Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Portia Sorority was invited to the Ms. Universe Pre-Pageant show in Homeboy today.
Khay, Joan and I ended up sitting right behind the hosts Boy Abunda and Charlene Gonzalez hence the countless tv exposure :)
I'm the one in the white top while Khay is the one in red on my right :)
*Thanks to Leana for the pictures!
Khay, Joan and I ended up sitting right behind the hosts Boy Abunda and Charlene Gonzalez hence the countless tv exposure :)
I'm the one in the white top while Khay is the one in red on my right :)
Bleary-eyed blockies waiting outside the audience entrance. We had a 7am "call time"
Banner love inside the studio
Posing with Charlene right after the taping. Khay, Joan and I were cut off from the picture :( As Joan said: Sana magkapigsa yung kumuha ng picture na yon!
*Thanks to Leana for the pictures!
Labels: pictures, showbiz, video
Monday, May 28, 2007
Manny Pacquiao goes to the same church I do!
We're spiritually connected now.
Of course, we waited for him (together with a mob of people) outside of the church.
That person laughing hysterically in the background is my cousin Tessa while I'm the one na "pasulpot-sulpot" in green :) Lory's the girl in glasses at the end of the video with the Pacman "moment". Blame it on the fact that she spoke in Bisaya when he was near so he smiled at her:)
Galing ng tactics mo Lory!!
We're spiritually connected now.
Of course, we waited for him (together with a mob of people) outside of the church.
That person laughing hysterically in the background is my cousin Tessa while I'm the one na "pasulpot-sulpot" in green :) Lory's the girl in glasses at the end of the video with the Pacman "moment". Blame it on the fact that she spoke in Bisaya when he was near so he smiled at her:)
Galing ng tactics mo Lory!!
Customer disservice has a new name: Grace of Virgin Beach Resort Laiya Batangas takes the trophy for being possibly the rudest customer service representative ever in Philippine history.
This email from a future resort guest was sent to Virgin Beach Resort:
hi i have questions about your resort and since we already confirmed and paid half of the price, we just want to make sure about the rules and what you can do to accomodate these requests and questions we got:
can we bring in food and drinks for my one year old son? like wilkins water and his baby food snacks? if so, are we going to be charge?
can we request if you can put a note to the kitchen that my husband cannot be served food with shrimp and crabs and eggplant? are we going to be charged by this request of special food preference?
can we use your microwave oven, if you got one, for sterilization of my son’s milk bottles? it’s only for 4 minutes. if so, are we going to be charge?
i hope you can reply soon about this so we can prepare for this first family vacation we are going to have. we will understand if you cannot accomodate these request, or if we will be charge accordingly.
i have heard so many bad comments about your resort, but we are giving you the possibility that your resort is one of the best places we would be in laiya.
thank you very much for your kind consideration. we are looking forward to enjoy our stay in your beautiful resort.
This was the Grace person's reply:
Dear Mrs. *****,
You seem to have started on the wrong foot based on your email dated May 23 pertaining to your planned stay at Virgin Beach Resort this coming June 3 to 5. Your comments smack of intimidation, negative criticism based on hearsay, and sarcasm. You haven’t been to our place yet, but you are already questioning our rules, sarcastically asking if we are that strict, and then finally telling us you don’t want us to spoil your vacation. With your approach and attitude, we don’t see any possibility that you will be pleased, no matter how hard we will try to please you. Therefore we will mutually benefit by your not proceeding with your planned stay. We are gladly refunding your deposit early part of next week.
Allow us to take this opportunity to explain about ourselves. We have a substantial market, and many are returning guests. What they find nice about our place is that they have peace and quiet. On the average, our guests are upscale, and decent. During times when the volume of guests is high, our guests still enjoy their privacy. Modesty aside, we have one of the cleanest resorts in the country. Our accommodations are generously proportioned, practical, and clean. Guests also find our food more than acceptable, in terms of flavor, portions, and presentation. Our staff are very accommodating, and dutifully attend to guests needs. Do not misinterpret this to mean that we are perfect. We do have our share of mistakes, but we do our very best to correct them and improve.
