The Ultimate Team Experience

Two weeks ago, I was with my business partners in Krabi for our company trip. It was called the “The Trip for The Chosen Ones”. It was for the High Achievers in the ATCEN International Group and I was one of the Chosen Ones. I was really grateful for being picked. Thanks to the directors for making it fair for everyone and noticing my results and efforts as well. I deserved to be part of it.

As I imagined, company trips mainly are all the same. From the tour guide greeting you Sawadikap to the Kap Kun Krupin’, and the eating to the temples, the island hoping and shopping to the 5 star hotel is pretty much indifferent. I could have said no and did the same thing by staying at home with my family and enjoy Valentine’s Day like I do year after year.

Instead, I chose to go because my team was going. I did not regret every second of it because it was the Ultimate Team Experience. WE HAD A BLAST! This was the best teambuilding session I have ever attended. We did not have to climb ropes or crack our brains on a mental challenge. We only had five rules which are, Have FUN, Live
Life, Respect each other, Be Responsible and Stick Together.

During the island hoping, I was really inspired when I saw everyone including our directors, was putting their weight on one side of the boat to tilt it so that our Group CEO and a few others including me could carry a colleague of ours who has a permanent sports injury, every time we got on or off the boat. And because of that we bonded and gained tremendous respect towards each other. Now we are back and strong. That is indeed THE ULTIMATE TEAM EXPERIENCE.

From Krabi With Love

We had a great opportunity to rest throughout last weekend on a company paid trip to Krabi Thailand. It was an amazing experience for me personally to be able to come together with the rest of the entire TEAM and to see the “other side” of the FAMILY members in within the ATCEN INTERNATIONAL GROUP.

It was a well deserve trip for most as we had put in a lot of effort in making this trip a reality, and this would not have been fulfilled without the hard work that has been put in throughout the years.

It gets me thinking for awhile as I reflect back to the entire Krabi trip on how fortunate we are to be able to go on an overseas sponsored trip while others are struggling during this time of economic uncertainty.

As I was strolling along the streets in Ao Nang, I have managed to capture the glimpse of Krabi “night life”. Indeed it was a humbling experience to be able to see how people would just do anything to survive and make a day living and how cheap people can be just for them to be able to make a few hundred bucks to survive the month…
How I wish that our country would not fall to the same norm….

Celebrate the Valentine’s Day with Your Team

Valentine’s Day is not only for couples & lovers, but it’s for all. We can celebrate it with our team as well. This is a special day and it becomes more interesting when you receive gifts and wishes from the people you love. Love is the most wonderful feeling in this world. Valentine's Day is a good day to let your team members know that you love and care about them. Make them feel special by sending cards or gifts to show your appreciation. Friends are those who will bring a smile to your face, and when you're sad, they’ll make your days bloom with lots of joy and happiness. It's time to let your team know how much you value their existence. You’re not alone if you have a team with you.

There are a lot of ways where you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your teammates. You can have a small party where everybody’s given a task in preparing the party. For example, the task can be preparing the food, decorations, performance, etc. With everyone’s contribution, the team members will not only have fun but also become closer with each other. I’m very glad when I came to work this morning, there was a heart shape with a quote written on my table:

“A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success!” –SGC Team

It’s given by a team called Sports, Games & Celebration (SGC) Teams in my company. This team has made a lot of efforts in order to ensure we have fun in the team. I really appreciate what they’ve done for our team. To all SGC Teams: Daniel, Yati, Mindie, Chetz, Keng & Asri. I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful wish. To all ATCENians, happy Valentine’s Day. It’s great to know all of you. Thank you for all the sharing and thoughts you’ve given to me.

Legal Addiction

Don’t be surprised if you just attended our Drum Denizens session and you feel like buying your own *djembe. You’re not alone. Drumming can be addictive.

Drumming is said to promote the body’s own morphine-like painkillers which help in the control of pain. According to Dr. Michael Winkelman of Arizona State University in Tempe, he found that drumming can be a safe way to achieve altered states of consciousness without the use of drugs and their harmful side effects. This is probably why drum circle or community drumming appears to be gaining much acceptance at drug rehabilitation centers in the U.S.

Not only the beating of the djembe helps in reducing stress and inducing deep relaxation, the drum circle can act as another support group for those who want to overcome substance abuse like drug addiction or someone who just want to quit smoking.

So, if you want to reduce stress, overcome drug addiction, quit smoking and increase your immune system, contact us for the next session of Drum Denizens.

