The 1st Google Student Leader's Summit PH

At 8:00 in the morning of the 27th of April 2013, I eagerly went up the elevator of the JVC Building in Aguirre street in Makati City. I remember being enthralled by the buttons of the elevator because you see that they were kind of from years back because of their design - white, plastic, and opaque and the whole button lights up when you click them. But when the elevator bell buzzed to signal I was in the 3rd floor (the Orange and Bronze Inc. offices), I immediately snapped out of my enthrallment. As the door opened, the voices of chit chat slowly filled in the elevator. 

As I stepped out, I was greeted by the light gray carpet and fifty (50) student leaders from across the metro talking to one another. Some were seated on the couch, some were on the coffee table chairs, and the others looking out the window. There were some familiar faces from the university where I come from and we said hi. Right after, I saw the other Google Student Ambassadors - Ryan Caro (who spearheaded this event), Kirk Jamison, and Kriztoff Dela Cruz. We were also greeted by our new friends from Orange and Bronze Inc.

Click "read more" to know more about what happened and to see more photos!

YOU can be a Google Student Ambassador!!

Here's your chance!!

We're excited to announce the opening of applications for the Google Student Ambassador Program!

The GSA Program is available for university students in SEA pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's Degree.

Submit your application here! 

http://goo.gl/GHO2r

Please only submit ONCE.

If you're from the Philippines, you can check out our Google Student Ambassador pages:

Google+

Facebook

You can check out this video from our experience in the Google Student Ambassador Summit to learn more about the program!

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At the same time, it's Google week in DLSU! 

Catch talks from different Googlers flying in from Singapore and from the Philippine office to talk about opportunities at Google, the Google Student Ambassador Program, Google products, and so much more!!

Check out our site for the event: DLSU GOOGLE WEEK SITE

The Launch of Google's Manila Office

The Philippine Google Student Ambassadors
Back (L-R): Kriz Toff, Jyle Sulit, Patric Sugay, JM Basa, Mikee Villegas, Pat Chengliong
Front (L-R): David Ramos,  Kirk Jamison, Mafe Ortego, Queenie Reyes, Johan Aguilar

Wednesday, January 23rd Google officially launches its Manila office.

Click read more to read more and see more photos!!

Teach Me How to Present

NOTE: Throughout the blog, you will see hot pink and blue text. They are clickable links.

Last November 23, my fellow Google Student Ambassador Pat Chengliong and I gave a talk on Google products students can use when making presentations. We focused on two core products: Google Docs: Presentation and Youtube. We also took the opportunity to talk about the Free and Open Web Campaign.

Instagram photo by Rhozabel Rivadeneira

CLICK:

Geek Girl Manila Meetup

One of the great things I love about being a Google Student Ambassador is that I'm constantly learning new things in the world of technology. Take the word "developer" for example. In lay mans terms, this can be someone who develops something. In the technological world, this is probably a common word for someone who is making the applications ("apps" as we call it) in the devices we are using.

Last October 2012 (yes, it's been a while), Google had its 1st Geek Girl Manila MeetUp at the Globe Telecom Showroom in Makati. I was a little bit nervous going into the event because I didn't know anyone who was going to be there, with the exception of the some Google people I met in Singapore and g|Philippines.

Once I stepped past the automatic opaque sliding glass doors, the first thing I found was a room filled with tables embellished with sequined cloth of bright azure and hot pink colors, and chairs with big tulle (if I remember right) ribbons. The one thing I definitely didn't miss was all the women in the room. It was 95%

g|Philippines

Today's been such a coffee/ cuddle weather with the rain pouring all day and the sweet cool breeze blowing against our faces. I'm supposed to be reading 26 court cases right now for my Personal Effectiveness 2 class OR I'm supposed to be in a road trip right now with friends but physically, it's really not possible to finish all these readings during the road trip. I really miss hanging out with my friends. A road trip sounded really good. Plus, there's a typhoon right now.. but instead of reading the court cases, I feel like blogging. This shouldn't take long. Let's talk about G|Philippines (in short for Google Philippines).

Philippine Model Congress

From what started from a text from a high school friend, led to an eye-opening and learning experience.

My friend Tricia and I
Photo by Thomas Rosal

I was doing my homework when my friend Tricia texted me telling me that she and a couple of her friends are organizing this thing called the Philippine Model Congress to be held in the Batasan Pambansa (which was eventually held in the Senate). She was wondering if I was interested in helping out. My instinct said YES but reluctance followed because I wasn't so sure what this Congress was exactly about. So, I had follow up questions.

