Four-eyed me

I was using glasses since I was 9 years old because of astigmatism. The doctor said it could be corrected but I refuse to wear the glasses I had then regularly because it made me look old. Now, I'm suffering for my stubbornness then. My vision was never corrected, now I had to suffer wearing glasses or contact lenses. Aside from maintenance because I had to go to the eye doctor every year to check if my glasses need adjustments, I had to buy disposable contact lenses every month.

My last pair (glasses) was bought at Quaipo where they sell cheap frames, I bought mine for just 1300 pesos and this came with multi-coated lenses. Unfortunately, it was broken about a year ago and since then I never had the time to go back to replace it. I had to use my old nerdy glasses with a lower lens grade.

Last week, there was an announcement at the office that there will be a free eye check-up and the glasses can be paid on 4 installments. After the check-up (my grade went from 125 to 150) :( I chose my glasses. It was so hard to pick as I was looking for nerdy glasses but something smaller than my previous one. Then I found this cute purple glasses that is perfect for me. It is much costly than what you could buy at Quiapo but this was on my convenience because I really don't have any time to go there.

I just received my glasses today and boy I was happy! I just hope it's durable and would last longer than my previous glasses... :)

Not liking regulatory job

I've been asked to facilitate notification of our products since our regulatory officer resigned. Nobody seems to want her job. Now I know why.

I went to FDA, Alabang yesterday to notify 4 products and have some layouts reviewed. I've waited for 2 hours only to find out that the FDA logo on the notification forms is incorrect. The culprit would be my old computer in the office where I downloaded the form on the website. I couldn't seem to view logos on that computer, ggrrrhh. Anyhow, my trip there wasn't wasted because I was able to have 2 layouts reviewed. There was only one correction on one layout but the other one have major issues because the claims doesn't seem to fall in to cosmetics but as a drug already.

I had no choice but to go home and correct the mistake on the notification form the following morning.

After I downloaded and filled up the correct notification form, I was having second thoughts on the balm and ointment part that we declared. It was intended for drugs and not for cosmetics. My boss insisted on those terms so I went to FDA and filed it.

My hunch is correct, those products were rejected again! The regulatory officer at FDA told me what to write but my boss said that before I change anything, marketing needs to be informed first.

Well, there goes my second day at FDA. One product was approved but I couldn't notify it because the cheque I have is intended for all those products that I was supposed to notify.

Now, I'm hungry and tired. Hope BF relieves my stress, because I'm going to meet him later.

Change Shift

It's a start of a new week and I am back to my regular 7-4 shift. For the past two weeks, I was assigned to an 8-6 shift to assist with in-line QC. Our production is at its peak and they needed extra help so I rendered my service. When we were told of the overlapped QC schedule I had a little objection. Even though I am a trained In-Line QC it's not my main job. I have been asked to assist before but they never changed my schedule. The 8-6 schedule does have its perks. I am never late and I have a 1 hour overtime. But then, I have lots of things to do in documentation and now that our Regulatory Officer resigned, I had to step up and do some of her job.

Despite the work overload because of the people leaving. I am happy now that I'm back on a regular schedule. This means that I could go home early and just have my OT whenever I want to.

Come and go

It was the last day of a very close co-employee of mine last Friday. It wasn't really a sad departure 'coz we know that he's going somewhere better. Somewhere where he is more valued.

A very smart and opinionated person. Most of us turn to him whenever we encounter some difficulties at work. I personally, go to him whenever my internet connection is down or when there are things that I don't understand, or inquiries I couldn't answer. He is even my personal confidant. I'm sure gonna miss him as I know most of our analysts will be coming to me for answers as I am now one of the oldest in the department.

He is a good friend and I'm sure everybody feels happy for him and will surely be missed.

Change in personnel is not a new thing at this company I'm working at. I, myself, do have plans of leaving too. Maybe before the year ends. I feel like there is no growth in my career there, not to mention under compensated. The salary I'm receiving only goes to my transportation expenses. It's like I'm working so I could have money for transport. The company shouldn't blame people who are leaving. They are looking for better opportunities so that they could provide better for their families.

Since I started working at this company, there were already 14 people who resigned on our department alone. Well I guess that's how it is at work. People come and go. I just hope I'll be the next one to go....

The Last of S-IK

It's been over a month now since my last post. A lot of things had happened. I never got to share what we've gone thru on judgement day. I hope I can still remember everything.

February 27,2009

We went to work as usual but the difference of this day was that we we were expecting something bad will happen (There were a lot of signs already). Upon arrival at the plant, we were surprised to see a lot of security guards positioned on different parts of the plant. There were also unfamiliar cars parked inside. I went inside QC room and found my boss with swollen red eyes. She had been crying the whole night thinking. We tried to comfort her, telling her that everything will be alright.

Around 9:00 AM, everybody was asked to proceed to the conference room. When we got there (QC people), the long table was placed in front of the room with chairs facing the employees. Then came the management along with the company's lawyers.

Our President stood up, and told us that the mother company decided that they will close down S-IK Philippines for good. There were two reasons. First was due to low production quantity and the second was because of customs. Everyone was silenced. Some were crying. Then, our HR Manager explained that the company was generous enough to give us a 1.5% separation pay (Normally, you will only receive half of your salary for every year of service.). We were called one by one, talked to a lawyer, received our checques afterwhich we gathered our personal belongings and off we go. Nobody was allowed to stay too long, they provided a shuttle service to which brought employees home. As for us, BF asked his brother to pick us up.

We were saddened by what happened but we really can't do anything about it. We need to move on, find better oppotunities.

