenges to prove that we did not commit a crime that was being blamed on us; Blackout, which sent us on a mission to locate the power source before the town is enveloped by darkness brought on by power failure; and Deranged, where we raced against time while looking for a psychotic criminal who abducted our friend.

 

We were divided into six groups, where we tried one of the rooms. I was assigned as team leader for the second group for Deranged. Sadly, we were not able to complete the challenge and only managed to solve 85% of the puzzle. We ran out of time when we were trying to figure out the code for a locked box. It was so hard that none of the groups completed 100%!

 

AC Esguerra, Florence Joy Dela Cruz, and Monica Borja’s groups scored the highest with 90% for Blackout, Deranged, and Blackout, respectively.
Check out some of our photos below!

Pop Up Concentrum

Groups 4, 5, and 6 before we entered the game rooms. The atmosphere was a mix of nervousness and excitement because we didn’t know what to expect (especially in Deranged)

Pam

Team 6 after the Deranged challenge

IMG_3202

Group 1 after the Framed challenge

 

Woman’s edge

The female advantage at work

By Karen Balce, Program Operations Manager

I remember working for a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company and telling myself, “I thought this is my dream job, but it’s not, and I’m glad I figured it out while I’m still young.” I looked back and checked what I enjoyed the most during my brand marketing role, and I realized it was doing events.  And like it was meant to be, a good friend of mine told me about TeamAsia and told me I should apply. After almost three years, I’m still here doing events for the company.
I started like how most people in the team began: doing smaller roles, assisting project managers, learning the tricks, and familiarizing myself with the job and the scope of work. It was all somehow new to me but I agree it was a learning process. I remember my first project was not the grandest event, but the fulfillment of finishing an event, regardless of its size, is the same to me.

Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) team

With the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) team at the Social Enterprise Conference in 2014

In my opinion, most of my events were fairly challenging. They were all unique, and they each had their own challenges I had to conquer. My favorite projects were the toughest ones because they pushed my capabilities, my limits, and my skills. I believe that’s how I progressed and grew in this industry.

In events, there are certain skill sets that make being a woman an advantage. Traits such as patience, creativity, being a perfectionist, being attentive to details, and being able to handle emotional stress are usually associated with women and have helped me in my projects. But the women in our department need to be ready to get the job done by all means, even if it means carrying heavy items, running around during events, and being buddies with suppliers. In case you’re wondering, the girls at TeamAsia are up for it.

With Ma'am Monette

With Ma’am Monette at the 2014 TeamAsia Christmas Party

The perfect example of a well-rounded woman in TeamAsia is Ma’am Monette. I often find myself wondering how she excels in all her roles as mother, boss, daughter, and friend. When I see her, I ask myself, how does she maximize the 24 hours in a day? How does she get everything done? How does she make everyone love her?

Celebrating National Women’s Month empowers the women in the country that we now live in a society that believes that women are equal to men in all aspects. There is no more gender discrimination and both men and women deserve equal opportunities. And this Women’s Month, I would like to encourage everyone to praise and give recognition to these women who exceed expectations, who balance their work life and home life, and who take care of their family both at home and in the office. Whatever men can do, women can do it, too. Sometimes even better.

 

 

Thinking Big: TeamAsia Town Hall 2016

By Mira Ortega, Senior Digital Media Associate

2015 was good. 2016 will be better – this is my biggest takeaway from our recent Town Hall last January 22, held at The Bellevue, Alabang. The previous year left us with new undertakings, learnings, and best of all, challenges. These challenges may be different for each of us; but we rise above them as one team, with one dream. With this, let me give you a quick run-through of our Town Hall.

This year’s mantra, in a cute notebook.

This year’s mantra, in a cute notebook.

The event kicked off with MIH’s look back on 2015. What a year it was!

TeamAsia Founder and CEO, Monette Iturralde-Hamlin rehashes the agency’s 2015.

TeamAsia Founder and CEO, Monette Iturralde-Hamlin rehashes the agency’s 2015.

Next up was an ice-breaker. TeamAsians played “Two Truths, One Lie”. This is a surefire way to discover something about your colleague without being sneaky. Hehe.

Hmmm… which is which?

Hmmm… which is which?

We also welcomed the new members of our family in the Town Hall. They were so game to introduce themselves in a non-conventional way.

Vince Gapit from Content serenades the crowd.

Vince Gapit from Content serenades the crowd.

TeamAsians also sang Happy Birthday to our January celebrants.

TeamAsia’s January Babies

TeamAsia’s January Babies (L-R) Leo Halili, Patrick De Jesus, Pamela Jocson, Jeff Enriquez, Monette Hamlin and Denise Limon

To top it all off, TeamAsia Managing Director, Bea Lim, unveiled Project Think Big, and a whole lot of awesome things happening in 2016!