* A djembe (pronounced /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ JEM-bay) also known as djimbe, jenbe, jymbe, jembe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying "Anke dje, anke be" which literally translates to "everyone gather together", and defines the drum's purpose. "Dje" is the verb for "gather" in Bamanakan, and "be" translates as "everyone" in Bamanakan. (taken from Wikipedia)

The Magic of Drumming – Therapy

Drumming has been a form of therapy for thousands of years to create and maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health. It has been used by the shamans from the tribes in Africa to Mongolia and the Native Americans to the ancient Mayans of the Aztecs in the Amazons to promote healing and self-expression through rhythm.

Research to date has verified that the therapeutic effects of drumming indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and reproduces feelings of wellbeing, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.

These are the therapeutic Effects of Drumming:

1. Drumming reduces tension, anxiety and stress
2. Drumming helps control chronic pain
3. Drumming boosts the immune system
4. Drumming produces deeper self-awareness by inducing synchronous brain activity
5. Drumming accesses the entire brain
6. Drumming creates a sense of connectedness with self and others
7. Drumming helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life
8. Drumming places one in the present moment
9. Drumming provides a medium for individual self-realization
10. Drumming releases negative feelings, blockages, and emotional trauma.
11. Drumming excesses the inner creativity power and builds confidence.

Throughout the 14 years since I first learned to drum, I have always known that drumming had a magical effect on oneself especially me. It was always therapeutic for me whenever I play drums. It just allows me to let go. At first, I thought I was show boating to others in the beginning when I just play the rhythms or solos. As I let go, I become aware of the rhythm and play from my heart, everyone is entertained and when that happens I am at peace.

When Possibilities Overcomes Fear

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord”

– Barrack H Obama.

Like the many millions of people around the world, I was one of the few individuals who sat still in front of the TV with much anticipation and excitement to observe the historical inauguration of U.S President Elect Barack Hussein Obama II last Tuesday.

What gets me excited is the energy and anticipation behind the celebration. With the current economic crisis, global climate condition, war and the murder of the innocent, millions are dying and suffering on a daily basis while the “powers that be” can only observe and sympathize with the breakdowns happening in the world. It’s a relieve to know that possibilities for changes can occur, and that still have a slight amount of common sense in taking effective action rather than surrender to their own comfort and fear of the unknown possibilities in the future.

Just imagine, when Martin Luther King delivered his “I have a dream” speech during the March of Washington in 1963, who would have ever thought that it’s even possible for an African American to lead the United States, one of the most powerful nations on earth? A true example of how possibilities can really become a reality, as of today it is a known fact that an African American is the 44^th President of the United States of America…

Either Obama would succeed, in leading the United States or the entire world back on its path, the true learning that I would gather from this event lies in Obama ability to create, visualize and stimulate the nations and the world interest for a better future and a better tomorrow. His vision for a better tomorrow is a great start to the path of leadership that is being neglected by most leaders in organization.

For leaders and leaders to be, think for while and reflect back on your team and start thinking on when was the last time you even communicate and talk about your vision and where would you like to see yourself and the team in the future?

Gosh… I’m already having Goosebumps for 2013… Clock is ticking for AIG to be public listed… And it will definitely happen!!!

TT Junior Adventure Race 2009: A CSR Event for Corporate Companies to Participate

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) today is a part of the organizational way of succeeding in business. It’s a set of ethical action where organizations contribute to the society. Besides that, CSR is to nurture and aid in the progress of the various environments in which the corporation operates.


Regards to that, we as the specialist in team event and adventure take an initiative to organize a CSR event called “TT Junior Adventure Race 2009”. This is a CSR project where we will be partnering with corporate companies who would like to sponsor for the kids to join this exciting event. The kids can be the staff’s children or any kids from selected homes or school.


While looking for companies to sponsor for this event, I realized that not all companies see the importance of CSR. Some of the companies put requirements in sponsoring. Actually, CSR is one of the best ways for companies to take pride in giving back to the society. This is the best way for interacting with the communities through social work. Apart from business, every corporation plays a part in developing the nation, either to the people or the environment.


Regarding the issue of global warming and diseases that affect people in the world, this adventure race is an event that can raise the awareness of people especially the kids on how to protect the environment and practice a healthy life style in Malaysia. The sponsored kids will be exposed to the beautiful botanical garden and they’ll be having the challenges to develop their skills, teamwork and independence. In return, it will provide benefits to all parties involved, especially for the corporate. It will increase values for the company profile through brand recognition as well as providing opportunities for networking and developing of the companies’ business contacts.