Incident number one. Take note! As you leave the store, a security guard goes through your receipts and checks if the corresponding items are all in your pushcart. Well and good. But it seems that this chore has several of the security personnel going wild on a power trip.
Once, a security personnel noticed a well-known socialite pushing her cart on her way out. Although she had bought and paid for 10 boxes of strawberries, the lady had given two of those boxes as a regalo to her friend who had accompanied her to the store. The guard made a big stink by saying, "If you paid for 10, why are there only eight here?" Well and good, but the lady explained not just once but thrice where the two other boxes went. She pointed to her companion/friend who was just two pushcarts behind her in the queue. After it finally sunk in the guard’s pea-brain, he finally allowed her to pass, but not without giving her an insolent look. The lady vowed never to return there again.
Incident number two. Take note, again! A couple who shopped in the same store bought a set of cutlery for their beach home located outside Manille. After checking the couple’s receipt, the guards allowed them to pass through.
Upon checking the items in their condominium, however, the wife discovered that three forks were missing from the set of 12. Naturellement, she sent her househelp with the receipt to explain to the guard that three forks were missing. The guard rudely told the househelp, "That’s your problem. Your amo should have checked that before they left."
But then, palanggas, isn’t that why there are security guards in the exit? Isn’t this ironic? In the first incident, the guard made a stink over strawberries which were paid for, all because of two missing boxes. In the next case, the guard washed his hands over his failure to thoroughly check what he should have. But that doesn’t end there, palanggas.
Incident number three. Take note again! One Sunday, a lady and her children had a craving for this famous store’s oh-so-good hotdogs and pizzas, which moi must admit are to-die-for. Since it was then a languid Sunday, the lady gave her ID to her gorgeous daughter to buy the desired stuff.
Guess what? The guard was so downright rude with the young miss, you’d think she was a common criminal. She explained why her mom couldn’t personally come and even showed her own ID to prove she was the daughter of the ID owner. The rudeness and power-tripping of this guard drove the young miss home almost in tears.
These days, the young miss’ famille buy their hotdogs from Santi’s delicatessen and their pizzas from the yummy, yummy Yellow Cab Pizza’s of New York, dahlings, where the guards and staff treat them like the valued customers that they are.
Moi hopes that something will be done – the sooner the better – about the rudeness and cockiness of this store’s security guards. Otherwise, palanggas, the store will lose tons of clientele who are fast becoming disgusted over the treatment they receive from those rude security guards. Remember, dahlings, word of mouth spreads faster than a forest fire.
Now for another loud dish. Who is this high-profile, wealthy, well-traveled socialite (or movie star or career woman) who went to one of our town’s super "in" dining and entertainment centers to meet her pals who all showed up a full hour late, palanggas?
One of the hotshot owners of the in place who noticed the persona sitting alone in her table went to entertain her while she was waiting. It became such an interesting getting-to-know-you that time flew so fast. By the time the persona’s pals arrived, the socialite (or movie star or career woman) wanted to make the hotshot a regular in her life. All that waiting turned to be a revelation after all, dahlings.
Who are these two well-known personas, both from buena familias and well on their way to becoming achievers in their chosen fields, dahlings? Not too long ago, the beautiful couple’s relationship was going very strong that the whole town thought they would surely end up as Mr. and Mrs.
But since cupid’s arrow at times misses its mark, the partners went their separate ways and have since been seeing others with no strings attached.
Their friends are hoping that the stunningly gorgeous lady will get to know this suave, well-liked, well-bred gentleman. They will certainly make a great pair, palanggas. Guess who?
Hot, hot namedroppable Philips Philippines executives led by the company’s brilliant president/CEO Pratt Hsu, breezed in for the formal welcome dinner for Gerard K. Key government officials and Philips’ business partners also came in full power-force for the super happening, dahlings.
Sparkling wines and seemingly endless yummy hors d’ oeuvres were passed around during cocktails. Apres, a chorus of native chants and dances by the Kontra-gapi instrumentalists and the UP Concert Chorus formally welcomed the guests to the well-organized event.
Pratt H. formally introduced Gerard K. by saying, "It is an honor for Philips Philippines to be visited by the company’s highest-ranking executive.
"We are committed as ever to improving our infrastructure, processes and resources in order to consistently enhance the lives of Filipinos. This visit is an opportunity for me to – among other things – discuss with our local managers the strategies on how we can remain focused on our long-term visions."
Popular former President Fidel Ramos, who was among the tres distinguished invitees, talked about the long-standing partnership between Philips and the Philippines. He commended Philips for continually helping uplift the local economy.
