PLDT post can kill, maim - From The Stands

My column of January 4 dwelt at length on a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a black post standing almost near the middle of the righthand lane along Governor Drive (formerly Carmona Drive) between Carmona and Gen. Mariano Alvarez (GMA). That post had been there for nearly two years, after the widening of the highway. Motorists who take the paved service road even at a speed of 40 mph all of a sudden find that post standing where it should not be and frantically step on the brakes to avoid hitting it. Many motorists end up slamming their cars right against it. On Dec. 28, 1999, a friend of mine saw a Honda car smashed against that post, possibly killing or maiming the driver.

My piece called the attention of possible authorities so they would check that life-threatening or maiming post. All the while I referred to that post as an electric post, thinking Meralco officials should do something to remove it.

The other day, I received a letter from Elpi O. Cuna, Jr., director of corporate communication of Meralco. His letter, dated Jan. 17, 2000, said:

Dear Ms. Torrevillas:

Some of our customers who have read your recent column, "Thinking Differently," called our attention about the electric post which caused that tragic accident along Governor's Drive between Carmona and General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite last Dec. 28.

"We would like to inform you and your readers that we had the said post checked by a crew from our Dasmariñas Distribution and they found out that that particular post was not an electric post but a pole owned by Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT).

We will be glad to hear from you should you have any questions regarding the company.

Best wishes,

ELPI O. CUNA JR.

Director, Corporate Communication

Meralco

In my long career as a journalist, I've learned that the best way to get a response is to write the head of a company about a complaint. I did not mention Meralco in my column, but Mr. Cuna was quick to respond to Meralco customers' calling his attention to my column. So in this case, may I -- and on behalf of motorists worried about that pole - call the attention of PLDT President Manny Pangilinan, who may not have known about this matter, to have that PLDT pole checked - and removed - by the PLDT Dasmariñas crew who I assume, know about the existence of that pole, but did not give a damn about the harm it will pose on motorists. Now that we, PLDT customers (who are billed for our telephone calls and sent disconnection notices as fast as we can blink our eyes) know who owns that pole, we would like immediate service on this matter -- before more accidents occur or people get killed or maimed for life. Knowing Mr. Pangilinan's penchant for efficiency, he will have his men look into this matter.

Now, for some refreshment: One of my favorite peoples' daughter, Sandee Siytangco and her husband, Andres James Masigan, recently opened Struan & Tang's Tea Salon, purveyor of the finest teas of the world, on the ground floor of Wynsum Corporate Plaza, Ruby Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Struan & Tang's is owned and operated by Avenue A Food Concepts, Inc., whose president is Andrew. Andrew says the tea salon sources its teas from foremost tea estates of Sri Lanka, India, China and Japan. It offers premium loose tea leaves of the black, green, oolong, infused and herbal varieties, all of which are of the highest tea ratings, as well as a variety of tea beverages such as Puri-teas (24 varieties of hot tea in its purest sense), six varieties of iced tea, bold flavored teas such as Chai Latte, Vanilla Chai Latte and Tibetan Mochaccino, low fat and vitamin-packed fruit tea lattes (tea shakes) and infused cocktails.

Struan & Tang's offers varieties of Chinese and English food items as a complement to the teas. So, customers can have "proper afternoon" tea with an assortment of English-type cakes, dainty sandwiches, muffins and scones, or any of the 14 varieties of dimsum products and Cantonese rice sets. The place is open from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight. Aside from the tea parties or meetings -- in cozy nooks and corners -- people can have an English breakfast, or lunch and dinner. An emporium sells loose tea leaves and tea accruements for customers to enjoy in their homes.