Toiling the Soil and Renewing Bond with Nature

The clamor for a special climb for associates affiliated with a personal leadership group PSI finally pushed through this 3 March. It has been about 2 decades since members of the group climbed together. Based on my recollection, the last one was in Mt. Pulag in the nineties.

The inertia to jumpstart this activity was quite a challenge despite the advance notices provided by Nolan and Nelson, the group patch created by Claude, birthday/reunion bash hosted by Joy D.A. and the postings in the social media network then an unfamiliar medium the Facebook.

While setting a target date from January 21, 2012 was quite an effort, the original appointed date of February 4-5 was postponed or eventually cancelled. The scale tipped to better likelihood was it was repackaged as a Farm Field Visit cum Day Climb, private transportation available, no special equipment required and estimated to cost only slightly over P500. It ended with an awesome finish sufficient to trigger fond memories of the past and clamor for more.

In the company of Nolan, Nelson and Ann, Joy B and daughter Victoria, we met up with couples Joy D.A. and Kerry in a remote barangay in San Miguel Bulacan. We were given an orientation on farming, planting and harvesting amidst a plantation of a special variety of melon, hybrid high yielding rice, duo bearing Japanese corn and chili immediately after a hosted lunch.

Early in the afternoon, we were transported to Barangay Sibul, a good 30 minute ride from the farm to the jump-off of Madlum Cave and Mt. Manalmon.

The almost one hour trek to reach an altitude of 180 MASL and a 45 minute descent was enough to affirm the capability to climb and to renew interest with nature. Renewal with nature was compounded by the experience of walking through a plantation, touching the soil and appreciating how a seed grows to an edible organic food.

More than the completion, this day activity offered a lot more to me. Man’s needs for food, shelter and fulfillment stem from nature. Renewing interest with the soil and natural wonder yields pleasure far greater than one would rationalize provided there has been deep seated relationship planted in the past. We merely came back that weekend.

Fotos grabbed from Joy and Nelson albums.

Handling Consumer Complaints

Deal with the person’s feelings

Deal with the problem

1. Listen

2. Establish rapport

3. Create solution

4. Close

5. Take action

Dave J., consultant to the Sta Rosa Complex Supply Chain goes to Sta Rosa from Pasay via SLEX.  He drops by Starbucks in San Pedro Petron for a cup of coffee in the morning.  Last 15 February, the bill for about a hundred was charged against his international credit card.  When he reached the complex and checked his bill, he discovered that the swiped amount was in thousands.

During lunch time at Solenad (a few kilometers from the complex), I suggested to Dave that he informs the outlet right away to reverse the online credit card transaction.  Unfortunately, the documents did not provide the contact cell, landline nor email contacts.  Dave says no problem because the staff knows him and can be corrected the next day.

I suggested that we handle the correction right away to catch the credit card debit process.  I likewise expressed interest in observing having gone through a Consumer Complaint Handling program of Quality Assurance.  As there was a Starbucks outlet nearby in Nuvali (not the outlet where the sale was made), Dave readily agreed to present his case.

With the bill and the attached credit card duplicate slip, we went to Starbucks Nuvali counter.  The barista was with another young personnel.  Dave presented his case to both of them.  As an American, he was polite, unassuming and courteous with the staff.  I was civil.

Here is how it was handled.

“The entries do not match.”  “Where sir did this happen?”asked Gail.  “At the Petron station,” Dave answered.  I added the info that he used an international credit card and is due to leave in a few days.  Then Gail casually said in a friendly manner, “Usually, they rebate the balance in cash.”  Gail then asked for cell contact numbers for contact.  (Dave was not sure on the correctness of the local cell number.)  After a short talk, Gail asked to be excused so he can alert the store manager of San Pedro.

In the meantime, Dave and I still standing continued our casual conversation.  After a while, Gail returned back to the store and said:

1.  Info on the incidence was relayed to the San Pedro Store Manager.

2.  Manager apologized for the inconvenience.

3.  Credit card transaction was reversed.  If Dave goes back to Starbucks in San Pedro the following day, he can claim the cancelled transaction slip.

4.  The coffee orders are on them.

In less than 10 minutes, we completed our purpose leaving the store.  As we left, we thanked Gail for the assistance.  Gail returned us with a close saying, “Sir our store is just a few kilometers away from your plant, perhaps you may want to visit us.”

We left Starbucks Nuvali pleased recalling that:

• Gail Paharo, the Store Manager listened casually to Dave’s concern

• Established rapport by recognizing we had a concern and are Starbucks customers by saying “which outlet do you usually take your coffee?”  He secured informally information on the transaction in question by asking contact numbers, date and whereabouts of transaction.

• He initially set us up that solution is at hand, cash rebate and San Pedro outlet will reply.

• He took action as he did call the Store Manager in between not in our presence.

• He solved the incidence.

•  He closed with an invitation.

What was beyond expectation was, he solved the problem on behalf of the other store: credit card transaction cancelled, purchase was on them all in less than 10 minutes.

He did a service recovery pitch by inviting us to visit Starbucks Nuvali too, to which Dave and I readily agreed.

