preMEDitated » iligan

Jollibee Saleslady Blunder

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:29:04 +0000

I’m not saying that all Jollibee salesladies are slow in the mind. In fact, I admire how many of them balance studies with work. It’s just that I’ve come to encounter one slow saleslady earlier today.
At first I didn’t notice anything wrong with her. I ordered my recent favorite (Beefsteak 39er) and a new dessert item (Mango Caramel Ice Craze). She said the ice craze was unavailable. I was about to order another dessert when the manager came.
Now the manager looked familiar. I knew that I knew here before. I just couldn’t recall who she was. She knew me, and she calls me by my first name. I, however, couldn’t recall her name. The name posted on her name tag did not ring a bell. We even speak like old friends every time we see each other when I order. I pretend to know her, and wait hopefully that I might remember who she was. Unfortunately, the memory always eluded me.
So we were talking again, and the conversation shifted to higher education. She mentioned a name that sounded familiar. I recalled that the guy she mentioned was taking up Law, and was about to finish this semester. That gave me a clue. We must have went to the same high school.
Yet my jabs at recollection were interrupted by the annoying voice of the saleslady. She kept asking if I would order something else. I ignored her, and continued to speak to the manager. After the fourth same question if I would order something else, I was getting annoyed at her. I looked at her with the side of my eyes and muttered, “No.” She was dense. Apparently, she needed some discipline regarding interrupting her manager’s conversations. Just then the manager went off to see an issue with some of the other staff.
I was left alone with the saleslady. I decided to take advantage of this by asking her what the full name of her manager was. Her answer gave me another proof of her slowness. She told me the manager’s nickname, or the name plastered on the manager’s name tag. Then seeing the manager return, I cut the conversation loose and pretend to order another item.
Unfortunately, the not-so-smart-saleslady blurted, “Ma’am, unsa daw imong full name?”
Ma’am, he’s asking for your full name?
I froze. I gave the saleslady the slightest hint of the evil eye and imagined stabbing her in the arm with their complementary plastic fork. The manager sounded offended as she told me her real first name.
Then the memories flooded in my mind. I pretended to have always known who the manager was. I even mentioned her full name. I then made some lame remark on why I asked her full name.
Then I quickly made my exit, muttering about the mental capacity of some salesladies. Some salesladies are just too slow to be entrusted or trusted…

Bad Day for Jollibee

Engr. Dr. — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:50:12 +0000

A few days ago I went to the city branch of Jollibee in Iligan.
Since I just came from the community, I went to the lavatory to have my hands washed. Unfortunately, there was no water. I went queuing with dirty hands, and decided to order something that didn’t involve finger foods like french fries.
Miss, pa order kog Chicken and Spaghetti ug one rice, I told the saleslady.
Miss, I want the Chicken and Spaghetti plus one cup of rice.
Unsay drinks, sir? she answered.
What drink would you want with that?
Coke, I told her.
Sorry, wala na mi Coke karon. Pineapple ug Iced Tea lang among available.
Sorry, we don’t have Coke. We only have pineapple juice and iced tea.
After a few seconds of trying to decide, I said. Kanang Pineapple lang.
Give me the pineapple juice.
Mag-add ra ba ug P12 ani, she said hesitantly.
You have to add P12 for that.
Ngano man? I aked her while my blood was heating up.
Why?
Dapat i-upsize man pag mag add ug pineaplle juice
You have to upsize your drink if you want to order pineapple juice., she said.
Now that statement almost made my blood boil. I answered her in a sarcastically polite voice.
So if I don’t order pineapple juice, I won’t be having any drinks? What happens to the money I’d paid for a regular sized Coke?
What kind of policy is this? You make us pay for something we’re not having, or you let us pay extra for something we should have gotten from the value of our payment.
Sorry, sir. Ipunch mangyod namo ang pineapple
I’m sorry, sir. We are required to have the pineapple juice purchase credited.
I took a good look at her. She looked tensed. She was jittery, and was obviously wishing she was in another place. I could easily pounce on her and, pummel her with arguments against their bureaucratic policy. I was about to call the manager on her, but she reminded me of someone who used to work as a phone technical support agent: me.
I used to sometimes bear the brunt of customer dissatisfaction. I was one of the many ears and mouthpieces of the company who had to face irate customers, whether with legitimate or non-legitimate concerns. People from America called me for help with their computers.
Some of them complained about the company. In such cases, I had to resist the urge to tell them that I’m only the disembodied voice of help. Yet I was tasked and paid to represent the company. I was part of the company, and that meant I had to own all its policies and faults.
The girl in Jollibee was clearly waiting for another backlash; but I changed my mind. I let her off the hook. It was not her fault that Jollibee Iligan lost its water supply. It was not her fault that the same branch lost its supply of Coke. She was merely there to accept orders from her superiors and from her customers. I knew exactly what she was feeling. I didn’t want her to be forced to defend something that she herself was annoyed at.
So I paid the extra cash, went to my table, and ate; because I was already very hungry. In the middle of my delicious meal, I forgave Jollibee Iligan: main branch for not supplying running water, and for lousy service and policies — that’s how
good their food is for me.

