Finally we arrived at Microtel Mall of Asia at around noon. But we encountered some difficulty in checking-in. It seems that the reservation for our room was made with a different name. So my fellow staff and I had to wait for the Unilab agent (they sponsored our accommodations, among other things) to clear it up with the hotel management. Since we were the last one to get checked-in, our companions were already waiting for us at the lobby to go to Manila Hotel for the registration. We barely had time to get freshened-up.
By the time we got to the Manila Hotel, the registration are was packed! We had to get in line fast because of all the pharmacists arriving for the convention. I didn't expect to see that many pharmacists. And to think those were only hospital pharmacist. After waiting in the long line, we finally got registered. The organizers told us we could get our PSHP ID's the next day so my co-staff and I were free to go around. But first we had to help Sr. Mel (she's our boss) to check-in.
The room was absolutely magnificent! The room had a view of the Intramuros, two beautiful beds, huge TV, amazing bathroom. Too bad I didn't bring my camera to capture the sight of that wonderful room.
After leaving the hotel, we decided to go to 168 mall in Divisoria. It is a kind of mall where everything is a bargain. And you can find almost everything there. From fashionable clothes, accesories, shoes to everyday things like umbrellas and pens. That is why I love shopping there. From the hotel, we took two jeepney rides to get there. We spent two hours hunting down items we wanted to buy until we decided we didn't have anymore money to spend, haha! We said we would take a cab from the mall to the hotel. But to our surprise no cab would let us ride for less 300 pesos! It was crazy! 300 pesos for a cab ride?!? So we decided to ride a jeep to city hall where we could wait for other cabs. But I had a blooper, I forgot to get out at city hall and the jeep went straight to Taft Ave. Luckily, I remembered that there was a jeepney station in Taft to MOA. So those rides cost us only 21 pesos per person as compared to the 300 pesos those greedy cab drivers were offering.
The next morning was the official start of the convention. There were seminars lined up. The resource speakers were from other country. It was very enlightening that practices we've only dare to dream of are really applied in other countries. I was inspired to set up those practices as well.Apart from the seminars, there were also exhibits from drug companies in the hotel. They gave us freebies but we had to line up for them. Unfortunately for me, I was wearing super high heels. This made waiting in line excruciating. And to think there were a lot of lines in that day, including for the PSHP ID. It took me almost 2 hours in line for that ID. When the 1st day ended, I was only too happy to go back to the hotel and change outfit for the fellowship night.
The fellowship night was not what I had expected. There was a buffet of delicious food, awards and performers. The part that I enjoyed most was the performances of the singers. The night was hosted by Grace Lee and Mojojojo. The first performer was Luke Mejares. He had such beautiful voice that could just make you fall in love all over again. He was also so charming. He took time to talk to the guests and have photos of him. Another performer was Princess Velasco. I really didn't know before that night. She too had a good singing voice. And the songs she sang were already popular so it was nice to sing along when she was performing. But the highlight of my night would be the performance of Side A band. Not only did they sing a lot of songs but they were friendly as well, Joey in particular. Another is the guitarist. Although he doesn't talk/sing much, he was friendly and smiled a lot. I really enjoyed singing and dancing to their songs.
See how happy I look when I got a photo with them? Adrenaline was still pumping in my system even as we got to the hotel. It was really a fun-filled and exciting night.
The 2nd day of seminar was such a blur. Nevertheless, it was a day of so many learnings and inspiring practices which I hope could be applied here in the Philippines, especially at our hospital. After the convention proper, our sponsor held a dinner party at the roof top of our hotel. We had fun and games and raffles. This party also paved the way for me to see my college friends. It was so nice to see them again and to catch up on what's happening with them.All in all it was a good convention. Ir was full learnings and I also had fun too! :)
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