Shopping Experience Rant

Sunday is supposed to be a fun day. It’s for rest, enjoyment with the kids, and some time to prepare for next week. That’s why we decided to get to the supermarket to get supplies. So off we went to Robinsons Supermarket at BigR Junction. It’s the nearest one in our place.

We got some iced tea mix that the kids love, a big can of milk, and some of the usual kitchen items. We also got some cheddar cheese since we were thinking of making grilled pizza that the kids enjoyed. We already got some pizza crust and sauce at home that’s why all we need was sweet ham to top it.

We got all that and other things plus a whole roasted chicken for lunch. We then went to the check out counter. We chose the one with the shortest queue, of course. There was a mother and daughter tandem ahead of us. I decided to take the boys out of the line since they were already getting restless and stayed near the grocery entrance. So my wife had to take care of the purchase. When those ahead of us were done I thought it was only a matter of scanning all our items and paying the bill. I was wrong.

A few minutes later, the girl at the counter was gone. Our items weren’t scanned yet. I asked my wife what was happening and she said she doesn’t know. Just then the counter girl came and was finishing with some credit card receipts. It took some time again before she started scanning our items. When she was done my wife paid half of the amount (milk is quite expensive nowadays) and half paid through her credit card. It was always the same way we did it. Then there was trouble again. The counter girl had already punched the numbers and swiped my wife’s card when she noticed that they were out of thermal paper. Again it was taking the whole process too long. That’s strike two, I said to myself.

There was a guard nearby, so I asked him for the supervisor. It was obvious that the guard heard me since I was about a meter away. But he acted like he didn’t. He turned around, started talking to his radio. I asked him again. He turned to me and asked what the problem is. I said your counter girl hasn’t prepared her things and I’m asking for the supervisor. The guard said it’s their responsibility, not his. That annoyed me. I asked for the supervisor again. He turned away and left. No supervisor came.

There was this bagger boy at the counter. I asked him to get the supervisor since he wasn’t doing anything yet and we were still waiting for the thermal paper. He left and came back still without the supervisor. This is really frustrating. I thought since Robinsons is a BIG corporation, they can build this huge building, put in a security system complete with guards and surveillance cameras, and yet seem to forget one important thing: CUSTOMER SERVICE. It was obvious there wasn’t any.

After some time a small roll of thermal paper came and the counter was able to finish the transaction. And still no supervisor came. I went to their supposed customer service counter and asked for the supervisor. Another girl asked me what’s wrong. I didn’t tell them, I was really getting frustrated. They said they’ve already called the supervisor but it was taking so much time. After a while I gave up. I said I don’t want to get hypertensive on this one. I don’t think their supervisor is going to show up anyway.

I asked the guard at the exit what time it was. He politely said it was 11:25. I said thank you and we left.

If Robinsons, a big corporation, can’t handle this kind of thing then what’s the point of going to their store? I won’t mind if I get this kind of delay at a sari-sari store. Small stores don’t have all the resources that Robinsons has. But at the sari-sari store near our house, the tindera always tries her best not to delay her precious customers. Because that’s us to her, PRECIOUS. So what’s the point of returning to Robinsons? They may be the nearest large retail store, but they’re certainly not the best. I’ll take my purchases somewhere else.

57peso diesel: a cabbie's rant

I knew I was going to be late if I don't speed up so I haled a taxi, jumped right in and told the driver my destination. It was quiet when all of a sudden the driver said (translated): "57 pesos for diesel". I was amused by the unsolicited remark but what the heck. He continued: "What do they want us to do?". That part alone says it all. Gasoline is dancing at about 59pesos. A few months ago diesel was about 10-15 pesos below gasoline prices. Now the difference is only about 2pesos.

Let's look at recent events: Dubai crude went up to $137.91 per barrel this month from $119.5 in May. While very recent reports say price of fuel is declining, its effect cannot be felt here now. We've already increased our fare from a minimum of 7.50pesos, into an interim of 8pesos, and finally 8.50pesos for the first four kilometers. While almost everybody is burdened from soaring prices (including all basic necessities like food), the big three oil companies are raking in billions of pesos in profit (2007 profits: Pilipinas Shell - Php4.12B, Chevron Philippines (Caltex) - Php2.75B, Petron - Php5.94B)

The driver continued (still translated):"Yesterday, I was going to pay for my electricity bills, I had two thousand pesos on me so I decided to give all of it. But Meralco didn't accept my payment. They said I had to pay for all my arrears. Do they want me to steal from them instead?" I just kept quiet.

