Singer IT Reunion at La Mesa Eco Park

I told you Singer wasn't just a place of work but also a place to create friendship. I have actually made lots of them and I am thankful for these gifts. Though personally speaking my Singer experiences were not all about a bed of roses. Matter-of-factly, I had parted Singer with grudges in my heart, the only thing that keep me from smiling upon hearing the word Singer are the friends I have made for years.

Nuff said for these! I don't want to go on with my Singer lamentation again, lols.

Last May 07, 2011, we had a Singer IT Reunion attended by those who have worked or been friends with the people of EDP (Electronic Data Processing) Department. See, the antiquity of the term? Yes, Singer was indeed a pioneer when it comes to technology before Internet and Facebook even came into existence, Singer has already established its own electronic data processing. And mind you, Singer was one of the first few companies in the Philippines to have acquired the expensive services of Microsoft SQL Server for its data warehousing.

But ofcourse that is not the topic for this post obviously, lol.

On topic. It's been a Singer tradition that when a former employee is coming back to the Philippines, those who are either based abroad for good or working abroad. One of the activities they had in their itinerary is to set a Singer get-together. Last February, we also had a Singer reunion hosted by a friend who came back from Dubai, I have blogged about it click here and here.

For this reunion, hosted by Ate Ludy who had a month of vacation from Canada wanted a get-together that supposed to be exclusively for IT Department where she worked for nearly 20 years. But later on, the invite was extended to other departments who want to share the fun with the EDP people. But on the last minute call those who have confirmed earlier suddenly had a change of mind so the numbers wasn't that grand.

But nevertheless, we had a whole day of fun and happy that we were reunited once again as we reminisced those years of the final weeks (a period of time where everyone in the company is busy with each task to be able to submit the required report on a designated time).

We have chosen the La Mesa Eco Park as the venue after hearing some nice words from those who have actually experienced first-hand about the place. Although in terms of distance, the place is not quite friendly but setting foot inside is a relief. It's a lovely place, I for one being a typical Sagittarian who always fascinated with nature, pleased as Mother Earth greeted me with gusto and ofcourse not to mention Father Sun who seems want to compete with Mother Earth with the greetings, welcomed us with super gusto, as we were sweating as hell, lol.

After the greetings and the beso-beso (cheek to cheek greetings) right away we started the recollections of memories. And as they were talking about their each life after Singer, the four of us; Ate Yolly, Irene, Chat and I, excused from the group and went climbing on the hill where different flowers like Aurora, Caballero, Calachuci, Marigold and Crotons are at bloom.

And to preserve this very special occasion, it is important that picture taking will not be missed. I think we had gone to every spot that would suggest inviting and worthy to be the background, lols.

See the pictures for the hints, lol.

At four, Eco Park mangement has announced they had to closed, visiting hour is only until four in the afternoon so we vacate the place, pleased with the experience and for the restored camaraderie.

Till next time. For now, I leave you with a puzzle game called "Spot the Difference", lol!

Enjoy.

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Revisited: SINGER and Memories, Part II

After the most anticipated reunion organized by my former friends from my previous work, my Facebook has been flooded with Singer memories. The moment I open my account, feeds from various Singer friends showing pictures of familiar faces in different and comical shots showing their favorite smiles ever.

Say cheese!
Oh my God, these people are maniac, lol. I mean these are people who won’t say no to a camera when in focus.
As I have told you in my previous post (of which, by the way happened to be the primer), a friend who in vacation from Dubai, asked us to organize a mini Singer reunion before she flies back to the desert. The reunion was supposed to happen sometime first week of January but due to the hectic schedules left by the aftershock of the holidays, we ended finalizing it on the 20th of February, a day before her flight back to Dubai by the way.

