Reflection on the movie Helvetica..

            

            Even before, we can never deny the fact that typography is with us in our daily life. It is hard to foresee that we can live in this world without it for it is one way of establishing a communication. And one of the renown typefaces in the society is the Helvetica. This is what the independent documentary film Helvetica is all about. The said movie shows the typography world, graphic designs and the global visual culture that somehow tend to be unnoticed by many. It illustrates the beginning of the Helvetica and the evolution happened as it became the face of modernism.

             In the movie, they documented the history of Helvetica. In 1957, Neue Haas Grotesk was the name of this face. But for marketable purpose, it was initially suggested that the typeface be called 'Helvetia' which is the original Latin name for Switzerland. But then Eduard Hoffmann, one of the developers of Helvetica together with Max Miedinger disagreed to it for it wouldn't be appropriate to name a typeface after a country. So he suggested “Helvetica” as this meant “Swiss”. Helvetica was originated in the Haas Type Foundry in Münchenstein, Switzerland and today it is under the property of the Linotype in Bad Homburg Germany.  

Personally I agree that this typeface was known for its clear type, straight forward, modern type and generated with desire or for better visibility. These were also the reasons of many graphic designers why they love and chose the Helvetica face in their designs. It is to be noted that this face really brings the neutrality of any word. Basing to what Rick Poynor said, Helvetica aroused through the real feeling of idealism among some designers after seeking for rational typefaces which could be applied to all contemporary information whether in sign system or corporate identity. They rebuild and reform styles after the war in 1950’s and present those visual expression of the modern world to the public in intelligible and eligible way. I learned through Massimo Vignelli that the head of sensitivity of a quote is not  between the distance of letters but rather the spaces of the black that really makes it. Also the letter “H” is the base of every letters made as what Matthew Carter, son of Harry Carter said. He added that Helvetica has a horizontal terminal which makes the general characteristic of it.

In this film, they really interviewed many famous graphic designers who in their own way, used and developed the Helvetica face. I liked the way these designers appreciated and perceived the form and style of Helvetica. As what all of them said, Helvetica has a style itself. It run smoothly and brings almost the perfect balance they want. Leslie Savan, a media writer said that the government and corporations love Helvetica because on one hand it seems to be neutral and efficient. And the smoothness of the letters of the face also makes the government seems transparent, accessible, and accountable the way they must look. Thus, Helvetica creates a big impact to everyone. It is already in the culture and you ca never just dump it for it is everywhere. I realized that Helvetica really touches every advertising industry because almost all of the big companies and establishments even those small ones used the Helvetica face. They consider it as the starting point of their businesses because it will then be the basis of the people if they will adopt such products as the way they presented it to them through the attractive styles and designs.   

But  I can say that somehow Helvetica is boring without designs on it like the size and color especially in magazines. Because I can’t imagine the words in the street and reading materials with the same dull letters. So it is still necessary that a graphic designer would add some twist on the Helvetica  letters if printed. Even Rick Poynor and other designers agreed that blending of some effects somehow is more attractive like what Stefan Sagmeister did. Because designers wanted to express their subjectivity and feelings through the design they make. It is essential to bring life to every letters because I also believe that typography can have personality the way you drawn it. It somehow shows who you really are based on the type you choose. As what Paula Scher said, she realized that the typefaces has a spirit that  can convey movement and could be your own medium. Letters speaks different way and I agree to Manuel Krebs that Helvetica contains a design program that will lead you to a certain language.

Thus, it really make sense to know and observe how things were made. Like the typography, it may be very unnoticeable for many but if we weigh the importance of it in our life, we can conclude that this gives affluence to us. It allows us to understand easily the things wanted to be conveyed by anyone. And the Helvetica movie really showed credit to typefaces especially to Helvetica face itself for all its benefits to us. Through this film, I realized that it is never been easy to create and apply any typeface particularly if you think of how it will be adopted by everyone. You should always set considerations in making it. But for sure, like Helvetica, people will learn to take it as part of the culture and it will never be vanished.               

LATE..

Hey people!!.. You know I really hate being late especially in class.But unfortunately I wasn't able to join my 2nd quiz in my 7AM database subject because I was late.I was supposed to run faster because I was already in the school gate but my classmate texted me that the door of the laboratory room was already lock and I can no longer get in because that was our rule "No Entry When Late".

Well I guess I should really make extra extra effort to wake up very very early to make sure I'll never be late again.That's all for now....

How I celebrated the All Souls Day...

              All around the world, November 2 is known for the celebration of All Souls Day. In this day, we commemorates our beloved loved ones who passed by already. We celebrate it through going to the cemetery where they were buried. Having party called "Halloween Party" is one way also of celebrating this day.

               But unfortunately, I haven't celebrated it in public?..Why? Because I failed to go to the cemetery and I didn't even attend any Halloween party. Well  what I just did was to pray silently. Because I believe that  my prayers can somehow help them when the final judgment will come. =)
            





             

5thDay of Fieldtrip (Oct. 8, 2010)

DAY 5

Today, I went on a company visit to Telecommunications Training Institute (TTI ) in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.

     What I learned?

            I’ve learned that this institute is a very old government establishment that caters services, products,  and courses in line of technical objects in telecommunication. field. I learned that this institute came to have analysis on how to communicate as telecom. They have Digital Multiplex Master Station which they show the algorithms to be noted and plays important role in telecom.

             I learned that the flow of having a successful telecommunication should have Postage – Radio – Multiplexer – Pulse Code Modulation PCM – Switch. In Quantizing, when you need to convert analog to digital  you should use the 421 code. In the institute, they have antennas and in 1 antenna, they have 411 stations. They have 61 TB or Traffic Block which indicates who is calling in the area or station. They use Intracall Card  and every card caters 32 subscribers.

