Getting the waiter’s attention

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo is currently on a two-week leave after his resignation was accepted by President Macapagal-Arroyo last Wednesday.

There’s talk that Tony Bernardo is in the short list for the successor of Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Lilia Bautista.

By the way, Ms. Bautista – who has drawn a lot of flak for approving the office raid of The First Resources Management and Securities Corp. (in the absence of its founder, Vivian Yuchengco,) on the basis of undocumented text messages – may not be able to immediately get hold of her generous in-the-millions retirement pay if the prayers of former SEC chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr. are answered.

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Philippine National Bank senior officers from first vice-president up cleared their schedules to attend the birthday last Tuesday of president Lorenzo Tan.

At 43, Yayi Tan is still the youngest chief executive officer among the banks in the country that matter.

By the way, the lunch was hosted by the owner of the catering company that runs the bank’s executive lounge notorious for its lousy service. Here, signaling for the waiter is not enough, neither is calling for the waiter. The best strategy to get service is to stand up and tap the waiter by the shoulder.

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There’s still time for alumni of Procter & Gamble Phils. – whether these worked with brand or the plant or wherever – to update their resume before Oct. 9, the company’s first ever grand reunion.

The highlight of the reunion is a live message from P&G’s Cincinnati (USA)-based president A.G. Lafley, who used to handle the Asian business. Mr. Lafley’s designated successor is Bob MacDonald, the former head of the Philippine operation, which is historically P&G’s second biggest in Asia after Japan. (After all, P&G’s Asia business started out in Philippines when it was still an American colony).

As everybody knows, P&G is known as the post-graduate school for brand management, largely because it invented the concept.

Former P&G brand manager include ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. president Luis Alejandro, Cebu Pacific Air president Danilo Mojica II, and BPI Family Bank president Alfonso Salcedo.

Interestingly enough, P&G Phils.’ current president, Johnip Cua, is an R&D man.

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In a letter dated July 19, Joel Real of Sta. Mesa, Manila writes: "I am presently jobless through no fault of mine (retrenched). I am in no position to "restructure’ my credit card balances since I have no income right now. The credit card companies continue to harass me. Instead, they should help me find another good job. When I’m back on my feet again, I’ll gladly ‘restructure’ my accountabilities with them until they are fully paid. It would be a win-win situation."

My reply: Losing one’s job is indeed gut-wrenching. Unfortunately, credit card companies do not moonlight as job recruiters.

With an estimated five million Filipinos currently unemployed, may I suggest another option to employment, Mr. Real? Why not start your own business, either using your current job skills or learning new ones by attending seminars and training courses?

True, your monthly net income will initially be less than what you used to earn while working for somebody else but it’s a great reason to wake up every morning. Who knows? Your business might be the next Jollibee. Good luck!