maan's ramblings

Visit My other blogs

2008-12-31T23:59:00.000+08:00

Please visit my other themed blogs :

Maan's Travels (on word press) (new) : A more professional look and version using my own domain. Similar content than my old travel blog but edited and from now on will be the one updated.

Spa and Wellness Blog (new) : Observations, Information, Experiences

Maan's Travels : Sharing years of experiences with my greatest passion - Travel!
Includes my adventures in North Pole without mounting an expedition, culturally fulfilling sites in various European countries, both eastern and western side as well as those in the tropical cities of Asia.

Maan's Pilgrim Site : A collection of my various religious pilgrimage trips - photos, insights, experiences.

Maan's Multiply Site: Another ramblings and musings blog but I mainly use it for the photos. Easier to upload dozens of them.

Catholic Pilgrim Blog

2007-07-17T15:06:00.000+08:00

I have moved my religious blog, Catholic Pilgrim to a new domain and this time using Wordpress. Please check it out at:

http://catholicpilgrim.org

My new personal blog

2007-07-12T00:43:00.000+08:00

Got tired of this old blog so created a new one at Serious Prattle this time using
Word Press. I now believe my friends when they had been suggesting moving to Word Press. Its more flexible and widget friendly.

So see you all around in my new personal webspace!!!

Serious Prattle : My new personal blog

2007-07-11T23:17:00.000+08:00

I was so 'sawa' with my old personal ramblings site so decided to shift to a new one using word press. Yup, wordpress is a lot better than blogger so please do visit my new space at:

http://seriousprattle.com

Will I celebrate D day up on Air?

2007-05-13T01:30:00.000+08:00

It has been a tough and challenging period. Had some bouts of depression as something I worked on for a long time has not come into fore. Sometimes it has crossed my mind that I shouldn't have banked on a close friend too much but hen I know I learned a lot from the long study. It has drained me financially however.

Anyway, I am supposed to celebrate a milestone in my life soon and for that I had always wanted to be in my favorite city, Paris. Unfortunately it can't happen. Anyway, I had a memorable birthday in Paris last year, thanks to St. Ignatius.

God is good however. He knows I don't like to be in manila for my birthday. I just wanted to be somewhere out there batanes, appari, timbuktu or the himalayas.

Comes the miles ----- yeah I have them enough to fly half way around the world but how will I pay my accomodations and everything else that comes with the trip?

Sydney!!! Yup, Christine has been inviting me for decades to her place but being a corporate slave then, had only so much vacation leaves which must be used to help out my dad in his trips.

Christine is the I in TAFI, the acronym of our high school barkada - Tolentino, Almeda, Flores and Imperial.

I emailed Christine and told her my thoughts. Both of us were really banking on something we had been working for years, unfortunately, the other party was sickly and perhaps lacked enough focus. Both our birthdays are on the same month and just a few days away.

I told her I will start working on my visa. I havent been to that part of the world so I needed to ask how to get the visa. While gathering the documents, my miles suffered a snag which I thought would derail my trip. Fortunately with prayers all was resolved.

I placed all my faith in Him and He works wonders. All of a sudden I decided to call PAL to reserve. They told me there was just one seat left before my birthday. Goodness gracious I had to grab it. Had myself waitlisted the day before though.

I was told the visa will take two weeks. When I finally filed they said one week. Well well well, miracle of miracles, I got it in two days ha ha! Intl visas seem to love me recently.

This means I can fly anytime but--- I can't. I still need to hire the replacement staff in our immigration office otherwise my partner in Manila, Gerry will go crazy. Also, I want to fly closer to winter. Why? It's too darn hot in manila! I am almost melting with the heat so I want to go somewhere really cold.

I think sydney was a good decision for i can mix business with pleasure. My other business partner Nick, is based there as well as our principal, so I guess I really need to meet up.

I just hope and pray I can confirm that wait listed day otherwise, I will be up on air on my birthday boo hoo......and if it turns out that PAL's arrival will be late--- I may leave the airport (after baggage claim, customs etc) after lunch.

Oh well, you can't win 'em all. Just can't wait to fly again. I have a mole under each foot and after a few months of sticking to land, my feet really itch to leave. I guess I took after my dad.

Oh and by the way, Aura, my ex officemate now based in Vienna told me she will also be celebrating her milestone soon and she maybe in Paris for this since their bank branch in the city of lights will be needing her that period. I was sooooooo Inggit!

