Rocky's BDAY Bash

Rocky, Mitch's dog, friend and son rolled into one,' just had its 28th birthday last weekend.

And that led me to promise Rocky that I'd give him hotcakes for his birthday, initiate a simple hotcake party, and probably do a simple documentary in the life of Rocky "Babs" Bautista.

After skipping work on a Monday morning, I went to SM Bicutan, purchased a Maya Hotcake mix, and went home. Being a culinary moron as I am, some didn't come out right, but I had to improvise with whatever I could find like Harina and cinnamon. It was his birthday and he should only get the very best ones.

That afternoon after cooking, I happily went to his abode in Sampaguita Street; and I knew I should have braced myself before seeing the cuddly, passive, adorable Rocky, morph into a Crazed Hotcake Barking Machine. Rocky is LOCO for hotcakes. I never actually saw that side of him. It was pretty revealing.


What's so shocking? Well, I've seen him with a bone. It was a pretty normal dog enjoying a bone, but certainly not being LOCO over hotcakes. He just kept on jumping and anticipating for that every hotcake throw that only survived a milli-second in the air. He was amazing. He made my effort of cooking hotcakes priceless, and I hope he didn't notice that the hotcakes were a little bit pale due to excessive water content.

Anyways, it was short, but it was fun! It makes me want to make stacks of pancakes tuloy and just shove it in his happy big mouth. That would be a treat for both of us!

Happy quarter life birthday, Rocky! Cheers!

Monica Bellucci the Goddess

I had a great find where all great movie finds are found, in MCS of course.

I was able to get a copy of Monica Bellucci's DVD movie collection! Yey! Yey and YEY!

It brings me back to the day I first watched Malena, a very popular European movie about a woman, the mysterious Malena Scordia and the funny yet shockingly realistic sexual journey of an adolescent, Renato. But now, I can actually observe Monica Bellucci's beauty maturely and appreciate her goddess like qualities, trapped in a modern artist's form.


Hmm...I do sound like a raging oversexed perv, but indeed she is for me the SEXIEST, most Sensual woman on earth, not just an actress, but a woman. All the popular models, actresses with exquisite beauty and other personalities may just trail at her helm, but still she remains to be , for me, the epitome of how a woman should be.

For the benefit of those who do not know Monica Bellucci, let me just tickle your film nerves that she has the most stunning, NATURAL and killer curves that women long and can relate to. The proportions of the torso, of the limbs, of the waist are close to perfection. Angles are enough to capture each measurement's beauty. She has a body that is unpretentious, very goddess-like and very womanly. She may be the perfect inspiration of those European Renaissance paintings. Her body speaks of health. You would not dare brand her thin, nor fat. She has a beauty and body of ripe maturity and exquisite imitation of perfection.



Her bust, her behind, her neck, her color are all in great unison that everytime the camera captures her, you know the camera has become alive. You appreciate the best thing that a woman's body could represent.

Aside from the goddess like figure, how can you reconcile the most angelic and classic face? She may have a body of a goddess, body of a a mother and of a seductress, but that face could launch more than a thousand ships of Troy. Her eyes gently yet mysterious and engulfing. Her face makes you want to feel safe, nurtured and loved. It is a reconciliation of her body as a perfect temple, and a face of classic beauty and mystery.

As I was watching Beowulf yesterday (the Animated version one, released in 2007), I cannot help but think that she would've played the perfect part of Grendel's mother, the seductress and sensual being. The graphic artist could've saved more time altering the Character using Angelina Jolie, if they would've used Monica Bellucci. And the eyes, the acting ability and the ripeness of her glory would've made it seem easier, and come on! Angelina has to use the fake accent? Monica Bellucci is the Angelina before Angelina. But unlike all other actresses, like Angelina Jolie, who seem to be perfect in embracing seductress, bad-ass type of roles, Monica Bellucci could do both. She could be the timid, mysterious one like in Malena. She could be the beautiful and sophisticated muse like in Matrix. She could be seductive and sinful as in Bram Stoker's Dracula or Brother's Grimm, but at the same time could be damn saintly playing mother Mary or Magdalene. The film industry could never go wrong.




But before we get carried away with her innate beauty, she is an actress after all and she has proven herself equipped, matured and very efficient in playing out her characters. She is fluent in English and has starred in various French and Italian films, now that is a core versatility. She has played a heroine, a supporting cast, a lead which showcases her flexible and artistic abilities.




