2018 Business Trips

Jan 21-25 - Bangkok, Thailand

This was the point in my career that I crossed over from in-country project staff to regional consultancy (at least in Asia-Pacific), from operations to pre-sales. I was employed by FreeBalance for more than 3 years now; already a record-breaker knowing that I normally stayed with the company for a max of 2 years. Maybe because most projects have 2-year lifespan, except when extended. Our company has reorganized its APAC team and I suddenly become a member of the Project Management Advisory Services or PMAS.

Me in formal wear

Now, a business opportunity was being followed in Thailand. Since there was no one in the region yet with experience in pre-sales activities, I was sent to observe with an experienced company: VP Kamran and Master Trainer Kemajl. My 4 days in Bangkok was purely networking and building partnerships. And it was my apprenticeship program.

VP and Mrs Kamran and Kemajl

I stayed at Marriott Hotel on my first night and transferred to Rembrandt Hotel for the rest of the night. It was so because I was the one paying for my hotel rooms when the headquarters failed to reserve rooms for me in advance.

Suit up!

It was not everyday that we have official meetings, and not the whole day either. So, VP Kamran gave Kemajl and me timeoff to roam around. We spent one whole day to stroll around and we reached many tourist destinations on foot.

The Giant Swing

Temple of the Golden Mount

Kemajl in a Temple

Phra Sumen Fort

The UN ESCAP

Equestrian Statue of King Rama V

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

Throne Hall

Dusit Zoo

Chitralada Villa Royal Residence

Victory Monument

Jul 21-25 - Vientiane, Laos

My next assignment overseas was in Vientiane with the team of consultants from around the FreeBalance world. We were salvaging a project in the country of Lao PDR. We were in full force, headed by 2 VPs: VP Kamran (Sales) and VP Gerard (Services).

During the product presentation

The whole week's level of effort was exhausting. Here, I was part of the functional team, with Vlora and Malaiphone, that revisited the system configurations. This however was the venue for me to learn more deeply about the FreeBalance product.

Sleepless days and nights to prepare

In the end, I found myself at the centerstage presenting the solution concepts and functions.

Team's pose after the event

When all official events concluded, and the others already flew home, four of us (Jeet, Vlora, Malai and myself) that remained went on to a riverside where locals frequent, including our local consultant, Malai who served as our guide and driver that day. The site is filled with floating restaurants with karaoke machines. We got one and I hollered the whole roundtrip of cruising, eating, singing and dancing.

Jeet, Vlora, Malai and me

One of the floating restaurants cruising under the bridge

Mandatory pose at the venue

Tea break

Sep 1-5 - Vientiane, Laos

I was on personal vacation that time when I got the emergency call to visit Laos. I flew direct from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Vientianne. The intent was to get readily available when the client would call for meeting and another demo.

No calls received, so my trip was cut short. And I was heading home to the Philippines.

One of the food trips was meeting fellow Filipinos with friend Brian

But spending nights at hawkers' street cannot be missed; one night was spent with Jeet and Malai, the others were all by myself.

Finally got the chance to visit the main landmark of Laos in Vientianne.
This That Luang Golden Temple is printed in Laos money, Kip.