After a night filled with good food, laughter, and unforgettable moments at Casa FeliCita, our morning rolled in with a completely different vibe.
The sun was just starting to rise over Cebu, and the air was cool and fresh—one of those mornings where everything feels a little slower, a little calmer.
We started the day not in a conference room or an office, but right outside, near the pool. The setting was perfect—peaceful, breezy, and honestly? A little too relaxing. 😅
It was the kind of morning that made you want to grab a blanket, lie down on a bench, and sneak in a few extra minutes of sleep.
To be totally honest, I was struggling. I was still half-asleep from the fun we had the night before, and as much as I tried to focus, my eyes were heavy. You know that moment when you’re trying your best to look alert? Nodding along, maybe even pretending to take notes, but deep inside, you’re just trying to stay awake? Yep, that was me. The hardest part of the morning wasn’t even the tasks and it was staying awake without getting caught dozing off! 😂
But eventually, the energy kicked in.
We are a group from the Utility & Economics Department, we gathered by designation—three groups: Analysts, Compliance, and RAB. We each brought our laptops, notebooks, and most importantly, our fresh (though sleepy) minds. The idea was simple: regroup, collaborate, and reflect on why we were all there in the first place.
Some groups talked about streamlining processes, others discussed tools that could make workflows more efficient.
The analysts focused on data improvements, the compliance team discussed ways to streamline policies, and the RAB group shared practical innovations that could help their group work tasks easily. Everyone had something to contribute. It didn’t matter how sleepy we were an hour ago—once we got talking, you could feel the energy bounce from one person to another.
We were laughing, sharing, even challenging each other a bit, and all in the spirit of learning and growth. There were “Aha!” moments, some head-scratching ideas that turned out to be brilliant, and a genuine sense of excitement for the future. And that’s when it hit me—this is why we’re here.
It wasn’t just a trip or a quick escape from routine. It was about stepping away from the usual to reconnect with the people we work with, to hear new voices, and to remember what we’re working toward.
Sure, I was sleepy. Sure, the cool breeze made it even harder to stay upright. But at the end of that morning session, I felt recharged—not just from the fresh air, but from the collaboration and the purpose we all shared.
That morning by the pool? It turned out to be one of the most meaningful parts of the whole weekend.
And of course, after all that focused discussion, we couldn’t resist the call of the water. As soon as we wrapped up the session, we rushed to change and jumped into the pool. It was such a refreshing break! The cold water hit just right, especially after all that thinking and talking.
Honestly, it felt like the perfect way to reward ourselves—brainstorm in the morning, unwind in the afternoon. Unlimited unwind, as we like to say! 😂