            I also learned about the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna which is a two-way satellite ground station or a stabilized maritime VSAT antenna with a dish antenna that is smaller than 3 meters. To communicate with the Agila satellite (the first and only satellite of the Philippines), first you have to position your parabolic VSAT antenna to 120º  Southeast azimuth with  50º  elevation. Then you should follow this flow: Indoor modulator -(connect to)- Outdoor modulator -(connect to)- LNA or LNB -(connect to)- VSAT Antenna.

What I liked?

            I liked the data given by this institute because it gave me information about the antennas and the right positions and flow on how to make telecommunication successful. I also liked the machines exposure and I appreciate the speaker Mr. Noel Lorenzo’s knowledge he imparted to us.

   What I didn’t like?

            I didn’t like the building because it is not renovated.


          In continuation of our company visit for the last day of our tour, we visited Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Engineering in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
 
       What I learned?

    The knowledge I gained in the MMDA visit was really a useful information for me. Because I’ve learned how they monitor accidents and managed the traffic in whole Metro Manila. I’ve learned that they have 16 big monitors in the Metro Base and numerous flat screen monitors in around the base. This helped them in monitoring and checking the situation in the areas of  Manila. They have 128 modems for their connection and has 419 intersections monitored. And the IP camera they have which is bell shaped uses Ymax Antenna They divided the Metro manila into four sections: North-Region 1; West- Region 2; East- Region 3; and South-Region 4. they have two software used: the Nuuo  and  Multipix.

    In the traffic monitoring team, the engineer said that they also have Multiplexes Traffic lights and uses 5 local controllers. The flow of their connection is : lantern – controller – server. In every lane they put loop detection that will detect the speed of the magnetic vehicle, the gaps they have and the mass of each of them. For the whole lanes, the loop detectors are called the inductive loop with 1.5 x 2.5 m which when data were determined and calculated, the current will then determine how long will the light green will stay. After which, the current will then go to the other lanes. The software they use in the traffic lights is the Sydney Conducted Adoption Traffic System (SCATS). The main program used is Fortran and the sub-program is Assembler.

            What I liked?

    I liked the MMDA center itself because there you can see the traffic situation and would record accidents in the road. The software, program and hardware they use are very reliable. I liked their team because they welcome visitors and are willing to share and show the gadgets and hardware they use.

           What I didn’t like?

    I didn’t liked the limited time allotted for the company visit in this company.

4th Day of Fieldtrip (Oct. 7, 2010)

DAY 4

Today, I went on a company visit to Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Philippines Corp. in Laguna Technopark, Binan, Laguna.

 What I learned?

Hitachi is a company having the main center in San Jose California that offers system solution for society providing products, system and solution based in latest advanced technology especially in information technology system. I learned that this company here in the Philippines focuses in making the global storage or their new advanced perpendicular head terabyte hard drive. In these product, they changed the design of the conventional longitudinal recording wherein magnets representing the bits are lined up end-to-end along circular tracks in the plane of the disk.

In perpendicular recording, the tiny magnets are standing up and down. Adjacent alternating bits stand with north pole next to south pole; thus, they want to attract each other more stable they are. I also learned and saw that the hard disk platter is sliced into long strips and the head is only 10nm.

This company also has three stages where they develop their perpendicular hard drive.: the Fab1 – rawstake layer; the Harmony ( needs extra careful because platter becomes sensitive to light ) ; and the Fab2 – slider layer. Also, all of the workers in the laboratories are all females for they say that females has very light hands.


What I liked?

I liked the technology product produced by Hitachi particularly the perpendicular head terabyte hard drive. It is very useful, reliable and convenient to use. I liked also the ambiance inside the Hitachi lab because you should be wearing foot covers and the mini museum gives you information of Hitachi’s history.

 What I didn’t like?

I didn’t liked the moment when we are all inside the waiting room, because we were divided into batches. And it gave me the tiring and boring feeling while waiting.

3rd Day of Fieldtrip (Oct. 6, 2010)

DAY 3

Today, I went on a company visit to the Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)  in C.P. Garcia, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

      What I learned?

            I learned that the Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) is one of the government institution that conducts scientific research and development in the advanced fields of Information and Communications Technology and Microelectronics. They  contribute to the attainment of national development and growth of Philippine enterprises by providing solutions using ICT and electronics technology.

             

            I learned that they also has researches and development programs such as the produced embedded products, educational kits and technicom projects. 

      What I liked?

            I liked the institute itself for they aim to help the Philippines to grow in such a way of using technology. They managed to be existing solution in some Philippine problems in terms of producing technology  products.

      What I didn’t like?

            I  just didn’t like the ambiance of their  conference room because I was tired already for I doesn’t have enough sleep then there goes a not so colorful room where we held our lecture.

2nd Day of Fieldtrip (Oct. 5, 2010)

DAY 2

Today, I went to UP Diliman in Quezon City held in NISMED Auditorium to fulfill our National Seminar. In the afternoon, we continued the tour in Department of Computer Science (DCS) located at U.P. Alumni Engineers Centennial Hall and visited the six DCS laboratories.

What I learned?

For spending my whole day in UP Diliman, I really learned lot of things and met several speakers that overwhelmed me. In the seminar, we have six topics that indeed covers useful facts, ideas and information for us IT and CS students. These were: Writing a Winner Thesis (Rose Ann Sale); Visualizing Wikipedia Article Evolution with Stream Graph (John Boaz Lee); Personal Learning Environment (Michelle Lee Moscatel); Animation (Len de Gracia); Mobile Device Game Development (Prof. Carlo Bott); and Empowering the Nation through Educational Technology (Dr. Ferdinand B. Pitagan).