Community Floods

Engr. Dr. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:23:49 +0000

Rain had been pelting in Iligan for several days before last Saturday night. I usually don’t care about the weather as long as I am safe inside the house and tucked in for the night. I just hide under my blanket and pillows if it’s too cold, or have my electric fan running all night if it’s too hot. That night, however, I sensed a strange nudging that reminded me about the families assigned to my care in the Tambacan community. I then made a quick prayer, “Lord, protect my families in the community. In Jesus’ name. Amen,” then quickly retreated to sleep.
I only learned later the next day that a tragedy had occurred while I slept. The light rains in Iligan had heavy counterparts in the mountains. Water from these mountains fed rivers and streams, which poured down the city. It was about 3am in the morning when they overflew; and flooded the towns of Bayug, Manuang, and Tambacan.
About 7,840 families were displaced totaling to some 38,674 persons in Northern Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro bore the brunt in terms of property damage and persons affected.
Yesterday, a classmate mentioned that most of the families left their houses during the flash flood. Some of them slept on the highways as the evacuation centers had not yet been opened. Some of these families were also expecting aid from the ones who regularly went to them for “survey”*. A visit to the Barangay Captain** made the situation bleaker, he mentioned that our community was the hardest hit. So it was no wonder that I was prepared for the worst when I stepped inside the community.
Mud paved the dirt road to my families. Children scampered as they played. Well meaning folks told us to go the other way as the usual short cuts were too mushy for stepping. People stared at us as some of us ventured wearing clean, all-white apparel in an environment that stands as a stain reservoir. In short; except for the increased mud volume, the community was just as it was when we left it for the Christmas break. It seemed that the houses were already looking their normal selves, despite the fact that many of them had water reaching their residents’ shoulders 3 days ago.
I went to my families, and was relieved to find that their housing complex still stood strong. Despite the fact that their houses were just beside the river, they were among the few in the area were no water even managed to reach their doors.
They mentioned that the water level in the river rose to the height of the dyke, and was a few inches to their doors. Fortunately, the river stopped rising, and their houses were saved from flood damage.
The same, however, cannot be said for those living below the dyke level. A break*** in the dyke caused water to flow to what should have been protected areas.
As I returned to my classmate’s car, I thanked God for protecting my families. I also prayed that He continue to watch over the community as it seeks to rise from their recent ordeal. I could see that they are hardy enough to withstand future calamities. If only they were given the necessary boosts from the city and from landowners…

*That would be us, medical students.
** The barangay is the basic unit of the Philippine government. It is headed by the barangay captain.
***Residents blame the break on someone with the family name Lluch won’t allow the city government to build a dyke on the land. Either the city government is not offering enough compensation, or the landowner is asking for too much. Yet it is the people who suffer in such battles.

