» Shopping in Hong Kong
Shopping
in Hong Kong
by Antonio Miguel S. Malvar (JTA '03)
I went to Hong Kong to shop shop for knowledge. Yeah!
First, I took a 12-unit course in one of the best universities in town Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). I learned basic economics, marketing, financing and the likes in my World of Business class. In Small Business Management, my rich professor taught me how to run a business the Hong Kong way. Intercultural Communication then showed me how to be a "Filipino-for-others." And yes, I just took up Hollywood movies for fun imagine just watching a movie every meeting?
Then, I stayed at the Student Residence Halls to shop more. For the first time in my life, I became independent. Look Ma, no Ma! Look Pa, no Pa! Then, I sang, "All by myself!" I cleaned my own room, washed my own clothes, went to the grocery for my own meals and more, a lot more on my own. I was surprised to see a very responsible Toton. "All by myself, it's fun din pala to be all by myself!"
But, of course, I wasn't really by myself, by myself. I was with the company of unfamiliar faces. I was with a UK soccer fanatic who kicks his leather ball to the TV when his team loses. I was with black guy from Ohio, who is like a "black guy from America." HILARIOUS. I was also with a preacher from Alabama who never failed to impress me with his righteous ways WWJD, "what would Jesus do?" Yes, I was also with my local Hong Kong room mate who found everything funny. And the list goes on and on In short, I was with the company of unfamiliar faces who became my friends.
I didn't stop there. In fact, I walked, jogged and ran in Hong Kong, eventually touring and knowing The City. I took the MTR to Causeway Bay and Mongkok to interestingly bargain with local sellers. I rode the Bus103 to Central to see the busy business district and the busier Filipino shopping mall, Worldwide. I star-ferried to Wanchai meet and have fun with Hong Kong's finestssss in different bars. Then, I also took private transportation to New Territories' famous HK museum, Lantau Island's sacred BIG Buddha, and Hong Kong Island famous landmark, Ocean Park.
At last, I got tired. I ended my Hong Kong shopping trip after getting all the things I really needed and wanted Ernie Baron's Knowledge Power. I learned about business and communication inside the classroom. I learned more about ME because of my independence. I learned about different cultures from my dozens of alien friends. And I learned more about my own Filipino culture by benchmarking it with the Hong Kong City I got to know amazingly well.
Looking back, I'm truly happy that I went shopping in Hong Kong for I know that my purchases there will last a lifetime.
THANK YOU JGSOM!