In the first topic, I learned that we should take note of the five stages in making a thesis. The first one is the “Big Thinking” wherein the stage of knowing your topic. You should be transformed, inspired and challenged to get good topics. Second is the “Proposal Stage”. If approved by the adviser, you will now enter the “Burning the Eyebrow Stage” wherein you will feel the real stress in making the meat of your thesis. Next is the “Nerve Wracking Stage” where you will be able to use comparative test and tester profile. I learned that whenever got bored and drained, you do anything that might give you happiness. It is important for you to avoid breakdown. Then if successful, you are now in the “I Did It Stage”.

About the second topic, I learned that visualizing is a big help in finding the right and correct information of the data you are looking for. Like in wikipedia, if you are about to find a particular lets say meaning of a word, after you click the search button, lots of information will appear. So to be sure if any data is correct, you should learn to identify the unnecessary info. Tips were as follow: Identify data by means of color; Compare two most related information about the data; Get the unnecessary information. I also learned that this link will help you - http://wiki.smallworldgroup.com.

In the third topic, I learned that personalized learning + technology = Personal Learning Environment. In PLE, here you can have your own designed learning environment by taking control and managing your own learning. This is a system where the learners can apply the way they learn things using technology.

The things I learned in the nest topic was about animation. Though we didn’t really had the step by step process on how to make the animation, tips and types of software were given. I learned that as a beginner, one should really focus on practicing and program that can help you is the Maya and Unity 3d is the engine to be used. I just have to believe in the quality of my portfolio, the marketability a have, and gear myself towards my dream job.
The next topic was somehow related to the fourth topic. In the seminar, Prof. Bott discussed very new topics for me. Because it was all about gaming and honestly I am not fond of it. but then designing a game is quite interesting. Same as what Ms. de Gracia recommended, Prof Bott said it is best to use Maya as the program and Unity ad Torque. My learning in the last topic we discussed was that it is still important to have a right education in terms of technology. This only proves that nowadays an individual must learn well in technology.

After the seminar we went to UP Ayala Techno Hub then proceed to the DCS. I learned that UP really assist, mold aand advises their students on hoe to be more realible and competitive IT/CS students. They boost the potential of students through their six laboratories: Computer Vision and Machine Intelligence Lab; Algorithms and Complexity Lab; Networking and Distributed Systems Lab; Computer Security Lab; Web Science Lab; and Scientific Computing Lab.

What I liked?

I liked the wide premises of the UP Diliman . I liked the way thy categorized and equipped every laboratories of high standard facilities. The way they enhance and develop the potentials of their students. I really appreciate the professors they have. And through these, you can be guaranteed of the education they provide. For the seminar we had, iliked the speakers and the facilitators. They chose the right speakers of the suggested topic of our professors. They imparted their knowledge to us as what I expected. I was not disappointed of the topics. I liked the souvenirs and how fortune I am to be one of the winners of UPITTC T-shirts drawn by them.

What I didn’t like?

I didn’t liked the place where we ate our lunch. Please just correct me if I’m wrong but I think its their pathway and because of our total number , they cannot accommodate us in their cafeteria. In the seminar, I was a bit annoyed of Mr. Lee’s actions as he delivered hid speech.i was also bit worried of Prof. Bott’s lecture because we were not able to really participate in his lecture. because he featured top ad professional examples and points while majority of us were just beginners.

Afternoon of Day 2 we proceeded on the UP Ayala Techno Hub located long Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. We first went on a company visit to SeaChange Philippines, Inc.  

  What I learned?

            Finally I was able to visit the Techno Hub. And one of the companies here is the SeaChange, Inc. I learned that company  provides products of multi-screen video, solutions and services for back office, advertising, content and metadata management, in-home devices and broadcast to hundreds of media companies globally, including blue chips such as Comcast, Virgin Media, AT&T, Hutchison Whampoa, Vodacom and DISH Network. It is one of the largest software companies worldwide I learned it has subsidiaries like On Demand Group originally in London that leads to  interactive media development, content acquisition, service and content management, and television production. The eventIS originally in Netherlands product on Sept 2009 that develops and supports open software solutions for metadata management and video-on-demand VOD, enabling broadband and broadcast television operators to offer advanced multiplatform services. The VividLogic on Jan 2010 which provides software and services to cable television service providers, set-top box manufacturers and consumer electronics (CE) suppliers.

             And now the new application called Gemini App that was being market in USA and introduced here in the Philippines that enables your television to be viewed like computers. This is a three-screen VOD delivery system based on the vendor's Axiom 5.5.

It has features like weather updates, can pause and play movies and so many more. I learned that they program  it in a set-top box which is to be sell in customers then  access their control in a Motorola head-up that looks like a DVD player. Then they sell the set-top boxes to the cable company.

    What I liked?

            I liked the way they produce products because they really experiment and research for what the people are looking up too. I liked the fact that they introduce the Gemini in the Philippines because through that, we can really benefit from what we pay for the cable companies. Its nice to know that even if we are still students, they are still willing to show us what they are in the company, how they do such operation and we were given a chance to talk to some of their heads, staff, engineers, programmers and see the floors where they operate the monitoring team. 

    What I didn’t like?

            What I didn’t like is the limited time allocated to us. I also wanted to really listen to what they all say but I got tired and sleepy a bit so not all they shared were put in my mind.. I was bit disappointed because I was not able to take a picture because its prohibited.

            Another company we visited in Day 2 in UP Ayala Techno Hub was the International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation.

      What I learned?