March 1,2009

Wilson and I attended mass then had dinner. I guess he noticed how sad I was so he asked me why. I told him that I still had a lot of things left to do in the office, and leaving it just like that felt wrong. That was when he told me that they were asked to come back again to finish their work. On QC side, it was my boss and emee who were called. Ok na rin for me at least we could finish our pending work.

March 2, 2009

I asked Wilson to inform me whatever will happen that day. The management spoke to them one by one regarding the salary that they will receive and the how long their service will be needed. As for Wilson, of course I don't how much he's salary was but he did not complain, so I guess he's satisfied with the offer. His contract is up to April 30,2009. I asked about our dept., he was so amazed with emee. She did not sign the contract unless there was another QC staff that will work with her. I tell you, we have a lot of work, one person will go mad trying to finish everything. That was when they asked me.

March 3, 2009

There was no other choice except me. All the other QC staff were unavailable already. When the management talked to me they said that they cannot provide a service car for me. They really need me so what they did was they adjust my time. I can go home by 4 and they will give me transportation allowance. I signed the contract, which will end on April 30, 2009.

My bros and sis sa QC. With Kuya Romel and Mang Lito

with our mommy

You can check out more pics here.

Judgement day

The company I work with is in danger right now. Aside from having low production due to recession we also encounter problems with customs. There were a lot of speculations over the past few days. We already had a meeting before and the management promised that they will inform us about the status of the company. We were supposed to have the meeting last Feb. 10, but due to unknown reasons it was postponed.

During the first meeting, the management was informed that there were some employees that would like to voluntarily resign as along as they would make them a good offer.

Today, there were more chismis in the office.

1. S-IK employees from our Makati office will be going to the Laguna plant tomorrow. (Considering we don't have work during fridays)

2. They have ordered a meal at Max's Restaurant for all employees. (Farewell party?)

3. There was a note on the planner of our Japanese boss that they have scheduled the date for the announcement.

4. There was going to be a general meeting, all employees included. (The memo was posted past 4 this afternoon.

BF and I will be meeting later to talk and plan things. If ever closure is the last resort, we all hope that the company would be generous with regards to our separation pay.

Christmas Party '08

Our company had its Christmas Party at Techno Park Hotel in Sta. Rosa Laguna. When we got there, we first had our merienda of baked zitti and two slices of brownies. It was yummy! I wanted to ask for a refill but I guess it was only limited.

Then the party started with an opening prayer and remarks from our Sales Manager, Mr. Takahashi. We had games, raffle and Bingo. I got the 33rd prize, a single burner gas stove (which I will give to my friend who is getting married) and 1500 pesos cash. BF only got the consolation prize of 1200 pesos. I was only able to join one game, the newspaper dance. My partner? Who else?! *LOL* We did not win because BF has a big foot..hehe...

Our HR OIC rented an acoustic band as per request of our operators. The band was ok except for the female vocalist who was frowning the whole time. I don't know what her problem was but it sure is unethical to show it while they were performing.

Except for the band, the party was enjoyable!

With our Japanese Bosses

Red Outfit

BF won in bring me game

My S-IK family

The theme of the party was Red and Green. The colors of Christmas...

Another boring day

I don't understand why we still need to go the office during saturdays. It's just a waste of time and money. We don't have any production so there really is nothing to do. Our company is experiencing a crisis. We don't know how much longer we can stay afloat. There were rumors that we're going to close. There was supposed to be a management meeting yesterday to inform employees about the status and plans of the company. But it was postponed to who knows when. A lot of us were irritated. If they're going to close down it's better to tell it sooner so we can prepare for unemployment. *LOL*.

Hello and Goodbye

It's been already a week since our last boss went back to Japan and left us for good. He was not demoted or promoted. We will be starting our compounding this year and the company thinks it is best to assign someone who has experience in compounding. So came in Mr. Tsukamoto. He worked here in the Philippines ages ago and now he is back. He is older, stricter. Mam Winnie, who stayed in the company too long already he became her boss then, said that he is good but very serious when it comes to work. He is always in the production area monitoring machines and operators. Even in the injection area he roams. We feel pressured everytime he's around. Who wouldn't? He is always watching us, our every move. Literally!

Enough of him! You'll be hearing more of him in the next few days or months.

Before Sir Ando left, the company had a little lunch for him. As our immediate boss, we gave him something to remember us by. A painting, which we bought at Kultura, of Bahay Kubo with a farmer and his carabao. And also a collage of our pictures. I made it extra special by using the Digiscrapmania festicolor kits.

Abandoned

Since yesterday our QC Manager was on leave. She was supposed to report for work today because she only filed a leave for yesterday. It was already 8:05 when I noticed that she hasn't arrived yet. Most of the time she's early. When I asked her she told me she's not feeling well. Our Asst. QC Manager is also on leave. She went to Bora with her family. So that leaves me in charge of QC. I did some of their work like make daily qc report, inspect incoming raw mats, check hotpress sheets. Good thing our production is not that loaded, and most of the colors have no correction. Aside from these, I also have a rush color matching. I was able to finish it today, buti na lang. The customer called me up yesterday asking for it. It was only given to me by BF the day before yesterday. Buti na lang magaling ako magcolor match *LOL* (color black lang kasi). I was suppose to steal a few hours from work to browse my notes for the board but because of the work overload, I wasn't able to do so (tapos nagbblog pa ko *LOL*).

Hopefully, our mother ( Mam Winnie ), will feel better tomorrrow. I have no complaints doing some of her work, its an opportunity to learn. There are just things that need her approval. I'm still scared to make decisions regarding QC because I have to take full responsibility in case something went wrong (customer complaints).