TeamAsia founder and CEO,Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, and Managing Director, Bea Lim, dish out the surprises about to unfold this year.

TeamAsia founder and CEO,Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, and Managing Director, Bea Lim, dish out the surprises about to unfold this year.

How do you make something good better? By thinking big. Thinking big is surpassing the limits you set for yourself. 2016 is the year we expand our horizons even further. No idea shall be too over the top nor shall a pitch be too ambitious. With “taking brands to the next level experience” in mind, we think big and keep our passion for learning and trying new things.

TA Family

TA Goes to The Chosen Children Village

By J Darell M. Sapin, Web Development Supervisor

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village

The marker that welcomes visitors to Chosen Children Village Foundation in Lalaan II, Silang, Cavite

It is always better to give than to receive – that has always been true to me since I started giving Christmas gifts to my godchildren. It just warms my heart to see the little angels’ faces light up.

It all started last July 2014 when our IT and Web Director, Jeff Enriquez and I talked about conducting our own CSR.  The first one I thought of was the Chosen Children Village Foundation (CCVF) since it has been very close to my heart since my first visit four years ago.

Last December 21, 2015, we gathered 20 boxes of donated Milk Magic products and set out for the Chosen Children Village Foundation (CCVF) in Lalaan II, Silang, Cavite.  AC and Marvin from the IT and Web Department, as well as Zyra, Ayen, and Teresa from the Experience Department accompanied me on the trip. We were greeted by the cool and refreshing climate of the place. It was entirely different from the hot weather in Alabang. We were given a brief background on how CCVF came to be and the success stories that have happened in the village. One of our new found friends, Charlie, suffered from hydrocephalus and a walking disorder as a child, but is now healthy and able to walk without crutches.

CCVF is a non-profit organization that aspires to provide a permanent home for abandoned, neglected, and surrendered children / adults who are mentally and physically challenged. For security purposes, we were not allowed to take solo pictures of the children. CCVF admits that the foundation provides early intervention to children between one to nine months old and those who cope with multifaceted delays. Through its adoption program, CCVF places children in permanent homes locally and even internationally. Children who don’t get adopted grow up in the village and are trained at The School for Chosen Children to maximize their potential to become productive members of society.

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 2

(L-R) TeamAsia employee AC Esguerra, Chosen Children Village Foundation Executive Director, Ms. Che Naval, TeamAsia’s Ayen and Teresa, that’s me beside Marvin.

As our donations were unloaded, we were warmly greeted by Ms. Che Naval and her colleagues, the teens and young adults of CCVF as well.

We played a few games with them, namely basketball and volleyball. The CCVF team was very happy, and so were we.

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 3

Ayen from TeamAsia’a Experience Department serving the ball.

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 4

Marvin of TeamAsia’s IT and Web Department playing volleyball with the kids.

We were then given an hour to freshen up before dinner time. While we waited for dinner, TeamAsia visited the children in the different cottages within the village.

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 5

Ayen and Teresa posing at the logo hedge of CCVF

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 6

Marvin and AC posing at the logo hedge of CCVF

A bell rang that meant dinner was ready. We proceeded to the dining hall where we were greeted by the children. We saw the boxes of Milk Magic beside the gifts under the Christmas tree.

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 7

The 20 boxes of Milk Magic products that have been donated by TeamAsia

CCVF welcomed us and thanked us for our help in ensuring the continuity of the foundation.  

The children prepared a short song and dance number to show their appreciation for the support that TeamAsia has given. It was so much fun that even our very own AC and Ayen joined in their performance!

 

TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 8 TA Goes to the Chosen Children Village 9

The IT and Web, and Experience Team enjoying the Welcome Dinner at CCVF

It was a heartwarming experience to spread the love and joy of giving back to our community. In her welcome speech, Ms. Che mentioned that hopefully our visit will not be the last. We went home feeling fulfilled knowing that we are not just a world class integrated marketing communications company but also a champion of CSR.

Hope you enjoyed reading our experience. For the full album, you can see it here. To know more about CCVF, you can check it out here.

(Photo credit:  Ms. Teresa Espino)

Video

Our Christmas TA-gether Year-end Video!

Two decades since our establishment, we continue to innovate and grow. Now, we are a large team of highly talented individuals driven by passion in creating larger than life experiences and intricately crafted stories that spark life into brands.

Catch the highlights of 2015!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Internship 101: It’s more fun in TeamAsia!

By: Ailey Belardo and Nicole Abalena (Marketing and Accounts Interns)

People tend to say that internship sucks, but why is that? Maybe because they had the most crappy and boring internship experience. But guess what! We proved them wrong. There’s a lot of questions in mind about this team. Is it amazing? Yes. How about fun? Check. Bright people? Definitely check. And that is TeamAsia, built with bright people who create amazing stories that exceeds people’s expectations.