             I learned that the IBM is now focusing in software, storage and system and servers marketing and not computers anymore. They have software like Information Management, Lotus software, Rational software, Tivoli software, and WebSphere software. IBM's Dynamic Infrastructure strategy and the backbone to a company's means of storing, protecting, accessing, and extracting new insights from its data and information.

           

            They also come up with products that are environmental friendly which they are now introducing and promoting. They called it as the IBM – A Smarter Planet. Which they use environmental storage  and system.

      What I liked?

            I liked office ambiance they have. They are willing to share and show the switches they use and decided to just cover it with glass so that for them also to easily monitor the system. I liked their company because they allow visitors to take picture especially in the IBM logo.

What I didn’t like?

            I didn’t like the way we were firstly gathered in the office because it has limited space only. Because of this, not all of us heard the brief lecture about their system. I also wished to have one souvenirs especially the IBM laptop bag they have. But then even T’ shirts were limited only.

1st Day of Fieldtrip (Oct. 4, 2010)

DAY 1

Today, I went on a company visit to Bayan Telecommunication, Inc. (BayanTel) located at Bldg., 234 Roosevelt Ave. San Francisco Del Monte Quezon City 1105. This office of BayanTel is  one of the two corporate centers of the said company.

  What I learned?

            Personally I had experience the telephone service of BayanTel. Due to this fieldtrip, I was able to know the reason behind their services. Formerly known as International Communications Corporation incorporated in April 18, 1961, Bayan Telecommunication Inc., an operating arm of Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corporation  (BTHC) organized on October 15, 1993. They engaged in broadcasting, telecasting, domestic and international communication, internet access, and other managed data services like Centrex call  featured and Digital Subscribe line (DSL). This company is a fixed line telecommunication service provider  offering a full ranged of switched and dedicated local exchanged network.

In their Network Operation Center, we slightly saw their operation. They have Base Station Controller (BSC), Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) that covers their main switch wireless, Signal Transfer Point (STP) room as well. The Network Management System (NMS) used to monitor and administer their network is where they can access all their switches put in cabinets. I also learned that if  worse comes to worse that they will have system breakdown, they are not worried for they have back-up corporate center in Diliman, Quezon City. I learned that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is the  responsible in assigning the area of every telecommunication companies. And BayanTel covers Metro Manila, Eastern, Central and Western Visayas, and large area in Southern and Northern Mindanao. They operate 24/7 in a digital fiber optic network and they provide Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) service, International Gateway Facility (IGF) service and Leased Line service, domestic and international.

    What I liked?

            I liked the executive approach of their conference room as you enter their Network Operation Center. Aside from this, the operation center itself is beside the conference room covered by electronic window and it is nice to know that  they can easily look up  their monitoring system. I also liked the speaker who is one of their engineers because I can see his loyalty in his company. For he said that all of his telecommunication gadgets and services used were  BayanTel products.

      What I didn’t like?

            As we had the go signal of our tour guide that we should be ready and even if we were off the bus, I noticed that they were still not stable enough to let us in, in their office. I didn’t liked it because we had to wait for I think 3 minutes under the heat of the sun. The lecture also was just about like 30-45 minutes because as what the speaker said, they have a meeting to be held in the conference room where we were in. So in other word, we  wore formal attire for the whole day just for a 45 minute lecture. Picture taking is also prohibited.

Minor Fieldtrip...

          Last September 22, 2010, we had our Minor Fieldtrip in Sutherland Global Services Davao located in Building B, Luisa Complex, Jacinto Extension , Davao City.


              What I learned?


Sutherland Global Services is a leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company with nearly twenty years of experience in the customer management space. This is an international company call center. I learned that this company has three buildings: Luisa (main production building); the recruitment / application / training building; and the new built extension building (another production building, gym, nap area, and internet cafe).

I also learned that they use a Wyse technology. They use computer unit with monitor but without the system unit. The Wyse are connected to main switches . They also have automatic alarm in every their system so they could easily detect unit failures. They operate 24/7 and they have head engineers who monitor the system manually from time to time.


              What I liked?

I liked the alternative technology they use. I also liked the extra rooms they build like the gym, nap room and internet café.


              What I didn’t liked?

I didn’t liked when I haven’t talk to their head engineers that morning because they had a meeting.

Lessons learned fom Steve Jobs' speech...

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love.” – Steve Jobs --

These lines captivated me as I read the commencement speech of Steve Jobs. For me, the said lines might be considered as the summary of his very inspiring and nice speech that really left me a impression. It was really a touching interpretation of his life that made me change my mind about Jobs’ attitude. Well actually, as I saw the film Pirates of the Silicon Valley, I somehow understood why Steve Jobs acted very strict and rude when it comes to talking to people and it was because of his family background. But then through his speech, I learned that it was also because of the situation he had to face while searching his self as he grew up.

As what I had perceived in his speech, there were lot of things that should be considered when deciding and doing things. I think what he wanted to express to the listeners that time and to the readers as well is that we should be very wise in choosing which path we should follow and what actions we should take in order to achieve our goals. But then as I always believe in, one should live life today and not for tomorrow. We should not worry about the future for we might lose the joy of our living in the present. What we should always remember is that what we will be in the next day depends on what we do, feel, and decide today so just live your life as it is. For as what Steve jobs also said that we can just connect the dots of our past after years later. Things happen for a reason and we will surely be smiling when we configure things in its proper time.

I also learned that the most important thing before facing situations and taking actions is by knowing yourself. In this way, you will find solutions easily and you can handle your decisions, emotions and plans. As what a simple thought from a great mind says: “You can never be you without yourself”. Also by knowing and doing what you love and making it as your inspiration will uplift you as a person. It will give you so much joy and it will leave you no stress at all.

