"You Pay Peanuts......

….. You Get Monkeys.” This old Asian saying jumps to mind whenever I get the rough end of a bargain.

Just like what we had with a new local carrier Zest Air who chose to identify themselves as “Asia's Most Refreshing Airline”. If anything, their Airbus, even their chosen colors orange and green, are all that gives an impression as “refreshing” and tragically slips from there.

For this 82^nd birthday, we thought of giving Papa a trip to his home city Iloilo. Curious about their claim as being “Asia's Most Refreshing Airline”, their young fleet and their very attractive rates, Cecille decided the four of us will give Zest Air a try.

Our flight was scheduled for 5:10 in the afternoon. This was last May 23. Overly excited, we were at the airport shortly after 2PM.

Lamentably, we were only able to board our plane at around 8:15PM. It was 3 hours of senseless waiting. Their staff, when asked about the cause of the delay can only provide this flimsy, halfhearted explanation that their aircraft was still stuck in Cebu.

But it should take severe hounding from an exasperated couple before they finally made steps to update their screens in the airport lounge. Passengers were at lost but none among the Zest Air staff was decent enough to promptly inform the now restless crowd of the delay.

On similar situations, other airlines would immediately jump on the chance to provide value added service. They will do their best to go beyond providing refreshments to the listless passengers. They will make their presence felt. They will now turn an unwanted situation into one that will leave everyone feeling special. All will be forgiven, passengers turning into patrons.

No effort whatsoever with this airline.

Unquestionably irritating was the attitude of the ground crew. While those wearing black shirts, presumably the supervisors, would try to accommodate the complains, those in green were totally useless. One in particular was so busy on her phone while I was talking to her. I normally would have yelled at her and create a fuss but I was intent on making this trip angst free specially for my father.

As it was getting late, both my father and my daughter were getting hungry. There were limited selection being offered by the concessionaires so we left the airport lounge to head for the restaurants across the street. We were surprised hearing from those we met on the way out that delay is common with Zest Air. We thought this was local but those who met us in Iloilo told the same exact thing. Why management did not hear this seemingly loud observation escapes me.

The trip back to Manila was, surprisingly, on time. Sadly, some crew in green at the check-in counter in Iloilo exhibited the same arrogance as their counterparts in Manila. I was beginning to wonder if this was a Zest Air thing.

While those handling our luggage made all effort to secure our stuff, the gentleman issuing boarding passes retorted “Hindi po kami nade-delay! (We do not get delayed!)" when asked by Cecille if the flight was on schedule. I can only think that for this person Manila might as well be on another time zone. Either this or Zest Air is in complete denial.

Cheap rates does not give anyone the right to abuse. Cheap rates is not a license for arrogance, to be “bastos”. Cheap rates does not mean being cheap. Cheap rates, if anything, is to attract people over towards you and the value service you sincerely believe only you can provide.

People look up to those who make the best with little resources. It will be difficult for it will demand one to seriously think out of the box. But it creates brand loyalty. You do not have to spend an amount equivalent to a small nation's budget to advertise. Your customers will willingly do it for you. And that will be louder than any huge billboard along EDSA.

During this time when competition devours competition, paying peanuts does not have to mean your customers getting monkeys. In fact, here is an opportunity to tell the world why you are better than the rest.

But sorry Zest Air, me and my friends will no longer ride with you.

Thank You!

" Thank You!"

Two words that for some means more than being appreciated. For me personally, “Thank You!” is:

• an affirmation, the highlighting of all that is good in me, few they may be

• telling me you will always make time for this relationship even if it can only be as brief as in saying these two words

• a prompting of the heart

But these days, maybe overwhelmed by everyday affairs, greetings, even those that are deep and personal, are seen as a given. And so responses like “Thank You!”, unless related to paid service, has become more like a figure of speech, a stoic and automatic response.

So we ask: are we now exceedingly busy to remember those who took the time to remind us how important we are to them?

Do we now think we are extra special that some remembering, specially coming from the well off, is more better than the rest and that they carry more weight than ones from people who have less than us?

Have we seen “Thank You!” as empty phrases like “How Are You?”, often said when we are left with nothing sensible to say, that we have completely taken them off our list of good expressions?

I have to admit I am guilty and more. Today that I am turning 53, I will make amends. Once again, from deep within my heart, allow me to say “THANK YOU!”

“Thank You!” for remembering and reminding me of my special days when I myself have forgotten.

“Thank You!” for taking time to put dates in your calendars, set your phones to early morning alarms hoping you'd help start someone's day with gratitude and cheer.

“Thank You!” for all of you who said a special prayer when the odds where stacked against me.

“Thank You!” for the unexpected help during those times when I do not know what else to do.

“Thank You!” for appreciating this person.

“Thank You!!” for that shoulder when I need one to cry on.

“Thank You!” for all the hugs that made sure someone is with me in my corner.

“Thank You!” for allowing me to touch your lives through my writing and my incessant talking.

“Thank You!” for encouraging me to keep going with the one and only thing I know I am good at.

“Thank You!” for your patience.

“Thank You!” for helping me grow.

“Thank you!” for continuously reading my blogs even if sometimes they are mere rumblings of a frustrated soul.