All of the above mentioned are not possible if it were not for our concepts and our rules. Would you not agree that we can all be tolerant at times, but without rules or the implementation thereof, our guests would lose the advantages they have found and the things they enjoy at Virgin Beach Resort. It would become just like most of the other places you can find all over.
By the way, you didn’t have to be sarcastic about the snacks. We do allow that, and we also go out of our way to provide special menus for guests who have special dietary needs. It would serve you in good stead if you took the time to understand more about our nature, then perhaps you’ll have some appreciation. Hopefully you will not approach others in similar fashion while you are in this country, otherwise you will never be able to enjoy your vacations.
Thank You.
Grace
HOW RUDE!!!!
Two things:
(1) Ms. Grace of VIRGIN BEACH RESORT LAIYA, is having a bad day and has graciously decided to dump all of her ill-feelings on a customer; and
(2) Ms. Grace does not know what sarcasm means.
Someone should tell Ms. Grace that in the cutthroat business of the hospitality industry, what she did was purely idiotic and that through her valiant efforts she has lost not only this sale but also future sales, because the power of the grapevine is paramount in this age of information hungry people.
Dear Virgin Beach Resort owner,
Please do Ms. Grace a favor and let her go on her merry way away from your establishment. She obviously no longer enjoys what she's doing and seems intent on bringing everyone along with her down her spiral descent into evil customer service representatives hell.
Sincerely,
The beach going populace
You can read more about it (and possible updates) in the Sexy Nomad's blog.
This email from a future resort guest was sent to Virgin Beach Resort:
hi i have questions about your resort and since we already confirmed and paid half of the price, we just want to make sure about the rules and what you can do to accomodate these requests and questions we got:
can we bring in food and drinks for my one year old son? like wilkins water and his baby food snacks? if so, are we going to be charge?
can we request if you can put a note to the kitchen that my husband cannot be served food with shrimp and crabs and eggplant? are we going to be charged by this request of special food preference?
can we use your microwave oven, if you got one, for sterilization of my son’s milk bottles? it’s only for 4 minutes. if so, are we going to be charge?
i hope you can reply soon about this so we can prepare for this first family vacation we are going to have. we will understand if you cannot accomodate these request, or if we will be charge accordingly.
i have heard so many bad comments about your resort, but we are giving you the possibility that your resort is one of the best places we would be in laiya.
thank you very much for your kind consideration. we are looking forward to enjoy our stay in your beautiful resort.
This was the Grace person's reply:
Dear Mrs. *****,
You seem to have started on the wrong foot based on your email dated May 23 pertaining to your planned stay at Virgin Beach Resort this coming June 3 to 5. Your comments smack of intimidation, negative criticism based on hearsay, and sarcasm. You haven’t been to our place yet, but you are already questioning our rules, sarcastically asking if we are that strict, and then finally telling us you don’t want us to spoil your vacation. With your approach and attitude, we don’t see any possibility that you will be pleased, no matter how hard we will try to please you. Therefore we will mutually benefit by your not proceeding with your planned stay. We are gladly refunding your deposit early part of next week.
Allow us to take this opportunity to explain about ourselves. We have a substantial market, and many are returning guests. What they find nice about our place is that they have peace and quiet. On the average, our guests are upscale, and decent. During times when the volume of guests is high, our guests still enjoy their privacy. Modesty aside, we have one of the cleanest resorts in the country. Our accommodations are generously proportioned, practical, and clean. Guests also find our food more than acceptable, in terms of flavor, portions, and presentation. Our staff are very accommodating, and dutifully attend to guests needs. Do not misinterpret this to mean that we are perfect. We do have our share of mistakes, but we do our very best to correct them and improve.
All of the above mentioned are not possible if it were not for our concepts and our rules. Would you not agree that we can all be tolerant at times, but without rules or the implementation thereof, our guests would lose the advantages they have found and the things they enjoy at Virgin Beach Resort. It would become just like most of the other places you can find all over.
By the way, you didn’t have to be sarcastic about the snacks. We do allow that, and we also go out of our way to provide special menus for guests who have special dietary needs. It would serve you in good stead if you took the time to understand more about our nature, then perhaps you’ll have some appreciation. Hopefully you will not approach others in similar fashion while you are in this country, otherwise you will never be able to enjoy your vacations.
Thank You.
Grace
HOW RUDE!!!!