Tagaytay, Taal and unexpected side trips

2007-04-24T20:43:00.000+08:00

L

Last Sunday, Bebeth and I brought Ruben to Tagaytay. She brought her van, fetched Ruben in Makati then passed for me in paranaque as I was nearest to the south expressway.

First stop was Starbucks at Petron station to get some hot drink for Ruben who has not yet taken breakfsast. I brought sandwiches, a large cooler filled with drinks and bottled water.

We reached Tagaytay shortly before 11am and I decided to visit the Little Souls convent I heard from a friend. She gave me a small bottle of holy oil dipped in a Sacred Crucifix which came from Belgium. I wanted to know more about this so since it was too early for lunch might was well visit. You can read more about this in my Pilgrim blog.

One thing though, I will surely return to this very peaceful place.

I researched new places in Tagaytay through the internet the evening before we left and I read much about the new place in town which is the Cliffhouse along the ridge quite near the rotonda. We asked a few people along the road but they don't seem to know this place.

The best landmark would be right after the huge Yellow cab sign. It is actually besides Leslie's a similar concept area filled with various restos such as Cafe Lupe and Starbucks.

I will show more photos of the Cliffhouse in a separate post. The most popular restaurant in this area from my internet research seemed to be the Italian resto Buon Giorno followed by FireLake Grill.

Although I was curious to try Buon giorno, I was not that keen on eating Itaian food that time, the same with bebeth and most specially our balikbayan guest. Besides, we noticed the place was really full so no chance for an immediate table.

The only place which has a good view of the lake besides the italian resto is Fire Lake so we opted to take lunch here.

Although it was cooler inside the restaurant, we decided to take the table outside for a better view.

The meal was great but very pricey. More details of our meals in another post.

We couldnt leave the area without having a photo against the
lakeview, what everyone goes to Tagaytay for.

Since I kept mentioning Our Lady of Caysasay, which apparently is in the next province, we all decided to trekk to Taal, Batangas. We asked the waiter for directions and he mentioned that it takes him around 45 mins to reach the place when he uses his motorcycle.

Ruben was also interested in going there as he stayed in an antique house right in front of the basilica.

This then was our first stop when we reached Taal, Batangas, the home of the Calanog family situated right in front of the Taal Basilica.

Ruben greets the matriarch of the family who was only too surprised to see him.

Almost everything in the house is a collectors item like these set of old pottery....

and of course my favorite Angels.

Bebeth was so surprised to see this very old turntable, the kind that you need to wind on the side for it to start.

more antiques....

A combination of old and new images of our Lady.

Time for goodbyes to go to our next destination....

The Taal Basilica or better known as the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours.

On the left altar, one can find the statue of St. Martin de Tours in whose name the Basilica was named after. Will write more about the sain in my Pilgrim's blog.

On the right altar, is enthroned Our Lady of Casaysay, whose devotion spanned hundreds of years. I expounded on the history of Our Lady in my Pilgrim Blog.

The image is very small unlike similar ones of our Lady. We went up the back altar to be able to kiss her mantle.

This was the poster which came out during the 400-yr jubilee celebration (2003) of Our Lady of Casaysay.

I bought a couple of stampitas and novenas after the visit.

Before leaving again for the next stop, bebeth had to have a shot beside the street name as this is her maiden name :)

Next stop as requested by Bebeth is the Taal Market. Here you see her buying the famous Tapa. According to the seller, the recipe was handed down from their great grandparents.

Here you see Ruben holding one of their famous 'sumans'. Bebeth bought one bagful which we all took for merienda. Very delicious! Highly recommended.

All i bought was charcoal and native vinegar. Charcoal cost 5 pesos per bag, in manila it's 15-20 pesos. The small bottle of vinegar was priced at only 6 pesos. Great huh!

Now you see Ruben standing behind a store selling native clothes and bags embroidered the Callado way where Taal is famous for.

Bebeth wanted to buy a 'calladoed' Pinya cloth.

As it was past 5pm, I tried to hurry the two since I really wanted to see the church of Our Lady of Caysasay. We had to ask around for some of them were not familiar with this. Some of them still direct us to the basilica.

We finally found it, a short distance actually from the Basilica. Its really the chilren vendors in the basilica area who were familiar with the church.

This is the inside of the church or chapel of Our Lady of Caysasay. Her image is found right at the center of the altar.

