Just Say No

Faves and Peeves

Through the past few months, I have compiled some of my observations as a consumer, motorist, or just plain tax payer me. And below are some personal experiences which make or unmake my day. How about you? Care to share your thoughts?

1. Peeve- At Waltermart Supermarket in Makati, straws are intentionally ripped off and detached from tetra-packed drinks. You will have to remind your bagger boy at the counter to give you straws for your purchased drinks. Or if they ran out of straws from the payout counter, you will have to line up for them at the Customer Service Station!?.. What could be worse than that? I tell you, worse is when you get the wrong straws for the type of drinks that you bought.. (too short, too thick or too thin)... Arrgh... I have stopped shopping at the Waltermart for this reason. It is such a hassle. Why do you suppose the likes of Nestle, Magnolia, Selecta etc. attached those straws to the packages? At Waltermart Supermarket, they just do not seem to get it. (Oct 2006)

2. Fave - I just love the baristas in Starbucks Magallanes. They go the extra mile to get to know customers - for a more personal service and interface. In fact, I commend all staff in the store including the guards and cleaning personnel - very polite and always "ready-to-help". Now, that is customer-service!

3. Peeve - Baby cockroaches in Auntie Anne's Branch in Glorietta. Yikes! But yes, I saw them and even called store personnel attention to it. Surprisingly, the response was just a shrug of the shoulder-- as if, it was no big dea since the cockroaches roaming (there were three) were tiny. But stilll!!!??? The sighting happened on February 5, 2007, store opening time.

4. Peeve - When traffic enforcers cause road accidents. The worst right? On March 22, 2007, around 3:20pm, along Pasong Tamo Extension. As I coast along the road, here was a policeman unsteadily riding on a "ChowKing" delivery motorbike (what the?!!!)... shakily, shakily moving in opposite direction, on the wrong lane, and heading on to car in front of me and moi. Good thing, we were able to hit brakes just in time, while the policeman awkwardly zigzagged to the side street parking in front of Country Style Donuts. No practice riding, pare...Tsk, tsk, tsk..

5. Fave - No questions asked return/exchange policy at Rustan's. About time local retailers adapt similar policy!

6. Fave - Valet services at the Shangri-la Mall. Drivers are always available and well-groomed.

7. Peeve - No credit card/ cash only policy at BreadTalk (Glorietta). =(

More additions to this list to come-- watch out!

On Weddings and Marriages

I have done my first wedding photo shoot last week! It got me so high... so pumped up. I am passionate about my photography that is why. And to photograph people in their emotional highs is one magical experience.

I was a total stranger in the wedding, just one of the "photographers", but the joy and romance in the air was just so contagious. The father of the groom delivered a very inspirational speech. According to him, he was a simple man who farms in the province and been married for 27 years (or was it 29?). He had some advice to the newly weds-- and they were words of wisdom spoken with conviction. He attributed his and his wife's successful "pagsasama" to three things enumerated below. And I could not agree more.

1. Patience - There will be trials for sure. But when there is patience, there is always a positive outlook-- there is always hope. Be patient with each other. Be patient with each other's dreams.
2. Transparency - Always be transparent to your partner. Be truthful. Be honest. Lying only begets more lies. Need I say more?
3. Respect - Never lose your respect and admiration for your partner. It keeps both of you going. It keeps both of you inspired and assured.

So there, my key takeaways from that wedding were not only photography experience and tips from the professionals whom I was lucky enough to work with. But also a reflection on being married.

Seeing The Faces Of Death

I once saw my grandmother took her last breath. I was young then, and she was an old lady who lived a full life. The experience was a realization- that we all shall meet the same fate. I was not shaken.. maybe a little stirred.

Recently, I once again saw the face of death-- and it was not as kind as the first time. Death was upon a good friend. Someone who was not old, someone who had wished and fought for a longer and fuller life. She was sick and terminal. She knew it, we all knew it and we helped her plan for the inevitable. But it is true- nobody is ever prepared for such. It was painful for her. I saw it on her face. She did not want to give up, but her body was unwilling to cooperate. I knew she wanted to hold on, for those who loved her, but could only do so much. I saw her struggled, how she tried to fight a battle which we all knew was un-winnable. I was by her side on her last night. I saw it all- and it was unbearable.

So I have seen two different faces of death- peaceful and violent. Do I prefer one from the other? No. Death is death. It is like a thief but worse -it takes away the most valuable of all valuables. It takes away life, dreams, security and happiness. Death is cruel - I do not like it at all.

Oh Boy! Oh Nature!

Man and nature co-exist. Here J relaxes on a "bed of flowers".