Celebrating Candied Holiday Cheer at Century City Mall!

It’s that time of the year again when the air is chillier and cheerful Christmas decors are up in the malls and just about everywhere - the holidays are here, indeed! This year, Century City Mall makes this holiday season more colorful and sweet with "Sweet Treats. From the entrance and hallways up to the al fresco area of the mall, pink Christmas decors reminiscent of those special candy treats for children deck the halls and serve as a feast for the eyes of shoppers and guests. And who says only kids can truly enjoy such treats? Century City Mall beckons everyone to come and rekindle that spirit of pure childhood Christmas joy as it presents its fun activities for the holidays!

Christmas tree Lighting Ceremony

Last Nov. 16, Century mall officially marked the beginning of Christmas season buy lighting its giant Pink Christmas Tree located at the 5th floor al fresco area of the mall. At the ceremony, guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner, sweet treats, and lively entertainment capping off with a special screening of Justice League at the mall's plush cinema. The event was both a celebration and thanksgiving for loyal patrons of Century City Mall.

Shopaholic Weekend Promo 4.0

Get ready this December because...Shopaholic Weekend Promo is back!

On December 16 and 17, customers will enjoy remarkable shopping deals as the Shopaholic Weekend Promo is back for its fourth straight year. For a minimum of P5,000 to a maximum of P50,000 spent within the day in single or accumulated receipts from Century City Mall, get up to 10% rebate in gift certificates that you can use throughout the mall. Get 20% rebate if you use MasterCard for your purchases. Visit http://www.centurycitymall.com.ph or call (02) 705 6200 for more information. Terms and conditions apply.

Santa Baby

This season is the best time for families to head to the mall as Santa Claus will be in town once again to bring holiday cheer to kids and adults alike. Catch Santa Claus every weekend from December 1^st up to 3^1st from 4pm to 7pm, as he goes around the mall to give sweet treats to kids!

Sweet Mysteries at Mystery Manila

Are you up for some fun and exciting games? Mystery Manila at Century City Mall invites you and your friends to a scavenger hunt that's full of fun and sweet elements. Reserve now and don't miss this adventure from December 1 to 31.

Silverbells Christmas Fair

Complete your Christmas shopping by making a stop at the Silverbells Christmas Fair, happening on December 16? and 17 at the 4^th level of the mall. Hunt for unique Christmas gifts that you can get at the best price for your family, friends and yes, for yourself as well!

And as you go and enjoy all these fun treats and activities, don't forget to catch the most anticipated movies of the year - Justice League, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, as well as MMFF entries at Century City Mall Cinemas!

Be part of these sweet, candied moments at Century City Mall and share them on.your social . media accounts using the hashtag #SweetTreats. To know more about Century City Mall and its #SweetTreats promos and events, visit http://www.centurycitymall.com.ph

11 Things to Consider in Choosing a Venue for Team building

Ber months na naman, halos limampung araw na lang ang natitira bago sumapit ang kapaskuhan. Disyembre ang perfect month para gawin ang company teambuilding, company outing, family reunion, wedding at lalo’t higit ang Christmas party na alam naman nating inaabangan ng karamihan.

Madalas ginagawa ang mga nasabing events sa isang venue na bago sa paningin at kung saaan relaxing at comfortable ang feeling. Pero minsan, kung sobrang busy mong tao, napakahirap maghanap ng isang venue kung wala kang nakahandang checklist sa pagpili nito.Kaya naman ang artikulong ito ay aking isinulat para sa mga taong nangangailangan ng gabay sa pagpili ng isang venue specifically for teambuilding or company outing. Para magkaroon ng ideya, minabuti kong kuhanin ang perspektibo ng aking mga kaibigan sa Facebook through conducting a simple online survey. Ang respondent ng survey ay binubuo ng 35 tao, dalawampu (n=20) ay kababaihan at labing lima (n=15) naman ay pawang kalalakihan. Sa 35 na tao, 60% nito ay private employee, 31% ay government employee at ang natitirang 9% ay mula sa iba’t ibang sector (e.g. NGO,Religious organization, self-employed). 

