Ka-Globe, what you do every day contributes to the creating a #WonderfulPH

In this series of stories, we put the spotlight on how our Ka-Globe gets through their days with a renewed sense of purpose, as we create a #GlobeOfGood

Be proud of what you do, Ka-Globe. Declare: I Make #WonderfulPH

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Minoy Aguila is part of the team from Network Technical Group (NTG) who put up the first 700MHz antenna in the Philippines. A historical feat, the challenges they had to get through to make it happen were not few. Here's his story...

While the the weather was fair, there were moments when the clouds blocked the sun and brought shade for the team of engineers who gathered at one of our cell sites near Hardin ng Bougainvillea in UP, Diliman, Quezon City. But with the shade came heaven's tears when it started to drizzle. Perhaps Smart's best effort made the heaven frown? Haha!

Under the scorching heat and no SPF30+, what do you get? Burned engineers. Yes, we did get burned, but the task on hand was more important than keeping our complexions. Looking up the 35-meter high antenna, you'd need your glasses. Oh yeah!

While it did rain during the testing, our hearts braved the drops and focused on delivering the goal we set.

All good things come to those who wait. We waited for the antennas until 11:00pm on Friday just to make sure that the units are secured. We kept them in a cabin for inspection and safekeeping, ready for the next day's work.

At the site, while putting up the antenna, we realize it is quite heavy that it required 4 to 6 people just to pull them up to the top. Whew! But there was nothing too heavy for us to lift right now.

THE NTG FAMILY: TREATING EACH OTHER RIGHT

We at NTG treat each other as family and we know for a fact that it is only during meals that each of us get the chance to discuss things that are most important and dear to us. This family acknowledges that everyone is human and that our relationships with each other is personal.

It is a Filipino tradition that whenever there are people working for you, it is appropriate to prepare food for them, aside from the pay you give them. And when you prepare even the simplest food, it becomes special. Barbeque is best paired with rice. It is Pinoy. And we love to eat!

CREATING A #GlobeOfGoood

We were all very excited to run this 700 up because after all, work is done to make our families back home proud of us. They are the reason why we keep doing this. But putting up the antenna was no easy feat. We have to take things very seriously because the antenna's weight may counter the pull of the persons on ground and might put them in danger that could lead to an accident. But after successfully mounting the antenna on top, it gave us a very long, deep sigh of relief.

FINDING MEANING AT WORK AND HAVING FUN

ICON asked Minoy if it's fun in NTG and he replies:

"Nasanay na kami na we don't forget to have fun in everything we do. Mainit na nga, sisimangot kapa, e 'di lugi na. Ang sarap kayang magpahinga kapag pagod! Being seen on the news, makes your angry wife happy and keeps away all her doubts. Haha! Wala nang pagdududa pagtapos ng balita!

In NTG, every site has its own problem and has its own story. Each antenna we mount on a tower or every site we fire up, is unique.

Think of a mathematical problem. And think of us as problem solvers. The approach and solution we do to make the exact decision is the mark why we are engineers. Let me quote "Engineers love to solve problem. And if they don't have problems at hand, they will create their own." There is no place for us if there would be no problems at all."

MINOY'S MESSAGE TO HIS TEAM

Big shout out to all NTG domains for helping and extending extra efforts over the weekends. Pardon me for pushing most of you and bypassing most of our processes.

Boss Butch for all the support extended, Sir Paul Santos and Benjie David, Aldy of Cow team, Jaynar, Art, Red, Monch, Crom, Edwin Lamera and team FMIDC.

Bong Bernardo for all the riggers of ASB, Huawei, and Commscope for the antenna and for sending all the support. Metrotel drivetest team for conducting the testing after we fired up the site together with Eric of RPO NCR.

To Marx and Facilities team for all the extra effort.

To Sheila Cantos and PCM team.

TFND team, Chief Noel Rodelas, Othan, Boss Jaeson, Cho, Paul Forbes.

SEI Levi B., Lea and Donald, NOC – Aliver, Kat and Team, PCM, RPO.

My RNE team Harold, Bernard, Jenine, JC, Aecil, Joceliz and Willy.

Brader Derick, I couldn't have done this without you by my side preparing everything for me to bargain with all of our supportive domains.

Thanks for all the guidance Ron, Colin, Joel, Ashish and Robert.

Thanks for the trust given to me to fulfill this task.

To my NTG Family, I say risk it. You will never know how close you are to success until you reach it. And always challenge the status quo. For every effort we do to make good things happen, it leaves a mark called value.

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About our ICONtributor

Minoy Aguila is a cock derby fan. Lives by the mantra "All or nothing", he stops as nothing to achieve what has to be done.  Minoy is part of NTG's Radio Network Engineering team  and was of course part of the historical team that put up  the country's first 700 MHz antenna. You could find him at the 14th floor of The Globe Tower if you wanna hang out with someone who loves tinkering with stuff or just looking a good for a good laugh.