Open Access BPO: World-class Philippine-based outsourcing firm

Business process outsourcing (BPO) service provider, Open Access BPO, was founded in 2006 as a telemarketing startup in San Carlos, California. The company moved its operations to its current facilities in Makati City a year later where it began expanding its services. This was a strategic move that was driven by the Philippines' potential as an outsourcing hub.

As one of today's fastest growing outsourcing companies, Open Access BPO's lineup of services include customer care and technical support, telesales, content and social media moderation, data entry, and other back office solutions. In addition to this, the company recently added multilingual customer support to its growing portfolio of services, enabling it to offer its voice and non-voice-based solutions in 27 languages.

Unlike most outsourcing companies that offer package deals with pre-selected services, Open Access BPO employs a boutique-style approach that lets its clients customize the solutions they outsource. To ensure that the resulting business solutions meet every client's unique demands, the company works closely with them for all aspects of the campaign—from development, to deployment and its daily operations.

Another key aspect that fuels the company's continuous growth is its employees. Open Access BPO only hires the best workers for its outsourcing functions, with each employee undergoing rigorous training before eventually graduating to the production floor.

The Philippines, a multicultural nation, and its bilingual population have driven the company's array of operations. First were the English-proficient employees, followed by those who are fluent in the aforementioned languages that the company supports—all empowering the company's international clients. Satellite facilities in Taiwan were recently established to further strengthen its Chinese-based services.

With over 600 employees operating out of its facilities in the US and Asia, Open Access BPO clients include global businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 corporations.

Balamban Liempo of Cebu Opens in Guadalupe Makati

Balamban Liempo of Cebu was first established in a humble July 2009 in the town of Balamban in Cebu.  It wasn't long before it's popularity has spread by word of mouth.

Now, Balamban Liempo of Cebu has reached Manila as it open a branch in Makati.  According to the owners Jojo and Honey Vergara, this will be the first of many as they are now open for joint ventures for only 250,0000 php.

Their main products are: Grilled Liempo (pork belly) sold at 190 php per slab that is good for 2-4 persons and Lechon Manok sold at 189 php per whole chicken that is good for 4-6 persons

Their Grilled Liempo is distinguish from the rest as it is a golden slab of marbelized pork belly filld with fresh herbs and spices from Cebu.  It's very flavorful and salty just the way locals of Cebu love it.  It's served chopped and ready to it.

Look at how juicy their Lechon Manok is!  It is also filled with the same herbs and spices as the Grilled Liempo.

Balamban Liempo
2131 Nuestra Sebiora St., Brgy Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City
+63 932  965 4962

Christmas Attractions in Metro Manila 2012

Christmas is one of my favorite seasons of the year.  Everywhere I go I could feel the beauty of Christmas attractions and the warmth of the people celebrating the joy of Christmas together.  

Makati

What I like about Christmas is that there are a lot of activities anyone can enjoy.  Like when I visited Symphony of Lights this year, just light I did last year... As expected, group of friends and families have flocked the area just to see the wonderful melody together with the blinking colorful lights.  Every night, the place would be filled with a different batch of people.  

Last year's Symphony of Lights were dominated by stars, this year it was colorful balls.  The brilliant twist with them is that they move up and down.

The music and lights this year is much more lively.  I guess it's keeping up with the times. =D

Overall, it's a must watch.

Christmas also has its solemn times.  Sometimes I just walk alone and appreciate the lights on the street.  After all, I could only do that during Christmas.

I guess I'm on of these people, who wants to sit on the floor sometimes and admire the Christmas lights on the tall buildings and streets of Makati.

Around the Ayala Triangle, there are also bazaars with cool Christmas gift ideas for the busy workers in Makati.

There's also a mini food market set up.  It was a bit crowded so I didn't stick too long.

Another great activity to do during Christmas is to go hotel hopping just to appreciate the Christmas attractions of hotels.

 

 

 

The most Christmas Tree decor I've seen is at Dusit Thani Hotel Makati.

In addition, they have a Santa and a sleigh.

Bonifacio High Street

Bonifacio High Street is also a great place for shopping or window shopping or maybe just strolling.

There's the annual Lego display.  This time there's a huge  R2D2 built in Lego.  Who doesn't love Star Wars right?