Accepting the failures of your life as you grow up is an essential thing that we should also keep in mind. No matter how hard and painful it is, we should get up and stand still in order to fly again. These are just humps and bridges to the way of our success. Like what Steve Jobs did, he never lose hope and still find his way back to success.

I am pretty sure that nobody wants to die early without attaining their goals in life. We do sometimes come to the point when we think of dying by being paranoid of some simple things like what may happen as we cross the street, when we go to malls and concerts. If there may be terrorist attack or if we will be very ill one day. You know things like those that surely give us scary feeling and sometimes make us cry. Well for sure one reason behind it is the fact that we are not yet ready to face death. But mind you, everything happen in just a wink of an eye. What I learned was that I should be prepared in all the time. I should live my everyday life to the fullest and give my best shot. I should be able to thank and say sorry for all the sins I have made. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life” Steve Jobs would say.

Stay hungry and stay foolish….

Well I interpreted this line as, we should be hungry in fulfilling our dreams and hungry in aiming higher goals and be very foolish in doing it. We should not be afraid in taking risks for the harder the battle the sweeter the victory is.

Lastly, whatever happens in our life, we should always and never forget to call God. Thank Him and seek for God’s guidance and stick to Him because everything is in His plan. We are nothing without Him.

My purpose in life...

All humans were created by God unique from each other. This only proves that all of us has our own purposes in life which we should accomplish in due time. And for me, this what we call “due time” is the time of our living. Because I do believe that purpose in life is very deep realization of an individual and is very hard to search for and while we are still breathing, we are capable of finding our own purposes.

In the 20 years of my existence in this world, probably I can say that I am too young to say that these, those are my purposes in life. Because I admit that I am still searching for my real self. But for now, all I know is that I should live my life for today and not for the future. Because your tomorrow will depend on what you choose to do, feel and decide today.

But of course, in this stage of my life, I already encountered challenges and situations that helped me and are still helping me in finding my purpose I life. These are some of my realizations that I should do:

• GOD

- To give him real praises and thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the blessings He showered upon me.

- To stay in His name, side, promises and love in happiness and sorrow moments of my life.

- To keep on choosing the right path and doing the right things in His commandments despite of the difficulties and temptations.

• FAMILY

- To be a good member of the family (as a daughter and a sibling).

- To lessen my negative attitudes towards them.

- To help in managing and disciplining my younger siblings.

- To understand and accept their worst attitudes they have to continue the harmonious relationship we have.

- To prove to them that I can help and give them not only what they need but also what they want as I will be an employer someday.

- Continue to give them laughing moments with the sense of humor I have.

• FRIENDS

- Continue to give them enlightenments and advices when they need me.

- Accept and understand for who they are.

- Continue to be a frank friend in the proper way.

- Continue to give them laughing moments with the sense of humor I have.

- Help them realize that I really treasure friends and that I am here whenever they need me.

• SCHOOL

- Continue to pass my projects and requirements on time.

- Continue to come to school on time with proper appearance (to be simply gorgeous =) )

- To study well and allow myself to discover and develop my talents.

- To graduate with pride and with confidence intact.

• COMMUNITY

- To be active again in community service as a youth as what I am way back when I am in my hometown.

- To continue in giving support ( Ex. Financial support during fiesta =) )

• WORLD

- To take good care of the Mother Earth ( cleaning the surroundings, proper disposal of wastes, loving trees, flowers, and the like)

These realizations of mine will absolutely help me to find myself and the purpose of my life. Through establishing and building my self step by step, I know I can be successful someday in accomplishing my duties.

I am also glad that the subjects in school like technoprenuership ( especially about the self mastery topic) were made because it really helped me in identifying my strengths and weaknesses. Discovering simple things like what are my love, what I am best at and what are my irritants are fun things to do when knowing yourself.

Insights about personal traits test ...

PERSONALITY - made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. This brief definition of the word personality would then tell anyone that knowing one’s personality is quite hard to achieve. We basically attempt to summarize an individual essence but it is never been enough to say that you know this, that person because you are close to each other. This is for the fact that it is only the person and his self knows who is really him. And as we all know everyone is unique in their own way and this is because of the personality and capability that an individual has. Personality of a person arises from within the individual and remains fairly consistent throughout life. But as to how and when he would learn and discover all of his personal traits and characteristics, well it is through experiences and daily life activities. Because we know that growing up as a person with those trials and experiences are the things that contribute to knowing of one’s self.

But aside from the people, experiences and trials in your life, dealing with what we call “personal traits test” can really help you for finding your self. Let’s just point out that this kind of test is an assessment that will establish your personality profile based on the tendencies that guide your behavior and relationships with others. It will also enhance your knowledge about the things in you and of what you can do in handling different situations. It will then help you in determining which answer will best suit as a solution to a situation. With the help of this test also, you will greatly realize and touch and deeply understand the happenings within you and around you. It will boost your confidence and soon enough, you can be an achiever someday. It is a test wherein you can feel mix emotions – happiness, excitement, curiosity, disappointments.

Like what I had felt as I took the personal trait/entrepreneur test in the subject IT Elective (Technopreneurship) under Randy Gamboa, PhD, last August 14, 2010 (Saturday). It was his one way of trying and knowing us, students if we got the personalities and characteristics of an entrepreneur. The total score has its meaning and interpretation which would help us to determine if you have entrepreneurial skills and mind within us. The interpretations of the results are as follows: 0 -25 not entrepreneurial; 26-26 neutral; 37-47 somewhat entrepreneurial; and 48 very entrepreneurial. We were given 32 items which were consist of 2 choices only (A and B) and the answers have its corresponding points: 0, 1, and 2

Indeed, I can say that I find the test fun and interesting one to do. It is more like imagining given situations and you only have two options with it. ( at least we were given choices Smile ). It really excites me a lot because I am really fun of answering questions about my personal traits. I think it is because I really want to know myself better and better and better. And though the options to be answered were quite confusing, at the end of the day, you’ll realize that as you answer those questions heartily without any doubts, you can be assured that what you have answered was the right thing to do. For it was the first thing you thought and it is your perception, of course, in the situation. It is also helpful because it is possible that we can encounter those situations in real life as we get older and have occupations. And if that time comes, I will be reminded of what is the proper thing to do and I will be confident enough to face any situation.