The Night KGG Joy Hosted a Gathering before the 2012 Chinese New Year
Habang palalim ng palalim ang gabi, unti unting lumalabas ang mga kwento ng nakaraaan. Mga sitwasyong di maalala, sandaliang tinatanggi. Nandoon na rin ang mga masasayang alaala na masarap balik-balikan.
 Ngunit ang klaro sa gabing ito ay ang hirap mag-organize ng isang climb sa mga taong iba’t-iba na ang prioridad sa buhay. Nandoon pa rin ang mga pangyayaring pagbibida, pagtanggi, pagpupursigi at pananahimik (ehem, ako po yun).
 Para sa akin, nagagawa lang ito ng mas maluwag sa kalooban ng bawa’t isa ang tapatang sagutin ang katangunan, “Ba’t ko gustong umakyat muli?” Para sa gamit? Sa pagsasama? Sa alaala ng mga nawalang kaibigan? O trip lang o pagsubok sa kakayahan? Para sa mga anak? O bagong kaibigan.
 Mahirap sagutin. Maaring bigyan muna na ng maiksing panahon, maiksi na lang para matuloy na ang intensyong ito. Maaring makakatulong kung sagutin na rin ang katangunan, “Ano ang toka ko sa akyat na ito?”
 Sa tropang ito, madali makuha ang kasagutan. Maiksing panahon na lang sa pananaw ko at lalarga na ang biyaheng ito.
_____________________________________________________________

As the night deepened, slowly the mountain stories unfolded. Moments of forgetfulness, unnamed mountains, happy times, euphoric feelings were common that evening. Like the food that was unlimited, so were the situations with Mother Nature.

What was clear that night was it was difficult to organize a climb. While there are now other priorities in life, it apparently was not the obstacle to firm up a plan. Not even the presence of a certified coach CSC expedited the decision process. Because we just allowed the moment to unfold by itself naturally. There are bragging, denials, determined pursuit and even plain quiet introspection probing "What really was the past 20 years for me?"

For me it would have been easier to come to an alignment if we first asked ourselves the usual question, "Why do I want to climb again?" To field audit my equipment? To experiment a new recipe? For the bonding and friendship? To honor a dead friend? Or simply a plain adventure to test still our physical capability? To climb with our children or new found friends?

Difficult to answer these days. Allow us some time to ponder about it. However it might be easier to answer the practical query, "What am I willing to give for this climb to happen? Then it would just be a matter of short time that this activity will take off. Because . . . alll of us have the same purpose. HNY 2012!

Fotos taken by Nelson M, owned by KGG Joy DA, grabbed by the FB foto album

Advent and Adversities

Message from Saturday night's Simbang Gabi at the Gesu, "Something's Coming", from Sunday's homily, "Hurdling Adversities." Lines I picked up from the Parol description: The Christmas Parol like the Star of Bethlehem conveys a message of hope, faith and victory over darkness.

Info I picked up from Edsel. 

Mga kaibigan.  Updates on how to ship DONATED goods to CDO/Iligan via Abotiz/Negros Navigation.  Emergency/Relief goods and equipment bound for Cagayan de Oro/Iligan- we have ships ready to transport them asap. For bulk items, bring directly to Abotiz/Negros Navigation, Pier 2, Manila. Call +63 2 211 5484 for more information.   Manila collection centers for relief goods: NN-ATS Express Center at Pier 2; NN-SuperFerry corporate ticket outlets in 1) Robinson's Ermita, 2) Araneta Center Cubao, 3) Victory Mall Caloocan and 4) Pier 15 and 5) Pier 2.



Ateneo Dream Team processing station last 18 Dec



Last Black Friday night, the night after Thanksgiving Thursday, I was in a company of product distribution experts on a drinking and food eating trip along the strip of Manila Bay at MOA (Mall of Asia) San Miguel by the bay.

Traditionally in the U.S. Thanksgiving has been an institutionalized event where the family recognizes appreciation for the blessings over sumptuous dinner. Our local version is an office gathering with shared billing. One came from the river bank of Rizal, another from Laguna and the rest from Paco in Manila.  The prime mover earlier shopped for the fresh "pusit, tahong, tilapia, tuna" at the nearby wet market and had it cooked (paluto) at the selected outlet. Beer was order as much, food almost like "eat all you can" as the prices are affordable to a company of mid managers.

Talk point that evening did not center on giving thanks neither on what's working. Instead it dwelt on what is not working, routines not followed, regulations ignored. At some point, some raised the solution of "ethnic cleansing" to address the root cause. No wonder I said, it was a Black Friday. It turned out to be a ranting session to cope with situation not according to norms, by the group's standards. Talks were on violation, sleeping on the job, conflict of interest, etc. I selectively listened but did not contribute. I savored all the seafood servings but did not drink as much San Mig Pale Pilsen. Discussion extended for hours until way past midnight.

Foto grabbed from http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/

Did the activity have any value? Yes it has as the food was good. Yes as it was with a pleasant company. At the end of the session, it felt good to have attended a gathering, thankful that that the four of us were still around looking forward to more sessions hopefully with more pleasantries than stories on failed responsibilities. “Kailan ulit?” Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Topics in my mind:

-BPI Bank of Philippine Island in Metro Manila has online queue when in the bank premises. Did it cut waiting time?

-CDR King, the mainstream retailer of computer users computes manually. Will they computerize in the near future?

-Why DZUP radio show conversations are engaging keeping me glued on the radio. Will the shows continue to interest me?



Sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry

He said he had to work so I went to the show alone

They turned down the lights and turned the projector on

And just as the news of the world started to begin

I saw my darlin' and my best friend walk in

 -Wit on the new sunshine industry, the neighborhood laundry shop. Spotted on 12th Avenue Murphy, “Suds Story” and “Wet n Wash.” My favorite is “Wash Now My Love” at F. Castillo st. in Project 4. Laundry cost is P25.0 a kilo, wash and dry only. Tea houses too are mushrooming with their creative names.  Spotted at Diliman are: "Infini Tea" and "Cha Dao."  Are there more?

What now my love, now that you left me.  How can I live through another day