Written by: Ann Fronda (Business Development Associate of OLIVIA Professional Solutions) Photos by: Kobi Santos "Spreading joy in the cool breeze of Baguio! 🎁 Our team came together to celebrate the season of giving, sharing smiles and meaningful gifts with the community. A heartwarming day in the City of Pines!" Let’s be real—working remotely as virtual assistants is great. You can attend meetings in your PJs, enjoy your coffee without anyone “borrowing” your favorite mug, and work from basically anywhere (hello, couch). But the downside? You miss out on those real-life moments  with your teammates. That’s why our team-building trip to Baguio City  felt like hitting the refresh button on our entire team dynamic. It was a weekend packed with coffee dates, scenic sunsets, a TikTok dance challenge (yes, we really did that), and bonding moments that we’ll never forget. Spoiler alert: this trip brought us closer than ever—and we had so much fun doing it . Let’s rewind and take you through our unforgettable Baguio adventure! "The Olivia Professional Solutions Operations Team enjoyed a cozy bonding experience in Baguio." Day 1: From Coffee Sips to Karaoke Hits  We kicked things off with an early morning rendezvous in the cool, breezy city of Baguio . After months of just seeing each other through screens, meeting in person was a whole new vibe. The excitement? Off the charts. Foam Café: Coffee, Photos, and First Conversations  Our first stop was Foam Café , a charming little spot that served great coffee and even better Instagram-worthy backdrops. As we settled in, coffee cups in hand, we started chatting and snapping photos like there was no tomorrow. It felt like catching up with old friends. Some of us even waited for our other teammates to arrive—because let’s face it, no one gets left behind when there’s coffee involved. Diplomat Hotel: Sunsets, Selfies, and Serenity  From Foam Café, we headed to the iconic Diplomat Hotel . If you’ve never been, imagine beautiful ruins, a stunning sunset view, and the kind of peaceful ambiance that makes you stop and appreciate the moment. As the golden hour hit, we snapped photos, laughed together, and soaked up the view. There’s something about watching a sunset with your team—it’s like a shared pause where everyone just exists  together. Karaoke Night at Our Airbnb: The Real Show Begins  Now, this is where things got really  fun. Back at our Airbnb , we turned the living room into our own concert stage. Did we belt out ballads? Yes. Did someone hit the high notes? Not really, but A+ for effort. Did we laugh until our stomachs hurt? Absolutely. Between singing, teasing each other, and munching on snacks, the vibe was pure joy. It was during these moments—sharing stories and laughing over our “musical talent”—that we got to know each other beyond work . We talked about life, dreams, and even the funny little things we’d never had time to share during Zoom calls. It was the kind of night that makes you realize: this team isn’t just coworkers—we’re friends. "The Olivia Professional Solutions Operations Team had a refreshing day at Burnham Park in Baguio." Day 2: Photoshoots, TikTok Dances, and Food Goals If Day 1 was about bonding and belting out tunes, Day 2 was about letting loose and embracing our fun side. Fun Photoshoot in Matching Hoodies We started the morning with a group photoshoot and not just any shoot. We all rocked our matching Olivia Hoodies  and looked like a team straight out of a magazine cover. But wait, it gets better. In the middle of the shoot, we decided to spice things up with a TikTok dance challenge . Yes, we joined the trending  APT  dance, and let’s just say…we gave it our best shot! Between missed steps and bursts of laughter, it became one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip. Who knew TikTok could be this much fun? Burnham Park: More Smiles, More Shots  Next stop: Burnham Park . With its beautiful scenery and endless photo opportunities, we continued our “fun shoot” around the park. Whether it was candid shots, group selfies, or just enjoying the fresh air together, we made sure to capture every moment. It wasn’t just about the photos, though—it was about making memories. And we were making plenty. Canto Restaurant: Food, Gifts, and Full Hearts After a long (and fun) morning, we headed to Canto , a local restaurant famous for its delicious  food. And wow—did it live up to the hype! Over plates of mouthwatering dishes, we exchanged gifts , shared laughter, and reflected on the trip so far. There’s something special about sitting around a table with your team, sharing good food and even better company. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you just how lucky you are to work with people who get you . "The Olivia Professional Solutions Operations Team enjoyed a memorable bonding experience in Baguio." Why Team-Building Matters (Especially for Virtual Teams!) Now, you might be wondering: why go through all this effort for a team-building trip? Isn’t working online enough? Short answer: nope . Long answer: Team-building isn’t just about having fun—it’s about building real connections that make work better . Here’s why this trip was such a game-changer for us as virtual assistants: 1. We Built Trust When you work online, it’s easy to feel like you’re just names on a screen. Spending time together face-to-face let us build trust and friendship, making it easier to communicate and collaborate moving forward. 2. We Improved Communication Karaoke, TikTok dances, and coffee chats taught us one thing: we work better when we know each other. Breaking down formal walls made us more comfortable sharing ideas and asking for help. 3. Work Feels Lighter Now Knowing the people behind the Zoom calls makes a huge difference. Work doesn’t feel like “just work” anymore—it feels like you’re tackling tasks with people who genuinely care about you. 4. We Created Memories That Last These two days gave us something special: memories we’ll look back on and laugh about for years to come. And those memories? They’re what make us feel connected, no matter how far apart we are. The Highlight of It All: Feeling Like Family Sure, the sunset views, the karaoke sessions, and the TikTok dances were amazing. But the best part of the trip? The intimate moments  where we got to know each other as people —not just coworkers. We shared stories we hadn’t shared before. We laughed harder than we had in months. We celebrated what makes our team special. It’s these moments that turned a group of virtual assistants into a family. And now, even though we’re back to our laptops and online meetings, work feels lighter, better, and way more fun—because we’re not just colleagues anymore. We’re a team. Here’s to More Adventures, More Laughs, and More Teamwork Our Baguio team-building trip showed us how important it is to step away from the virtual world and spend time together . It strengthened our bond, made work more enjoyable, and gave us memories that will last a lifetime. So, to anyone working remotely: plan that team-building trip. Make those memories. And don’t forget to dance along the way. Here’s to more sunsets, karaoke nights, and TikTok challenges with the best team ever! Want to become a virtual assistant? 👉 Just head to:   www.oliviapros.ph #VirtualAssistantPhilippines #RemoteWorkPH #WorkFromHomeJobs #OnlineJobSeekers #FilipinoVirtualAssistants #RemoteWorkersPH #OliviaProfessionalSolutions #WorkFromAnywhere #BecomeAVirtualAssistant #OnlineJobsPhilippines #PHVirtualAssistants #HomeBasedJobsPH #VirtualCareer #BaguioTeamBuilding