What else can I do for you?

As the year 2010 began, some of my goals for the year was to find every opportunity for travel, maximize this by making myself available as a resource speaker to different churches and seek out opportunities related to the different little projects I have going on at home or our backyard farm.

In doing so I have discovered a new generation of businessmen and church leaders who have spearheaded a positive philosophy or culture without even realizing it.

It is very Filipino and yet very modern. It’s very uplifting yet void of politics or ideology. I term it the “What else can I do for you” culture.

From January to March, I have been to Tuguegarao, Bacolod, Subic and soon Boracay for various speaking, teaching events. During those visits I have had the privilege of working with young executives, church leaders, both male and female and all of them spoke one language, one philosophy: “What else can I do for you.”

All of them are competent, qualified, assertive individuals who are well aware of work ethics, assignments and roles. But beyond the expectations they consistently go the extra mile not just with words, but also with visible commitment and desire.

They don’t simply play the “role” they live the role.

For generations, Filipinos have excelled and benefited from such a cultural characteristic, but global exposure and a mis-appreciation of our willingness to be of service or to help led to abuse and disrespect. In retaliation, we adapted the western philosophy of asking “What’s in it for me? or “It’s gonna cost you.” So what used to be an advantage that endeared us to both locals and foreigners was discarded as a liability for the culture, in society and most especially in business.

Until now.

A new generation of intelligent, globally aware and Christ-centered men and women, have slowly but surely set an example that the philosophy of service will ultimately be appreciated even in the market place.

You begin with appreciation for the assistance and the time they share while working with you. That turns into being impressed by their unselfishness and eagerness to help. Then it challenges you to reflect on your attitude and character; why can’t I be like them, or why did I stop being like them or what can I do to be just like them?

Ultimately you are inspired to adapt the same attitude and ultimately the same philosophy: “What else can I do for you?”

Hospitality is not just about serving, it also sets an example, and it sets a standard and ultimately asks the question: Are you a servant-leader or are you a leader waiting to be served?

* * *

I’ve said it once and I will say it again; “Subic Bay” or SBMA can and should be the next major tourism development destination.

Little by little the necessary facilities have been growing but so have been the headaches, which tells us that someone has to make up their mind if we want SBMA to be the leisure playground of Filipinos from all walk of life and not just the well to do.

During Holy Week and last week end, the first sign that Subic is not ready was in form of the long lines of cars and vans that had to squeeze through two to three toll-gates entering SBMA.

It was well worth the hassle once you got through and enjoyed Ocean Adventure that really gives you your moneys worth. Imagine for P500 you get to watch the Sea Lions do their performance, a high dive show featuring the Aqua maniacs a 5-person team of Canadians and Russian divers.

Then you take in: “A walk on the wild side” where we learned that a giant fruit bat, a cat and a Sea Eagle can be trained to do tricks. Equally important they teach you a little bit about jungle survival, ecology all in a mildly humorous way.

Then we passed through their Aquarium, which has so much more potential for expansion but the biggest thrill was the Dolphin show that undoubtedly is one of the best.

Rather than wait for foreign investments to come to Subic, the next administration and local investors should realize that the market is here: The Filipinos!

We simply have to stop building facilities for “foreign high end tourists.”

What we need are facilities and locations that address the culture, the needs and the expectations of Filipinos. In Subic I saw much of that being addressed by Camayan Resort. It has a good mix of foreign and local tourist and they certainly provided for both day day-trippers and weekenders. That’s using their coconut!

A point of concern inside SBMA is the level of road maintenance particularly the need to repaint lane dividers or street lines, ample lighting and the enforcement of sanitation rules particularly how construction debris are now very visible near road ways and drainage systems.

In the words of a foreign guest; “I wonder how long before SBMA starts to look just like the rest of the Philippines?”

Perhaps, Administrator Armand Arreza needs to meet up with his engineering and sanitation and enforcement officials and go for a long slow drive from one end of SBMA to the other. Even better the administrator should be behind the wheel for a daytime drive and a night time drive.

I’m sure things will quickly be straightened our once triple A cracks the whip.