Ayon sa survey, may ilang katangian ang dapat tingnan sa pagpili ng isang venue. Number one sa listahan ang spacious at pumapangalawa naman ang with complete amenities. Minabuti ko na ring pumili ng isang venue para mai-apply ang mga sumusunod na criteria at makita kung match nga ba ang lugar na ito for small or big events. Nito lamang nakaraang October 31, 2017, isang paboritong lugar ang aming muling binisita. Ang resort na ito ay kilala bilang “Home of unique thrills and excitement” because of the extreme activities they offer ngunit bukod dito, alam niyo ba na bago pa man makilala ang resort for their extremes ay paborito na itong gawing venue for teambuilding and other special occasions? Halika at ating tingnan ang ibang mukha ng paborito kong resort at suriin kung pasok ba sila sa criteria na nabanggit ng aking mga kaibigan. Tara!

1. The venue should be spacious and can accommodate participants.

Ang isang venue ay dapat malawak at kayang i-accommodate ang lahat ng guest/participants. Ibig sabihin lamang nito, hindi dapat parang sardinas ang mga guest/participants sa function hall o sa mga rooms na kanilang tutulugan (in case of large number of participants).

Kung teambuilding ang gagawin, mahalaga na malawak ang lugar para sa mga outdoor activities. Spacious din dapat para malayang makagalaw ang mga tao.

Sa resort na aking pinuntahan, kaya nitong mag-accommodate ng 200 guests for company teambuilding or outing. Mayroon silang malawak na area for outdoor activities at may mga silid tulugan na may modernong disensyo. 

Marami kang options sa resort na ito, may family rooms (good for 10 pax), may private villa (good for 24 pax sleeping capacity) at silid tulugan na good for 2-4 pax. They also have villas located a few kilometer away from the resort (in case na beyond 200 guests ang mag-book).

L5 Family Room (Photo grabbed from resort's FB page on Nov. 5, 2017)

L3 Villa (Photo grabbed from resort's FB page on Nov. 5, 2017)

2. The venue should have complete amenities/facilities.

Ayon sa mga respondent, “ang venue ay nararapat na may magandang amenities katulad ng swimming pool at sports facilities.” (Respondent 1, Electronic Communication Engineer)

“Hmm meron na nung mga gamit for team building. Kase di ba may mga lugar na may mga obstacle course na or like mga wall climbing, pool. Mga ganon. Hehe.” (Respondent 2, Software Engineer)

“Dapat ang venue ay may facilities na pwedeng magamit like yung mga pang outdoor games, function hall and equipment. Maganda din kung may kitchen dun na pwede magluto or pwede umorder ng foods for participants.” (Respondent 3, Team leader, Human Resource)

“Mayroon din dapat itong speakers, mic, projector, white board and stuff.” (Respondent 4, University Researcher)

“May sound system and/or megaphone for outdoor activities.” (Respondent 5, Economist)

Hindi lang dapat kumpleto ang facilities, ito rin ay dapat functional. (Respondent 6, Government Employee )

“Dapat ganito. Mayroong area for physical activities, area for emotional and mental activities, meron for social activities at meron din for spiritual activities.” (Respondent 7, Civil Engineer)

Base sa mga kasagutan ng mga respondents, isa-isahin natin at silipin ang mga facilities sa loob ng resort:

a. Swimming pools- Ang resort na ito ay mayroong walong swimming pools (4 adult pools and 4 kiddie pools). Lahat ay natural hot spring. Alam niyo ba na napakaraming benepisyo ang paglublob sa hot spring? Una, nakakatulong ito sa pag-ayos ng sirkulasyon ng dugo ng katawan. Pangalawa, nakakapag-alis ito ng stress at nakakatulong na makatulog ka ng maayos. Pangatlo, tumutulong itong pagalingin ang masasakit na kalamnan sa natural na paraan. Panghuli, nakakatulong ito na pagalingin ang ilang mga sakit sa balat. 