A major investor in the Philippines, Philips provides employment to many Filipinos, palanggas, while also boosting export revenues. The Philippines is one of Philips’ major supply centers where vital components for the company’s other businesses are manufactured and exported. This magnum company, palanggas, now six local business divisions responsible for a broad range of product portfolios.
Besides its many economic benefits, Philips in the Philippines has also helped Filipinos in other ways. As Gerard K. noted, "Through the corporate project called ‘Philips Education and People,’ Philips Philippines helps build educational centers in selected public school areas to uplift the Philippine educational system."
The company was also recently cited as being one of the top 10 best employers in the Philippines. Not bad, huh? Not bad at all.
Glasses were raised in a ceremonial toast for Gerard K. with top Philips Philippines executives leading such distinguished hotshots as Ambassador Theo Arnold of the Netherlands; the well-loved, always with a friendly smile, Philips VP and GM Tony Lim; PEZA director general Lilia de Lima; Citi-Bank’s super smart Catherine Weir; Ionics president Larry Qua; Starbright sales president Stephen Cu; Western Marketing’s Bernie Chua; Dai-Ichi’s Yuichi Hirano; Maxicare Cigna CEO James Maloney; Abenson’s Wilson Lim; Amkor Technology Phils.’ Mike Petrucci; and Ackers’ Paul Wee; plus, so many other hotshots like them, palanggas, too fantastic to mention.
Gerard K. is the highest-ranking official of Royal Philips Electronics, Europe’s largest electronics group and the third largest in the world. Last April, he was named president/CEO and chairman of the board of management and the group management committee of the company.
His visit will be hard to forget.
Simply called "The Coralie 18-karat Gold Collection" the pieces include a full range of feminine rings, bangles, pendants and earrings in 18-karat solid gold designed with the stylish and elegant modern lady woman in mind. The Power Plant outlet will be the 47th Charriol boutique worldwide, palanggas.
Each ring design bears a "C" contour, some readily apparent, others more subtle. Look for the "C" carved around the inside of the rings, which can be worn alone or in succession on the same finger or wrist. Its distinctive arches fit playfully like a jigsaw puzzle. Playful souls, palanggas, will derive great enjoyment from mixing and matching the rings. "It is my definite direction to expand my father’s business in the future," said the smart and creative 24-year-old Coralie C. "It is my goal to learn as much as I can from my father’s business. In the future (I hope) to be able to run the business as successfully as (he has)." Her father’s ever-expanding empire dates back to the St. Tropez launch in the early ’90s when she was still in her teens.
Coralie’s father is French entrepreneur Philippe Charriol who founded the luxury goods empire under his own name in 1993. He sold predominantly Swiss-made watches, dahlings. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Charriol has branches all over the world.
Coralie C. is undeniably her father’s admirer. Her ardent love of life and pursuit of excellence have driven her to the fast lane as well – car racing on ice – a hobby introduced to her by her father.
"My father is my mentor; he gives me encouragement and support," she says. "He pushes me to become a better person, to work hard and to enjoy life."
Apres two seasons of racing on ice in the Trophee Andros and having won the Ladies Cup in the 2000 Formulas France Cup FFSA and placed third in the Apple d’ Huez, Coralie C.’s dream now is to race the world-renowned Paris-Dakar, no less.
While earning a degree in Art History and Literature from the Tufts University in Boston, Coralie also studied design, photography, filmmaking and acting.
Her design inspiration comes primarily from her travels. "Discovering new places and how the locals live and dress," she says, "are eye-opening experiences for me."
Coralie’s wide range of interests includes jazz, art and sport. Her love for contemporary art has prompted her to support young artists and to manage art exhibits for the Philippe Charriol Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by her father dedicated to the cultivation of budding artists.
Charriol, palanggas, is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. Apart from its new Rockwell location, Charriol is also located at Shop No. 18, Greenbelt Mall, Ayala Center, Makati.
Check them out, palanggas.
Newly elected TATAP president, hardworking, good-looking Victor Valbuena, explained to moi, "The tourney marks a more aggressive campaign the association will undertake to increase the popularity of table tennis in the country.
"Table tennis is one sport that can be readily and affordably participated in by the vast, yet under-tapped pool of talented Filipino athletes.
"Improving the skills of local table tennis players through competitions and intensive training programs here and abroad may bring the country the elusive Olympic Gold Medal it has long sought."
Elimination rounds, palanggas, will be held from Dec. 5 to 8 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum. The finals will be held from Dec. 9 to 10 at the upscale Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.
Major sponsors for this truly needed sport event are companies that care like LG Electronics and the Rustan’s Group.
All you table tennis (better known as "ping-pong") enthusiasts, get your act together and give it a try.
Who knows, palanggas, you just might have the skills to make it. Remember; No guts, no glory. Di bala?