Tale of a tail: Mermaids at Crimson’s marine sanctuary

CEBU, Philippines - Picture it: tropical fish reunited with the ocean, divers from everywhere, and mermaids – yes, mermaids – this was how Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan launched its Marine Sanctuary on September 21, held to coincide with the global celebration of International Cleanup Day.

Joined by Oceancare's Toni Aboitiz, FilArchipelago Area General Manager James Montenegro and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza officially inaugurated the Marine Sanctuary at the well-appointed resort. Also present at this important milestone for Crimson is marine biologist Mario Marababol, the sanctuary's main proponent.

A barren space barely a year ago, the 8-hectare sanctuary is now a rich habitat for marine life and a breeding ground for various species of tropical saltwater fish. Crimson's commendable initiative of establishing a sanctuary – an area protected by Philippine laws – started last year with the transplantation process which involves attaching coral fragments onto a coral frame (it's like tree-planting under the sea). The coral frame is expected to be fully covered with healthy corals in 3 to 6 years.

With the support of organizations like Oceancare and the Coral Triangle Initiative, Crimson's sports and leisure team will take the lead in looking after the sanctuary, indubitably a solid step towards sustainability.

Hogwarts for Mermaids

Beloved mythical creatures from books and movies, the mermaids were in full force to usher in the good news, that the waters surrounding Crimson are officially a protected area. That, plus the resort's newest attraction: Crimson will soon be like a Hogwarts School, not for witchcraft and wizardry, but for Merpeople and those dreaming, daring to be part of their “under the sea” world.

Flipping their fins like living incarnations of Hans Christian Andersen's iconic heroines, these Merfolk from the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy of Boracay swam to shore to the delight of guests and spectators. It was nothing short of magical.

Not to be left behind, I insisted even before traveling to Mactan that I must also suit up and try this unique swimming experience. So I thank Crimson's Mia Sy for helping me realize a childhood dream I have never let go. The Mermaid Academy's owner and founder, Normeth Preglo, even described yours truly as "a natural born merman," doing summersaults and backflips under water as soon as I jumped in, even without the proper training or practice with the hefty tail. It was like I was one in my past life. Don't laugh at me, but I could not have been any prouder; it was a supreme compliment, to be sure.

Shortly after, SunStar's Joanna Cuenco and Patty Taboada decided to join in the riot. I don't think they planned on being mermaids for a day, unlike me who was adamant from the get-go, but learning there were extra suits, they'd be out of their minds to pass up the opportunity! It was, without doubt, quite the adventure.

And the exciting news is, we can all indulge our inner child and fulfill some of our fantasies growing up (a fantasy for most girls, and some boys, at least) – 30 minutes from the Queen City-when Crimson finally opens their partnership with the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy before the year ends. The only one in Cebu.

Once the mermaid classes start, the Marine Sanctuary will be a fitting backdrop when learning to swim like you're half man, half fish. What's more, mermaid swimming is quite the workout; so you're sure to lose a lot of calories while playing the role of a lifetime.

Suffice it to say, dreams do come true at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan.

Empowering the Customer

When you go to a restaurant expecting good food and then end up being disappointed, it's usually difficult to forget. In the same sense, when you shop at a relatively inexpensive store and unexpectedly receive VIP treatment from the eager staff, the experience is exciting enough to tell all your friends about it.

We have all these ideas and opinions about what to expect and how we deserve to be treated in establishments. Why not put these comments to proper use? There is potential especially in those who are passionate about customer service, to make a difference in the way our favorite brands do business. This is the advocacy of SatisFIND.

SatisFIND acts as a bridge between customers and businesses in order to meet expectations and improve customer service. By becoming a SatisFIND Customer Experience Advocate (CEA), all your observations, good and bad, will reach those who have the authority to change customer service for the better.

This works through SatisFIND's Customer Experience Measurement (CEM), which CEAs help conduct. Going undercover to report on experiences they get from interacting with brands, CEAs are assigned to establishments of which they themselves are real customers.

For instance, a CEA fond of weekend beach getaways would be assigned to hotels and resorts. Likewise, if a CEA is actually looking to buy an air conditioner, they could be tapped to report about the customer service at appliance stores. After assignments, CEAs receive token fees for their participation or may be reimbursed for any expense incurred, and SatisFIND's CEAs have enjoyed rewards ranging from free cosmetics and clothes to free airline tickets.

The perks however are never the main draw for SatisFIND's CEAs. It is a calling that requires keen observation, integrity and real passion for customer service. When carrying out assignments, CEAs are in for plenty of brain exercise, since the details of every experience are mentally noted. It is these little details, after all, that come together to hopefully create a remarkable customer experience.

Essentially, the real reward of a CEA is having had your say, getting your favorite brand to know about it and most importantly, act on it.

SatisFIND offers Customer Experience Measurement studies across Asia and the Middle East, and is made up of a community of enthusiastic CEAs numbering in the thousands. Learn more about how SatisFIND makes things better for both business and customer and how to register as a Customer Experience Advocate by visiting www.satisfind.com. (FREEMAN)