The full story of Our Lady including the miraculous spring found a few mins away from the chapel is discussed in my Pilgrim blog.

By the time we finished with the unexpected pilgrimage in Taal, it was already early evening and we decided to hurry back to manila since Ruben needed to catch the last mass.

Unfortunately, the traffic was horrendous, hardly moving when we reached Tagaytay. When we reached the area of 'Antonio's', Bebeth suggested going down to take dinner instead of waiting inside the car for traffic to ease.

It was all our first time to try the very famous "Breakfast at Antonio's".

We actually took dinner outside but this photo was taken inside where we took dessert because bebeth was feeling cold. Yeah right, she felt cold despite the pashmina. Very unbelievable to hear when you experience the scorching heat of manila these days.

I have more photos and reviews of our dinner but it will be the subject of a separate post.

Dinner at Abe, Dessert at Cupcakes and Hot choco at Mary Grace

2007-04-20T02:58:00.000+08:00

I was suprised to learn the other day that Ruben is in Manila.

Bebeth called to ask if I knew and apparently Ruben sent me a text message earlier but was not able to notice it as I was in a meeting.

Ruben brought us around Vienna last year together with Au.

We all then decided to go out last night at the Fort Serendra area, the Bonifacio High Street as it is the newest place in town.

We first strolled along the area to check on the newly opened restaurants. It was only last January that I was here but since then, so much eateries has opened.

I had wanted to try out the other restos that I have read about such as Chelsea, Brazil, Portico but somehow we ended up again in Abe!

This must be my fourth time here. I usually tend to go here if I have guests so specially the balikbayan ones like Ruben. They tend to choose a place serving good old filipino food.

We actually had a feast starting with Bebeth's favorite chicharon bulaklak (cholesterol delight), and two bowls of kinilaw.

The waiter recomended the Tamarind drink which Bebeth and I tried and boy it was really good!!!

This was followed by our main meal, the signature Bamboo Rice,

another cholesterol filled, Abe's version of Dinuguan (cant recall the actual name but it starts with a T).

and of course I wouldn't miss my favorite vegetable dish, gosh I can't recall the name again but it is made of squash, and some greens. Most of the names in the menu sounded exotic.

This was the first time I noticed the Rellenong Suam na Mais. Apparently it is made of corn and shrimp cooked akin to an omelette.

As I am a soup person, there must definitely one during meals and Ruben chose the Sinigang na belly sa Guava. Actually it was for 3-5 persons but we went ahead and got it.

Finally any balikbayan will not be able to resist trying our good old Manggang buro (pickled mangoes) so despite the tons of orders this must still be part of it.

Obviously we were not able to finish all the 'takaw tingin' orders so we had to request the leftovers taken out.

Because we were really so full, we decided to walk the block to bring everything down. Bebeth suggested we cross the street and take a look at the new Serendra strip made up of more restaurants and shops.

I have heard of this area before but this was the first time I saw it and gosh I was suprised with all the newly opened outlets such as Italiannis, Bos Cafe, Starbucks, Havaianas, Fish o Fun and a lot more.

Took a shot of Ruben and Bebeth trying this gigantic steel decor. One has to climb it then jump a bit as suprisingly it has a trampoline effect.

This was another op art design at the park fronting the strip.

After going around both sides of the serendra shop area, we decided to go back and have dessert as planned at Mary Grace. While walking towards the place, I suddenly saw the small Cupcake snack place and I said I must not miss this. I had been reading a lot about to-die-for Cupcakes by Sonja. We all went in to take a look.

These mouth watering cupcakes surely cant remain on their display areas for long so

I decided to get us one each just to try - Ruben got the nutty type, Bebeth, the one with mint and I chose the one with berries.

Nice simple bags huh? Bebeth showed Ruben the Rest Room while I lined up at the cashier.

After I paid for the cupcakes, I waited outside the shop. I liked the painted antique chairs and tables used. I remembered those furnitures in our old home in manila where we lived with Lola and Lolo. Too bad it was given away when we moved to quezon city.

A few minutes later Bebeth called to tell me they are at Mary Grace which apparently was closing so she had to order their famous chocolate which we can just take outside.

I first thought bebeth meant a chocolate cake but apparently Mary Grace served a very delicious hot chocolate drink similar to our local tablea.

Since we were the last clients to pay, we just requested a pitcher full of iced cold water. The weather outside though almost midnight was really too hot and humid.

Everyone must try this highly recommended choco drink. It is really sooooooooo good. I will need to go back in this place soon just for this sweet delicacy.

Scorching Heat!

2007-04-19T18:37:00.000+08:00

It's too darn hot in Manila! One can hardly breathe in this weather. Thank God for airconditioning but then some of them like those in starbucks at 6750 hardly functions.

When I out of my bedroom this morning, the living room felt like an oven.

According to the news temperature averaged 38 degrees celsius and may worsen. Rains according to the weatherman may start around May.

I thought it will at least shower this afternoon as suddenly the clouds darkened but I guess the clouds really lacked the necessary water of life.

How I wish North Pole could spare some of their icebergs right now. This really is Global Warming!

Reminiscing Capri while watching "It Started in Naples" DVD

2007-04-15T17:17:00.000+08:00

Just finished watching this DVD I bought in New York last year. Its an old classic made in the 60s.

Of course one main reason I bought this was it was the movie was made in one of my favorite regions. I particularly loved all the scenes in Capri where most were filmed.

I remembered our visit to Capri during my 2002 trip with Bebeth. I originally wanted to stay in the place overnight but we couldnt find a place so opted for Sorrento. It was raining the whole time so was not able to see much specially the Blue Grotto which for years I had been wanting to visit.

At least I was able to see the inside of the cave via this movie. I was able to see only the outside part before as the boats were not allowed to go in when its raining. The movie was a very simple love story nothing great but during those times I just wanted to relax and feel good the movie was a welcome treat.

Google buys Double Click

2007-04-14T20:10:00.000+08:00

Learned from a friend that google just bought double click for $3.1B in cash! She was reading it from the New York Times but couldnt find the story on the online version.

This must be a better deal than than You Tube not only price wise as the online video was paid via stocks.

Makes me want to pursue a dot come I have been mulling on :)

Showing or hiding the blues....

2007-04-14T04:52:00.000+08:00

When people say they are depressed, usually they look gloomy and tend to sulk. However, I now realize that one can be depressed yet wouldn't show the usual signs of depression.

Perhaps I belong to the latter group. Some friends even think I am joking when I laughingly say I am drepssed.

On the other hand, I am not really sure if this last one is better for it maybe skin to hiding the pain which becomes more stressful.

As I mull over this, it dawns on me that prayers and surrender to the Lord is still the best option to get over this.

An Impromptu meeting and belated birthday celebration

2007-04-11T15:22:00.000+08:00

Lella and I had a scheduled meeting with a potential strategic partner in a business we are concocting when we suddenly remembered to call our schoolmate boyet who we were supposed to meet the past week.

Little did we know that he was free that time and we all decided to meet for a late dinner at the shang mall. Boyet chose Congo Grill as I told him I didnt want to eat in the chinese fast food at the basement as I can't tolerate vetsin. Our earlier meeting was held in that area.

Upon reaching the restaurant, boyet called Alex, who was then in the gym down south and in about half an hour he arrived to join us for that belated birthday treat.

Just felt like posting this as I know God indeed works in wondrous ways. Lella and I had been praying hard for this endeavour we started discussing barely less than a month ago. We plan, we research and brainstorm but most of all pray a lot. He seems to be pointing to us the right people to talk to.

I had tried touching base with many who I thught can join us but our skeds dont seem to match. I think God is saying they are not the right people, I will tell you who you must meet with. Alleluia! and this he did!

nice quote....

2007-04-08T02:17:00.000+08:00

I just watched the DVD of Danielle Steele's "Full Circle" and I can't forget one of the important lines always uttered by a major character, Harry:

"Sometimes you just have to jump off that bridge, and build your wings on the way down"

The Philippine Blog Awards

2007-04-06T06:57:00.000+08:00

Wilson Ng called me up one time to request that I stand in for him during the Philippine Blog Awards as he is one of the finalist.

The awards night was held last March 31 at theRCBC auditorium in Makati City.

Of course agreed and even told him I am almost sure he will win as I am a follower of his blog which is full of profound wisdom and advices.

True enough when the winner for the Business and Entrepreneur Blog Category was called, it was Wilson's Reflections of a Biz Driven Life!

Migs Paraz handed the award for the category. Earlier was I was also called on stage to present the award for the best Travel Blog. That was really cool as many know that travel has always been my passion. The winner was Ivan about Town, a blog that I sometimes read as I encountered the author in my multiply site.

One important highlight of the event which I really liked was the invocation said by a priest blogger Fr. Stephen Cuyos (Happy Faith). I would like to quote this below:

So compassionate, so faithful, so loving You are Our Father.
We ask You to increase our faith and our love for You that we may use blogging as an instrument to fulfill Your purposes. May we become bloggers of truth and
promoters of peace.
Help us to be steadfast in our Christian commitment that visitors may find in our blogs a source of encouragement and inspiration. Give us strength to proclaim Your word, that we may play our part in breaking down the walls of hostility in the world and use our blogs to strengthen the bonds of friendship, solidarity and love.
Make our hearts meek and humblethat we may treat our readers as friends, not as unique hits,that we may strive to change ourselves for the better more often than we pimp our site templates,that we may find more time to ease the pain of someone in our own home than to reply to comments left by strangers,that we may interact with our next door neighbors as often as we chat with our blogrolled friends,that we may be more concerned about helping the less privileged than about the number of subscribers to our RSS feeds.
Deliver us, Father, from spams and viruses, from pride and selfishness, and from the temptation to replicate images without permission and copy ideas without crediting the original authors. May we always be united as a network of bloggers and friends working together in Your name. May our blogs lead us closer to You.
We ask all these through Christ,
Our Lord. Amen.

Go Negosyo book launch

2007-04-06T03:03:00.000+08:00

When I confirmed attendance to this dinner little did I know it would be a power-packed event. The invitation said 730pm but I arrived shortly before 7pm and surprisingly there were already throngs of people inside Joey Concepcions house where the affair was held.

The Book Negosyo, Joey Concepcion's entreprenuerial stories featured 50 prominent business people who made their first million and continue to do so from the brothers Jaime and
Fernando Zobel, Socorro Ramos, Paolo Bediones, Jonlu Koa to Henry Sy they all came.

President Arroyo was the special guest. The program was hosted by Anthony Pangilinan and Korina Sanchez. Mar Roxas arrived of course :) and River Maya provided some brief entertainment.

with BSP Gov. Tetangco and PCE
Exec Dir Ramon Lopez

Other prominent people spotted where Joey Cuisia, Cerge Remonde (who was declared the MSME govt czar), Tessa Valdes, Marixi Prieto, BSP Gov Tetangco, Ging Reyes Montinola, Vivienne Tan, Sec. Ace Durano, Illac Diaz, Doy Vea, Vicky Belo, Raul Concepcion and more than a hundred more personalities.Gaita Fores, another entrep featured in the book also catered the sumptous dinner which was sponsored by Citigroup.

Seated in our table are
Usec Carissa Cruz, me, UP-ISSI
Director Sonia Aquino, and the Rural
Bankers Assoc Director.

Cebu Business Month MOA signing

2007-04-06T01:29:00.000+08:00

Last March 14, the evening prior to the PICS Congress, the Cebu Business month organizing committee organized a dinner for its Implementing partners at Shangrila Makati.

The Memorandum Agreement was also signed right after dinner. Due to the many concerns of our PICS major event, I was ready to beg off but then I received some calls they I am the only one not there and its going to be something fast so off I went. The cebu people are good friends so I just skipped the dinner part to be able to attend the ceremony.

My Visita Iglesia

2007-04-06T01:02:00.000+08:00

I had a very fulfilling holy thursday. After visiting lola's grave on her birthday I rushed to attend the services in Don Bosco. Been busy the past weeks so I was not able to hear confession at all despite the various 'kumpisal ng bayan' schedules.

I was surprised to see that there were a couple of priests hearing confession inside and outside the church. Usually confessions end on holy wednesday. Had to wait an hour for my turn as all the lines were really long. It was communion time yet I was not yet done. I decided to receive comunion and gave my post to the next in line. I went back in line and after less than half an hour I finished. The priest was really nice. I was about to transfer to the other priest outside since everyone in my line was really taking so long. It was a good thing I remained.

I visited two churches in makati for the traditional 'Bisita Iglesia" - Don Bosco and Sacred Heart Church. The photo here is the blessed sacrament in Don Bosco. I particularly liked it since angels surround the tabernacle.

Proceeded to take dinner in the only restaurant open in town, Italiannis then left makati for BF home to visit the two churches in the subdivision, Presentation of the Child Jesus, and the nearest to the house, Resurrection Parish. The photo on the left is the blessed sacrament at the Presentation Church. Again, I liked the design esp of the ceiling as it is surrounded by cherubims.

