I do believe in an organization... teamwork, camaraderie and getting along with each other is the primary goal to survive. Everything will fall like a stack of cards if each one of them doesn't settle their differences and work as one. Thats why it is important for companies to have team buildings to keep the team spirit alive. I was invited to photograph Goto Believe's Team Building activities at Blue Pavilion Resort in Infanta, Quezon. Through my lens I witnessed hardwork, patience, and the love for each other in facing their challenges. I have to give my appreciation to Buklod for facilitating this wonderful event.
They have this activity where they are asked to squeeze out all the contents of the toothpaste from the tube which for me is probably one of the most satisfying thing I wanna do in my life. Coz you don't do that at all unless you're a psychotic person who eats toothpaste for breakfast. Squeezing that out gives you an undescribable feeling that really feels good. Then after doing so, the facilitator asked them to put back all the toothpaste back in the tube!!! Which for me is quite hard thing to do. The team who gets the most toothpaste back inside the tube wins... The lesson for this is that its easy everytime you want to say something to someone but its really hard if you take it back. Thats why its important to mind what you say to other people. If you have nothing good to say, just shut up and keep it to yourself.
Then there is this activity where one of your teamate needs to reach a toothpick without stepping, crossing, falling nor touching you body parts onto the sand. Its impossible to reach it alone so your teamates have to hold onto you and support you in order to gain balance and stability. Being flexible is not enough. You still have to rely on your teamates to finish this task. This is a great learning experience where one must support each other in order for the team to achieve its goals. Its not easy but when you have each others back (or torso or leg), any task is possible!
Any obstacles is manageable if you just work together and if you work smart. That blue marble should travel from one half-tube on to the another. It seems to be an easy thing to do. But if you dont talk, dont listen or simply dont cooperate well, that marble will easily fall. Proper coordination + teamwork and working smart is the key for a team to be successful. Add also to have a pair of steady hands as well...
Besides all the activities, there are also lectures worthy of listening. There was this part where they teach you how to save money. Everytime you want to buy something like shoes, clothes..that phone. You have to save 3 times the amount of that thing in order for you to buy it. For example, if that phone costs 20,000 pesos, you must save at least 60,000 pesos in order for you to buy it. In that way, you still have enough savings just in case you really need the money. It also adds a feeling of guilt buying that gadget. To the point that you dont want to buy it anymore. If you can live without it, dont buy it. Just save it. If you really want to have it, you must pay the price.
I envy them for having people who backs you up when you need them the most. Its not really an organization. You dont call them just workmates nor co-workers. You call them family. Something that you will truly cherish for life.
Many thanks to Goto Believe specially to the beautiful Ms. Sandra and her awesome staff. To Sands, its her 2nd family! She dreamt of something. Believed in it. Worked hard to achieve it. Now its a reality! And it's growing bigger and bigger! Im so proud of you Sands! Keep it up! To Sir Gary and the all the staff and facilitators of Buklod, thank you for the knowledge. Such a great experience. And to Blue Pavilion resort for the wonderful venue. To Sir Jelo and Mam Sharon thank you so much. You have been really accommodating inspite of tthe storm. Thank you Thank you Thank you! Its been a great honor. Till next time.