Two things:
(1) Ms. Grace of VIRGIN BEACH RESORT LAIYA, is having a bad day and has graciously decided to dump all of her ill-feelings on a customer; and
(2) Ms. Grace does not know what sarcasm means.
Someone should tell Ms. Grace that in the cutthroat business of the hospitality industry, what she did was purely idiotic and that through her valiant efforts she has lost not only this sale but also future sales, because the power of the grapevine is paramount in this age of information hungry people.
Dear Virgin Beach Resort owner,
Please do Ms. Grace a favor and let her go on her merry way away from your establishment. She obviously no longer enjoys what she's doing and seems intent on bringing everyone along with her down her spiral descent into evil customer service representatives hell.
Sincerely,
The beach going populace
You can read more about it (and possible updates) in the Sexy Nomad's blog.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
So there I was, studying in my favorite hang-out (hehehehe) when I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. I turned around and was surprised to see that Sir Leonen was seated right behind me!!
Me: Hi Sir!!!
Sir Leonen: (startled) Hi.
Me: I love your shirt sir!
Sir Leonen: (looked down at his shirt which said: The Regalian Doctrine is a legal fiction) Thanks
Of course, I asked if he could sign my Testimony of Good Moral Character form for the Bar and he did :) Woohoo! One down, two more to go :p
It was just funny how he ended up signing the form because just that morning while I was roaming the college looking for possible "witnesses", I saw him in the faculty lounge and didn't even entertain any thoughts of bothering him. He's always been one of my most favorite teachers but he's not really the most approachable because of his classroom reputation (as Dionne said in her valedictory address: Thank you Sir Leonen for the terror), so no way was I going to disturb him while he was obviously busy doing something.
And then just like that I saw him in Starbucks and we even chatted for a few minutes. Shet, close na kami ni Sir Leonen! Who would have thunk it? :p
Me: Hi Sir!!!
Sir Leonen: (startled) Hi.
Me: I love your shirt sir!
Sir Leonen: (looked down at his shirt which said: The Regalian Doctrine is a legal fiction) Thanks
Of course, I asked if he could sign my Testimony of Good Moral Character form for the Bar and he did :) Woohoo! One down, two more to go :p
It was just funny how he ended up signing the form because just that morning while I was roaming the college looking for possible "witnesses", I saw him in the faculty lounge and didn't even entertain any thoughts of bothering him. He's always been one of my most favorite teachers but he's not really the most approachable because of his classroom reputation (as Dionne said in her valedictory address: Thank you Sir Leonen for the terror), so no way was I going to disturb him while he was obviously busy doing something.
And then just like that I saw him in Starbucks and we even chatted for a few minutes. Shet, close na kami ni Sir Leonen! Who would have thunk it? :p
Labels: law school
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I never thought I'd say this but I'm actually starting to like coffeshops!
Yeah, I'm such a sell-out :p
I tried Starbucks' Banana Mocha Frapuccino (as opposed to "Orange Mocha Frapuccino" in Zoolander) and have more or less been hooked.
It's still expensive at a little under Php200 a glass but if you stay at the coffeeshop for 4-6 hours (like I do :p) then it becomes sulit. Or so I tell myself.
Anyway, I guess hell is about to freeze over anytime soon.
And since I'm in this mood, I think I'll go out and get myself an SM advantage card as well.
Yeah, I'm such a sell-out :p
I tried Starbucks' Banana Mocha Frapuccino (as opposed to "Orange Mocha Frapuccino" in Zoolander) and have more or less been hooked.
It's still expensive at a little under Php200 a glass but if you stay at the coffeeshop for 4-6 hours (like I do :p) then it becomes sulit. Or so I tell myself.
Anyway, I guess hell is about to freeze over anytime soon.
And since I'm in this mood, I think I'll go out and get myself an SM advantage card as well.
Labels: ramblings
Sunday, May 20, 2007
With Rizza and Peachy outside McDonald's Las Pinas after Gavin's second birthday party.
Notice that we're all wearing different shades of red.
Coincidence?
I think not.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Guess who moved in last weekend?
Chin-Chin Gutierrez!
To clarify things, she's not our (Kaka and I's) roommate. Rather, she moved in to the biggest room in the third floor (we're on the second floor) while her two assistants moved in to one of the rooms on the first floor.
