Thursday, November 22, 2001
MORE SURPRISES IN RESTAURANTS ABROAD
from a chat with close friend AnneFiona:
Annefiona: "That happened here to Arnold, Tootsie's hubby. He went to a Subway restaurant. he got his soda cup then went to the ice dispenser. Then he noticed there was a black ice cube. When he looked closely, it wasn't a black ice cube but a cockroach. Had been in the ice dispenser, probably had been there for hours. So when he called the manager, the guy said, "Sorry sir, i'll just give you another cup..." Funny.
"Then, my friend and i went to a pinoy restau for lunch ... she ordered one bowl of mongo and one cup rice. So kain kain. Then she took one spoonful of mongo straight into her mouth. She noticed something chewy... so she took it out of her mouth, looked at it closely and... it was a USED band-aid.
What's funny was my friend was too embarrassed to complain, cause she actually put it into her mouth already!"
from a chat with close friend AnneFiona:
Annefiona: "That happened here to Arnold, Tootsie's hubby. He went to a Subway restaurant. he got his soda cup then went to the ice dispenser. Then he noticed there was a black ice cube. When he looked closely, it wasn't a black ice cube but a cockroach. Had been in the ice dispenser, probably had been there for hours. So when he called the manager, the guy said, "Sorry sir, i'll just give you another cup..." Funny.
"Then, my friend and i went to a pinoy restau for lunch ... she ordered one bowl of mongo and one cup rice. So kain kain. Then she took one spoonful of mongo straight into her mouth. She noticed something chewy... so she took it out of her mouth, looked at it closely and... it was a USED band-aid.
What's funny was my friend was too embarrassed to complain, cause she actually put it into her mouth already!"
EXPATS SHOULD BEWARE OF BUSES IN PHILIPPINES?
taken from here :
..."The majority of bus companies are owned by individuals or families. Manila does not have a citywide, publicly-owned bus system. Often they are not air-conditioned and can be very crowded. Unfortunately many of them are also terrible sources for the air pollution in Manila, "smoke belchers"! Though buses are economical and frequent, it is not recommended that foreigners travel on public buses. These buses lack security and recently have seen increased criminal activity including robberies and onboard shootings."
Comment: * Often they are not airconditioned? Wrong. Often their airconditioners don't work, or drip on your head. Actually, there are fewer non-aircon buses on the main thoroughfares these days. Tsk tsk tsk.
taken from here :
..."The majority of bus companies are owned by individuals or families. Manila does not have a citywide, publicly-owned bus system. Often they are not air-conditioned and can be very crowded. Unfortunately many of them are also terrible sources for the air pollution in Manila, "smoke belchers"! Though buses are economical and frequent, it is not recommended that foreigners travel on public buses. These buses lack security and recently have seen increased criminal activity including robberies and onboard shootings."
Comment: * Often they are not airconditioned? Wrong. Often their airconditioners don't work, or drip on your head. Actually, there are fewer non-aircon buses on the main thoroughfares these days. Tsk tsk tsk.
HEY PINSAN, CAN I BUY YOUR KIDNEY?
taken from here:
FAQ:"Can I sell my kidney?"
A: In the Philippines, there is currently no law that either allows or prohibits the practice of selling organs but most medical professionals especially the transplant surgeons and urologists find this practice unethical and distasteful. Although it may happen in this country, it does so without the knowledge of the doctors since this is a private deal between the donor and the recipient who pass the donor out as a "distant cousin".
PHILIPPINES RELEASES SECRET UFO FILES
from September 28, 2000
Apparently our very own PAG-ASA admitted to participating in an investigation of UFOs in the Philippines. And they even admitted that some sightings had them "stumped".
Sigh.
Maybe they can predict the weather better if they aren't looking for strange metallic objects streaking out of the sky all the time.
from September 28, 2000
Apparently our very own PAG-ASA admitted to participating in an investigation of UFOs in the Philippines. And they even admitted that some sightings had them "stumped".
Sigh.
Maybe they can predict the weather better if they aren't looking for strange metallic objects streaking out of the sky all the time.
THE KENNY ROGERS PITA SURPRISE
Taken from an e-mail circulating in Manila
A girl and her officemates order, among others, a Chicken Caesar Pita Sandwich from Kenny Rogers Roasters (Jupiter Street, Makati). She opens up the pita after noticing a foul smell coming from it . And finds a cockroach.
Please do take all the necessary precautions when eating out. Incidents like these do happen even to establishments such as Kenny Roger's, where we expect highest the sanitary standards.