Ang swimming pools ay napabilang sa checklist dahil sa dalawang dahilan; for relaxation and area for water activities.

Pool at the lakeside (This is one of their kiddie pools)  (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Pool near Laresio 3 Private Villa (This is one of their kiddie pools)  (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

May ilang reviews akong nabasa sa kanilang Facebook page na nagsasabing sobrang init ng tubig sa pool nila. Pero huwag kayong mag-alala dahil hindi na lahat ng pool ay mainit ngayon kaya may option ka na. 

b. Sports facilities- Speaking of sports, may ilang nakahandang pasilidad ang resort para sa iyo. Kabilang na dito ang basketball court, billiard table at punching bag. Mayroon din silang area for wall climbing and rappelling. May ilang obstacle course din dito sa resort na perfect for teambuilding. Noong August 2015, ako ang unang sumubok ng wall climbing at rappelling dito. Same month din ng magdaos kami ng teambuilding kasama ang churchmates ko. Kaya recommended ang sports facilities nila for your team-building.

The punching bag (Photo taken during the ocular visit, Oct.26, 2017)

Billiard table (Photo taken during the ocular visit, Oct.26, 2017)

Wall climbing (My churchmate in action) (Photo taken on August 1, 2015)

Rappelling (My churchmate in action) (Photo taken on August 1, 2015)

My brother and his son while playing basketball (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

c. Function halls-May dalawang function hall ang resort na equipped ng mga speakers, microphone, LED projector at white board na hindi lang basta basta ang quality. Maayos ang function hall nila, this is based on my personal experience dahil dito namin ginawa ang isang Public Consultation noong 2015. 

Function Hall  (Photo taken during the ocular visit, Oct.26, 2017)

My photo during the public consultation (Nov. 21, 2015)

d. Kitchen/restaurant-May ilang rooms sa resort na maaari kang magluto, mayroon din silang mini-bar offering various dishes. Expect mo lang na may kamahalan ang presyo ng mga pagkain dito. They also offer catering services para hindi na hassle ang food preparation for events. 

Mini-bar (Photo taken during on October 31, 2017)

Sample menu

e. Sound system and/or megaphone for outdoor activities- Una kong minahal sa resort na ito taong 2015 ay ang napakagandang quality ng kanilang sound system. May pa-EDM (Electronic dance music) din sa buong resort na pampa-good mood. 

Napakahalaga na maganda ang quality ng sound system para mas audible ang voice ng resource persons. 

f. Spa services- May Spa services ang resort na pwede mong ma-avail.This is perfect sa mga participants na nag-nanais marelax after a tiring day.

g. Wi-Fi services- Of course, hindi dapat mawala sa listahan ang wifi services. Sa panahon ngayon, isang mahalagang pangangailangan ng mga tao ang Internet. May free wifi sa resort na ito na pwede mong ma-access for personal use or work-related purposes. Sabi nga sa isang recent review on their page posted on Nov.1, “Thank you din sa wifi na kahit san mang sulok, di kami iniwan.” 

Last Nov. 1, hindi rin ako iniwan ng wifi connection pero may mga portion sa resort na mahina ang signal. Kailangan lang siguro ng kaunting adjustment para dito.

Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017

h. Areas for spiritual, social, physical, emotional and mental activities- Kung holistic approach ang teambuilding, kailangan din ng iba’t ibang areas for different moods. Depende sa tema ng teambuilding, it is better kung versatile ang venue.

Muni muni lang (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

The bookworm! (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Gaya ng nabanggit ko, may function hall sila na pwedeng gamitin for these kind of activities at may camp site din sila na exclusive at malayo sa ingay ng mga tao. 