For those who do not know Monica Bellucci, I pray you find time to study her and her works. She could drive men insane, that is understood. She could drive women to envy and desire, that is not very surprising. She could be a lot of things to different people. But she is for me a WOMAN, a woman of the most sensual, artistic, beautiful characteristics ever created by nature to attempt at perfection.


* After Malena, I would start observing more of her films and give feedbacks. For those who would like to be spoon fed, she appears in Brotherhood of the Wolf (French Film), Malena (Italian), Shoot em up with Clive Owen, Bram Stoker's Dracula and...god...this is giving away already, Persephone (Matrix Reloaded).

Basic Information about Monica Bellucci from Wiki:

Monica Ana Maria Bellucci

She was born in Umbria Italy on Sept. 30, 1964 which makes her 43 now, turning 44
She was a law student at University of Perugria, modeling financed her education.
She is fluent in French, Italian, English and Semi-Fluent in Spanish. She also learned Aramaic (Passion of the Christ)

She is married to fellow actor Vincent Cassel (French) and has a daughter named Deva, born on Sept. 12, 2004.

Good News Saturday

It was not any typical Saturday.

As planned, Mitch and I were supposed to go DVD hunting at MCS and explore this Japense Hamburger restaurant at Mile long, but we knew it all had to depend on our respective, coining the term, "medical mission" in Makati Med.

Mitch went to Makati Medical center for an endoscopy as early as 6 in the morning, accompanied by his mom and brother, Antawn. On the other hand, I woke up at 9 in the morning, eager to get my medical appointment done, only to find out that the ever reliable Honda City, that's been remodeled so many times due to the driver's reckless road accidents, was nowhere to be found. It was brought to CASA for a general check-up.
Hence I'm left with my specifically Kaye-Cursed car Mazda Tribute as my only transportation. This is the first time I've driven it since that Dec. 23 incident with a villager.

Setting the ill feeing aside, I drove the car to Makati and reached Makati Medical center at 10:30 where I saw Tita and Antawn. It looked like they've been waiting forever for Mitch to finish. As we chatted, we cannot help but feel poor for those who have had their endoscopy. Patients who have just finished the procedure, groggy and drugged as hell, are made to sleep in their medical beds outside the corridor for all visitors and passers by to see. That violates the primary concept of privacy. Tita was also disheartened as she plans to write a letter to the Makati Med directors to have a specialized Recovery room for patients, and not just leave them at the corridors for the whole wing to see. YAY for that, when we glimpsed at Mitch whose hair was fluffy and eyes were literally drugged. It was amusing to see him like that though. He never drinks and never have I seen him drunk or drugged, so at least I get the impression of what he'll look like when it happens. I find it really cute though, helpless, sleepy eyed, pouting Mitch.

As we waited for him to recover from his deep drugged slumber, Antawn and I decided to buy some food and KREMIL-S to ease his stomach nuisance. Apparently he had too much coffee for that day. After buying some gigantic overpriced siomai and overpriced jamaican patty at Floating island restaurant, we went to the pharmacy and fell in line for his precious Kremil-S. I kept joking that he wasn't supposed to fall in line in the 'serious' line where people are buying 'serious' medications. Unforunately Kremil-S was out of stock. It was comedic, but good thing Simeco was there on the rescue.

We finished our errand at the pharmacy when we saw Mitch and Tita arrive at the ground floor. Mitch was exceptionally grumpy and drugged when we saw him, but hungry nevertheless. They decided to go to KFC in People Support building as I decided to get my 'scary-do-or-die' lab results at my HMO building.

You see, I've been nursing the paranoia that I might have the dreadful hypothyroid problem. I've been constantly susceptible to colds, allergies and low voice, but it's not as if I didn't have it when I was kid, but it all mixed up with paranoia and wikipedia knowledge, that prompted me to take a lab test. It also doesn't help that Diabetes has constantly plagued our clan.

I went to the clinic preparing for the worst.

I waited for more than 30 minutes thinking of the possible things that could happen. I know I'm getting fatter every second, but it would be hopeless if I were hypothyroid, now would it? Or I might be paranoid every time I get a scratch or a wound because I have not been able to test if I was diabetic. Now all my theories and all the sickly things that go on in my mind will be put to rest.

The doctor called me in after that reflective wait and told me....I HAD GOOD LAB RESULTS. There was nothing to explain, really. She said I have excellent glucose stat. I had 80, which is by far healthy :) And my blood chemistry does not depict that I'm suffering from any thyroid issues. I am still good at the health department at least. After being relatively depressed the day before, I saw that there is still a reason to celebrate.

I went back to Makati Med to meet Mitch and his family. I told them the happy news. In short, I was just paranoid needing for a quick psychiatric evaluation. After Mitch's consultation, we also received good news that he is on his road to recovery.

After spending half day in the hospital, we were all blessed with happy results. Mitch and I went bade goodbye to Antawn and his mom and continued our afternoon date.

We went to MCS for a DVD hunt. I bought movies, a mixture of cartoon ones, and the Monica Belluci collection. I also bought Juno, a movie that was a hit in the States. And Mitch and I decided to buy a Ben Stiller comedy, A Heartbreak kid for our dvd date.

After MCS, we decided to go to Landmark to do some grocery shopping for the movie night and for Mitch to buy his medicine.

After a pretty euphoric afternoon, it just keeps getting better and better as I walked through the aisles of the grocery. I love groceries. It has a positive effect on me. I got hungarian sausages, mustard and bread, but I felt like I hit a dope.

I met Mitch after an hour and went home. We reached sun valley at around 5 in the afternoon and proclaimed the good health results to my parents. I went to our under-construction, soon to be new home, and saw my father there discussing something with the architect. I went to my room looking bare with lots of promises and saw our massive bathroom for the first time. It was a classic white with black accent that depicts simplicity and extremity. It was funny because when i went inside and saw the tiles of our bathroom, one wouldn't have guessed that it would belong to ladies, but then again, my sister and I are not your typical dainty ladies.

I went down as the sun begins to hide and started preparing for my movie date with Mitch.

It wasn't an ordinary Saturday full of good news.

Wide Open Spaces

I kind of like Dixie Chicks. Laugh all you want, but at least I know why i love them.
They have a spunk of a lady, not necessarily that of emanates pop version, but of country...but their songs speak of the heart and the angst of being a woman, and not just the glamor side of it.
Well, apparently I'm not in any mood to exert too much analysis as I might break down...

Nursing a broken heart and struggling spirit, this song is me...as of the moment.
I need to get out. I have to leave everything behind. I know I've grown out of the same places and same faces.

It's sad to think that I don't belong here anymore....


"Wide Open Spaces"

Who doesn't know what I'm talking about
Who's never left home, who's never struck out
To find a dream and a life of their own
A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone

Many precede and many will follow
A young girl's dream no longer hollow
It takes the shape of a place out west
But what it holds for her, she hasn't yet guessed

[Chorus:]
She needs wide open spaces
Room to make her big mistakes
She needs new faces
She knows the high stakes

She traveled this road as a child
Wide eyed and grinning, she never tired
But now she won't be coming back with the rest
If these are life's lessons, she'll take this test

[Repeat Chorus]
She knows the high stakes

As her folks drive away, her dad yells, "Check the oil!"
Mom stares out the window and says, "I'm leaving my girl"
She said, "It didn't seem like that long ago"
When she stood there and let her own folks know

[Repeat Chorus]
She knows the highest stakes
She knows the highest stakes
She knows the highest stakes
She knows the highest stakes

Good morning, BAGEL and MILK!

I was having dinner in Mitch's house the other day and his mom asked me of what my family usually makes for breakfast. I know this might sound weird, but I didn't know what to answer her. Sheepishly, I said. "Nothing. We're really not breakfast people, there's no breakfast or anything of that sort. What usually happens is they would just buy hot pandesal, put it on the table, and it's like every man for himself. Some, not me, request boiled eggs, coffee or sometimes, but it's one of those out-of-the blue moments."

She smiled and told me that breakfast is something MAJOR in their household. She sometimes find it equally odd that breakfast more of like resembles a big lunch to them. And I thought, why the hell didn't I grow up getting used to having a conventional breakfast? But then again I remember, my family, a kind of quirky and positively dysfunctional folks and children, well I didn't search for anymore explanations and just let it be.


All my life from Pre-school to grade school to high school to college, for the life of me...I never grew up having 'breakfast'. In our household, breakfast is a meal that happens when we have relatives or guests staying over. But when the house is devoid of any guests, it is also devoid of breakfast.

