MINOR FIELDTRIP

FTS (Field Trip and Seminars) subject composes the Major and Minor events. Which in the Major Fieldtrip it was done from 7^th to 11^th day of September, 2015 and was held in Luzon particularly in Manila.  Events were successfully happened at that time and probably majority of us learned a lot from the experienced. After the major events it was said that Minor fieldtrip must follow and on the 23th day of January it was done and held at the School Social Hall.

As early as 8:00 am – 9:00 am it was Saturday then, students wrote their names on the attendance paper for the program preparation.  During the registration many of us prepared themselves for the program because they all have their activities afterwards. Here are the flow events of the Minor Fieldtrip Program:

Part 1-

8:00- 9:00 am –   Registration

9:00 – 9:30 am- Opening Program

-          National Anthem

-          Opening Remarks

              9:30- 10:30 am -  1^st talk by Mr. Ralph Gideon

            10:30 am – 10: 45 am – 2^nd talk by Ms. Shannen Yu Spar

            11:45 am to 12:45 pm – Lunch Break

            Part 2-

            12:45 – 1:00 pm – afternoon attendance

            1:00 – 4: 00 pm Hackathon / Pitching for Startup Competition

            4: 00 – 4: 30 pm – Awarding and Closing Remarks

            4: 30 – 5: 00 pm – Restoration and Master Ceremony by Rey Neal Badalo

On the Part 1 of the program, Mr. Ralph Gideon is the first speaker and he gave us knowledge about Graphic tools: Fundamentals of Design. Base on his presentation he gave emphasis of what does design really means and how we are or we should apply it on a certain scenario on our websites or other stuff.  During his presentation he said “Designing is equals to Problem solving” which means when we apply to design something it made the thing so important and usable by the user because it will became more inviting or attractive to use. And he also gave us the difference between artist and designers. He also let us to answer his question on “thus artist and designers are the same?” then, some of the students said Yes and least said No, but the truth was according to his research “artist! =designers” or “artist is not equal to designers” because Artist think outside the box about the art that they are going to do , while Designers thinks any possible designs that they think need to apply. The bottom-line of his presentation was Designer is really important to a certain company who’s product or services are to design a website or any related design items. He also tackled about the 7 elements of Foundation of a Design.

And below are the important content of a design:
1. Balance – has 2 types; Symmetrical Formal Balance and Asymmetrical informal balance.

2. Rhythm

3. Emphasis

4. Unity (Harmoney or Uniformity)

5. Variety

6. Proportion

The first speaker also gave the student the qualifications of being a good Designer. First, good designers read or brows books, pdf, tutorials, and etc. Second, you must know the basic. Third, you must know your limit. Fourth, do some experiment. Fifth, ask a lot and accept criticisms from others. And lastly, learn to communicate. These are just steps that the speakers wanted the students to learn about designing.

The second speaker was Ms. Shannen Yu Spar she’s a UI/UX Designer at Ingenuity Company. She talks about the Front end Web Development. She talks more on what are the difference between the front –end developer and the back –end developer. On her presentation she perfectly clear that front end is also referred to as the client side and sometimes considered “web design”. The back end of the web industry is often called the server –side.

Her emphasis what she usually doing as a UI/UX designer is that user interface (UI) Designer is basically a visual designer and generally focused on design. That they’re not usually involved in the implementation of design, but they might know light HTML and CSS so they can communicate their ideas more effectively to the developers. And while a UX (User Experience) designers work in the front end and study and research how people use the sites and make changes through a lot of testing. A front end developer may be required to have a gasp on testing, as well as be well versed in HTML , CSS, and JavaScript. Then what she said about Back –end or the “server side” was, it basically how the site works, updates and changes. This refers to everything the user can’t see in the browser, like databases and servers.

Usually people who work on the back end are called programmers or developers. She made to clear that back end developers are mostly worried about things like security, structure and content management. They also the one who is required to create dynamic site which, dynamic site like Blogs , Facebook , and others is a site that constantly changing and updated in real-time.  Ms. Spar also recommends Boilerplates for bootstrap and html, Sass or {Less} compilers for CSS. 

A good front – end developer would also have to work in collaborating, interpreting, compiling, testing, optimizing, and researching for their websites to be more functional to the user. After she delivered her topics question and answer was followed and a lot of the students gave her questions that must be answered by her according to her experienced and knowledge. One of the students question was “what makes a person a good developer? ” then she answered that ,“ A good Developers must have a clean program flow so that if someone or anyone else will follow his works he will understand well the program and dynamically do the progress, and that’s what makes a person as a Good developer ”.

