Talisay Team Building Activity

We were lucky enough to be welcomed by Dr. Suarez in their Talisay rest house last Saturday (May 23). Our guidance team’s building activity aimed to improve the group member's relationships and to acquire synergy needed in achieving unit goals. ESS South team was the first to arrive at the place.

We were supposed to do trekking but food prep took so much time that we decided to do that the following day (more on that later).

Our facilitators, Ms Tei and Ms Mia are guidance counselors from Assumption College. I would like to commend these two ladies for preparing exciting and heart warming activities that mirrored our experiences as a team. I wish we had more time to synthesize “each" activity and came up with corresponding applications. Nonetheless, being group process facilitators, ourselves, I believe that each and everyone had his or her own related insights. Ms. Tei was actually a former part of the ESS guidance unit while Ms. Mia is a classmate of mine in graduate school.

The most challenging part of the team building for me is when we were asked to talk to each group mate. It gave me a chance to express feelings and thoughts that I have kept to myself due to my tendency to avoid confrontation. I thought that this will lead to a conflict-free interaction thereby decreasing the chance of experiencing stress but I was wrong! Definitely wrong. Bottling up one’s emotions is never an ideal coping style. The safe and assuring environment and the nonjudgmental response by my colleagues made it possible to do this without the fear of getting into conflict with one another. Moreover, affirmation from my colleagues gave me a chance to view myself in another perspective. To cut the long story short, naiyak na ang mg dapat umiyak. May ganun!

The puzzle game also tested our ability to lead a group. It actually made me realize that I am better off as a follower in those tasks that goes beyond my ability (giving directions... remember I have poor spatial ability. As in zero. I couldn't easily identify what's left and what is right). Look... Ms. Sheila was confuse na.

The next activity focused on group coordination and planning skills. One's weakness was compensated by another's strength. I therefore conclude that strategic planning coupled by the right amount of manpower is a good recipe for team success...

We also had a birthday to celebrate. It’s Ms. Kit’s __th birthday. Hehe.. As a birthday surprise, I sang my own version of “Careless Whisper” (one of the latest LSS of the nation) followed by a video presentation prepared by the unit. Because we were so tired, we weren’t able to party in Embalisay.

2nd day (Trekking)
Notice anything? Those who fear UV rays... Mega payong sa kakahuyan…

Ms. Pat was also determined to reward those men who help her during those times she felt like she can't go on.

The water from the falls was freezing cold but once you are totally submerged, it offered a refreshing reward after the arduous task of trekking.

Why didn’t we bring bottles of water? It should have lessened the electrolytes imbalance in our bodies. We weren't totally prepared for the climb as evidently seen in our get ups.

And of course, the trip will not be complete without dropping by Talisay market for tawilis and the nearest pastry shop – Amira’s. Their cassava cake is amazing but I must say – their items are quite expensive…

Ciao!