When I arrived at the dorm after the election break, I was surprised to find the ref suddenly jampacked with food and drinks. And not just any ordinary treats or beverages, rather they were HEALTHY food and drinks. As in soy milk, salad greens, olives, fruit preserves etc, definitely a far cry from the water, Tampico and hot dogs that it contained before I left. Then, lo and behold, Joy informed us that an artista moved in over the weekend.
And just like that I've suddenly become a fan :p
P.S.
She was in the kitchen with Mrs. Noble and Jinky yesterday and Kaka and I did not fully close the door so we could peek at her through the crack. Hahahahaha! Stalkers!
Picture na to!!
Chin-Chin Gutierrez!
To clarify things, she's not our (Kaka and I's) roommate. Rather, she moved in to the biggest room in the third floor (we're on the second floor) while her two assistants moved in to one of the rooms on the first floor.
When I arrived at the dorm after the election break, I was surprised to find the ref suddenly jampacked with food and drinks. And not just any ordinary treats or beverages, rather they were HEALTHY food and drinks. As in soy milk, salad greens, olives, fruit preserves etc, definitely a far cry from the water, Tampico and hot dogs that it contained before I left. Then, lo and behold, Joy informed us that an artista moved in over the weekend.
And just like that I've suddenly become a fan :p
P.S.
She was in the kitchen with Mrs. Noble and Jinky yesterday and Kaka and I did not fully close the door so we could peek at her through the crack. Hahahahaha! Stalkers!
Picture na to!!
Labels: showbiz
Monday, May 14, 2007
First and foremost, go out and vote! And while you're at it, do vote for Diwa and Agham as well :)
Diwa is a Labor party list and one of its nominees is Atty. Em Aglipay (my batchmate from law school). While Agham is another partylist headed by former deans from state schools. Their platform is the development of the sciences in the rural area, particularly bringing science education to public schools.
I still can't believe that some people from my generation are already running for office. As already mentioned there's Em, then Erwin Genuino is also running for Congress in one of the districts of Makati (against Abby Binay I think). And then, just the other day, I found out that Froi Montero (of 2007C) is running for councilor in Butuan City! Whoa.
And if you're hankering for some Burger Mcdo, go to any of the designated polling stations and wait for your friendly neighborhood Mcdo guys to arrive because McDonald's has pledged to donate burgers to the volunteer counters. If that's not a suitable incentive to guard the counting of the ballots, then I don't know what is. Oh yeah, there's also a clean and honest elections and choosing the people who'll inevitably run our lives for the next three years. But I still say do it for a Burger McDo. I'm easy that way.
****
Guess who's now a cover boy? :)
The publication is a Cebu based business magazine that regularly features government agency heads and directors (like my dad) and other stalwarts (naks naman! so the implication is... :P) in the private field. I'm almost sure that when I get back from the dorm next week, that cover will be framed and hanging somewhere in our house. The front door perhaps?
Diwa is a Labor party list and one of its nominees is Atty. Em Aglipay (my batchmate from law school). While Agham is another partylist headed by former deans from state schools. Their platform is the development of the sciences in the rural area, particularly bringing science education to public schools.
I still can't believe that some people from my generation are already running for office. As already mentioned there's Em, then Erwin Genuino is also running for Congress in one of the districts of Makati (against Abby Binay I think). And then, just the other day, I found out that Froi Montero (of 2007C) is running for councilor in Butuan City! Whoa.
And if you're hankering for some Burger Mcdo, go to any of the designated polling stations and wait for your friendly neighborhood Mcdo guys to arrive because McDonald's has pledged to donate burgers to the volunteer counters. If that's not a suitable incentive to guard the counting of the ballots, then I don't know what is. Oh yeah, there's also a clean and honest elections and choosing the people who'll inevitably run our lives for the next three years. But I still say do it for a Burger McDo. I'm easy that way.
****
Guess who's now a cover boy? :)
The publication is a Cebu based business magazine that regularly features government agency heads and directors (like my dad) and other stalwarts (naks naman! so the implication is... :P) in the private field. I'm almost sure that when I get back from the dorm next week, that cover will be framed and hanging somewhere in our house. The front door perhaps?
