A new era will be ushered in for the Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network, then known as Cebu Teambuilding Services. This is largely because founder and long time managing consultant Thadz Engaling has migrated to the United States of America. Read along to see what amazing changes have been made at Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network.

What has long been the top provider for team building services in Cebu is now taking on a new name. Since its inception in 2012, it has been referred to as the Cebu Teambuilding Services. Now as it ushers in a new era, it will be rechristened as the Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network.

Since September 2014, Cebu Teambuilding Services was placed under the management of Gestalt Wellness Institute (GWI). This year, it will be integrated as an independent subsidiary of Gestalt Wellness Institute Southeast Asia (GWISA) with the end in mind of incorporating in the next five (5) years.

From a mainly single person operation in the past few years, Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network will level up its structure and recently named a new set of officers that will set the direction of CTFN in the future. Read along to get to know the new set of officers.

CTFN officers

Christopher Douglas R. Avila is one of the facilitators connected with Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network and serves concurrently as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the organization.





He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of San Carlos. He was previously the General Co-Facilitator from the 16th Circle at Facilitators’ Circle from 2008 – 2009. He is a Human Resources Generalist connected at several private organizations and non-government organizations in Cebu City. Mr. Avila is currently finishing up his Master’s in Business Administration from University of San Carlos.

Christopher Douglas Avila

When one thinks of team building activities, we usually think of corny exercises like falling into your buddies arms to gain or build trust. But what happens when these things have been done over and over again and you return to your everyday lives after the series of activities? Well, the kids at the ASEAN Tourism Youth Summit 2016 definitely experienced something else other than your usual team building activities. They had a Tour Rapido, facilitated by the Cebu Team Building Facilitators’ Network in coordination with the Department of Tourism from Region 7 and also with the help of the City’s Tourism office of Dumaguete and done in the beautiful city of smiles, Dumaguete City, Philippines.

Now what is a Tour Rapido you ask? It entails a race where there are four stations and each group must finish the requirements for the first to the fourth station to be able to finish the whole race. Much like the amazing race you see on TV but with a wider range of participants and a much more enjoyable treat for the guests. First one to finish wins.

Delegates off to start the Tour Rapido in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines

The human desire for bonding, such as the act of friendship or the act of love, is almost universal in our species. This dates back to the earliest days of human evolution, where very strong emotional attachments lead to a much higher chance of survival. Because of this, the need for companionship developed as one of the most basic human physiological needs.

The event for the last day of facilitating done by the facilitators from the Cebu Team Building Facilitators Network was held at Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. The Department of Tourism Region 7 and the Philippine Department of Tourism played host to this years ASEAN Plus Three Youth Tourism Summit and it was a huge success.

ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit delegates at Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental, Philippines

Information is a great source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format, it is a burden, not a benefit. Conducted by Cebu Teambuilding Facilitators Network, this was a Sales and Marketing Seminar for the 13 participants from Fabulosa de Fashion to upgrade their Sales and Marketing skills in their own respective branches.

Fabulosa de Fashion is a company with a chain of clothing stores around Metro Cebu. The stores primarily sell used clothing. Don’t get the word “used” dissatisfy you because these items are surely pre-loved. Their products do not disappoint. From Giordano & Bossini to Levis & Tommy Hilfiger, these stores may sell items that were previously owned, but prices and quality of their items really gives you that bang for the buck feeling – a feeling that is always desired when one is on a shopping spree. 

The training was conducted at Aicila Suites in Talamban, Cebu City. It’s a hotel situated in the crossroads of Talamban and Cabangcalan. The hotel features guests’ rooms and suites that provide free internet access. Balkon Bar and Family KTV is also situated within the Aicila Suites building which provides a number of rooms for Karaoke and Wii games. 

Although the training was not a full blown team building experience, there’s always some team dynamics check in whatever training one provides. It would be such a waste for teams to upgrade their technical skills in different management areas such as sales and marketing but couldn’t effectively use those skills due to a lack of team dynamics awareness with their co-workers.

Fabulosa de Fashion staff get to know each other a little better

Pinoy games, what are these? These are games commonly played by Filipino children, usually using native materials or instruments. In the Philippines, due to limited resources of toys for Filipino children, they usually come up on inventing games without the need of anything but the players themselves. With the flexibility of a real human to think and act makes the game more interesting and challenging. Because it is a tradition for Filipinos to play in a bigger and spacious area, most games are usually played outside the house.

Last June, the Philippines played host to the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit. Coco Grove in Siquijor was the venue for the team building activities for this major event. Organized by the Philippine Department of Tourism Region 7 and facilitated by the Cebu Team Building Facilitators Network the delegates from the ASEAN countries were able to experience what and how it is to be a kid in the Philippines, playing the local games that we used to play under the heat of the sun or even under the light of the moon.

The delegates were divided into 4 teams with a team assigned one specific color. And once they were grouped, each team had to make a chant and a group name. These simple instructions showed a lot of wonderful realizations for the delegates as well as the organizers because it showed them the delegates who were natural leaders, the delegates who were competitive and the supportive delegates. In my point of view, a quote came to my mind which proved true when each team came forward and the delegates as a whole came up to share their experience, the saying goes “Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean”. This proved true based on the competitiveness of each team and the camaraderie they showed as a whole.

The first Pinoy game was “Agawan Base”.

Agawan base at the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit