Monday, April 28, 2008
New Blog Header
Status Quo: The Premier
Then the idea bulb lit up: it gotta be a regular section here in my blog so that once and for all, people will know about the "Status Quo".
Status Quo debuts with...
"Too dry"
Publicity: A friend who'd relocated somewhere else thought that we're experiencing drought here in the city due to the summer heat while a former classmate left me a rather surprising message - the "f" swear that is. I don't know if that's some spam, or she had mistaken me for some foe, or I've rekindled some bad experience of hers with that phrase, or maybe it's just her way of saying "hi" after a long while.
Status Quo: A fingerprint scanner was installed in our building recently to be tested for timekeeping and we are enrolling our fingerprints to the database. As I was having my left index finger scanned, it displayed the "Too dry!" error message. Eventually, I had my left thumb enrolled instead while for the right hand, it's the index finger
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WAT-SO-Not Customer-Friendly
The kind of service I get from the branch of Watson’s convenience store in our city mall is well, not convenient.
For the past two years I think, I’ve tolerated and simply shrugged off their not giving back centavo changes until recently that I had enough of what seems to have become their norm if not strategy to increase revenue. In my experience, for every 10 transactions I made, only twice was I given exact change.
What irks me next to not getting my loose change is that their cashiers wouldn’t even bother to apologize that they ran out of centavo hence the deficit. They have practiced or more appropriately perfected the art of playing mute and just handing the change which defies the rounding off rules since it’s always rounded down to the nearest ones. Accepting it without an appeal is the prelude to you walking away and them moving on to the next paying customer. Just when all you want to hear them say even half-sincerely is, “Is it ok with you that we don’t have any 25 (or 50) centavos to give?” which could have at least held your building temper for a minute more, they would rather hear you demand for it. Thank heavens if they asked; at least they did.
Imagine if the change should be whole-point-twenty five, they could have asked the customer if he has 75 centavos to exchange for a peso.
Foremost, if they have no plans of providing a centavo fund, they better strip off the decimals from their prices. Second, in case they cannot produce the coins, it’s the business that must be on the “losing end” and give way. As customers, we buy their goods priced with interest already. So why would they make it seem that we are the ones who owe them debt of gratitude by purchasing hence we still are charged a little extra by not getting the loose change? If the jeep/public transport drivers here in the
As if that isn’t bad enough, they wouldn’t attend to you immediately even if you demanded for the loose change. Twice they almost consumed my fuse when after I told them I’m willing to wait for my centavos while they [go] find some for me, the cashier just said “ok” and asked me to step aside while she attended the others thinking that I was willing to wait until a customer from the line pays with some centavos even if that customer could be the last one by their closing time. Lucky them I was in my office uniform so I was reminded of what professional ethics is. However it also made me think that if in this country where unemployment stat is high hence being in corporate attire gives the impression that one is educated and professional , I, despite looking like one was still treated inferior, how worse do they deal with the modest-looking customers?
Talking about the line a while ago, what’s more annoying is that in their peak hours in the evening when shoppers pour in, just one lane is open yet 4 cashiers are in the counter chatting while endlessly counting their collections. To add to the “excitement” is when the credit card reader in that counter wouldn’t work, the sole cashier left to swipe the card at the other end of the store despite some 20 people lined up in her station.
I’m not generalizing that all Watson’s stores render poor service. Also, I know several other establishments with similar flaws. I believe though that this must not be tolerated and the management must do something to resolve this. If the cashiers worry about falling short of their collection hence do not give back loose changes – somehow, I pitty them that when I demand for my centavos, they dig it from their own pockets – then the more that the cashiers must appeal to the management to maintain a centavo fund. The businesses might need to recruit more employees who are more enthusiastic about dealing with people if not train their existing employees to be sensible. They should bear in my mind that business does not end by the closing time but rather if all customers had left the store hopefully just for the meantime.
As for us customers, we must speak up.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Recollection: Gratitude and well-wishes for LSBI graduates 2008
My strong interpersonal skills empower me to adapt to change of company with ease. Unless the person concerned is of best friend-level, it’s been easy for me acknowledge their absence simply as gone. Not this time. I cannot deny the chunk removed from my social pie in the academe when batch 2008 graduated.
I didn’t realize how much I’ll be missing since I get to interact with these guys almost daily until the graduation rites when I scanned the crowd had I known what big group I’ll be losing. I’ve grown too fond of you people and may I, through this post, thank you for everything.
Foremost, to the Engineering class for having me in the gang. Call me ambitious or a social climber but I feel so at home in your company. To Melvin, you’re a man of few words but not of ideas. Thanks for recruiting me in the LoVES ko ‘to ticket in the 2005 council elections. The group paved way for my first feel of the Lyceum ways of life and to having more acquaintances. I believe your diligence will take you places.
To RC, you’re among the persons I admire for having a strong personality. You’re ironic – both a leader and a servant, self-motivated and lazy, cruel and polite, and intimidating and approachable. More important than these, you’re a friend. Without you now, I have one person less to whom I owe deadlines for my articles for the schoolpaper. BTW, please return my book; it’s not a graduation gift.
Israel, your absence means extra work at the Academic Affairs (Office) and less fun in the campus. Your dynamism is you and you are it. Would production numbers be astounding as when you’re here? You’ll always come into my mind when I ride home on a jeepney or chew Zagu pearls.