I saw this as a snapshot of the Filipino state of mind. What are they really up to against amid the rising cost of living. I just hope we could survive all these.

source of added info:

http://beta.ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20080709/tph-oil-companies-roll-back-541dfb4.html

Philippine Star - Thursday, July 10

Batman, take 2

Like I promised the kids, we went to watch the Dark Knight last night and here's my post about it. I really have to apologize that I've written a longer post. I just can't help myself. I also apologize for focusing more on Joker than the bat.

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Ledger’s Legacy

He has a laugh, but unexpectedly minus the tinge of lunacy offered by Romero. How about Nicholson’s stare, the one that condescends and spells mayhem? He doesn’t have that. Take off the make-up and erase that scarred smile we may be surprised to find a man, but that man would all the same be a criminal mastermind.

Heath Ledger’s Joker offered us a new take on the villain. While the film “The Dark Knight” is the second Christian Bale Batman and also featured the life, love, and perversion of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), we can’t escape the sick humor that is Joker. Ledger died before this movie was shown; many say this is worthy of a posthumous Oscar. I wouldn’t disagree. From wads of script he completed the formation of a new character by breathing personality into it. I believe this was Ledger’s swansong.

It was indeed disturbing the way Ledger carried his Joker. It was villainy at its darkest, one that does not hesitate to sacrifice accomplices for a clean getaway. His Joker weaves the grandest of criminal plans, anticipating his enemies’ moves like in a game of chess, 4 to 5 moves ahead. He has this sick way of entertaining his captive audience, asking them if they like to know how he got his smile of scars; and always under the duress of a knife ready to slit into their cheeks.

Slit cheeks for a smile, a different origin indeed. Hailing from a violently dysfunctional family, Ledger’s Joker has this memory of how he came about and greatly made an effect on his personality. “Why a gloomy face?” often using his father’s line to strike fear into his captives.

He has humor; he wouldn’t be the Joker if he doesn’t have one. But it’s dark and loaded with provocation. His idea of a joke is to push the whole of Gotham into disarray. His recipe for chaos is moral dilemma; we have to kill in order to save ourselves. He is very good at it. He is so good that he was able to shove Harvey Dent into a vengeful rampage, a grave departure from being the White Knight of the law.

He frightfully preaches to his enemies. He exudes diabolical wisdom and distorted philosophy. I don’t mean to be irreverent but if Confucius turned out to be bad he would’ve definitely became the Joker.

I repeat, Ledger’s Joker is not Romero’s nor Nicholson’s. It was simply his. If ever a third Batman of this series will be made, a Joker appearance is not remote. I just hope the new Joker will live up to Ledger’s legacy.

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Batman Quotes

Die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain – Harvey Dent and Batman

One man or the entire mob? He (Joker) can wait – Batman

When you’re good at doing something don’t do it for free – Joker

Some men just want to see the world burn – Alfred

Do you want to know why I use knives? Because guns are too fast – Joker

What were you thinking, that everyone in this city is exactly like you? – Batman on Joker

We thought we can be decent men in undecent times – Harvey Dent Two Face

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The film is dedicated to the memory not only of Heath Ledger but also of Conway Wickcliffe, the effects technician that worked on Batman Begins (2005)

Highway Daredevil

We were driving along Maharlika Highway in Quezon Province yesterday and we noticed this truck. One of the passengers was hanging out on one side. He was obviously trying to rearrange their cargo in transit which turned out to be live animals. His stunt was outrageously stupid. One side swipe from the opposite direction and his body will be picked up in pieces within a kilometer stretch.
So why didn't they simply stop on the road side? Are their schedule is so tight that they can't afford a stop? that's how they love their job, even to the point of making unnecessary risks.

