Be sponTAneous when things don’t go as planned

by Johanna Amancio, Media Relations Associate

Like a singer losing his voice or a bride getting stuck in traffic, nothing is more upsetting for an organizer than a plan going out of hand. When I was assigned to create a three-day program for this year’s TeamAsia geTAway, I knew I had to make a foolproof plan. After all, it was my first time being a part of the outing committee. After a few meetings, meriendas, and revisions with my fellow committee members, we came up with the theme “Slip ‘n Slide”—inspired by the huge inflatable island in our resort, MB Cove. With the help of our directors, the committee came up with an engaging plan, even for a group of rest-seeking individuals (including yours truly). But as they say, the future is promised to no one.

No power, no problem
After three hours of travel, TeamAsia made it to the MB Cove Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas. Our bus, however, was too big to enter the resort’s parking space so we had to make a short walk to the place. Upon reaching the resort, I had a sudden urge to dive into the sea and play for the rest of the day, but being the supposed adult that I am, I went to our designated room and began unpacking like the rest. Before I could even open my bags, one of my colleagues came in and said that there was no electricity. Power outages are not that uncommon especially in a remote area such as our resort. From my previous family outing, I learned that some areas in Batangas had a power distribution schedule so a brownout is nothing to me. But after three hours of travel and walking under the stupefying heat, I knew that such slight inconvenience can come a long way for some. Upon stepping out of our temporarily aircon-free room, to my surprise, I saw an active crowd. The power outage somehow kept everyone from locking themselves inside their rooms. Everyone was out, appreciating the place, playing cards and beer pong, and enjoying each others’ company. And just after enjoying our sumptuous lunch, the power was back at one!

Letting nature take its course
After a brief siesta, we called everyone for a short game briefing. The game was a one-shot music video that each team can shoot in the afternoon before we play it during the evening program. In preparation for our President’s, Monette Iturralde Hamlin (MIH), talk in the afternoon, we took a personality test that would determine our temperament type. In a bright and sunny day such as what we had, a destructive storm is the last thing you would expect—but that was exactly what we got. Just as everyone started to put their ideas into action, a violent storm hit our area. Tents, plants and even the inflatables were all over the place just as everyone was running aimlessly, looking for a safe and dry spot. After the unexpected downpour, everyone entered their respective rooms and tried processing mother nature’s stunt. But despite being disruptive, I realized that a brief and violent storm was just what we needed after hours of scorching heat. It even gave way to a longer personal and rest time. Some even took this time to bond and share stories. After the rain, the resort staff also put the inflatables aside. But even without it, the team had an amazing afternoon swim together and had fun even with just each other’s company.

In the evening, right before dinner, MIH gathered us for a brief session about the personality test we took earlier that day. I learned that there are four temperament types namely Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic. I turned out to be a Popular Sanguine and just like everyone else, I was surprised to discover how on-point my characteristics were. The night ended with a bonfire session near the beach with a few cold drinks and warm company of each other.

Improvising is the key
The next day was filled with adventure. Vince, Thea, Althea and I from the Content Department decided to go island hopping with Abi, Gena and Justin from the Experience Department and Enzo, Clarisse, and Joyce from the Marketing and Accounts Department. We went to the nearby islands, which are owned by two prominent politicians in the country. That day was filled with many firsts–my first boat ride, first island hopping activity, and my first coral injury. But despite our wounds, the fun must go on!

In the afternoon, everyone was gathered to join the highlight of the outing– the obstacle relay in the inflatable island. But just as everyone got out of their rooms for the game, a heavy downpour struck our area again. With that heavy rainfall, it was almost impossible to go through the obstacle relay and the staff would not let us play in the inflatables until the rain stopped. But with everyone already by the shore, people began to improvise and started a game of agawan base (stealing base), which brought out the kid in us. After the storm, there was a go signal to use the inflatables. Though it may look easy from afar, using the inflatables was no easy task. It was slippery, bouncy, and made everyone fall on their backs. But now that I think about it, the short agawan base game became sort of a warm-up exercise for everyone, with the team running around and jumping in the shoreline. Everyone enjoyed the inflatable island particularly the human projectile inflatable slide. By the evening, everyone had a chill time over a fun trivia game.

Last Day
As expected, almost everyone was up late morning and had their breakfast. Some of us stayed in our rooms after and enjoyed an anime series called “The Promised Neverland”. By lunch, some of our colleagues were still swimming at the beach. I was so jealous and wanted to follow, but I had to tend to my wet clothes and towels. By noon, the teams were gathered just before our departure to declare the winners. And even if I enjoyed the activities from afar as a committee, I still felt like a winner because I got the rest and adventure that I badly needed. Throughout the geTAway, a part of me was consistently worried given that the outing did not entirely go as planned. Storms would come and go, the power would be out, and activities will be put to a halt. But at the end of it all, I learned that just like life itself, things won’t always go as planned. And sometimes, the key is to not wait for the perfect moment. Instead, let’s take the moment and make it perfect instead.