So much for the second speaker, the third speaker was Mr. Nikko Comidoy who is a former student of the University. He is a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student. Then according to him, he just wanted to share what he experienced about the competition that they won in their previous college life. He exclaimed that those competitions really gave them inspiration to make difference and achieved their goals after graduated. He said the events gave him a big impact on dealing his fair to pitch his idea and fight for his confidence to put in a higher level. Somehow he said that Mr. Randy Gamboa is a big part of his journey of what he is right now because of the confidence he built during those events.

After the 3^rd speaker we had our lunch that we enjoyed the most. Then, the Part 2 of the program immediately started in which the Hackathon and Pitching for Startup Competition was held. I saw everyone seriously preparing themselves about the competition because there are prizes to be given to those who are going to win. Many of us also have a cool feeling of having no competition to join because we are done already the pitching during our previous subjects. As what I have observed a lot of the student was very nervous about the Pitching Competition because they were chosen to have a group in different clusters. There were 4 clusters made, which the 1^st cluster was placed at the right side of the hall, and then the 2^nd cluster was in the center bottom of the hall, then the 3^rd was placed in the left side, and the 4^th cluster was at the center stage. Time past by some students was relieve because they have done there pitch within just a minute or less than by that. Afterwards, when everyone was done we waited for the announcement of who are those people chosen their ideas as top that are going to pitch at the stage. The competition is quite so enjoyable because everyone feels like their ideas were chosen and when the announcement declares those top ideas they keep on laughing for knowing that they didn’t expect it to be chosen.

What I learned?

I learned that all the speakers are very passionate of the skills and jobs that they have now. They all have the knowledge about the fields that they studied. During the seminar I learned that Front- End is everything that involved with what the user sees, including the design and some languages like HTML and CSS. A common front end job title is “Web designer” who designs websites.

What I liked?

I liked the moment that mostly of us participated in the event especially in the question and answer portion. I liked that they enjoyed the activities and they achieved what must be done. What also surprises us was the extra fund that we don’t know it will distributed back again to us, because we expected that our funds is almost spent through the whole event but we’re mistaken , so it was really surprising that it was given back . For me as part of the subject (FTS) I ‘am so thankful and grateful that the officers are trusted and honest, and they really gave their best just to make those events happened, so a lot of thanks to them. And also to our facilitators who always guided us throughout these events, we thank you very much.

What I didn’t like?

I didn’t liked that the speakers didn’t further more explain some deeper aspects that we didn’t still know, instead of tackling the most important they just more on telling their experiences during their early stages in their programs.

Hackathon and Start-up Pitching Competition

Many students participated also in Hackthon, especially those Computer Science Students who had the ability to compete with their skills using programming languages. The scenario was, on the other dimension of the Social hall while almost of the IT students was on their Pitching elimination the Hackathon competition was also conducted by those competitors . On the other side I saw their faces were in a serious manner to look at the computers because they really made to focus on how they are going to solve their problems within the given time. They seem also quite because it involves logical and analysis as what really it is. While in the Pitching competition most of as listened to the top chosen pitcher on the stage, as what I have observed the competition is tough to be decided due to they all have nice, cool, and unique ideas that many would chose. Even the judges have lots of question about the idea they were pitching, because it means that judges really do understand their ideas with a given minutes to pitch whole the things that needed to clear out. Hours passed by, both competitions were done in a given period of time. All the students really enjoyed the seminar not just because of the food, but also the knowledge they gain during the event. I know many would probably made that day memorable for them because of the experienced that they encountered and some speakers to be known about.

APPENDIX

What can I recommend for the improvement of the advance seminar program of USEP?

            For me, I would recommend that Minor fieldtrip must be held at the company’s place so that we can see the actual things they do and they used, because it’s better to learn with new things we see.

My advice to those who will take their advance seminar program in the near future

My advice to those who are going to take their advance seminar program, choose the responsible officials to pass all the possible requirements for both seminars to take on the said date and places to go, so that everything would be interesting and memorable. Everyone should participate to experience more about the technological field and interest of each other.

