Religious mercenary

The recent news about a Marikina-based cult leader accused of raping the children of followers should make people more cautious about unscrupulous people using the guise of religion to dupe others. An informant reported that a certain Monsignor VP is allegedly victimizing Filipinos wishing to migrate to Spain, charging as much as P500,000 to facilitate interviews and visas from the Spanish Embassy. To add a touch of authority to his scam, the religious leader allegedly puts on his religious garb complete with a cane, conducting mock interviews with applicants who are made to memorize the full names of the monsignor’s wife and family, as well as the names of church higher ups and their rituals. This "religious" mercenary’s base of operations is reportedly located in Pasay City, where a woman known as Ms. C works on the fake papers and IDs of unsuspecting victims. Two years ago, a group of at least 50 applicants were accompanied by the monsignor to the Spanish Embassy. All were denied a visa. Unfortunately, this man is slippery and he is smart enough not to sign papers, working through a number of cohorts who do the paperwork. Informants say he is on the prowl again for more victims.

Retrievable SMS messages?

A concerned reader is wondering if it is true that SMS (text) messages can be retrieved from another person’s cellphone even without the owner’s consent and knowledge. According to the informant, a woman’s brother who works at the IT department of a telecoms company could allegedly access the text messages being sent from her boyfriend’s cellphone. While this practice may seem harmless and just a ploy by a control freak and extremely jealous girlfriend, this violation of privacy may have far-reaching effects. Aside from the fact that tampering is unethical and unlawful, this technological stealing could give rise to confidential information sent via text messages getting accessed and stolen by unscrupulous individuals. Considering that telecoms companies can keep track of the number of messages sent from one cellphone to another, it is not too far-fetched that they can also access the contents of a text message and pry into an individual’s private communications.

Suit vs PMA dismissed

A marketing practitioner reported that a complaint filed by the head of the Philippine Marketing Excellence Awards (PMEA) against the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) has been dismissed by the Pasig Regional Trial Court for insufficiency of evidence. The controversy broke after the PMA, a 52-year-old organization composed of marketing professionals, stripped Atty. Manuel Oyson of membership allegedly for violation of the association’s code of ethics and for acts deemed inimical to the PMA’s interests. The PMEA had been figuring in controversy lately for allegedly giving out marketing excellence awards to various companies that could shell out P15,000 for "award fees." According to the informant, PMEA’s activities has sowed confusion and tarnished the good name of the PMA. Organized in January last year reportedly with a paid-up capital of P12,500 (authorized of P200,000), the 2,000 excellence awards given by PMEA to various companies is being questioned because the criteria used by the association allegedly do not conform to accepted industry standards.

Snobbish gym

Health buffs know that a complete fitness regimen includes not only healthy, organic foods but exercise as well. While there are those who prefer to do their own exercising in the privacy of their homes, the gym has become a place to hang out in, especially with the friendly and helpful staff assisting fitness fanatics. Imagine the surprise of a reader, however, when his girlfriend, whom he gifted with a membership at a fitness center, received at royally rude treatment. According to the reader, his girl was all dressed up and excited to start her first day regimen when this arrogant instructor told her that she should wear a certain brand of sports outfit, preferably dry fit. Needless to say, the embarrassment is causing the lady to have second thoughts about continuing her membership. Obviously, this rude instructor is not fit to handle clients and is unaware of the dictum "Customer first." Spy tidbiz: Joey Rufino rushed to ICU Former GMA political adviser Joey Rufino was rushed to the intensive care unit of The Medical City in Pasig on Friday. The President quietly visited Rufino and stayed for some time, leaving just before noon that day. Joey has been ill with liver cancer, and the disease has now developed to stage four. Joey is the younger brother of Philippine Ambassador-designate to Papua New Guinea Tony Rufino. Friends of the family are praying for Joey to win over this battle.

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