Function hall (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Campsite 

3. The venue should be accessible.

“Yung kaya puntahan ng lahat. Mas maganda kung malapit at di nakakapagod. Para makapagrelax after stressful work.” (Respondent 8, Civil Engineer)

Importante na malapit lang ang venue para madaling puntahan. Ang resort na ito ay dalawang oras lamang ang layo sa Maynila. Madali lang din itong puntahan gamit ang private vehicle or kahit commute ka pa. 

4. The venue should be affordable.

Mahalagang aspeto ng venue ang presyo nito. Para sa mga ilang government employees na kasama sa aking survey, hindi sila pwede sa mga 5 to 4 star hotel because of austerity measure. Hindi rin pwede iyong sobrang mahal ng venue according sa mga private employees. 

When it comes to price, budget-friendly naman ang resort na ito, at may mga packages din sila at promos from time to time. 

5. The venue should have a good ambiance, close to nature and it should be relaxing.

“As for the venue, it should be refreshing as the environment greatly affects everyone” (Respondent 9, Jr. Business Analyst)

My sister and her husband (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Relaxation at night (Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2017)

“Kaaya-aya ang surroundings baka imbes na mag-enjoy ay ma-dismaya sa kapangitan ang participants.” (Respondent 10, Government employee)

My family! (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Mahalaga na maganda ang kapaligiran. Ilang beses ko nang binalik-balikan ang resort na ito dahil sa ganda ng kanyang kapaligiran lalo na kapag nakikita ko ang lawa dahil napaka-relaxing sa pakiramdam.

Close to nature oh! (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Stress reliever Swing! (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

6. The venue should be safe and secure. 

Ibang usapan kapag safety at security ang topic. Ang mahalaga sa isang venue ay dapat may security guards na rumoronda 24/7 sa loob ng venue. Mahalaga rin na may mga installed Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras sa buong area. May fire extinguisher at fire exits din dapat ang venue. Buhay at ari-arian ang nakataya dito. Kung public ang venue, dapat lagi kang nakamasid sa mga valuables mo. Kung private naman ang venue, it is advisable na dapat iniingatan mo pa rin ang mga kagamitan. 

May ilang negative reviews akong nabasa sa page tungkol sa safety and security ng resort last June 2, 2017 but the good thing sa management is they are doing the best for their place to be more secured and safe. At base sa nabasa ko recently, madami ng nabago sa safety ng lugar. I felt safe din while inside the resort last Oct.31-Nov.1, 2017. Ayon sa isang review, "safety is a priority in the vicinity kudos to that"

Print screen shot (Nov. 5, 2017)

Print screen shot (Nov. 5, 2017)

The resort provides free locker for guest for safety din. 

Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017

Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017

 May security guard na assigned sa entrance area ng resort. May mga security officers din assigned sa lakeside sa tuwing may mga guest na gumagamit ng lake. The resort is also equipped with Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras. Sa aking pagmamasid, may fire safety inspection certificate ang resort.

Kung dry and wet activities ang pag-uusapan, ayon sa interview ko sa management, trained din ang kanilang mga personnel sa first aid by Philippine Red Cross habang ang Safety Officers naman ay may additional training on Rappel Safety measures. May clinic station din sila at first aid kit and lifesaving equipment. Safety first din ang motto ng mga personnel sa lake at kahit mismong sila ay may suot na life vest during their work. 

The clinic station (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

May mga signs din sa loob ng resort na kailangan mong basahin for your safety.

7. The venue should be clean.

Sino nga ba naman ay may gusto na madumi ang venue? Lahat naman tayo ay nagnanais na malinis ang venue ng teambuilding or outing. 

Kapag sinabi mong malinis, iba’t iba ang saklaw nito. Una, malinis ang kapaligiran, walang mga nagkalat na basura, nag-labasang langaw, ipis at daga. Kaya importante dito na may mga trash cans sa paligid. Trash cans na may cover at hindi nangangamoy.