========
Subject: Re: Apology Letter
Attached herewith are the photographs I took of the Chicken Caesar PitaI ordered from Kenny Rogers last September 28, 2001. I hope you really do something about this problem. I accept your apology, as any polite person would, but it will not stop me from warning all the people I know regarding the incident. You should realize that you have lost a good customer in me, my family and the people who would reach my email.
Sincerely,
Anna B. Tanchiatco
Accenture
>From: JayManalo@roasters.com
>To: Anna B.Tanchiatco/Internal/Accenture@Accenture
>Subject: Apology Letter
>October 1, 2001
Dear Ms. Tanchiatco:
We would like to convey our sincerest apology for the unfortunate incident last Friday night, September 28,2001, at KR-Jupiter. In cases like this, we immediately investigate the matter in order to find out exactly the deviations that may have occured and the persons responsible for such. But more importantly, we would like to be able to take necessary actions to correct any deviations and prevent its recurrence.It has been a commitment to provide guest satisfaction and even beyond. But the negligence displayed by our employee does not really align with our mission. And we totally agree with you on the concern that immediate action shall be taken to prevent this from happening again.
___In behalf of KR-Jupiter, I would like to thank you for the precious time you spent in giving us your feedback. We value them, for we know that by listening to our guests, it gives us not only the opportunity to improve our service, but more importantly to be more responsive to our guests needs.
___May we invite you over to our store once more to experience service- -the Roaster's way. Thank you for taking your precious time in informing us your experience. Rest assured that we will act on your complaint immediately.
Respectfully yours,
Jay S. Manalo
Area Manager
jaymanalo@roasters.com.ph
Taken from an e-mail circulating in Manila
A girl and her officemates order, among others, a Chicken Caesar Pita Sandwich from Kenny Rogers Roasters (Jupiter Street, Makati). She opens up the pita after noticing a foul smell coming from it . And finds a cockroach.
Please do take all the necessary precautions when eating out. Incidents like these do happen even to establishments such as Kenny Roger's, where we expect highest the sanitary standards.
========
Subject: Re: Apology Letter
Attached herewith are the photographs I took of the Chicken Caesar PitaI ordered from Kenny Rogers last September 28, 2001. I hope you really do something about this problem. I accept your apology, as any polite person would, but it will not stop me from warning all the people I know regarding the incident. You should realize that you have lost a good customer in me, my family and the people who would reach my email.
Sincerely,
Anna B. Tanchiatco
Accenture
>From: JayManalo@roasters.com
>To: Anna B.Tanchiatco/Internal/Accenture@Accenture
>Subject: Apology Letter
>October 1, 2001
Dear Ms. Tanchiatco:
We would like to convey our sincerest apology for the unfortunate incident last Friday night, September 28,2001, at KR-Jupiter. In cases like this, we immediately investigate the matter in order to find out exactly the deviations that may have occured and the persons responsible for such. But more importantly, we would like to be able to take necessary actions to correct any deviations and prevent its recurrence.It has been a commitment to provide guest satisfaction and even beyond. But the negligence displayed by our employee does not really align with our mission. And we totally agree with you on the concern that immediate action shall be taken to prevent this from happening again.
___In behalf of KR-Jupiter, I would like to thank you for the precious time you spent in giving us your feedback. We value them, for we know that by listening to our guests, it gives us not only the opportunity to improve our service, but more importantly to be more responsive to our guests needs.
___May we invite you over to our store once more to experience service- -the Roaster's way. Thank you for taking your precious time in informing us your experience. Rest assured that we will act on your complaint immediately.
Respectfully yours,
Jay S. Manalo
Area Manager
jaymanalo@roasters.com.ph
BIG MAC at BALAYAN CHURCH
PART 3 of 3
MacDonald's, an American corporation, has decided to go ahead and build on property that has a National Historical Institute marker placed since December 8, 1986. The Balayan Church was also deemed as a National Cultural Treasure along with 26 other churches in 2000 by the National Museum. In addition, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has nominated this and the other churches for restoration and as a
flagship project for the millennium. MacDonald's brazen and anti-Filipino act would be comparable to Jollie Bee opening up a food outlet on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Benjie Martinez, the last mayor of Balayan fought successfully during his term not to have MacDonald's placed on church grounds. There was a local ordinance passed to ensure there would be no such construction. Soon after Mayor Martinez ended his term on July 31, the local Sangguniang Bayan declared the local ordinance null and voic. By November, a portion of the church grounds, sited for construction was fenced.
As of today, diggings and earthmoving are occurring on the church site, since Fr. Mandanas obtained a building permit last October 25, 2001. The planned MacDonald's construction on church grounds blasphemes the religiosity of our people and insults a nation trying very hard to preserve the heritage of our country. Allowing this to occur gives a green signal for other commercial establishments to mushroom in all other church grounds throughout the country. Our children will grow up spiritless, knowing only foreign consumer indulgence rather than a love for their faith and their country.