I had originally planned to visit the two other churches in the alabang area but since it was close to midnight when I finished, I decided to just go home after my visit to the Resurrection church.

Lola's birthday 2007

2007-04-06T00:30:00.000+08:00

It was Lola's birthday yesterday. I requested Eddie to go with me to the La Loma cemetery so I can have her grave cleaned as what my dad used to do during her birthday.

The trash and dirt was not as bad as last year as we were able to remove much of the rubber weeds then and sand papered the marble with their names (lola, lolo and my greatgrand ones). Cleaned up and prayed for an hour then rushed to Don Bosco in makati for the Holy Thursday services.

How to feel like a queen even if your'e broke (Feb 22)

2007-03-03T20:45:00.000+08:00

One - win a two night stay at the plush Peninsula Hongkong with $HKG 4k worth of whole day spa treatment Two - be lucky enough to be a director of an organization who suddenly decided to have a planning conference in the same city and voila! It was more than a welcome respite from all the past months challenges.

Upon arrival at Hongkong airport, had to take a photo of this typical chinese New Year decor. It was still chinese new year fever in the country when I arrived. I re read my email instruction from the hotel and proceeded to the next terminal where the Peninsula Hotel counter is located.

True enough they were waiting for me. They thought I got lost. Actually I took my sweet time strolling and getting some tour brochures. The Pen staff then escorted me to the Rolls Royce which will take me to the hotel.

I can't help it of course but to request the driver to have a souvenir shot with the rolls which will take me to the pen :)

I continued to take some shots of the inside. I liked the mini cabinet under my seat but since I was using the seatbelt couldnt bend much to shoot. This photo is just one of the control panels.

The mini cabinet contained cold towels and evian water bottles.

My check in was done inside the bedroom. A hotel guest relations officer accompanied me to explain details of the room plus my stay including my pre-booking with the Spa.

I
I have a fetish for bathrooms. I love big clean ones with lots of amenities so this was really a wow! You have your own personal tv screen plus controls in front of the bath tub :)

The magic of technology, good thing my digi cam had a self timer so had fun taking photos of myself inside the various parts of the deluxe room.

Since I got delayed going to the hotel and I was really groggy from the trip (I hardly slept having to wake up at 5am), I was not able to use the gym but was accompanied straight to the Spa area to fill up some diagnostic form and change to my robe for a foot bath after which I was led to the pool dining area for my late lunch which came with the package. The pool and surrounding looks just like the one in our Wiesbaden hotel last October but this seem to be better.

Since I was alone in the place when I arrived, I was able to ask the waiter to take my photo.

The great thing about the place is the breathtaking view of the harbor while swimming and dining.

the whole place really reminds me of Wiesbaden, the color and design of furniture almost the same. The only difference is that germany didnt have the view of the harbor.

The first part of the gourmet will was a tomato soup but I forgot to take its photo. The second one is fish with lentils shown here.

To cap the meal is a fruity chocolate dessert.

A chamomile tea to help melt down the food.

This was the last view of the harbor before I was escorted to the SPA area.

After my therapist took discussed my treatment, and the facilities I can use inside this Private Suite, I had my photo taken against the jacuzzi and harbor scene.

Showered, took a steam batch for a few minutes before I plunged to the jacuzzi.

The cabinet was filled with various creams and scents I had to choose from before I was told what it really was. The therapist said it was what my body was partial too. Most of those I chose was on the rose scent side.

Ended very late at past 9pm. It was full detox so tiring too from a basic massage, to a seeweed wrap then hot lava stones and a final detox massage. Got so hungry after that I had to order some dinner when I got back to the room.

My last post on the Discovery Suites foul service

2007-01-22T02:46:00.001+08:00

This will be my last post on the Discovery Suites unfortunate incidents. I checked out today but I just needed to share that on the average, any requests from room service, housekeeping to porterage must be followed up a couple of times before it they can act on it. Also, allow at least 45 mins to an hour. I called the service express number (what an understatement 'express') to request for a bucket of ice to be placed in my small igloo containing medication. I told them I was already checking out and the reason for the request.

My first request was around 12:50pm. We should check out by 1pm we were informed. I had to follow up five times with an angry tone on the last and guess what time the ice arrived? 1:35pm.

I just mentioned the last incident but there were more. When I was already checking out at the front desk, it took some time since apparently this infamous Hazel never gave instructions on our arrangement.