I also felt curious about what would be the results of my answers. If it would somehow tell me that I should wake up from the reality that the spot of being an entrepreneur is not fit for me. Or it would help me realized that I should pursue my goal to be successful in life with the help of being an entrepreneur or technoprenuer. But the answer goes with the second realization. Because the said personal trait test I have taken made me realize that I am somewhat entrepreneurial for I scored 43 in the test. The result made me happy because I know in myself that I have chose the right answers and that my skills, my thoughts and personalities somehow fits to be an entrepreneur someday. And I am gladly to say that I will never lose hope in developing and improving my skills and traits as a person and entrepreneur someday if ever given a chance.

However, I have observed that the options in the given situations are quite disappointing for my part. Why did I say so? It’s because, as I have noticed that most of the said choices were almost in the contrary of having a good heart for it talks a lot about of money. Well don’t react and think exaggerated. For instance, in the given situation, you have to choose between saving money and stepping in ones dignity. If it is right to hurt people just to earn more money or I must also care for the people around me. I know we talks about business and money is related to it, but money is not the only important in dealing with business. Its hard for me to explain it but all I wanted to say is that business is not all about the money. For me, establishing business is not just about how it would be financed. Of course it is the first thing to do but as you build it, you should know that you have people around you and these people helped or might help you in making your business profitable. Through being friendly, considerate in the proper time and appreciative, you can build a harmonious and happy relationship with your workers. You can absolutely gain the respect, love, care, help, loyalty, trust, faith and commitment from the people around you as what you needed and wanted as a person and entrepreneur and also as the boss of your business. It will assure you of that fulfilling emotion, satisfactions and happiness while in business. But you should be the first person to show it in your workers.

It is not only the personal traits test that must be done in order to know yourself. We have Emotional Quotient (EQ) test which deals with measuring your Emotional Intelligence that describes an ability or capacity to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, and of others. The Adversity Quotient (AQ) test, the most scientifically robust and widely used method in the world for measuring and strengthening human resilience. And the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test that measures mathematical and spatial reasoning, logical ability, and language understanding. Because as I also took these tests, I had an exciting experience because the responds or lets say the results of these tests were good for me. It helped me to show the positive outlooks in life especially that I decided to continue my life in the technology world. It gave me reasons to be an entrepreneur/technoprenuer someday because of the results of my tests. And I should say that I am happy and I really love it. So these were the several tests that will definitely give you enlightenment and confidence about how you know yourself well.

But in my twenty (20) years of existence here on earth, I admit that there are still lot of things that I have not yet know about me. Like what the Johari window wants to show to everyone of us. -- This is a model used to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. -- First, there are things that both I and the people around me know about myself (OPEN quadrant). Second, I have personalities or there are things that I am not aware but the others know it (BLIND quadrant). Third, I know things about me but the others don’t know (HIDDEN quadrant). And lastly, he things that neither I know about myself, nor you know about me (UNKNOWN quadrant). In other words, people that surround you can still help you determine and realize of who you really are.

But as what I’ve said earlier, the experiences, whether big or small happening; happy or sad moments, this can help you know the real you. Like the mere fact that I have been into the situation of loneliness and sadness during and after my endeavor in my high school life, with those experiences and pains, I became the honest, frank, responsible, friendly and strong Mary Rose that I and my friends know at the present time. Well how did I really turned to be like that? Lets say that because of a certain experience in high school -- the first scar in my heart as a person – where I got misinterpreted and most likely my side was never heard, I realized I wanted to be understood by people as much as possible. I would really try my best this time to explain to them why and how did I say and do anything to them. Because that high school time of my life, I didn’t have the chance to seize for the right fairness of judgment I supposed to have. It’s really painful, so because of it, I became a strong person and a very straight type lady that knows how to express the feelings to other people. I will continue to be honest in my feelings. I learned that I must not be looked down by the people who don’t have the right to pull me down. Even though I could say things to others that are not appropriate to say, I am not afraid to seek for an apology from them because I know where I should stand.

Also because I have experienced to be out of school for one (1) year after I graduated in high school, it helped me to become a responsible human being. It made me realized that not all you wanted in your life is that easy to get. You should know your priorities in life for the betterment of other people. Especially when these people are your loved ones, your family.

And even now that I’m in college, there are still problems and struggles that I am facing right now as a person and a student. Though its hard for me to accept the fact and face the reality in my studies, I will never lose hope to fulfill my dreams. I should know myself more to conquer my fears and doubts in life .I must improve my skills and capabilities in talking to people and in dealing with them. I must be more open-minded and friendly so that I can feel the real happiness within me.

I know in time that these traits and characteristics I have will be my armor in facing the real world as soon as I graduate in college. With the personalities I have that God has given me, I am rest assured that someday I will be a better person and a successful woman in my chosen career in life as what I dreamt of . And lastly, I know that I have the capability of becoming a good businesswoman in line with the technology or as a technoprenuer , as I will graduate in this university, University of Southeastern Philippines as an IT student.