Designated  smoking area (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

Pangalawa, malinis ang mga bedsheets at pillow cases sa silid tulugan. Kinumpara ko ang larawan ng isang room sa actual at tunay nga na malinis ang lahat ng bedding dito.

Rest Area (Photo grabbed from resort's FB page on Nov. 5, 2017

Rest Area (Actual Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

Pangatlo, malinis din ang mga comfort rooms. Maganda at malinis ang CR. 

Comfort room in Rest Area 1 (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

Comfort room in L5-102 (Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2017)

Comfort room in L5-102 (Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2017)

Restroom cleanliness form (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

Mahalaga rin na malinis ang kitchen ng isang restaurant ng isang venue. Hairnet zones din dapat sa loob ng kitchen nila. Malinis at ligtas din dapat ang mga pagkain. 

8. The venue should offer extraordinary activities.

Madalas na hanapin sa isang venue kung may mga extraordinary activities. Ayon sa isang respondent, gusto niya na may mga activity sa venue na hindi magagawa sa office lang. 

Ang resort na ito ay kilala sa mga extraordinary activities na pwedeng ma-adapt for team-building. Ibang impact ang hatid nito sa akin at sa aking mga kasamahan ng masubukan namin ang kanilang All Wet activities. I just tried the vine swing, at sobrang adrenaline rush ang inabot ko pero fulfilling naman sa pakiramdam dahil masasabi mo sa sarili mong “Kaya ko pala iyon!"

My father and the vine swing (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

My brother-in-law and the blob! (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

My brother-in-law and the slip and fly (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Me and the slip and fly 2.0 (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

My father and my nephew in kayak (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

Si ate ko napapaisip kung tatalon ba (Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2017)

9. The food that will be served should be delicious.

Isa sa mahalagang aspeto ng teambuilding ay ang foods! “Food must be great” according sa isang respondent. Mahalaga na masarap ang pagkain dahil pagkatapos nga naman ng whole day activities, pagkain ang muling makakapag-energized sa mga participants. I tried their menu during my ocular visit and I can say that the food is really delicious!

Left photo: Lechong Kawali, Right photo: Calamares (Photo taken on Oct. 26, 2017)

Happy tummy na naman si ako! (Photo taken on Oct. 26, 2017)

10. It should have enough water supply and Genset in case of brownout. 

The venue should have enough water supply at Genset for back up in case of brownout. After a tiring day, tubig is life lalo na kapag maliligo ka na! Kuryente is life din of course kasi once na walang back up, may ilang activities na hindi na ma-icoconduct so baka masira ang ilang goal ng teambuilding. Siguraduhing may genset at enough water supply ang venue na iyong pipiliin.

11. The venue should have accommodating or friendly personnel. 

Last but not the least, a good venue should have accommodating or friendly personnel. Sabi ko nga sa dati kong blog, “Mahalaga rin sa isang resort ang attitude ng mga staff nito. Kung accommodating ang mga staff sa isang resort, isa na itong plus factor!” Ang mga venue na may good customer service ay garantisadong babalik-balikan. Isang review muli ang nagsasabing accommodating ang mga staff sa resort na ito.

Ang gusto ko sa resort na ito ay alam ng mga personnel nila ang kanilang tungkulin. Marunong din silang sumunod sa rules. Isang halimbawa nito, kapag pinakisuyuan mo sila na magtake ng picture mo, hindi nila iyon gagawin, dahil bawal according sa policy. Napaka-accommodating ng mga tao dito, sila ay mga lokal na residente ng lugar.

Pose pose lang with Kuya (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

The personnel  (Photo taken during the ocular visit on Oct. 26, 2017)

All in all, yan ang labing isang criteria na pwede mong gawing gabay sa susunod na pipili ka ng venue for team building. Masasabi kong applicable rin ang checklist na ito sa iba pang events katulad ng Christmas party, Family Outing, Reunion at iba't iba pa. 

Balak niyo bang mag-team building ngayong December? Hanap na ng lugar ng mas maaga!