TRAVEL REPORT September 7 – 11, 2015 MAJOR FIELDTRIP

Seminar Overview

Under the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) Ladderized Curriculum Effective SY- 2008-2009, Subject code FTS or Field Trip and Seminars is mandatory. A 3^rd year or above level of college students can take this subject for it is a prerequisite. FTS consist of 3 Models which students and faculties/instructors can choose to have the same decisions to make.

Before the 1^st semester was started, majority of the class already decided to choose Model A - Major Field Trip (Outside Mindanao). Several meetings were conducted until a final decision was made. The said activity needs us to prepare an amount of twenty-one thousand pesos which is very expensive and everyone agreed. Then, Maynilad Tours and Educational Services Inc. was the chosen agency to handle the trip. They offer some of the places and business companies that we need to visit as part of their educational services to put in the itinerary. Itinerary is a travel document that records timetable schedules and places/events to go. FTS then, were based outside Mindanao particularly in Luzon areas (in Manila) and was happened on September 7-11, 2015 and lasted for 5 days. On the Final Itinerary which divided into two, the Bus 1 and 2 have the same schedule except for Day 2. There are also two appointed faculty instructors who guided us throughout the whole trip.

DAY 1- DOST and Social Security System (SSS)

This particular day is very significant to me because this is the first time that I will board in an airplane. Before those companies that we went, let me till you on what was happened first. By that day as early as 2:30 am I woke up to get prepared and then I grab a taxi to arrive early at the airport. On the very first time I know that it was my first flight and I never felt nervous but my heart was filled with excitement. So much for that, when we arrived at the NAIA terminal 3 I felt so happy because at last I was able to visit Manila in reality. After arriving we proceed to McDonalds not far from the airport to have some breakfast. Then, we immediately went to our first Company visit destination which is DOST located in Bicutan, Taguig it has an average area to built their buildings for workplace. It was kindda tiring day because we travel so early that our mind and body having not enough sleep. The seminar lasted for an hour then we go back to our respective Buses to travel again going to Kenny Rogers Restaurant to have some lunch. Then, after we ate we went to our second Company visit located at East Ave., QC, the main branch of Social Security System (SSS). I was amazed for seeing that they have tall buildings to work at and the big frames of paintings was display inside. At the evening we had our dinner at Tramway Buffet, Timog , QC which surprises me to see many dishes and food to eat . Then, finally we went to our temporary place to feel like home and get some sleep in Kabayan Hotel located in Pasay City.

What I learned?

What I learned in DOST was the Project NOA that this project tracks the places that Typhoon and other calamities will exist on that specific area. It really helps a lot of people to save their lives from danger and death. That this kind of project must be use and workable to help our country from any big casualties that even our government cannot directly act to solve the problem immediately. I learned also that there project compose of what they called LIDAR DSM that has 30 m and 25 m resolution and as well as having an application for mobile to use by people to be aware.

In SSS I learned that they gave so much benefit to their clients such as Earnings and effectivity of coverage. They also have Social Security Benefits program for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral. They also have Loan programs that I ‘am really sure everyone will grab.

What I liked?

What I liked about this day was my first flight in the Airplane because finally I saw clouds and places overview. Then the sun was rising and it feels like it wanted to greet you a very Good Morning! This really brings me to have a nice and warm day while in the sky traveling. The food also makes me felt happy all the way long.

What I didn’t like?

What I didn’t like about this day was in the airplane when it going to land of course we all knew that it will go round and round first in the above before stepping the wheels on the ground, it makes me feel so crazy and so bad because it made my ears aching like I wanted to jump in the plane because I can’t take the pain any longer. I think on the halfway of it, it makes me cry because of so much pain. Those damn feeling that anytime your eardrum will explode. I really feel so bad.

DAY 2 – PLDT and IBM Phils

This day after we ate our breakfast at Kabayan Hotel we immediately went to PLDT located at Mandaluyong City. As we went there our tour guide kuya Eric always told us about the history or stories of all those known establishments in Manila that was built a long time ago. The time passed by, we arrived at the PLDT Innolab before the scheduled time, so we are too early that’s why we wait just for a while inside the bus. The person that was assigned to tour us inside their company was Mrs. Annie Ferrer she is so kind and you can really see on her face and actions that she really loves her job. We learn a lot from her. After the PLDT we held our lunch inside the bus. After the morning sessions, we finally went to IBM Phils at the Ayala Techno-Hub, Quezon City. Then, they conducted a seminar for us and as far as I remembered they have nice and cool facilities and also the one who conducted us. I really adore what knowledge and learnings he shared to us. For me, IBM Company is one of the places that my curiosity can’t stop giggling.