Jeepney Art

What do you do when caught in a traffic jam? Trying not to inhale too much of vehicle fumes. Well, that’s one, but in Metro Manila you simply can’t help admiring the art work on the sides of the jeepneys. When I was still in grade school I remember jeepney decorations on the hood with miniature airplanes and horses. It was almost the same for all jeepneys at that time. Until the Patok jeeps emerged.
The Patok was noticed in the 1980s mostly plying the Rizal routes. They are notorious for booming music and fast, almost reckless driving. They also brought into prominence their distinctive body art works. While many jeepneys had their birth places in Malabon, Cavite, and San Pablo, these jeepneys came to maturity as the Patok, becoming a jazzed up, spruced up handsome jeepney that many passengers prefer.
Jeepney art work started out as decals, stickers with pre-printed slogans and drawings. It soon became customized as ingenious artists produced artworks from cut-out vinyl stickers and combined together to form a unique sticker. Many of these early art stickers were made to depict sceneries and icons. Hand painted art work were also present, and its quality mostly depended on the artist. But when the airbrush came, quality as well as creativity came to play a big role.
Paint brush images are now common nowadays. Some jeepneys would have images of wives or children on the driver’s door panel. On the side is where the artwork becomes cool and sometimes nasty. Art styles also became wild, ranging up to surrealism to depict fantasies of beautiful women and futuristic hedonism.
The jeepney artworks will continue to be a regular attribute of the public conveyance vehicle, and may be its redeeming feature. With the continuing high prices of fuel (these jeepneys run on diesel, btw), people will not have second thoughts about using the jeepney.

Monday Traffic

A few Mondays ago, about 6 in the morning, my daughter and I went to our usual spot to wait for our ride. This picture is what we saw that morning, fading our hopes to get to our respective places of destination early. The bottleneck was at the crossing/junction. Since we were supposed to turn right, many of the queuing vehicles were occupying our lane so we also suffered their plight.

I just can’t understand how these bottlenecks emerge. Shouldn’t there be some cause before bottlenecks form? Well, in this particular case, there isn’t any obvious cause. Does this mean that the roads are getting smaller? Or is it the other way around, that there are too many vehicles on the road nowadays?

Of course, this snag in vehicular flow is not limited to the streets where I pass; it’s almost every where in Metro Manila. I just don’t know what the MMDA are doing about it. For one thing, it looks like MMDA is only focused on infrastructure as a solution. If this observation is correct then that would be too bad. Information should also be part of the solution starting with drivers’ education. So if you think you have some answers, why not put some here at the comments.

Help! I'm stuck

So what do you do when you're stuck in a meeting that you're sure will go on for the rest of the the day and you can't get out of? I really don't know, the meeting I was referring to was yesterday and I'm asking anybody out there for suggestions. The snacks served was good, though. But then the topic that requires my attention will be tackled in the latter part of the session. Ho hum.

I took out my mobile and started playing Tetris. After a while I was starting to misplace the blocks and it was game over. What's next? Engage another guy in a conversation, someone who looks similarly bored? Nope not a good idea. Let's see, how about doodling? Makes me like a grade schooler.

Let me know what I should do next time I'm into this same situation. Put your messages here.

How to get to Kuta Square

When we finally decided to go to Kuta Square, we had to transfer rides from the tour bus into a Komotra. There's a strict law against long vehicles driving into Kuta so the Komotra became a necessity, except when you like to use your own car. The Komotra is simply a jazzed up Canter configured to seat several passengers all in one trip. We were several in our group so you could just imagine loading the vehicle with multi-nationals.

A ticket is issued for the trip. Bus loads would simply fill the smaller vehicle then drive to the beach. The traffic into Kuta is very similar to the traffic going towards Cubao or Megamall here in the Philippines.

Batman

Ever danced with the devil under a pale moonlight? So says Jack Nicholson's joker in the 1989 Batman. Me and the kids watched this movie a couple of nights ago and I must say that it's still one of the best of the Batman series. It feels very raw especially with Tim Burton's direction and the way Michael Keaton portrayed Bruce Wayne with an almost disturbed personality.

Now, a new Batman movie (the Dark Knight) is coming very soon with Christian Bale continuing as the Caped Crusader and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. Many see Ledger's performance in this latest Batman movie as his best worthy of a posthumous Oscar.

Let's hope we can get a glimpse of the movie which will be shown in theaters on July 18. I know my kids will bug me indefinitely on this one. It's a must see.

The vendor

Commuting around Metro Manila could literally be a drag. The heat, smoke and slow pace seemed to offer no hope at all. Sometimes we console our selves with the basic indulgence of a fishball. Yep, that street food that many attribute as source of food-borne diseases. Imagine almost everybody re-dip their morsel of kikiam or squidball into the sauce after they have already taken a bite. It's like french kissing everybody in a grand scale less the actual touching of the lips.

But there are ingenious vendors who employ some basic marketing techniques in their presentation to rid the street vending industry of this stigma. Take the case of my suki along Aurora Avenue near Anonas St. the fishball, or in my case the squidball, is served on disposable aluminum-lined paper dishes, sauce is added directly on your order. The iconic tuhog stick is also there.