So, last Sunday was the day, Singer friends and foes alike (lol), were one-by-one summoned to Luneta Park. After a series of deliberations wherein suggested venues were presented, Luneta was the unanimous choice. For one, Luneta is accessible to every Pinoy, so the chances of getting lost is inconceivable and beside Luneta is now a decent place to hang around. Gone were the days, where walking in that area is a serious crime, lol. Ofcourse, for violating the code of ethics of the conyos (ahahaha), seriously who really wants to be caught doing the infamous HHWW (Holding Hands While Walking) at Luneta on those days? Hello, I rather cut myself to death than to endure the humiliation from friend’s ahahaha.
The agreed time was supposed to be ten in the morning but being a Filipino, it started at 12NN. Oh by the way, when you say Pinoy/Filipino time (this is for the sake of those outside the Philippines) you always have to add two hours to the designated time, so when a Pinoy friend says, “I’ll see you at eight”, that means she/he wants to see you at ten. But ofcourse sometimes it varies depending on the person but I tell you two hours is a modest estimation.

Now, let’s go back to the topic. I came in at eleven in the morning (see, I told you it varies depending on the person, ahaha). The Punong Bantay aka the Punong Abala (Event Planner) which is Irene was already at the place socializing with other early birds. They must have caught a lot of worms by that time (lol). I was greeted by a shriek as they approached me to say Hi’s and Hello’s with matching how-are-you-nice-to-see-you greetings. Five minutes after my arrival (naks, red carpet eto, lol) another familiar faces came and then another and another. We used the iron-gate as the port-key as one by one disguising themselves as Muggles came sprouting - only to be distracted with a loud shriek every time someone familiar is coming.

The waiting group composed of the younger generation (I was in that group, lol) and the not so young ones; we call them “The Thunder” as in matatanda (the elders’ haha). And we had our ways of greetings, the younger ones preferred the Hi’s and Hello’s while “The Thunder” were shrieking uncontrollably as if they were the only person in the Park, ahaha.
Thirty minutes past twelve our numbers have grown remarkably. The heat of the sun and the shrieking must have been the culprit that someone has called for lunch. As if automatic, they proceeded to the food area and started unpacking packages. There’s a lot of food, cakes, ice-cream, bibingka, cassava cake, lumpia, pansit, chicken adobo and a lot more.

Me, being assigned for the drinks; had to walk to the nearest Savemore (formerly Masagana) because Glorya Ulan was waiting, we were both assigned for the drinks. It was a long walked under the heat of the sun. It’s so tiring that when we’re back my appetite was somehow being shut. Nevertheless, I helped myself with two spoon-full of rice. Ida and Mother (Ate Salv) were actually giving me more foods in my plate and commenting I should eat more.

While eating we started talking about Singer; reminiscing the good old days, how it was a fun part of our lives and how it was become. Ofcourse, while other can’t resist but to open their cameras and start taking pictures.

Ofcourse, precious moment like this must be preserved for eternity. Imagine, Ate Adel came all the way from Pangasinan just to attend the occasion. Ate Leny and Kuya Roland were the last to arrive having come from Nagcarlan, Laguna. Ate Remy as usual was hilarious with her stories, to the joy of everyone. I for one, enjoyed as I listened to her antiquity.

We had a short rest after that sumptuous bouts ofcourse this while exchanging stories of the now and then about each life; the Punong Bantay prepared a game to be joined by everyone. I was called to join the trivia game (by the way all the games were Singer related) of which we were five in the group, unfortunately we lost, ahaha. Well, we were cheated. The Punong Bantay was too obvious siding the other group. I confronted her on our way home as we both taking the same route but she denied it. My thick eyebrows fly high to planet Mars.

We really had good times but like any good stories, it has to end. The sun was about to end her duty for the day and so as our time. One-by-one, each of us bid our goodbyes and heads to our respective home and having brought a happy memories – memories of friendship that will be kept forever.
We were the last batch vacated Luneta, so I came home eight in the evening. Immediately, I opened my Facebook and those who left earlier already uploaded the pictures and tagging everyone who attended. In the group’s wall, Lhina posted a comment how it was fun seeing each other and she calls it the “Real Singer Family” of which I agree.

EPILOGUE
The remaining four years of Singer existence was not a memorable one. People in power were swallowed by corruption and arrogance to the point that every employee has despised Singer.