Labels: ramblings
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Just got drenched from the sudden downpour because it took them (meaning: Mrs. Noble's help) a year and a half to open the goddamn gate.
And the worse thing is that about two minutes after I entered my room (sopping wet with probably half my things soaked as well) the rain stopped.
Just great!!
I'm still seething. I snapped at Joy because I was already wet and there she was giggling uncontrollably because she had to use a jacket as an umbrella. Do you see me using a jacket to shield myself?! Idiot.
Hay naku. Inis at galit lang to. Sorry.
Note to Mr. and Mrs. Noble: Perhaps you'd like to put an awning or roof of some kind beside the doorbell since you're the ones who insist on not giving us keys for the gate.
And the worse thing is that about two minutes after I entered my room (sopping wet with probably half my things soaked as well) the rain stopped.
Just great!!
I'm still seething. I snapped at Joy because I was already wet and there she was giggling uncontrollably because she had to use a jacket as an umbrella. Do you see me using a jacket to shield myself?! Idiot.
Hay naku. Inis at galit lang to. Sorry.
Note to Mr. and Mrs. Noble: Perhaps you'd like to put an awning or roof of some kind beside the doorbell since you're the ones who insist on not giving us keys for the gate.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
I got a very interesting call at around 2pm today
(phone rings)
Lady on the phone: Good afternoon ma'am, I'm (insert name) from Citibank. Tatanong ko lang po kung may credit card na kayo.
Me: Meron na.
Lady: Ah ganon po? Ano pong credit card niyo?
Me: Metrobank
Lady: Baka gusto niyo rin pong kumuha ng credit card namin. Wala naman pong bayad.
Me: No thanks.
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: (stunned) Huh?
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: Thanks for the offer but meron na nga kaming credit card.
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: Matutulog na ako. Goodbye.
Lady: (clucks her tongue in disgust or annoyance)
Me: (puts down phone)
Ano ba?!?!?!
Is there some sort of credit card quota to be filled up hence necessitating that the lady be unbelievably pushy? :p
But in fairness, sales is the most difficult position in most companies so the least that the general public can do is to be polite to salespeople. Of course, that doesn't mean that the sales force should abuse said politeness and come full-throttle at potential customers.
Thinking back now, I wonder if the conversation would have ended earlier if I said that I already had a Citibank mastercard from the very beginning?
Lady: May credit card na po ba kayo?
Me: Oo.
Lady: Ano pong credit card niyo?
Me: Ano ba yung binebenta mo?
Lady: Citibank Mastercard po.
Me: Ayon, yun din ang credit card ko. Bye.
(phone rings)
Lady on the phone: Good afternoon ma'am, I'm (insert name) from Citibank. Tatanong ko lang po kung may credit card na kayo.
Me: Meron na.
Lady: Ah ganon po? Ano pong credit card niyo?
Me: Metrobank
Lady: Baka gusto niyo rin pong kumuha ng credit card namin. Wala naman pong bayad.
Me: No thanks.
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: (stunned) Huh?
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: Thanks for the offer but meron na nga kaming credit card.
Lady: Sige na po ma'am.
Me: Matutulog na ako. Goodbye.
Lady: (clucks her tongue in disgust or annoyance)
Me: (puts down phone)
Ano ba?!?!?!
Is there some sort of credit card quota to be filled up hence necessitating that the lady be unbelievably pushy? :p
But in fairness, sales is the most difficult position in most companies so the least that the general public can do is to be polite to salespeople. Of course, that doesn't mean that the sales force should abuse said politeness and come full-throttle at potential customers.
Thinking back now, I wonder if the conversation would have ended earlier if I said that I already had a Citibank mastercard from the very beginning?
Lady: May credit card na po ba kayo?
Me: Oo.
Lady: Ano pong credit card niyo?
Me: Ano ba yung binebenta mo?
Lady: Citibank Mastercard po.
Me: Ayon, yun din ang credit card ko. Bye.
Labels: telephone adventures
Friday, May 04, 2007
I'm home and blogging. All is well in the world.
****
Here's an ongoing contest at our sister site Mom Exchange
Please click on the picture for details.
****
Here's an ongoing contest at our sister site Mom Exchange
Please click on the picture for details.
Labels: ramblings, technology