I'm not sure why, but we're really not a fan of it. My mom never did have any breakfast before and after she worked. My sister and I didn't even look for breakfast ever since we were kids, although we are forced to drink SUSTAGEN in the bathroom just before we take a shower. It's really not counted because sometimes out of sheer rush, we don't actually drink it. Sustagen was like a reminder of "Here's your attempt for morning energy, breakfast all-in-one."

But then again, there's recess right? Every kid appreciates recess, but several skip breakfast at home. It's still different. That's why whenever I go visiting or having slumber parties at some of my friends' house, I get an overwhelming bloated and off balanced feeling because of what they usually have, heavy breakfast. And it's a shame to decline, right?

It was just a couple of years ago when I read through health and wellness magazines that skipping breakfast is not very advisable. Some in fact regard Breakfast as the MOST important meal of the day. Studies have shown that CHILDREN who eat breakfast do better in school, and children who DO NOT EAT BREAKFAST are tired and moody in the morning, and worse, it is one of the major factors of weight gain. Since the body runs low in energy in the morning, we tend to eat more during lunch and mid-day snacks, in result metabolism declines.

Okay, I get it. I am not really a morning person, by nature, I think breakfast has something to do with it. I'm generally a moody person,I think breakfast contributed to it. And I'm not sporting an ideal weight....yet, so maybe breakfast really has something to do with it.

And after years and years of skipping breakfast, a ghost meal, I suddenly found myself for the past year having a simple conventional breakfast. I've been constantly looking for scrambled eggs and ham on weekends. My lifestyle changed wherein I couldn't afford to do activities in the morning and wait for lunch. My stomach's not used to the empty morning feeling anymore. By 9 am, I usually look for something to munch.

And I just realized since the start of the year 2008, I've been having a usual set of breakfast I couldn't get tired of. I usually get dropped at the office at 7:30 am. I wake up at 6, leave the house at 7, but I always tell the driver to have a quick stop at some convenient store near my office. What I usually buy there is the cute Nestle Repackaged milk that costs 39 pesos (a skyrocketing increase of 10 pesos more than the usual grocery stores). I sometimes buy crackers or fruit cups, which are convenient. After the stop at the convenient store, I get dropped off at our office, and I pass by Starbucks and buy the deliciously made multi-grain bagel, or banana loaf, or multi-grain croissant for breakfast. If you have read one of my previous blogs about marketing, I have already established a profile and relationship with starbucks baristas for my morning attendance. Sometimes, I would go on a luxury buy and get some coffee or frapp, like right now I am proud to say that for 4 days straight I've been getting either croissant or bagel with jam and unsalted butter for breakfast.

Bottomline is that my system now longs for breakfast, whether it may be bagel, mcdonald's, quick stop at some convenient store, or Starbucks or Coffee Bean Stops. Of course, there are some situations whereintime doesn't give me any grace period for breakfasts, but compared to before, this has become rare.

I'm now 90% a breakfast person, I'm surprised at the change, but loving it. There's nothing bad about it actually, and when you come to think about it, I have less reason to indulge in lunch and in between meal snacks. So I hope this would be one of my very first good change for 2008.

PHILS: Population on the Rise

Attention people, our country is definitely leading.

You read that right. We are leading....to be the most populous nation in South East Asia that is.

I was on my way to my 'supposed' work as I heard this news on the radio. According to the announcers, Philippines has again clenched first place for being the most populous country in Asia, and it's funny to think that we, of all countries, do not practice polygamy.

I know it's old news. We're tired of hearing it. We are daily witnesses to it, just try to walk at the metro, or if you want a great big slap in face, try walking in impoverished areas and you'll go home wondering the ingenuity and creativeness of Filipinos in creating homes for themselves. Not only do you get impressed and amused on how they choose their specific territory, whether it may be on absurd public places, but you will also see their ability to adapt and live a normal life, minus of course a functioning toilet, a healthy and clean environment and a concept of privacy.

The population problem in the Philippines ballooned over the years and I still remember us discussing it in College. It's one of the main attributes that anchor our development as a nation and instead of just getting used to it and coping with it, it seems it has taken a toll for the worst.

Let me state to you the most recent facts of this very "OLD" national development issue.

