Unwelcome resident

Did you know 1: A foreign restaurant franchise based in probably the hottest mall in Metro Manila has at least one unwelcome resident.

Last Sunday, a mouse (you know, the one with the tail) was seen scampering along the curtain rod of one of the restaurant’s picture window.

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Did you know 2: A fresh graduate of chemistry can get a monthly salary of P80,000. Why, that’s what a company with a forgettable name based in the Ortigas Commercial Center is offering.

Then again, Philippine National Police deputy head Eduardo Batalla Aglipay estimates that it takes an investment of P20,000 to come up with a kilo shabu, which is worth P2.5 million in the streets.

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Did you know 3: The Fatima School of Nursing accepted a freshman class of 2,000 this year. For parents, the investment of P17,000 a semester is already considered cheap compared to other schools.

The payback, presuming, of course, you pass the required tests which can be taken in US protectorate, Saipan?

A monthly salary of $10,000 working for a US-based hospital plus a crack at citizenship. Hey, you even get to bring your immediate family with you.

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Well, it looks like there’s still hope for public governance after the May 10 elections.

Former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao – this time, in his capacity as president of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia is currently in talks with six of the country’s better-run local government units on coming up with an objective score cards for each.

The pilot program, which aims to serve as models for public governance for other LGUs, is somewhat similar to the one corporate governance program among banks initiated by Bangko Sentral Governor Rafael Buenaventura.

Among the six initial LGUs is Marikina City, which was adjudged by a recent Asian Institute of Management survey as the most competitive (read also: business-friendly) big city in the country. Marikina Mayor Lourdes Fernardo is the daughter of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry stalwart, Meneleo Carlos.

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Uh, oh. Some tenants catering to the A-B market are increasingly unhappy with this mall developer with an uncanny grasp of what the market wants and needs.

You see, the frustrated tenants bought the developer’s consumer profile for a particular mall that was supposed to cater to the usual A-B broad C base. The mall’s market has, however, developed into a predominantly D-E market, who pass by the mall after being dropped off by jeepneys and tricycles.

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The popularity of strip malls in Metro Manila is basically due to two factors. One, the property involved could be as small as a residential property. Two, the construction cost is estimated at between P1 million and P3 million for a two-to three-storey building.

The caveat? You need a critical mass of about eight to 12 tenants to make it work.