I got to view the website they were still working on and understood what it was. It was simulating the youth into what goes on in the proceedings in the House of Representatives. I thought that it was such a pioneering idea. And I got on board. I posted about the event on Facebook hoping students at my university would sign-up.

Photo by Michael Lorenzana

#RescuePH

Rains have poured continuously in many areas in the Philippines leaving many places flooded and leaving many people away from the comforts of their own home.

Credits to REUTERS/ Stringer

Many waited to be saved on the roofs of their houses. Many were separated from their loved ones. Many lost the items they sell for a living or even the clothing they wear. Many had to cramp in evacuation centers. Many are hungry. Many are cold.

Some hospitals got flooded and lost power giving their patients an even more difficult time. Some lost their loved ones.

Credits to REUTERS/ Erik De Castro

But on the bright side, many were heroes - braving the heavy rains and the current of the flood just to save their kababayans (countrymen); creating awareness and informing the public of people who need help (making #RescuePH part of the top trending on Twitter in the Philippines); and helping out in relief operations with their time, effort, and donations in their schools or in evacuation centers. 

It sums up to many of our country men are facing hard times right now. Many of us were and are blessed to be safe in the comforts of our homes. Let us do what we can to help.

Credits to REUTERS/ Romeo Ranoco

Released on Facebook and Google+ by the Filipino Google Student Ambassadors on 08/07/12
Link to the Rappler article mentioned above.
Link to the Google Doc mentioned above.

Released by the Filipino Google Student Ambassadors's on 08/08/12

For the La Sallians, you can help out through Sagip Metro 3. Classes and office work resume on Monday, August 13, 2012.

Credits to the DLSU University Student Government

Credits to ALYANSANG TAPAT SA LASALLISTA

Credits to Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon

If you're in the South/ Alabang area, you can help out in La Salle Zobel, Woodrose, Southridge, and St. James.

Credits to the Woodrose Student Council 2012-2013.

Here are some of the evacuees in Alabang, Muntinlupa lining up for food earlier today. Some of my friends helped out in relief operations there.

At the Paaralang Elementarya ng Alabang (Elementary School of Alabang)
Credits to Aldo Manzano

 If you're from the University of Asia and the Pacific or any area near there, you can help out in UA&P.

Credits to the person who made this. I got this from Ina Villegas' Facebook.

If it's one thing that's sure throughout this whole event is that no matter how strong and tumultuous Typhoon Gener was..

I got this on Facebook. Credits to http://katria.tumblr.com

Google Student Ambassador Summit: Day 2

Hello! :) So, day 2! Let's go!

The second day was generally learning more about Google and their different products and services. One of the first things we learned was about the culture at Google. As you will see in the next few photos, it's pretty chill, casual, colorful yet simple. The environment makes you want to match up to its creativity and simplicity which I think is important when you're talking about Google. 

If it's one of the few things that come into mind when I think about Google besides it being worldwide, big-time, and "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.", it's that it's all about creativity and simplicity. Don't you feel that when you're using your gMail or Youtube? It's easy to use. :) 

Anyways, that definitely wasn't the perfect explanation of the culture but I just wanted to share what I felt and what I picked up from the talk and my stay there. Definitely, there's a lot more I'll learn throughout this whole year and there's a great possibility that I'll share it with you guys in the future.

Treats table :) 

Google Student Ambassador Summit: Day 1

Taking risks is definitely one of the most rewarding things EVER. ..so far

It all started with an application that one day of March 2012. I sent in my application to this Google Student Ambassador program not knowing what the outcome would be. It was those things I didn't tell anyone until I found out the outcome. When May arrived, 120 students from across Southeast Asia got emails telling them they were selected to be the Google Student Ambassadors for Southeast Asia for school year 2012-2013. 

There was one thing really risky for me though. We had to attend a summit in Singapore for three days. The opportunity cost of going to Singapore would be missing classes and having to catch up in missed lessons and take make-up exams. The no-brainer decision, the experiences and lessons I will have and learn, plus the people I would meet in Singapore would definitely over power the norm of going to school. But also, if Google told you they were paying for your airplane rides, hotel accommodation, and all your meals, wouldn't you say YES immediately too? :))

The Filipino Google Student Ambassadors first time to assemble as a group.