The real Shangri-La

Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa has been voted the most popular resort hotel in the Philippines, and it’s almost always fully-booked all year round. This is really no surprise because Mactan Shang has first class amenities and is touted as the largest and most exclusive deluxe resort hotel. Families can have ultimate fun and relaxation, especially this summer, as they can hit the beach to beat the heat. Aside from the friendly and efficient service, one of the hits is the Cowrie Cove, where the seafood is superb and couples can enjoy a romantic dinner by the sea under a canopy of stars. In fact, Filipinos don’t have to go to Phuket or Honolulu for that tropical paradise experience because the real Shangri-La is right here in the country.

Not senior citizen-friendly

Retired University of the East professor Mary Manglapus Lorredo was aghast when the McDonald’s branch located at the third floor of SM Centerpoint in Sta. Mesa refused to honor her senior citizen’s card. According to our Eye-Spy who was in the vicinity when the incident happened last Saturday, the store’s branch manager had the temerity to ask for Mrs. Lorredo’s tax identification number before they would honor her card. Professor Mary, who retired from her teaching post in 1995, the sister of the late Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus and the widow of TOYM awardee and A. Soriano Corp. executive Jorge Lorredo Jr., replied she does not even remember her tax account number. In the first place, why is a tax account number or a tax identification number even necessary to honor a senior citizen’s discount card? If this is the policy of the fast-food outlet, then it is certainly not senior citizen-friendly, considering that there are a lot of seniors who don’t even have a tax identification number.

Polluters should get grilled

A recent visitor to Subic reported that he was very impressed with the cleanliness of the place and the orderly enforcement of traffic rules. There was only one sore point, said the visitor: One establishment along Waterfront Road is allegedly posing a health hazard to the environment: The liquid waste deposit from the area facing the beach.Apparently, the liquid waste is not noticeable during daytime when the tide is low, and the water would not reach it because of the sand. But at nighttime and the tide is high, the water will definitely reach the waste and bring it to the ocean, the informant pointed out. Perhaps the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority should look into this matter, in order to ensure that the public would continue to enjoy a pollution-free environment.

Offensive noise

An informant disclosed that shoppers and restaurant goers had one of the most uncomfortable and un-relaxing experiences at this very well frequented area known for tiangge-style bazaars. Late last month, a car show was held at the parking lot right across one of the restos and the noise was ear splitting and terrible. Some restaurant owners in the area had also allegedly complained to the organizer of the car show, but nothing came out of it. The deafening noise went on until late at night. What’s worse, the car show participants took some people on short rides around the tents installed in the parking lot. The sound of screeching tires and roaring engines went on and on, with restaurant goers going home with splitting headaches as a result. What’s worse was that a police station was nearby, but they didn’t do anything about it. We seem to remember that there was a proposed House Bill 2905, or the Anti-Noise Pollution Act of 2004. Wonder whatever happened to it.

‘Plastic’ company

A practicing interior designer who has been in the business for 20 years is allegedly being given the runaround by this company who claims to be a leading manufacturer of high-grade plastic construction materials. Sometime in 2004, the designer purchased PVC gutters, downspouts and fittings for a project and paid in cash. The project contractor, however, realized the old downspouts could still be used, so the designer decided to return the materials. The company sales person gave the assurance that a cash refund would be made, but since processing would take a very long time, suggested instead that the designer get materials equivalent to the amount. The designer declined, and returned the downspouts in as good a condition as when they were bought. It’s been almost two years since then, and the refund hasn’t been made regardless of the assurances given by the management. Now the designer is beginning to realize that the company is living up to its "plastic" image by pretending that it would give a cash refund when it seems that it has no intention of doing so.If this kind of customer dis-service continues, the company might just lose the goodwill of customers and should just forget about the "strong company image" it boasts of.

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