According to a leading news source, The Manila Times reported that "The Population will be increasing at the rate of 200 babies for every hour this year," the NSCB said last monday.

At present, the Population of the Filipinos according to the news source is around 84 million. According to Wikipedia, it's around 85 Million. 1 million difference, not that impressive.

This makes the population growth rate close to 2%, which is about 1.75%.To give you general statistics, Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country. Manila, our capital, is the 11th most populous metropolitan area in the world. (Wiki)

It would be nicer to think if we were living in another world that this is a high achievement. But in the real world, unfortunately it's one of the worst categories to lead in. More people, demands many resources, and not the other way around. The rise in population tends to go geometrically, while the demand for increase in resources tends to go arithmetically. It also doesn't help that the population distribution in this nation is whacked.

Even if we are exposed and educated globally; and career-oriented individuals who are rearing a rather sustainable life in the metro are not exposed to massive rise in population, how come we cannot seem to downsize the ballooning rate? Is it because of our religion all in all? We are predominantly catholics, we're not even condoning polygamy like other Muslim nations do, but what's the problem with that?

Ah, contraceptives right? We are modern, yet we're still traditional in so many ways. The struggling modernity and supposed 'liberalism' of this nation do not reconcile with our selective traditional attributes.

According to Virola, an NSCB board sec. general, cites that 1. Reliance on guidance from Catholic church on such methods is one of the top three reasons of this trend. Second would be that the poor, usually uneducated strata, has lack of access to modern-family planning methods. Lastly, their justification of increase in birth rates is that more children to do household chores or help in economic activities of the family. More children means more chances to pull the family out from the slums right?

According to Manlia Times, Virola said, poor families are larger than non poor families by more than one number. Specifically, 21 out of every 100 poor families had at least 7 members in 2003. Members of poor families are likely to reach college.


It's sad to think that our thinking methodology is skewed. No matter how noble and religious our intentions are, I don't think anyone would intend us to make our situation worse by relying on pure assumptions, misconceptions and dependability on a supreme being to sort out our problems. It doesn't work that way. Believing in God is one thing, while depending on God to fix up the mess we do is another. We are not exercising our right to be human at all if we just depend on him and take religion as a scape goat to our rising problems. As adults we do not have any right to compromise the future of children. It is not what God wants at all, I'm sure.

People make mistakes. People are are only humans therefore people should take the most necessary precautions to not get muddled in compromising situations. As much as I'd condoned abstinence, it's not a foolproof method. In this age, there is a need for proper contraceptives at times when the will of man grows weak. There is always comfort in the knowledge that there's always a way for retribution. I am pro-choice, as long as for every given choice, is backed up by information.

And what about the idea of quantity versus quality. It's obvious that we are suffering from this dilemma. Majority projects that quantity is always better, more sticking to the odds, when old lessons tell us that quality is above quantity. It is very absurd, and I find it ridiculous actually, that some people feel that the more they have children, the more chances they'd win a ticket out of poverty. These are all based on assumptions, as the parents obvious depend it on fate. If a couple cannot manage to rear children, provide their nutritional needs, give them opportunities to access education, therefore I think there is no point in making the wheel go round. It's a vicious cycle that they need to stop. The quality of children you produce by giving them the best of education, basic needs and opportunities, are key to a better life,it could never be quantity.

That is why there are always projects for education, to inform people about what sex is all about beyond the pleasure. There are also projects for livelihood, not to only accommodate the majority, but to present a core cure. It gives options to women and men to do something worthwhile, than just dreaming their ambitions away and wait for the partners to go home and have sex.

It's sad to think that our neighboring countries have already seen the loophole of population generation. Some say "the more the merrier," in this case, I beg to disagree.

Marketing Developments in the eyes of a shrewd customer...me.

Monday is really not a favorite day of mine.

I easily get cranky. I'm thrown in a heap of miscalculated balance. My outlook is too anxious to end the long week as I'm nursing a bloated feeling from the weekend culinary fiasco.

As I got out of the car this monday, with my hair still dripping, the crankiness sets in because I realized that I left my band (tali) at home. There are two things that particularly set my day on a very...very....cranky note.

1. If I'm "watchless"
2. I don't have my 'tali' with me.

And It doesn't help that it's Monday and condition number 2 strikes.