What I learned?

In PLDT I learned a lot. The President of their company was Mr. Napoleon Nazareno and the person as what they called MVP was Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan. From 1928- 38 their company was established and during that years they demanded a Telephone operator. Then on 1939-48 there was a US Distractions happened. In 1949-58 is the Aged of Hope for them then followed in 1959-68 it was an Aged of Changed and so on because many more years and events that has stories happened.

While in IBM I learned and acknowledge about Bluemix that has an open standard, platform for building and also it has managing and running applications for all time which I myself was never discovered before. I was also amazed about Watson Jeopardy.

What I liked?

I liked the IBM facilities and powder room because they have complete stuff in there. I also liked PLDT for giving us the things that we wanted to know and learn. I also liked the technology that they have, especially those big touchy screens TV that they can use it as a big screen for presentations and I think they can also use it as a computer monitor. I really liked all their technologies.

What I didn’t like?

After the company visits some of them talks about Accenture Company. They said it is cool there and it has a nice view. Then me at that moment, I also wanted to go there, I also wanted to see what they saw and experienced there. From that time I wished I belong in Bus 2 to have different experienced with another classmates. That really makes me feel sad.

DAY 3 – SMX , MOA and Tutuban Mall (night Market )

September 9, 2015, as early as 8 am we arrived in the convention/seminar place for Y4IT at SMX, MOA. When we got there I was so surprise about lots of students that are willing to attend the convention. I never expect that we are hundreds or more from different schools. What also surprises me there was the place, on how huge really it is. The Y4IT convention consumed our whole day schedule. It was fun and I am proud to be part of that national conference together with our very own PSITS President who gave an open remark to a hundreds of students. I was inspired about those speakers from different companies. They spoke amazingly about the product or services that they offer, you can really see their passion on doing their job.

After the convention at 6-8pm we went to Tutuban Mall to buy some ‘pasalubong’ for our families and friends. During our trip going there we suffered heavy traffic and some road problems but we still survived just to buy our needs. For me the time is not enough to buy all the things that we want. That road trip is very much hassle to me.

What I learned?

I learned so much about that day, especially the Y4IT convention. All the speakers are great! They really inspired me on pursuing my passion. I learned that in everything you do, you must give your best.

What I liked?

SMX , MOA I like so much the place and the food we ate there during lunch time. I really liked those spokes person from different companies because they gave an idea on how to be a good technopreneurship someday.

Tutuban Mall I really like to go there for how many times so that I can buy all the things that I liked with just affordable price.

What I didn’t like?

What I didn’t like about that day was the small time that allotted for our shopping in Tutuban. For me the time is not enough, it really makes me feel sad for paying limited items. I also don’t like the traffic; being stuck for an hour really makes my life wasted.

DAY 4 – MMDA Traffic Engineering , People’s Park, Tagaytay City, and Enchanted Kingdom

Among all those days, this day is the best and most memorable for me ,why? Because this is the day that I can say, I really never saw myself as happy as like this before. Early morning going to MMDA located at Edsa Makati is tough to go especially during week days because of so much traffic, thou Edsa Makati is near from the Hotel it feels like it is too far. When we arrived at the MMDA they gave us a warm accommodation. They allow us to see all the big screens for the CCTV records.  They gave us more knowledge about traffics and incidents that usually happened on the road.

After MMDA we immediately went to People’s Park, Tagaytay City , it has a breath taking scenery. The air is fresh and the views can really gave you the peace in mind. For me it is a good place to spend if you wanted to unwind. Running and walking at the top was amazing because you can really see the nice view especially Taal volcano. The weather at that time is great, it allow us enjoying the moment at the park.

We also went to Enchanted Kingdom, the best place to throw all your fears. This is the place where my weak body and mind quickly became alive. At that moment I never felt afraid to all the extreme rides because I know I will enjoy every second of it shouting like crazy. This is the place where you can laugh, cry, and be very nervous to try extreme rides. This is really the place where you can enjoy life in a moment.

What I learned?

In MMDA, I learned about on how they are going to keep the incidents records, on how they will monitor all the CCTV’s and maintain it. I learned also that they keep on recording 24/7 so that they will never miss all the happenings in the road.

In Tagaytay I learned that you need to be wise to buy a ‘pasalubong’ so that it will worth the cost. While in Enchanted Kingdom, I learned that as long as you are given the chance to enjoy life,  grab it, because once you missed it, it will never happen again.