Sources:
1. Flashfloods hit Iligan City villages
2. Arroyo orders quick aid for flash flood victims in Mindanao
3. Heavy rains, flash floods mark start of New Year
4. Arroyo to visit flood victims in north Mindanao

Firecrackers Banned

Engr. Dr. — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:17:09 +0000

By order of the City Council; firecrackers, fireworks, and anything else that can be mistaken for gunshots or bombs are banned during this holiday season.
I do not know what the penalty for possession or use of these illegal materials, but I’m hoping it would be big. In this way, the citizens of Iligan should understand that this is only for their safety. The authorities would have a better chance of nabbing the terrorists, plus Iliganons would be spared from the usual holiday firecracker accidents.
Nevertheless, this order may not have been decimated to the whole population yet considering some of our neighbors just had a bang time. Either that, or these neighbors are of the disobedient sort.
I’m hoping there would be no untoward incidents come Christmas time. May Iligan have a Silent Night on the Holy Night…

Yet Another Bomb

Engr. Dr. — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:31:42 +0000

Another bomb was found earlier today at the corner of Burgos St. with San Miguel Street at about 10:00am earlier today. Iliganons have scavengers to thank for this recent unfolding of events. Let us also thank God for foiling the plans of the terrorists. May He continue to protect us as we remember the birth of His Son, Jesus, during this Christmas season.

Source:
1. Cops defuse bomb found in Iligan

Blasting Reality Part 3 (Iligan Bombed Again Part 3)

Engr. Dr. — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:26:06 +0000

Here’s an embedded video from Youtube. The footage shows the events happening a few minutes after first bomb went off. The second bomb can be heard in the video. The panic in the voice of the amateur videographer can be heard as she runs.

Check out the Youtube site to view the comments here.

It’s clear from these comments that many Christians are nearing their boiling points. The recent bombings and terrorist attacks done by Muslims are heating them up. They’re now tired of always bearing the losing end even though they are the majority. I’m afraid that soon the Christian population would take matters in their own hands, and take revenge on the innocents just as the MILF terrorists are doing right now. God fore fend us from religious war…
On the other hand, the MILF has washed its hands off the bombings. The hypocrites have even said they wanted to help in the investigation. Nobody around here, however, is believing them. DVD recordings of Commander Bravo show that he will disrupt the Christmas celebration because the military did not allow them to have a proper Ramadan.

Suspects:Muslim Women

Engr. Dr. — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:14:17 +0000

UPDATE: (Current news reveal that the suspects were men in Arab gear. Confusion regarding the sex of the suspects may have been due to the similarity of the form enclosing Arab gear of both sexes. Disregard post. I’m keeping it open for posterity’s sake.)

I thought the day would not come when Filipino Muslim women would take up arms in the cause of terror.
Apparently, 2 of them just recently did. A closed circuit television video camera (CCTV) recording from Unicity reveals women in full Muslim religious clothing* checking in baggage that were recognized to have contained the bombs that blew up at Unicity and Jerry’s Shoppers Plaza earlier today.
Two deaths and the wounding of 45 others resulted from their actions. I’m afraid this is only the beginning of more terror. Male suicide bombers might come next. Female suicide bombers might come later.
I must admit that despite growing up Christian in a predominantly Christian city, I had never been afraid of seeing Muslim women wearing full religious clothing. This incident, however, has given me alarm. Unless I know who is inside that Islamic gear, I don’t think I would be able to stay within sight of a fully veiled Muslim woman.

*The type where only the eyes can be barely seen.

SOURCE:
1) 2 dead as blasts rock Iligan

PS The News link mentioned that women were involved. Current investigation reveals that men were involved. Just as well. I won’t be going near a fully veiled Muslim woman, or someone in Arabic gear anytime soon.

