This calls for a celebration

Prefatory Note: The blogger in me cannot resist the urge to recount my wonderful experience with you. Hence, I apologize to you Nestle, for I will have to state here how it is to be summoned by the number one health and wellness company in the world. 

After submitting a 2 page comprehensive resume, interviewed twice by phone, and depleting my English vocabulary, I was finally in for the final screening (I wondered what mesh will they use). The confirmation call was quite brief, but that was only because I've got nothing else to say except two words-- Thank you. By virtue of being here in Mindanao, they would have to fly me in to Makati, to Nestle Philippines Main Office, and then fly me out. That to me, is exciting. For one, I feel important.(Yes, especially when all expenses are paid for you.) Second, I feel rich. (Yes, especially when you know all expenses are paid for you, again.) And third, it was what I wanted. Ideally, nothing beats the feeling of getting what you want.

So I prepared myself for the big day. I did not know then, that the next 24 hours of my life would be life changing. Within 24 hours, I

•  was airborne twice, 

• devoured Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, 

• learned that Manila Centennial Airport is connected to NAIA and hence cabin crews will not announce that you had landed at Manila Centennial Airport but at NAIA, 
• learned how to ask cellphone load from a Nestle executive, be escorted by a uniformed driver (equipped with 2 smartphones for SMART and GLOBE, taray!) from airport to hotel, 
• had exquisite dinner at the luxurious A. Venue Sky Suites hotel (could it be that they thought I am a celebrity?), 
• wondered whether the waiters in the restaurant are waiters or matinee idols disguised as waiters, 
• made friends with 4 other students who speak the same language (Oy Raffy, Annsille, Athena and How-mini), 
• learned how to wear a necktie (by sleeping late enough to learn it on my own, by sheer luck), 
• dressed up in my alleged corporate attire where I could easily have been mistaken as a waiter, 
• ate the most sophisticated and overwhelming breakfast in my life that I thought that would be the last time I'll eat breakfast, 
• met more students from UP Diliman ( Oy Cara, Carla and Arianne) and San Beda (Oy, Mon) and be amazed with their personalities, 
• brushed elbows with senior executives, 
• witnessed how a senior executive got to tears because of a touchy question (it's adorable)
• defended a presentation from these senior executives (it felt like AI or PGT, only classier),
• learned that in the Nestle office MILO, Nestea, Lemonade and Nescafe are available bottomless,
• ate lunch for 15 minutes because a flight was waiting and the traffic is debilitating, and finally 
• had a great time!

When I went back home I was still smelling of the aroma of the fresh experience when I realized it was not yet the end. I am, after all, still vying for the real deal-- the four day live-in training program this October 26-29, 2010.

Just a while ago, they called me up and said I will have continue my journey with Nestle.You're right. They called up to congratulate me because I am officially a MILE Elite. The first reaction was: Huwaaaat?? But then again, I wanted this. That's why I want to extend a jillion gestures of gratitude to all who were kind enough to support me and of course to Nestle, who saw my potential in that 1 and a half hours of group activity.

As I've said, nothing beats the feeling of getting what you want.

It's Ms. Grace de Castro, Nestle's senior executive herself when MILE visited MSU-IIT.  This time, everyone's motivation for success was rekindled.

Evidence of how Ms. Grace de Castro rocked the MSU-IIT Mini Theater. She was really, really entertaining. Hands down.

 Photos courtesy of Nestle M.I.L.E. If your on facebook, you could visit them here.