Express your opposition to this construction by calling Fr. Ernesto Mandanas today at 043-2114-371 (office), 043-2115-327 (house) or 043-407-0364 (fax).
Tell Mr. Jojo Samson, MacDonald's Communication Director, your opposition to the construction and that they stop it immediately. His phone number is 815-9683. You can bear pressure on Macdonald's by declaring you will encourage all your friends to express their sentiments and boycott Macdonald's products until construction has stopped.
PART 3 of 3
MacDonald's, an American corporation, has decided to go ahead and build on property that has a National Historical Institute marker placed since December 8, 1986. The Balayan Church was also deemed as a National Cultural Treasure along with 26 other churches in 2000 by the National Museum. In addition, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has nominated this and the other churches for restoration and as a
flagship project for the millennium. MacDonald's brazen and anti-Filipino act would be comparable to Jollie Bee opening up a food outlet on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Benjie Martinez, the last mayor of Balayan fought successfully during his term not to have MacDonald's placed on church grounds. There was a local ordinance passed to ensure there would be no such construction. Soon after Mayor Martinez ended his term on July 31, the local Sangguniang Bayan declared the local ordinance null and voic. By November, a portion of the church grounds, sited for construction was fenced.
As of today, diggings and earthmoving are occurring on the church site, since Fr. Mandanas obtained a building permit last October 25, 2001. The planned MacDonald's construction on church grounds blasphemes the religiosity of our people and insults a nation trying very hard to preserve the heritage of our country. Allowing this to occur gives a green signal for other commercial establishments to mushroom in all other church grounds throughout the country. Our children will grow up spiritless, knowing only foreign consumer indulgence rather than a love for their faith and their country.
Express your opposition to this construction by calling Fr. Ernesto Mandanas today at 043-2114-371 (office), 043-2115-327 (house) or 043-407-0364 (fax).
Tell Mr. Jojo Samson, MacDonald's Communication Director, your opposition to the construction and that they stop it immediately. His phone number is 815-9683. You can bear pressure on Macdonald's by declaring you will encourage all your friends to express their sentiments and boycott Macdonald's products until construction has stopped.
BIG MAC at BALAYAN CHURCH
PART 2 of 3
Parishioners who have benefited from the religious counsel and guidance of priests have a responsibility in caring for them in their twilight years. Parishioners have many options in raising funds but desecrating church grounds with a commercial establishment shouldn't be one of them. Suspicions are raised because the parishioners are not being informed as to the size of the rest home and how many elderly priests will be taken care of. There are estimates though that up to 100,000 pesos a month will be received by the parish for rental of church grounds to MacDonald's.
The violation of tax laws isn't the most important thing that riles the townspeople of Balayan and people who value heritage conservation. Spanish colonial churches are the most distinctive identity markers of the nation rivaling the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Tubataha Reefs and other natural wonders in this country. Yet, an untold number of churches have been destroyed by ignorant parish priests who have altered facades, painted over frescoes, chipped off architectural details, and in the more extreme cases, totally demolished a structure for a hideous "modern" replacement. In the case of Balayan, the planned MacDonald's will cover the church from one angle of the road and will pose many aesthetic and practical problems. Will the huge golden arch now be raised higher than the church steeple? Will other parts of the church grounds be used for parking? Will the diners enter MacDonald's through the main church entrance or will they tear down the grilled wall of the church? In the blind greed for money, Fr. Mandanas will now make MacDonald's, its corporate symbol, and its dining function overshadow the solemnity and spirituality of church grounds and will lead to the further loss of parishioners and devotees to the Catholic Church.
PART 2 of 3
Parishioners who have benefited from the religious counsel and guidance of priests have a responsibility in caring for them in their twilight years. Parishioners have many options in raising funds but desecrating church grounds with a commercial establishment shouldn't be one of them. Suspicions are raised because the parishioners are not being informed as to the size of the rest home and how many elderly priests will be taken care of. There are estimates though that up to 100,000 pesos a month will be received by the parish for rental of church grounds to MacDonald's.