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Singer Memories (In Memoriam)

credit

The story of the Singer Sewing Machine Company is a grand tale, full of larger-than-life characters, dreamers and adventurers, statesmen and rogues. It unfolds over 150 years, and impacts historical events and movements all over the globe. The history of this most secretive of corporations is a detective story, full of twists and turns, of adventure, drama, and pathos. It encompasses greatness and failed dreams.

When I was opening my Facebook which of course these days has become a daily habit to some (I am one of that some, lol), I noticed a red notification at the top left menu, the Messages. I opened my FB mailbox and my former boss in my previous company I was working, the Singer Sewing Machine Company or presently known as Singer Philippines, Inc. well, until its closure anyway, invited me to join a group that would consist purely of people who previously worked from the company.

In short, I joined the group and was very surprise that the people behind the group were employees of Singer, back before the declaration of Martial Law. Father and mother would have been starting dating by that time.


The group had pictures uploaded; in their Singer days, a picture of a happy family and it’s so cool seeing them in black and white photos, it so vintage (lol) with that hair so shiny and so polished for the boys that Typhoon Basyang would even be intimidated touching it while the girls sporting with a magnificent big blown hair. My mother would call it “tis”, a very popular hair style in the 60/70. I think, it’s the signature looks of that era. Mother herself has a lot of picture with that kind of hairstyle, and so does every girl in the photos.

The group wants to encourage those people, who for once in their life made Singer a part of their lives, hear their stories, the Singer way - happy or the otherwise.

The initiators of this FB group were no doubt part of the glory days of Singer. Oh, how I wish I belong to that era, lol.

Well, I started my career with Singer. I was insisting my parent I will continue my college in Manila but my Uncle very concerned I may not be doing good in school, because for-crying-out-loud he said, I am a promdi (from the province). That instant, I started to love the word Jihad; I want my uncle to be the first victim. And then he added, instead he wants to enroll me in a two-year computer course program while I am familiarizing myself from the Manila way of life.

To cut the story short, I enrolled to the program and when the time I was looking for a company for my OJT (on-the-job-training), my uncle who happens to be attending on one of his weekly meetings with his brothers at the Lion’s Club, he met a colleague and good friend and fellow brother from PSME (Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers) Mr. Bulanadi (blessed his soul) and asked if his company wants an OJT. Mr. Bulunadi was I think the Warehouse Manager of Taytay (SIPI) at that time, and he said that their Central Office needed one more EDP staff, for encoders.

To cut it short again, I was referred and I was hired. Since then, I’m hooked with Singer. Singer was my first job. The environment was friendly; a perfect place for someone’s starting his first ever job. I started to love Singer (yeah! Swear I once loved Singer), and starting collating fun memories and making friends (bosses and rank and files alike); I made some my very best friends, until this very day.

Life in Singer those days was an experience that I was doing full-time to attending both my college and work. I have asked the bosses (HR, Controller, and my immediate head) if they could give me an extra favor by making my time flexible so I can still go to school every day, since UE (University of the East) is a ride away from Port Area office.

And I was very fortunate that they never failed my request. I finished my college and still continue working with Singer. New faces come and go and many tempting opportunities keep knocking on my doors that all I have declined - I stayed. Why? IT’S MY CHOICE!

Then old faces started to fade and new management was in progress. A Sri Lankan General Manager was installed. The start of SSMC’s road to perdition, the once great institution has fallen from grace. Singer was under the dictatorship, that bloody Sri Lankan (Hi to all Sri Lankan sorry for the word, I am not a racist, that was intended for one person only, peace brothers) wants to be the god. He was right in every f***ing way! In his f***ing wrong way! And to survive, leeches are starting coming in his side.

Anomalous transactions became a norm. Un-identifiend bank transfers suddenly showing un-expectedly but no one would dare keep the audit. Those, who have access to money, started having great ideas (to their advantage). A wallpaper that cost a million? Are you kidding me!

Singer Philippines have died, un-expectedly!

It encompasses greatness..
Those were the days!

..and failed dreams!
SINGER, PHILIPPINES RIP!
Thanks for the memories

Even falling leaves..
has its own story to tell, ikaw ano ang kwentong alamat mo?

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