Jan. 07-09 2011 was a blast! It was awesome. It was the Newsimer's 10^th annual team building exercise. Everyone had a great time, from departure at the Newsim office by 3pm and arriving at Monte Vista Beach Resort in Sariaya, Quezon. We were tired and exhausted by the long hours of travel, but I could still see the smile and noticed the excitement on Newsimers' faces, as we anticipate for the challenges that awaits us.

          We were greeted by very accommodating staff of the resort with fresh "buko" juice. Our CEO the ever lovable, very nice, and just a great guy Capt. “Burt” gave a short welcoming remarks and briefing on what is supposed to happen the next day. After that we all headed to our rooms, chat a little with each other, and without noticing it we were all asleep.

          Second day at Sariaya was Tree planting day. The challenge: Plant at least 500 mahogany trees in one hour. The team with the most number of trees planted will get to take home the 20 thousand pesos cash instantly! And for the losing team, they will have to finish planting the remaining seedlings.

          Everybody was awake at 5:30 am. We had a short team meeting, but most of the team find it difficult to concentrate on what was being said, due to excitement and nervousness. At 6:00 am, the competition began. Everybody looked pressured, anxious and stressed. Each team had their strategy and everyone was in a hurry to plant their trees and win the challenge. I could really feel the “highs” of the competition as the time was getting near, but at the same time I also felt that everyone was having fun digging up and planting trees. An hour later and the time was up, and it was time to deliberate the challenge winner. Everyone was excited, it didn't took long before the winner was announced. The winning team was the “maroon team” who actually was wearing yellow T-shirts. After knowing the winner, we had discussions on what happened during the competition. We analyzed the strategies of the winning team, the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and then tried to relate them to office work for possible application. The Tree Planting was really a good team project. It was very rewarding and at the same time fun. It was not all hard work.

          After the discussions, we had several games. The first was basketball game, we form two teams consisting of 5 players each team. We had our cheerleaders, that boosted the teams' energy level. It was very funny especially the girls, since they have their own special womanly techniques in shooting, passing and dribbling the ball. Everybody was just enjoying the game. The next game really tested our creative thinking. It was the sink or swim game, or most commonly known as “the raft making”. We were given an hour to find all the materials available at the resort that we need to make our raft. After that we will have to test the raft whether it will “sink or swim”. The first team to finish and make their raft swim, wins. Our last activity on that day, was another game. Consisting of 6 players each team, separated by the net. The volleyball game. This sport was a really great outdoor exercise, that didn't require much running.

          7:00 pm, dinner time. Everybody was hungry. Good thing the food was served in time, and it was really delicious! The taste was fine and the balance of flavors was simply great. Thanks to our marketing manager, Ms. Roxx who catered us the fantastic food we had for the whole team building days. After the dinner, we had a “bonfire party”, that really made the occasion a memorable one, and turned up the heat of the evening. We sang, “chit-chat” with one another, exchanged funny jokes, and the rest was history.

          Third day, and it was our last day. The losing teams will have to finish planting the remaining seedlings, while the winning team will just have to enjoy the beautiful morning of Sariaya aka Sayariaya. It was partly cloudy during that day and the team experienced some rain showers. But before it poured, we were able to complete the task. 500 mahogany trees successfully planted, to be nurtured and grown for the upcoming years.

          It was a very productive competition indeed. Shortly after having breakfast, some of us immediately headed to the beach. It was very relaxing, the sea was calm, and everybody was just so happy with the outcome of our activities. At around 11 am, we were served lunch, and then we started packing our things and getting ready to leave. We had some pictures taken though, outside the Monte Vista. And finally at exactly 12 in the afternoon we were on our way back home at the Newsim office.

          To sum up, the experience we had was so valuable, that money can't buy. We were able to be of great help to mother nature in simple ways, and at the same time had an excellent and fantastic time bonding with each other that really improved our team spirit. At some point the team also learned that, all of us not just during team building, but at any certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and receive help from other people. Another lesson learned was that working together can bring success, just like the success we achieved in Sariaya. Good job Newsimers! It was awesome!