The violation of tax laws isn't the most important thing that riles the townspeople of Balayan and people who value heritage conservation. Spanish colonial churches are the most distinctive identity markers of the nation rivaling the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Tubataha Reefs and other natural wonders in this country. Yet, an untold number of churches have been destroyed by ignorant parish priests who have altered facades, painted over frescoes, chipped off architectural details, and in the more extreme cases, totally demolished a structure for a hideous "modern" replacement. In the case of Balayan, the planned MacDonald's will cover the church from one angle of the road and will pose many aesthetic and practical problems. Will the huge golden arch now be raised higher than the church steeple? Will other parts of the church grounds be used for parking? Will the diners enter MacDonald's through the main church entrance or will they tear down the grilled wall of the church? In the blind greed for money, Fr. Mandanas will now make MacDonald's, its corporate symbol, and its dining function overshadow the solemnity and spirituality of church grounds and will lead to the further loss of parishioners and devotees to the Catholic Church.
BIG MAC at BALAYAN CHURCH
PART 1 of 3
by John L. Silva
distributed by email
We all grew up knowing the biblical story of Jesus throwing the moneychangers out of the temple. Jesus was transformed from a usually meek man to one enraged, clutching a whip to drive away the business louts. The message was clear: Businesses and places of worship do not
mix.
Fr. Ernesto Mandanas, parish priest of Balayan Church has forgotten Jesus' admonition as he has gone full swing in having a MacDonald's built on church grounds. He, along with Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales have agreed not only to put a MacDonald's in this town but also on the church grounds of the Batangas Cathedral. If they have their way, ringing cash registers and hamburger grease smell will commingle with altar bells ringing during the transformation of the host and the scent of incense. Jesus would be so upset at this prospect and would resurrect again if only to go after the money hungry priests.
Why does Fr. Mandanas want the money? It seems he needs it to build a rest home for their aging priests. That's a compassionate reason. But
the way these priests are going about it, they violate the elementary understanding that religious entities are exempt from paying taxes because they are in the business of saving souls and not making money.
Once the church starts using its resources, like property, to make a profit, they lose their non-profit status.
PART 1 of 3
by John L. Silva
distributed by email
We all grew up knowing the biblical story of Jesus throwing the moneychangers out of the temple. Jesus was transformed from a usually meek man to one enraged, clutching a whip to drive away the business louts. The message was clear: Businesses and places of worship do not
mix.
Fr. Ernesto Mandanas, parish priest of Balayan Church has forgotten Jesus' admonition as he has gone full swing in having a MacDonald's built on church grounds. He, along with Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales have agreed not only to put a MacDonald's in this town but also on the church grounds of the Batangas Cathedral. If they have their way, ringing cash registers and hamburger grease smell will commingle with altar bells ringing during the transformation of the host and the scent of incense. Jesus would be so upset at this prospect and would resurrect again if only to go after the money hungry priests.
Why does Fr. Mandanas want the money? It seems he needs it to build a rest home for their aging priests. That's a compassionate reason. But
the way these priests are going about it, they violate the elementary understanding that religious entities are exempt from paying taxes because they are in the business of saving souls and not making money.
Once the church starts using its resources, like property, to make a profit, they lose their non-profit status.
BEWARE OF THE ROCKWELL CARPARK
Another scary but true urban horror story
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: (no subject)
Hi all!
Last night me and a couple of friends went to Starbucks Rockwell for some coffee before calling it a day.
A Lady was dropped off within the area and was believed to have been drugged and raped. She can't really recall anything aside from that she rode a taxi cab headed for the airport and the driver gave her soft drinks. She doesnt have any ID on her. Her dress was unzipped at the back and there were some slight bleeding. We really didn't get her name and we think she was still groggy from the drugged soft drink. She doesnt want to go to the police and she doesnt want to go to the hospital.
Good thing the people from starbucks (especially the little lady there) did their best to comfort and assist the lady. At first she doesnt want to stay but after a few minutes na-convince din siya ng manager at ng girl ng starbucks (and some of the helpful and kind customers) na mag-stay sa loob ng office at mag rest.
Thats all.
ingat na lang kayong lahat.
Israel B.
Another scary but true urban horror story
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: (no subject)
Hi all!
Last night me and a couple of friends went to Starbucks Rockwell for some coffee before calling it a day.
A Lady was dropped off within the area and was believed to have been drugged and raped. She can't really recall anything aside from that she rode a taxi cab headed for the airport and the driver gave her soft drinks. She doesnt have any ID on her. Her dress was unzipped at the back and there were some slight bleeding. We really didn't get her name and we think she was still groggy from the drugged soft drink. She doesnt want to go to the police and she doesnt want to go to the hospital.
Good thing the people from starbucks (especially the little lady there) did their best to comfort and assist the lady. At first she doesnt want to stay but after a few minutes na-convince din siya ng manager at ng girl ng starbucks (and some of the helpful and kind customers) na mag-stay sa loob ng office at mag rest.
Thats all.
ingat na lang kayong lahat.
Israel B.