I grudgingly got my heavy butt to the lobby and opted to catch the elevator shamelessly, when I am just one floor away from the office. I knew I needed that exercise, but I'm cranky. It seems to be a perfect excuse for everything.

I needed a comfort boost to start a very dragging and unpromising day. And I already know where I would get it from. Good Coffee.

To justify myself further, I don't usually allow myself to buy expensive coffee from Coffee Bean or less in Starbucks because I see it as a luxury and a treat, but this is one of those times that it is an exception. I am cranky.

I went down the lobby and contemplated if I would walk a few buildings away to my favorite Coffee Bean or just settle for Starbucks for now. It was an obvious choice. Since I'm cranky and needing of immediate caffeine boost, my thighs directed me to Starbucks.

As I entered the expat-driven coffee hub, I suddenly felt the crankiness go against me. Here they are looking ravishingly unaffected with the silliness of the world, enjoying their breakfast and coffee while discussing or reading some newspapers. Whereas I, in such a disheveled look, entered with a messy untied hair, my face picturing a frown and my attitude getting the best of me.

I went in line and savored the visuals of their pastry offerings. A man in white shirt approached my area and tried to re-establish my customer-loyalty role in Starbucks. He is a familiar face to me, as I am to him because usually I get my drink at Starbucks in the mornings or late in the afternoons, which denote that I am not technically a loyal customer of Starbucks. It's just that they have the location advantage and I am the type of customer who relatively hates walking on an uneasy work mornings.

He greeted me "Good morning, kamusta po kayo?"


I felt that he was intruding. Of course it's a silly reaction. But I am a silly and highly introverted person. What am I supposed to say? Aside from the fact that these small talks unnerve me, I really don't find it comfortable talking to a stranger. Well, he is no stranger after all. He is a legitimate, worthy citizen who works at Starbucks and who seems to master its regular customers, me included. This gives him gives him the proper ground to offer comfort and ask me unusual questions like "how I was."

But seriously, what am I supposed to say? "Okay lang?" Eeew...that would probably be the vaguest answer in the book. We say "okay lang" for almost everything. There is not a measure, it's just mediocre reply, or worse, one hasn't decided yet of a particular answer that's why "okay lang" proved to be safer. But I hate saying "okay lang" that would be dishonesty to myself and to him. But really now? Does he really care or does it really matter?

Sorry to be a pessimist, maybe it's just that I'm noticeably cranky, but I remembered I was telling Tim about the new "Customer Spiel" that's being instilled in some companies. One of which is Starbucks. Before they were just concerned in giving you the perfect coffee experience by being efficient and friendly in taking your orders. They have established themselves to be the pioneers and best in the business. 3 starbucks could exist in one long avenue. They mushroom anywhere where there's people regardless of the distance of one Starbucks to another. But now, aside from seeking orders with their American Accent and passable friendly and genuine smiles, they have started to ask how people are feeling. There is an element of reaching out to people beyond the business of just taking your orders. I experienced it first in Starbucks glorietta, near Landmark, just beside David's while I was waiting for a friend. They asked me if I was okay. "Kamusta po kayo?" "Okay naman po ba ang araw nyo?" And I was like...."Yeah???" They put me right on the spot...and I was literally off balanced. I'd rather go on interviews than having an ambush check-up out of nowhere.

Second would be on a Shell gas station near our village. These hardworking gas boys while filling up your tank would ask a lot of things that a motorist should be concerned about. They're like human talking POST-ITs. Sometimes it could be a little bit annoying or a little bit amusing. It really depends on the motorist's mood.


I remembered once, Mitch and I were having his car fueled up at Shell. And the gas boy apparently has practiced his spiel. Mitch was amused. I gave them credit for trying to reach out and pulling out the dragging reminders. If you think about it, they are disadvantaged. They could never know if the motorist is by nature an asshole or just having a bad day. My dad once, out of sheer annoyance and bad mood, shouted at the poor gas boy for being too nosy or "makulit." My dad just wanted to get gas after all.

"Good morning po, sir. Welcome to shell." the gas boy cheerfully greeted.
"1000, unleaded." the driver said.
My father uneasily shifted his seat as he was already feeling nauseous and late for his meeting.
The gas boy diligently fuels the car. My father passed his credit card to the driver and murmured to make it fast.While his card was being processed the gas boy stands in front of the driver's window to ask if they would want other services being offered. "Sir, window cleaning sir, para maging malinaw ang pagmamaneho, sir."
"Hindi na." my father immediately replied.
"Yung oil po natin sir baka gusto po ninyong--"
"Hindi."
"Yung gulong po sir, pwede po nating i-check sa--"
"Hindi na. Okay na. Asan na yung card?!" my father annoyingly replied.