Kids can watch a FREE show in the big High Definition scene.  During my visit, they had Lion King on.  It's one of the best Disney movies ever so it's nice to watch some scenes from it again.

Luneta Park

There's a fair by Quirino Grand Stand where families and friends would just seat on the grass while some go for the rides.  

And, if the Ayala Triangle in Makati has a Symphony of Lights, Luneta Park has a light show by the fountain.  Although there's no music, it still has a lot of audience.  

The the fountain side, there's a lot of food stalls and random booths to cater to the large crowd.

How about you?  Where have you felt Christmas this year?

Blogger's Blaze Fun Cup at City Kart Racing

A bit hidden in the midst of the busy city of Makati is City Kart Racing located at the 7th floor of Makati Park Square 1.  It is there the first ever Blogger's Blaze Fun Cup was held.  Upon arrival, all blogger karting contenders such as ourselves were required to register.  We had to input our informatoin at their computer including our nicknames.  We were then made to sign a waiver form wherein the rules were indicated.  Our pictures where taken and it was shown at the large LCD Screens together with our assigned kart numbers.

The owner Jean-Marc Jeff Freihuber taught us the meaning of the three flags and how to hold the steering wheel.


Flags:

• Blue - Slow down and give way
• Yellow - Danger ahead
• Checkered - Game Over!

Jean-Marc Jeff Freihuber

10-minute trial run

• Stacy

As I stepped on the gas, I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins like I wanted to go as fast as I could and I did.  I kept going faster and faster until I hit the tire barricades.  Since then I became more cautious and started hitting the brakes.  I was having a bit difficulty on the narrow curve parts.  We were also told that we should give way when we're given a blue flag but sometimes its weird that the kart at my back didn't want to overtake even though I'm slowing down by the sidelines.  I was disappointed with my performance.  I felt the urge to improve.

• Kurt

This wasn't my first time to kart so I knew what to do.  But, the other kart racers were way faster than me.  I'm glad I was able to beat Stacy's time though because she was challenging me and I've proven myself.

1-Hour Endurance Run (Blogger's Blaze Fun Cup)

The team was divided bloggers were divided into 3 kart players per team.  Each had to go for a 10 minute round before swapping to the next team member.  The team with the most laps in an hour wins.

• Stacy

For the 1-hour endurance run, I was team up with Calvin and Zheyme.  Zheyme was the first to go and she managed to grab the 6th spot out of the 8 teams.  Calvin,being the only guy, was the more experience and competitive member of the team.  He managed to improve our ranking to the 4th place.  When I got on the kart, it moved really slow even though I was pushing the gas so hard.  My kart stopped in the middle of the tracked that the marshall had to pump it up again for it to run.  I had 3 bumps and I was made to stop to tie my long hair.  (Note to self: next time I should tie my hair or I'll spoil the fun)  By the time my turn was over, I looked at the LCD screen for our rank and was surprised that we were still at the 4th place.  Zheyme didn't want to race anymore so she let Calvin take her round.  After Calvin, it was again my turn.  I managed to kart better this time but we were still at the 4th place.  For the last round, Calvin gave it his all and managed to grab the 2nd place next to the notorious Tsikot.com team.  But since we didn't let Zheyme have her turn we were penalized one lap which pulled our rank down to the 4th place.

• Kurt

On the other hand our team was special, for the 1 hour endurance challenge our team had 4 racers. Me, Jennifer, Mauie and Daomisyel. Daomisyel who didn't even had a chance to practice went first and the thing was she did pretty good for her 1st try and to say the least she was actually better than some of those who already had practice. Mauie and Jennifer also did their part by picking up the pace and in the end we ended up in 5th place considering we started at the back of the race it's good say that we did quite well.

Kurt Entering the Pit

Awarding

City Kart Racing

• City Kart Racing Facebook App

We didn't think that City Karts can have cool racing apps.  City Kart's racing has one of the best software for kart racing available around the world!  You can check your race kart records via facebook.  You can see your friends records too!  it noticed that my race time is also displayed on my Facebook profile as soon as we finished racing.  