See my suki vendor here wearing a bonnet not because its a bit cold but because its a replacement for a hair net. Also, basic tools include stainless or aluminum utensils that are almost immaculately clean.

Missing Bali

I was walking along the shore at Capari Point in San Vicente, Palawan about two months ago when I can’t help remembering the lively beaches of Bali. The fine white sand with shells strewn by the waves was just the same as in the famed Indonesian island but minus the crowd. Wish I could come back. Why the wish? You won’t know if you have not been there. I’ll try my best to explain and tell you more about Bali in my next posts. But in this one, let me just give a sigh of recollection of things I did and was not able to do in the chicken shaped island. How was I able to get there? The office sent me on training in Indonesia. Whoever made the training design was really a God-send for including Bali as one of the places to be visited.
You know what, I left my rubber boots in Indonesia with the belief that I may come back again. Too bad I did not leave them on Bali, to be specific if the belief turns out to be true.

The silent but beautiful beach at Caparii Point, San Vicente, Palawan

At the farm

Last week I went on travel to a farm in Sariaya, Quezon (that’s about 126Km South of Manila). I enjoyed myself with fresh fruits and some time with friends.

Johnny de Villa’s farm looked like a fruit picker’s dream come true. Despite the fact that tropical storm Frank wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, every tree in Johnny’s are bearing fruit, practically and metaphorically. Pickers are busy with the green mangoes (not the Indian variety, but the Philippine ones). He has the Pico and Carabao mangoes. One mango weighs a quarter of a kilogram.

For refreshments, we had coconut juice, nice for the kidneys. There are also jackfruit and avocado. By the way, if you’re gonna make some guacamole try to squeeze some lemon on the avocado to keep it from tasting bitter when you store it. The action of the enzymes on the avocado is checked by the acid from the lemon. Squeezed lemon is also good for all ingredients in a tropical fruit salad.



From the left: Johnny de Villa, Jun Carriaga, Boy Ferrer and Fenny Rojas

Don't lose your mobile

Are you a victim of pickpockets or holdup inside a public transport? Or do you know anybody who is? I am a victim myself, lost my Motorola L6 during a holdup in a jeepney early last year. My wife, also a commuter, oftentimes witness actual pickpockets at work inside a vehicle. And she has almost always tried to warn the hapless victim, putting herself at risk in the process.

Here's my take on mobile safety, all from experience.
1. When inside the jeepney, try to observe how people are seated. Oftentimes, pickpockets would try to crowd their victims; one accomplice would pose as the immovable passenger, pressing the actual pickpocket and the victim closely (let’s call that person as the presser). If you notice this arrangement with one end of the long seat virtually empty (jeepneys tend to seat 7 up to 12 persons on one side), and three to four persons pressed uncomfortably on the other end, chances are someone’s gonna lose something.
2. In the above configuration, the presser looks away from the scene while the pickpocket intently looks at his victim’s face, making sure the victim is unaware of his “operation”. One signal from the victim that he is sensing what’s going on and the pickpocket aborts the operation.
3. Try to figure out passengers who are communicating with their eyes, these are not pickpockets; these are people who will declare a holdup real soon. Oftentimes the seating arrangement would have someone behind the driver or at the front seat. Another is near the exit end. And another somewhere in the middle. If you happen to catch a glimpse on these, “para” or “sa tabi lang po” should be said in the next second.
4. Back to the pickpocket, they happen to have an empty bag or knapsack on their lap. This is used for cover. Always try to find the hands of the person seated next to you. If one hand is missing not because it was amputated, it is surely behind the empty bag trying to pry loose you mobile.
5. Do not keep you mobile in a belt holster. You’re an easy target if you do so. My officemate’s N70 was taken from his holster.
6. Always be aware of your surrounding, I’m not talking about a ten meter radius, the immediate half meter will do. Or better yet don’t let your mind wander off or try to get a glimpse of the girl seated across you, be conscious of people with you on a jeepney, especially the one next to you.
7. Before leaving the office for that jeepney ride home, try to put your mobile in silent mode. Try not to be tempted to use it while already seated inside the ride. Some people would use it as a music player, play games, or simply use it for its real purpose, but whatever reason you want to use it, its better to hold it off 'till you’re in the safety of your home. You say “don’t text while you drive”, but because I don’t have a car to drive then it’s “don’t text while you commute”.