Blasting Reality (Iligan Bombed Again)

Engr. Dr. — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:21:33 +0000

I did not hear anything about a bomb threat. I, however, was almost a victim of an actual bomb.
Had my companions and I decided to go to the College a little later, we would have been victims of the recent bombing in Iligan City. All excitement for the upcoming events in the College melted away as we heard the story. Two were already confirmed dead. An unconfirmed number were wounded.
We heard the bodies were placed in the hospital just at the back of the College, and we decided to have a look at them. A crowd had already gathered around the place when we came. The scene would have just looked like an ordinary gathering except for a scream that effectively revealed to us the reality of the event.
The scream was shrill and full of emotion. Its quality was definitely not as striking as the remastered screams commonly found in movies, but unlike the canned screams of cinema this scream did not sound like an empty release of emotion, this scream sounded and felt real. I almost stopped in my tracks when I heard it.
The scream belonged to a woman, whom we later learned was the wife of one of the victims. Murmurs from the crowd revealed that she recently had a C-section from a recent pregnancy. I could see her hips were somewhat large. She still looked a little pregnant. She was also crying, refusing to be comforted, and occasionally screaming out denials that her husband was dead.
As I peeped through the open door, one body stared at me blankly. His eyes were fully opened, and his mouth was gaping wide in a snarl, revealing his teeth. His expression was clearly one of surprise, frozen in death.
One side of his scalp was charred black. One of his legs was missing, revealing a pink stump where his knee used to be. His chest was covered, but rumors say that a large part of it was blasted away.
Then I heard his wife scream.
Dili lagi na siya. Dili lagi na siya. Ang iyang sapatos kay blue man dili man black.
That’s not him. That’s not him. His shoes are blue, not black.
Her mother, or mother-in-law, with tears running freely down her face held her, trying to comfort her. Inconsiderate bystanders then said to her hearing.
Blue man na. Dili man black.
Those are blue shoes, not black.
We then left the scene with heavy hearts knowing that the tenacious peace that held for the past few months had just broken. The ghost of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity has resurfaced. The cowardly rebels have struck again, and for the second time in this year, nobody is feeling safe once again…

PS Just heard from the news that the “wife” I mentioned in the post is not legally married to the victim. She is also still pregnant. It’s another lesson about the veracity of bystander rumors.

Stuff I Like in Manila #1: Malls

Engr. Dr. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:52:46 +0000

For someone who lives in a city that officially has one shopping mall, but in actuality has only less than a quarter of a mall, Manila shopping malls are must-see places.
Yet if someone were to strip away those malls’ fancy building designs, air conditioning, security guards, and cleaning staff; what would be left would be hot, dirty, and smelly stalls manned by loud vendors. Those stalls would fit in the marketplace environment, because the truth is that shopping malls are nothing but glorified marketplaces.
Not to disparage malls, I think they are way better than marketplaces. Buying necessities and luxuries with convenience and at comparable prices to market prices is a great improvement. In malls, the customer is no longer confronted with offensive smells, dirty streets, and untrustworthy goods’ prices.
Btw, here are a few pics I took in the Mall of Asia while I was waiting for my brother to pick me up.

Yet, to be always confronted with a good thing is to lose appreciation with that thing. For me, one mall is as good as another. It’s just like in the saying that if you’ve been to one, then you’ve been to all. I was not struck with the architecture of Trinoma because I had already been to the Mall of Asia. These were malls I didn’t have opportunity to visit when I still studied in Manila. Yet when I stepped into them, I realized that they were no longer “big deals” to me. I didn’t even visit Glorietta and Greenbelt again.
They were just malls. They were just places where people buy and sell. They were just marketplaces, but just a little bit glorified.

Iligan City Hall Sights

Engr. Dr. — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:45:05 +0000

Considering that the military is in hot pursuit of the murdering Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) terrorists, and that several tanks and troops are stationed in Iligan, that Bravo terrorist would find it hard to even dare attack the city.

Here are some snapshots of our defenders.

Here’s a tank and some soldiers I saw parked at the foot of the hill where the Iligan City Hall stands.

Here’s the same tank shown at another angle.

Here are a few of several dozen cars and jeeps parked around the City Hall. Something secret is definitely afoot here.

Defense Meetings perhaps?

PS My suspicions were correct after all. Here’s what happened:
The Frustrated general walks out of meeting with Iligan City execs .

Here’s a quote from the link:
[Also during the meeting, Iligan City councilors blamed the current government for allowing the MILF, the largest secessionist group in the country, to return to the camps seized by the military in the all-out war in 2000.]

–AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV

At last, our voices are being heard…