The gas boy, as if hearing nothing, returned to the car with the card and receipt.
"Thank you po sir, ingat po sa daan." with a faint wave.

I know it was irrational of my father. I was pretty amazed of their continuous efforts to reach out on a quite personal level. It's obvious that they are just doing their job. I'm sure their HR had trained them on this new method of engaging with customers. Essentially, come on, they don't really care what you do with your life, but it's how they say that "Hey, we are going an extra mile to care for you...yes you, dear customer of ours.It's our business to care for your wellbeing." Shell is a perfect example of this. They remind you relentlessly of road safety measures.

In Starbucks for example, they have changed their marketing strategy. According to fastcompany.com., Starbucks is undergoing a marketing revamp, not only to introduce their company and coffee, but to improve customer loyalty. They constantly ride on the trends and people's need for simple conveniences. That's why they've embarked on improving their branches in putting up wi-fi and cell phone charging hubs. They'd also want Starbucks to be the banner of improving the sense of community, that is why they constantly ask how people are on a personal note. They memorize and treasure usual customers and develop a homey relationship with them. It's startling at first, but when you come to think about it, it is a new and very admirable strategy.



People like me should get used to stuff like these. There's nothing quite wrong with it, I'm sure. In fact it's quite amusing to hear people ask about your day, even though you're really not sure if they actually care. They offer to be the front line release-busters and non-degree counselors. They want you to open up and remember the store not just a store...but a caring establishment that wants you to be a part of their community. I wondered if the next time they'd ask me how I was I could attempt to answer honestly no matter how unfortunate I may be.

SCENE 1: (All the questions asked by Barista are personally experienced by me...I'd just alter my answers to theorize on the what if's.."

7 PM, Starbucks office building, while waiting for your ride home.
The ride is 2 hours late. I'm supposedly snappy and decided to buy a Vanilla Frap.

Barista: Good evening, ma'am...(reading the office ID)Kaye. Pauwi na po ba kayo?
Kaye: (SUPER CRANKY MOOD...about to burst) Pauwi is an understatement. I am supposed to be at home right now. I have to eat my dinner. I have to work out and I'm dying to play SIMS. This is a perfect example of wasting your time. Pano ba naman kasi, I asked them if they could pick me up, they said yes. Kung alam ko lang na hindi sana nag commute nako!"
Barista: (Totally fazed..HAHAHA!) Maybe you might want to try our drinks first while waiting. You could read magazines para di po kayo mainip.
Kaye: Ano pa nga ba ang gagawin ko? One Grande Vanilla Frappucino with whipped cream.
Barista: (Anxious) One vanilla frappuccino grande for Kaye please. Thank you ma'am.

That was weird....or how about....

SCENE 2: A blotchy woman, teary eyed and depressed, falls in line in front of the counter.

Barista: Good morning, po ma'am. Kamusta naman po ba kayo today?
Woman: Okay lang. (Faintly and teary eyed)
Barista: OKay lang po ba kayo?
Woman: Do I look like okay? (Crying and being hysterical)
I just found out my husband is cheating, okay? our business went bankrupt! I'm still working on a business lawsuit! My dog just died yesterday and my car just got towed! I want to die!" wailing

That would be funny.

But in short, I admire the new marketing strategies of these companies. They're seeing the market in a different light. Customers see them exerting more effort than doing a mere business transaction. What they're forming here is a relationship.

IN Western countries like in the US, locals are pretty much friends with the bar owners, bar tenders and waiters of a diner in town. If people want to look for someone in town, all they'd have to do is ask these people, and they're likely guided. Doing spiels like this is a small step to a bigger cause. Not only do they want to increase and anchor their customers' loyalty, but they're also trying to build a sense of community.

The next time that I'd be exposed to their efforts, I'd know better and do my share.

SOURCES:
Picture 1: http://russelldavies.typepad.com/planning/starbucks2.JPG
Picture 2:
Picture 3: http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/516/Margerie_Gas_Station_Attendant.jpg