But of course, it doesn’t just end up there. We are human living in this world and as we all know, change is the constant thing in life. Whether we are successful or contented in our daily life, we should not limit ourselves. Because we still can grow up as a person so we just have to accept it and discover new things within ourselves. Let us enhance our own personalities for the betterment of every individual. I am sure that we will find it exiting and fun. But we should never forget to seek guidance from God above because we are nothing without Him. He is still and forever be the one who will let and give us the graces and fulfillment of our dreams and goals in life.

My reflection on the film, Pirates of the Silicon VAlley

-----These are my answers in the given questions:-----

1.] What are the factors that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as a technopreneur?

2. ] How do you see yourself as a technopreneur?

3. ] Would you take the same career path that Steve Jobs took? Why or why not?

For no. 1.....

Pirates of the Silicon Valley, from the book of Fire in the Valley, was a film that showed how hardworking and determined people turned to be remarkable and true to be giants in the community even in the whole world. This film wanted to share things to everyone on how to compete with the right competitors in the field of business and how to handle the challenges and problems that anyone will be facing as a person and an entrepreneur/technoprenuer.

Indeed, the said film was made to bring out the real story behind the failure and success of the two of the most prominent people in the technology and in business world --- Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Here we’ve seen hoe Bill Gates got his power, from being a typical student of the Harvard University and as he quits in his schooling till he become the wealthiest man in the world that time. We’ve discovered how Steve Jobs carried his roller coaster life, from being a poetic, artist and serious type of person, until he became one of the founder and president of one of the biggest IT Company, the Apple Company.

In my observation, the film deeply touched the life story of Steve Jobs. It made me realize that before achieving one’s goal and desires in life, you should first know yourself hat well. This will help you to be aware of the factors that will contribute to your success and failures. Like Jobs, who taste the sweetness and bitterness of life as he deals with the people around him, his business/company, and even dealing with his own self --- his attitudes.

First, let us point out the reason of his success. It cannot be denied that Steve Jobs is really a determined person. He seemed to be very serious when it comes to achieving his plans. He wanted to finish all his works as soon as possible even there were disturbances. Because of this, it showed that his also disciplined type and goal-oriented one. He is also very hardworking man. Like when they were starting to build their business with Steve Wozniak. He never quit doing their computer even it is just manually built-in their small office in the garage of their house. He showed enthusiasm in his work which helped him in governing his people in his company. He is demonstrated initiative on where and how he will get their funds. Jobs is a risk taker type. He knows when to take risks for his business and life. He would risk his personal likes just to make sure he could achieve his goals. He knows when to take risks for his business and life. He risks his personal likes just to make sure that he could achieve his goals like shaving his beard and leaving his girlfriend. He was also committed to his work that he would do anything just to prove that he is deserving of the recognitions and acknowledgements for his efforts in his business. He was very confident in his works and he did not lose hope like when they had their 1^st computer exhibit which opens the door of success for him. He sees the future that if he had a good start with his decisions, it will have a good result in the future. He also has his high standards in business as well as in choosing the people who will work for him because he valued trust, loyalty, and true effort that much. And because he had set standards, he gave strong and wise strategy and innovated good ideas in inventing computers that would fit for the need of their customers. He was so good in doing business talks that he catches the attention of his audience, he got the “yes” of John Sculley, a cola company president to be part of his business and he got the agreement between him and the Xerox Company. Steve Jobs also believed in the saying “Good artists copy, Great artists steal” and he did it in a well manner.

Even though Jobs is a business minded person, he still had negative characteristics that contributed to the failure of his career. For instance, he very determined to reach his goals even to the point of stepping others dignity. He didn’t care of what will happen to anyone just to be sure that his business would not be disturbed. Just when he abandoned his girlfriend as she got pregnant. He denied that he was the father of the child for he doesn’t want to be disturbed. He believed that there is no family to be called at all as he was been abandoned by his real parents too. He doesn’t know how to show love for the people around him. He was too strict in handling his employees. He was too abusive in them that he wanted them to work like 24 hours a day. He was so inconsiderate that he doesn’t want to see and discover any imperfections in the work of his people. He doesn’t know how to handle, love, and appreciates his workers which resulted of the quarrels of his own men in the company. Just like what happened in the beach as he introduced the Macintosh personal computer. These things happened for the fact that Jobs is a very ill tempered type of person and he gets irritable that fast. It also caused him to say negative and really bad words that hurt people. Like the poor applicant who got busted by his words when this guy applied in his company.

Indeed, these factors, positive and negative attitude that were been showed by Steve Jobs really contributed to his success and failures. Definitely, being business minded, open minded, goal oriented and hardworking were the best things to be inspired of. But, an individual should learn to show his love, passion, care, and appreciations to his people, friends, and family to continue the sweetness of the success of one’s career.

For No. 2.....

This film that I’ve seen is totally an inspiring one which made and helped me realize the dos and don’ts in dealing with life and business challenges. It gave me ideas on how to be successful in business. I was inspired and touched as I discovered the roller coaster life of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. It just proved me that there are many things, characteristics and consequences that need to be considered when you decided to build your own business. It’s because business is part of your life that should be well cared and acknowledged. With the help of this film, I was enlightened about what I want in the future and on how o handle if given a chance and opportunity. Because, spiritually speaking, God is the only one who plans and gives the right direction in your life. But as I’ve said, if I will be an entrepreneur/technopreneur someday, I should know my self first and foremost.