What I liked?

What I liked about this day was the MMDA seminar because they share about the things that we students didn’t know yet and the warm accommodation that they gave  us. I liked the way they help our community to solved incidents and make it safer for an immediate rescue together with the local agencies such as Police and other rescue team if there were accidents happened. l liked also the pleasure trip, like visiting Tagaytay and having unlimited rides at the Enchanted Kingdom. I liked all the extreme rides that I experienced together with my classmates. I really saw the happiness on their faces, up until now I still remembered the laughter and the scream shout that they acted at that time.

What I didn’t like?

I didn’t like the short time that we spent in the Enchanted Kingdom, because I still want to experience all those extreme rides that unfortunately I was not able to do. I wanted to spend my whole day there, which sounds so funny. I really feel so bad in Tagaytay because I only bought few ‘pasalubong’ for my friends, classmates, and family.

DAY 5 – UP Dept. of Computer Science and Resorts World Manila

This day is the saddest moment for me because this is the time are go to go back in Davao  but before it happened we have still two places to drop by. First at UP Dept. of Computer Science located in Quezon City. I was very excited then, because for me University of the Philippines is one of everyone’s dream to get in. Because of its popularity of being a high standard quality of education UP is known as one of the best school to educate oneself and all of the students here are very smart. Since we are an IT students it was decided to have a tour inside the Department of Computer Science College so we went there and the assigned persons to us gave as information about the studies and researches that they are doing. They also introduce us of some of their finished research which I was truly amazed and admired because from the title itself I really think it was very sophisticated. Then they gave us a tour inside their department.

After the tour we immediately went to our next destination to Resorts World Manila for the convenient time travel going to airport it was decided to make it as the last place to go. From the outside appearance of the building you can easily conclude that this mall is suit only for those people who are rich because of the expensive items inside. The place was so elegant and very luminous. It also has a casino where rich people can spend money for nothing just to earn more.

What I learned?

 I learned that in UP Diliman, Dept. of Computer Science has 1 lecture hall, 1 AVR room, 4 lecture rooms, 3 teaching laboratory, and it has a 7 research laboratory. During the tour we are so much enjoy on asking questions about some of our concerns. I learned that they are really smart students.

What I liked?

I liked about that they allow us to tour their department and research laboratories for us to be idealistic that certain schools should have a research lab for the incubation of students to create or produce a research. I liked the fact that they trusted students who are going to do research to manage the rooms and facilities for them to use on their own. They have complete things to do their job and studies inside the lab.

What I didn’t like?

I didn’t like that instead of Trinoma they decided to go to Resorts World Manila which was for me, it’s never been a good place to buy a ‘pasalubong’ because all the items there was so expensive that I cannot truly afford. At that time after visiting UP I expect that we are going to Trinoma or SM North but I was wrong. I feel so much regret about those times that we were given a chance to go there.

I also don’t like about those time that our flight was delayed for more than 2 hours. I also worried about my personal things that I accidentally put in a luggage area. I was worried about any possibilities that might happen to my things inside it because my pack bag should be hand carry for it carries my personal things like, cellphone, money , and others, but thanks God when I got that bag my personal things was still there and nothing was gone. And going home by 12 am is tiring and very hassle.

What can I recommend for the improvement of the advance seminar program of USEP?

I wanted to recommend on time process of papers, payment deadlines, and full time responsible and trusted officers. The program should have cooperative students to implement and work the things that must be done ahead of time. I’ll also recommend 2 Universities must visit in Manila so that the students can differentiate and can learn more about the school systems that must have for the improvement of a certain school. For the improvement of the advance seminar program the officer of the said subject should release a time to time audit in terms of money changes so that when the time that parents meeting will be held no parents will have to complain about money and they should also gave parents a hard copy of every documents that was needed to have and to gave to process the said subject especially in terms of money.

My advice to those students that will take their advance seminar program they must be very prepared, aside from the things that they are going to have and carry, they must also prepare their selves from any possibilities that might happen during and after the field trip. The students must also have bigger pocket money for any emergency purposes that might happen to them. Most of all they must enjoy every seconds of their journey so that after the trip they will remember the happy moments that they spent together. The student must encourage some of her/his classmates to behave and obey to any rules that the officers and facilitators implemented. Everyone also should care each other so that they can build friendships and trust to help one another during the trip.