it's been a year since i left ePLDT and the ContentDev people went on their separate ways. most of the group ended up in same companies with at least 2 other people. luckily, that includes me. it made "moving on" much easier.
still, my ContentDev experience would always be on the top of my list. and with all the stress now coming in and "one-year anniversaries" such as this, i can't help but miss a lot of these things.

i miss
Ms. Therese Borra. Ther and I came in on the same day (july 16, 2003); we filed our resignations on the same day (january 18, 2006). we saw the first, second and third waves of resignations. we were there when the branding changed to Spoon Interactive Arts, and again to Cube Interactive. i miss how she used to not usually know what her lunch
baon is called, or how to tell if it is already spoiled. i miss her crazy dancing which makes Lio cringe. i miss how we could play Sentinels in DoTA together so well. i even miss how she often loses her glasses and how casually she talks of, um..., shit. (hehe!)

i miss the Incubation Room. this is the place where we eat, rant, laugh, cry, sleep, drink, smoke and play. and it is the only place where the bosses are "afraid" to go. it is where we convene privately, away from prying ears. it is where we let go of frustrations by any of the ways mentioned above. it is where we hide. "sacrifices" were made, to keep the Incubation Room ours and ours alone. seniors who used to be in the room have to move out to the cubicles outside since they are usually called or approached by the bosses, and they can't enter the Incubation Room. the Incubation Room is what kept us sane, help us destress. it is probably why i managed to stay for 2.5 years in ePLDT.


i miss the crazy black bean bag. it's where we relaxed and slept. it is where we all lied at one time. what more can i say???
i miss Lumiere, the cafe/restaurant on the second floor of our building. it is where we get our coffee fix when Sandy (the pantry guy) refuses to give us brewed coffee ("Pang mga executive lang yan e!") or forces us to take instant decaf coffee instead.

i miss the travels abroad, for trainings or conventions. i never thought i'd miss standing all day in a booth, trying to impress people with how our game works and how it'll be beneficial for them to partner with us; not to mention while wearing a business attire complete with heeled-black shoes. i miss the meetings and forming personal relationships with different kinds of people i meet while i travel. i miss the Forum Nokia people who i consider my friends, and who i have to meet when i'm in Singapore or when they're here in Manila. i miss "promoting" the work we've done and the company of people who made it happen. i miss the honor and importance of being the representative of the team. and of course, i miss seeing new places.
i miss Chester, who seats 2 cubicles away, singing Endless Love or some kind of old mushy song in his very deep voice, looking at me and raising his hand which means to say that it is my cue to join the duet.
i miss Pol and Ting, who used to live near me; and how Ting would force us to walk home even if there were jeepneys available.
i miss the "we are encourage to play games" excuse, which allows us to play Dota, CounterStrike, Call of Duty, Battlefield and Unreal Tournament after 5pm.
i miss the lunchouts in Big Buddha or Crocodile Grill whenever it is someone's birthday.
i miss the panel interviews we make, making sure that we would all get along with each applicant we accept since it is THAT important for us.
i miss the out-of-town trips we make, sponsored by our own money, just because we all want to go away together. i even miss the going to the market thing, cooking for the rest of the team and most especially the drinking in good company.
i miss ContentDev, Spoon and (maybe even) Cube.
well, it was good to have that much fun as my first job. because i'm sure, now that i'm getting older, i wouldn't be able to afford life by just having fun. but i thank everyone for giving and sharing the ride with me. it was fun while it lasted. and i really really miss you guys.