Christine, you impressed me on how appreciative you are of life’s simple joys. Your laugh is genuine and so are you as a person. Now I believe how fortunate your partner is to have you because we your friends are.
I cannot leave unmentioned Jen A. and Bonn for completing my experience in the YMCA competitions; Patrick for the many chats and for advising me on how I can get better class schedules every term; Zha-zha our pair as program emcees is unmatchable; Jam, I’m glad that after years of knowing you we’ve finally known each other, and Jovy who’d been a classmate in our former school and I share your success of finishing ahead of me.
The rest of the Engineering gang, I’m honored to be your classmate on your last semester in the school.
To all LoVES ko ‘to contemporaries, your dedication to serve is infectious and inspiring despite the exhausting demands of duty. The tour in Island Cove is memorable as well as all the events that had us tired as dogs organizing.
Irene, the invincible treasurer and my co-fashionista, your attitude towards life will keep you going and overcome whatever pitfall you’ll encounter.
To the Hotel and Restaurant Management class who adopted me in Asian Civilization (subject), I enjoyed that semester with you and from then on, I always have fun mingling with you guys. Special thanks to Riva, Grace G., Charles, Arnel, Donnie, Virgie, Jen, and Eric; the school will be losing a handful of good dancers and competent representatives in skills contests.
Just how would I forget two of the sweetest girls I’ve ever known? Gracie P., you don’t need clearer vision to see good things in a person because your heart does. You are endearing and your dedication will bring you closer to your goals. The marshmallow game with you was fun. Issa, you proved more than a pretty face. Many were captivated by your charm but I was impressed by your giving importance to friendship and feelings. I had the most sensible conversations with you girls, thanks for trusting me.
Daryll, Wenz, RL, Karlyn and Kevin, the pageant was wonderful. I hope we were able to hangout more. Kevin, thanks for reaching out despite having reservations then. You’re an exemption from the cliché that first impressions last. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a threat for you during the contest.
Grace V. “gurl”, I never thought we’ll get along well but you’ve proven yourself loveable since the Ad Congress. You truly are beautiful.
Maikee, you’re another discovery. My apologies in case I seemed arrogant in barking unsolicited remarks on you since the Mr. FSC. Honestly, you’re better than me in a lot of things. Stay cheerful.
The younger colleagues in the Computer Studies Department, I’m proud of your guys. In behalf of the CSD, we thank you for reaping achievements which the department boasts of. Sorry for grilling you in your Systems Analysis defense.
Ate Judith, JB, Rhon and the many others who had been willing enough to start friendship, thank you. Our occasional hellos and chats are cherished.
I wish for you better things ahead which, I know very well is now within your reach although you could always benefit from a little extra effort. You are all precious.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Ruminating
If I am an art masterpiece now, I’m The Thinker.
I’m pondering about this yet unofficial offer to be the Editor-In-Chief of our school publication now that our EIC had graduated. It is unofficial because the Feature Editor who’s also unofficially recommended for the chief position urges me to take it instead; her reasons I don’t understand very well. On the other hand, our adviser casually mentioned it to me right after this year’s graduation ceremonies which I only attended as an usher hence I consider that unofficial just the same.
Aside from being informally offered, I’m hesitant about it because first, editorial writing is not my forte. The courteous person I am, it’s hard for me to speak and write bluntly which is how editorials should be done. More often than not, editorial is the EIC’s job. Second, the culture of our Editorial Board demands the EIC to be flexible and that means being able to augment – more appropriately tolerate – what your staff fails to do. Therefore, if for some reason the Layout Artist cannot, had not done, or did not do his job, the EIC must be Superman. Such could be a late night’s toil for me as a working-student especially if my deadlines are free-flowing.
Having been a former EIC in another school and as the current Associate Editor who was able to fill-in by myself 2.5 pages of the 10-page latest issue, I have no qualms about what to write not to mention that I’ll be enjoying a bigger discount in fees as EIC compared to what I avail as a working-student. But still, I’m reconsidering things in case the bid becomes official.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Mr. and Ms. ACLC Celebrates Festivities
Aside from the show itself, what I enjoy about this event is the chance to be reunited with my former mentors and some acquaintances. I was glad to have Dr. Chua as a fellow juror who happened to be among the judges when I myself was a candidate in 2002. Also there was Bill Robins, a local FM radio jock and teacher in my high school who, as the emcee, gave witty remarks about me during the program. I got the chance to be acquainted with the adorable Dindin Llarena who’s admired by the nation as a child singer and actress. She was likewise invited to be a judge and to render a song. Now in senior high, she’s as soft spoken and nice as she seemed to be in the screen.
It was a close fight among the candidates; our choices fluctuate from category to category. Personally, I was keen to details and gave scores that were only 2 or 3 points apart to let the ratings by my colleagues be the clincher to be sure that the strongest candidate gets the highest average thus would seem a unanimous choice. Generally, this is the best batch since 2006.
This is the second time after 6 years that it was held in the city convention center; the same venue when I won the title and coincidentally, this year’s winner was male candidate number 4 – my number in 2002 and my successor’s in 2006. This only reaffirms my belief that 4 is a lucky number.
Awarding the winners
Flashback: Winning the title in 2002
Farewell walk (2006)