Internship 101

In our pretty little stay here in TeamAsia, we came up with a list of the things we learned and discovered:

 

  1. Tick tock! The clock is running

Pretty sure that everyone knows the saying “Time is Gold”. But in reality, it’s actually more than gold (if there’s such a thing). There’s a big difference in managing time between being a student and an employee. Remember, the way you handle time also reflects on what kind of person you are.

 

  1. A big no-no to bum time

Let’s face it, there comes a time where we just want to bum around, do nothing and just stare at the ceiling. But hey, being productive is not a bad thing. We’ve learned that bumming around will do no good. You gotta werk those mind muscles out of your system and relax because it will always be worth it.

 

  1. New experiences, new discoveries

From events, to meetings, to random errands (to ingress and egress), we’ve encountered and interacted with different people from different industries. Being capable of new things that sooner or later will help us out in the real world.

 

  1. When in doubt, eat it out!

Let’s be honest, food makes everything better. Having a crappy day? Just go out and grab something sweet. Or a cup of an ice cold coffee will do. Stressed? Pressured? Remember that Fastbytes is just around the corner. *wink*

 

  1. Ring ring! Dont let the bees wait

Three A’s. Be alert, attentive and awake. These are the things that everyone has to comprehend when you’re in a company. Never let them wait because it could mean an opportunity lost in a missed call. Be quick and pick up the phone!

 

  1. Squeeze out the creative juices

Even though we’re just interns, there were times where we were given the opportunity to squeeze all the ideas and bring out the inner artsy and marketer in us.

 

  1.    Co-workers are pretty much your best buddies

They’re the ones you spend most of your time with, five days a week. They’re the people that you could spend your happy hours with and even the most stressful days at work. Your co-workers make your workdays fly by, you won’t even notice it!

As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” We say no. When life gives you lemons, make pineapple juice and leave the world wondering how you did it. That for us is what Teamasia does. This company surprises us with such amazing things that you won’t even know what’s in store for all of us.

Internship 101_2

We’ve learned so much from our stay here in this company. Being able to work and interact with such an amazing team, to experience different kinds of events, go to places and learn from the professionals. These people taught and made us feel what it’s like in the real world and we really do look up to them now. Waking up and going to work early was all worth it when you’re surrounded by people who spread positive vibes. Plus, they treat us like a real family. At the end of the day, it’s the people that made our stay here worthwhile. Because all in all, it was really one hell of a ride.

23 things I love about TeamAsia

captured by #TeamAsiaPickings on Instagram

This past year has been a rollercoaster ride, but what I love about TeamAsia is that we make the most of it!

Here are 23 things that make being a part of the TeamAsia family amazing:

1.  We cheer each other on.

 

We cheer each other on2.  We’re a pretty chill bunch.

 

We’re a pretty chill bunch3.  We’re dog lovers and cat lovers! Animal lovers really!

 

We’re dog lovers and cat lovers! Animal lovers really!4.  Our love for food brings us together.

 

Our love for food brings us together5.  We’re creative and we know the value of teamwork.

 

We’re creative and we know the value of teamwork6.  There’s always time for love life.

 

There’s always time for love life7.  We celebrate our personal milestones together.

 

We celebrate our personal milestones together8.  We’re sexy and we know it!

 

We’re sexy and we know it!9.  We work hard and go the extra mile. (Look at all those tired eyes!)

 

We work hard and go the extra mile. (Look at all those tired eyes!10.  We go all out to win!

 

We go all out to win!11.  We’re definitely festive.

 

We’re definitely festive12.  We enjoy each other’s company.

 

We enjoy each other’s company13.  We’re there to witness and share the most beautiful moments of each other’s lives.

 

We’re there to witness and share the most beautiful moments of each other’s lives14.  We’re totes cool.

We’re totes cool15.  So, of course, we win awards!

 

So, of course, we win awards16.  We’re proud to be a part of the team.

 

We’re proud to be a part of the team17.  Our clients are exciting!

Our clients are exciting!18.  The work can be exhausting, but we always feel accomplished afterwards.

 

The work can be exhausting, but we always feel accomplished afterwards19.  We play together! (Bowling night)

We play together!20.  We help each other out.

 

We help each other out21.  We clean up well.

 

We clean up well22.  We’re out there!

 

We’re out there23.  What can I say? We’re a big happy family!

 

What can I say? We’re a big happy family

Project Refresh

22 years in the business and counting. TeamAsia has had an amazing journey for the past two decades, seeing different industries rise and grow, learning and re-learning a variety of tools and technology meant to drive innovation in the marketplace and experiencing change in how people want to communicate, connect and engage. With constant change, experience agencies like us need to also dance to new beats, quickly adapting to not only what the market “needs and wants,” but also looking into what will make it even better – an always evolving vision.

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