• City Kart Racing Rates

We only used the Fun Kart but it was really fast!  I can't imagine how it will go with Pro Karts.  I'm amazed at the rate City Kart offers given that their Karts are top-notched, safe (even for kids) and well maintained.  They are also complete with the gears like Baracca, Helmet and Race Suits.  Their results are also real-time which you can view at their LCD screens located at various areas of the place.

Overall, we had a lot of fun.  To be honest, karting has always been in our bucket list.   Just for this we even cancelled our Corregidor trip.  It was all worth it! We definitely want to go back and try this again.  Hope the funny and nice owner Jean-Marc Jeff Freihuber hosts another Blogger's Blaze Fun Cup next year! Thank you for the pizza too!

My Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts Makati Experience

Last Friday, I was invited together with a group of bloggers to spend a day at Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) Makati.  According to the brochure "MIHCA is the leading institution of hospitality and culinary arts which has successfully launched careers for promising professionals."  They offer several certificate courses in culinary arts, baking and pastry, housekeeping and more.  Although the institution is still young, they have already won a number of competitions.

As I arrived at the venue, I was surprised to be welcomed by a lot of MIHCA students.  I was immediately guided to our seat at their restaurant area.  Once everyone has arrived, we were informed that we will be having a short tour.

For the first part of the tour, we were taken to a room which looked exactly like a hotel room.  I was impressed that everything even the Holy bible by the bed stand, the towels in the bathroom or the pillows inside the drawers are accurately set out.  We were taught how to fix a hotel bed.  We were given tips on how to purchase and checks bed sheets, how to do the costing and we were also oriented on the modern way of hotel bedding.  They were very open to our questions and even gave us a gift as a token for our participation.

Cucumber with Smoked Salmon w/ Cream Cheese and Capers

Mushroom Duxelle Volauvant

Lettuce Bundles with Spicy Peanut Noodles 

(Best finger food for the day!)

We were taken to the kitchen.  Graduating students welcomed us with a tray of finger foods.  They were delicious!  We proceeded deeper into the kitchen where students were busy preparing for the dishes that they will serve us for lunch.

Chef Carbonell's Pastry Class

Bitter Sweet Brownie Yum!

The best part of the tour was the pastry area. (because I love dessert!)  We were informed that their pastry area was so good that many companies even lease the area for their baking activities.  We were given delicious bitter sweet brownies.  We also saw the creme brulee that will be served for our lunch dessert.  There was one student who came all the way from the Carribeans just to enroll at MIHCA.

Fun class with Chef Medrano

Chef Medrano teaching us about deboned chicken

Our next stop was an air-conditioned room where the students were taught on how to thrust and debone a chicken.  We were informed that in ships, a kitchen staff has to thrust a chicken in 8 seconds.  So they were competing with their classmates who could thrust the chicken first.

They gave us refreshments and were shown some cool barista moves.  It was definitely heart-thumping.  I could feel my heart beat with mixture of fear and amazement while watching.  Check the video below.

end product of all those bottle tossing

Our last stop was for a coffee break.  Chef Docusin and his assistant served us espresso, cappuccino and mocha latte.  We were shown coffee arts.  It was fascinating.  All of us were impressed.  

Chef Medrano Demonstrating Trussing

While some of us went ahead to have their lunch buffet.  I was with 5 other contestants randomly picked to participate in speedy chicken trussing contest.  To be honest, I don't know how to cook nor have I ever touched a raw chicken before.  It took some time before I got accustomed to its cold slippery yet rough texture.  I'm lucky that the Justin, the student who was assigned to teach me, was a good teacher.  He taught me really well.  I couldn't believe that during a short period, I was capable of learning chicken trussing.  Moreover, I won third place.

Apple Strudel 

After being impressed with their facilities, they showed us the outcome of their training through their lunch buffet.  The students were attentive servers.  It was indeed a high class fine dining service.  The food was good. I loved the Apple Strudel.=)

During lunch, there was also a baking demonstration by Chef Napoleon Carbonell on how to make creme brulee.

classroom (4 types of floors to familiarize students)

I'm so glad I attended.  I came there knowing nothing about household and yet just for a day, I learned bed fixing and chicken trussing. Thank you MIHCA Makati for the hospitality.


MIHCA Makati
5/f Waltermart mall
Chino Roces Ave. Cor Arnaiz Ave
Makati
(+632) 889 1707