The first bill shown to me apparently only showed my stay last friday plus incidental expenses. I was suprised and asked how come I am not paying for my weekend stay package?

The front desk person was really nice and apologetic for he had to reprint again and tried to figure out how everything will tally. Apparently, the events staff never coordinated cause he was at a loss. He said he was just new so he was getting confused.

I believe it was not his fault. I pitied him for if the confirmations were in place everything would have been a breeze. I asked him to check with Hazel but he said she doesnt work on sundays. I suggested that he call her for she maybe the one at fault and when one works in a service institution he or she must be on call.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the welcome letter of the hotel was given to me only today, sunday. Funny! Since we had a session, I just read it when I left the hotel. Apparently the letter explained the check out time and other arrangements. Truly inefficient indeed!

What a topsy turvy procedure they have out there. It would be good to set up another similar hotel in the area with the right service and I am sure their occupancy will drop.

I am not sure how my concerns reached them but I found a small rose bouquet in my room last satruday evening with a note from the asst guest relations officer apologizing for sad experiences. I am not sure how it reached them (maybe my blog?) but I was not impressed. I never mentioned it to any of my colleagues in the weekend workshop/treatment.

First of all, what happened was not just one incident and by the magnitude, should not warrant a cursory note from just an assistant. I expected the GM to do such.

I still recall that I was surprised to receive an email from one of the plush hotels in Honkong late last year. I filled up the usual feedback form which gave an above average rating with some questions garnering an excellent mark except for one unfortunate incident with the concierge. Can you imagine that one tiny incident warranted a personal note from the hotel GM?

This Discovery Suites fiasco is by no means a minor matter.

During lunch we had a sort of graduation program and the hotel GM was present being a friend of one of the organizer and besides he knows many of the participants were high up in society with a splattering of some people in media.

I never mentioned anything. Why? Will they take notice just because of power, who you know, or status in society? I think all clients must be treated the same way, or at least accorded with the minimum expected in the hospitality industry.

Discovery Suites in general doesnt even come near to this minimum but very far down the pits!

More bad feedback re Discovery Suites...

2007-01-22T00:49:00.000+08:00

A former officemate and a friend from media reacted to my recent post and shared their sad tales below:

On 1/21/07, Nora Nano wrote:

hi maan,

thanks for sharing. i have stayed at the discovery suites several times and highly recommended it to balikbayan relatives and friends after another friend recommended it too. service was very good, the rooms were nice and any problem reported was acted upon promptly. but those where the days when discovery suites was quite new.

last july, my moms brothers and sisters and neice rented several units for their use. I stayed with them for several days. I saw the difference in service. I reported the aircon of one rooms in the 2bedroom suite because it was hot and i couldn't sleep. no one seems to know the problem. they keep offerring a solution, but it doesn't work. i practically slept beside the thermostat to make sure the temperature wouldn't rise.. finally i told them to send someone to look at the problem. it took hours before someone came.

you mentioned something about the web rates and the actual charges... my cousin encountered the same. i think it has to do with the exchange rate. different rates were being used for different reasons. she even offered to pay in dollars, but again, computations were different. she wrote a letter to DOT(?) regarding her complaint. later, discovery suites was offerring her some free stay, etc. of course she wouldn't budge. no way for her to go back there.

my uncle from canada has been a frequent guest of the hotel for several years now. when he stays there, it is for extened periords - almost a month and he uses either a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom unit. but i think he also encountered problems with the hotel in their last stay last july.

am copying them your rambling because i wouldn't want them to experience the same problemif they decide to check in at the discovery suites again. it is a pity because the location is really excellent for expats, and professionals with business in the ortigas area and balikbayans who want to shop in the nearby sm megamall and greenhills area.

regards and hope to see you again soon.

------
From: "relly carpio"

> hear! hear!
>
> and that is why after two bad experiences with presscons at that place
> i vowed never to attend any more events there.
>
> plus, i had a friend stay there when he visited manila, he left in the
> middle of the night and moved to another condotel in ortigas, after an
> experience that he simply described as "i'd rather not talk about it"
>
> nuff said.

Another terrible review of Discovery Suites

2007-01-20T02:18:00.000+08:00

After I rambled about my terrible Discovery Suites experience, I tried to google reviews on this god forsaken establishment and I found similar complaints, see this review at Trip Advisor.