As I see myself as a technopreneur, I can say that I will be a well organize person. It is to be reflected to what I presently do that I want to keep things in tact and in plan as possible as it could. I think it will really help me in pursuing he things that I had been decided. I will be determined enough to reach my goals and in achieving the profit I want to gain. Because business is a very difficult game in life, I will make sure that I will have strong and consistent strategies especially when troubles come. I am willing to seek help from the trusted people around me -- my workers, family and friends who will surely contribute to the success of any strategy made. I know that being strict in duties will be a great help for me, but I am assuring everyone that I will be considerate in things that need to be acknowledged, faults that been made if there are, and in people who are the responsible of any thing that might destruct my business. I will see to it that any damaged made must be taken cared well so that lapses can be avoided. I am known as a frank/vocal type of person and I will definitely use this attitude in my people because I believe hat you can correct things when you say things directly. But of course, I know my limitations and boundaries so I will point things objectively.

I am a listener and it will help my employees to be heard fair and just. I am willing to get suggestions from them for us to be united in my company. I will be friendly to them and I will express my appreciations to the right things they did, show my love and trust to them so that I will be respected and also be loved by the people I work with. In this term, I can gain loyalty and happy people in my surroundings. It will help us to be alive and cheerful as we face the stressful days of work. I will establish leadership but I will let them know who the real boss of the company is. For instance, I will assign the right things to them, let them work on it then at the end of the day, I will still be the one who will decide and approve what thing should be implemented. I am fund of doing things into details so in business term, I will be hands-on and specific on the things that are happening in my company. Based on an idiomatic expression, I will have a bird’s eye view in my company wherein all the moves are well plan, control, and are in proper places. I will set standards in choosing which worker has the right capability, ability and potentials to be leaders too so that I gain, and they gain too.

Of course it is not easy o do all these plans and thoughts of mine, but to have a business mind I know I can achieve my goals. I believe I am a hard working type and once inspired and completely stable in mind, emotion, financial and spiritual, I can conquer my problems and fears that a technopreneur has. Because I admit that I am not really into risk taking decision especially when someone has to be hurt by that risk. And due to it, I feel slightly scared to try risking and somehow failing. But I know sooner or later I will have to take away that fear for the betterment of my business. Being persistent in things and principles that should be fought, I can cope with my doubts and uncertainties. I am also sure that once I’m into business, I will be committed to it and reliable enough that will show my integrity.

Seeking help, guidance, and grace from God above is the thing that I will never ever forget to do. It’s because He is the one who gives light to everyone. He gives hope and teaches me for the right things to do and the path I should choose. I know He will be with me if I will be in the business and technology world.

So if given a chance, I want to establish business in line with the technology which enhance the communication of people. I also want to design and give solution on problems in sites. I also want to establish IT Company in my hometown that will base to there needs and problems which will also assures them their betterment. I will make sure that my business will be an inspiring business that will make people participate and building their own business too.

For NO. 3....

It’s really amazing how Steve Jobs, with the help of his friends, founded and established reliable and renowned IT Company in the world. Inspiring how they used and mixed their abilities, potentials and curiosities as one to bring out a very useful material which turned the sleeping world into a high tech globe. It was because of the intelligence, determination and dedication which brought them to the top of their success.

Certainly, Jobs is a real genius in achieving his goals and plans and in playing the game of business. But there was something in Steve Jobs to be addressed. There were somehow lapses shown in his personalities as a person and a technopreneur that caused him to fail. He did remarkable things that made his people and friends proud, and things that also took his success. I observed that he chose to stick with who he really are --- too strict, tight and serious --- so he could gain respect that he needed. But it is not only the intelligence and the very strict business attitudes that an individual should have in order to put up a business. What was shown by Jobs made me decide that I don’t want to take career path that Steve Jobs took.

For me it is not the enough to achieve business goals with just money and brains. It needs to have a true heart from the leader for the people who work for him and the love on what he does. Because how will you build a business without employees? This is what happened to Jobs. Somehow he forgot to extend his heartfelt gratitude to the people around him so in returned, quitters and betrayals from the workers where been experienced by the giant man of the Apple Company. It is a sad reality that he became rich and popular without experiencing the real happiness that a man is supposed to feel. He doesn’t listen and once he wants something, he would do anything to get it even to the point of stepping others dignity. A sad reality that without his friends, he will be empty and alone for he scares his men in his own company. I strongly believe that key of the success is on how you handle and deals with the people around you. Because from these, you can gain real respect, power, leadership, loyalty, trust and love from your clients down to your workers, friends and family. It will depends on how face your mortal enemy --- yourself. It is when you just cannot decide in your own that fast and consistent so you need to listen to the suggestions of your employees. Do not abuse them like what Jobs did. Let’s not forget that these workers are people too that needs also to be respected. We have to give them consideration and fair time to present their works. It is good to appreciate the people for the job well done and somewhat frank discussions with them when faults and destructions/disturbances arise in the business.

Technopreneurship aims to create jobs and so with it, business aims to have good and quality employees. In this point of view, it is not hard to have a business careers that needs to undergo large difficulties with regards to the people around it. It is a matter of wise decisions in playing the business game, strategies and techniques that will make the business success in a long period of time and having the love in dealing with the people.

If I am to choose between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates’ career path, I would rather choose Bill Gates’. Because Gates has simple but amazing strategies and personalities which helped him to be recognized as the wealthiest man in the world. He knows his self well, even the right people to be called as his friends or as his enemies. He was so calm and not ill-tempered / irritable unlike Steve Jobs which enables him to gain friends and trustworthy people in his back. He talks so smooth and never yells to anyone even to Steve Jobs while giving off his insights and ideas about a certain thing. And the things he used to think are critical thoughts of his mind. Like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates also believed in the saying that “Good artists copy, Great artists steal” which he used to unite it with his principle – “Business is like a mafia game. You let your friends close to you but your enemies closer.” ------ I simply like this principle and I just hope that Steve Jobs also had it.-----