“Thank You!” for teaching me the pentatonic scale.

“Thank You!” for our coffee moments.

“Thank You!” for braving those trails with me.

“Thank You!” for helping me put Efcie together.

“Thank You!” for Efcie.

“Thank You!” for helping me make sure Papa will enjoy his Iloilo vacation.

“Thank You!” for laughing with me for no reason at all but because we are cousins.

“Thank You!” for making sure I am up for that Baguio challenge.

“Thank you!” for being the great person that you are.

Finally, perhaps my biggest, “Thank You!” for trusting me as your friend.

Justin Bieber And The Why's On Being Off-Centered

Recently, Justin Bieber was in town. One mother, a friend of ours, was willing to sacrifice the month's food allowance for a ticket because her 9-year-old was at her wits end. They were already at the concert gates when suddenly the mom held back because she never expected those tickets would cost more than her estimate.

Exasperated with the unexpected turn of events, the daughter sobbed, unable to comprehend how $47 can be more important than a few hours with Justin Bieber.

While this uncompromising and immature reaction comes from a child, some adults actually behave similarly albeit on a different level. In fact, that a child would come up with such argument can be traced to parents unable to relate to what is truly essential, a view so ironic specially when one considers that this is a country where the daily cost of living for a family of six is around $10, based on data from the National Wage Commission.

But how do you explain that to a 9-year-old who thinks the world for her will end if she does not get to see this concert, even from the most cheapest seat in the house?

Lucky for our friend, a good Samaritan saw the daughter's distress. He thought he needed a better seat, which essentially equates to a more expensive ticket, and so gave his current to her. For free. I am impressed because amidst the screaming of delirious fans, someone still heard a child's voice.

And so both mother and daughter ended the evening feeling euphoric, but surely more so for the mom. It is not everyday we encounter acts of random kindness.

But what do you actually do when, except for you, all your mates in school watched Justin Bieber and talk nothing but? I think it is all too much for a 9-year-old to handle. So rather than put their kid in such awkward situation, parents, whether it causes a severe dent on their budget, buy a ticket.

All this pushed me to start a mini survey through my Facebook page. I asked friends if they will, granting they have the funds for it, buy their 9-year-old a ticket to a Justin Bieber concert and why.

Almost everyone said they will. One mother even paid nearly $400 for it, justifying the purchase as a once in a lifetime event.

But a comment stood out like a sore thumb because it was the only one opposed to the idea, even seen by a few as off-centered hence grossly unpopular. Simply, this gentleman believes the cost can not justify the expense.

He is with the opinion they are better spent on books or given away to help ones who have less. Learning is, for him, above all. And after reading the text of Rico Hizon's speech during the Toastmaster's International District 75 Annual Conference in Manila entitled "Being Proud of our won Filipino-English Diction", I have to agree with him. 

While going for a ticket may be perceived as being the best and the easiest, here opens an opportunity for real parenting, a time to really connect and to communicate.

Here is a time to talk about values and explain that, to borrow from Seth Godin, "Popular is almost never a measure of impact, or genius, or art. Popular rarely correlates with guts, hard work or a willingness to lead...."

Here is a chance to explain what really matters. And at an age when guidance is key, there is no better setting. We may still end up buying the ticket but the opportunity at parenting never wasted

I read that the creative few you usually find off the center. Eccentric is the most common term used. But off center, in fact, is where genius often emerges.

So to close, let me share this.

My daughter is often seen as unusual, even thought of as incapable of being a social creature, all because she is being home schooled. But more than any kid, she is fearless when it comes to expressing her art. She does not have to look at what the other is doing before starting on her goals. She would rather be in flannel shirts, jeans and high cut Chucks. For her, independence is king.

Yes, she is not mainstream, a non-ordinary.

Importantly for her, she does not believe she has to be in a Justin Bieber concert in order to be in. Being herself is enough.

Simple And Beautiful

Cecille, very impressed with a nephew's new girlfriend, told him how she found her simplicity truly attractive. Perhaps overwhelmed with the everyday “fakeness”, she found the beauty refreshing and Cecille can not help voice her compliment.

Ironically, her nephew took the comment as hostile. Cecille found herself defending her view and I felt really sad for my wife. While she had the eye to see beauty at its core, others insists it should be complicated.

I find it sad we have evolved into someone who think that the covering, no matter how horrendous looking they may be, is far more important than the person being covered. And so because no one noticed that new shoe or this new bag in the office today is plenty good reason to give it away. Even if that mini dress, which shamelessly expose those hams, gets proudly worn just the same because it is a Vera Wang.

I find it sad that we have defined beauty as something outside ourselves, to see simplicity as next to nothingness. And so we insist on having those noses and legs and breasts on our portraits perfected through Photoshop. Glutathione has now become the wonder drug for the many who are confused and cosmetic surgeons the new gods.

Indeed, we have become complicated. And the more complicated we are, the more important and beautiful we see ourselves. We hate looking at that person in the mirror immediately after waking up in the morning because who we see is not the one we imagined us to be.

Such a heavy luggage to carry, me thinks. Even so it drives us farther away from our core which is where real beauty lies: unblemished and uniquely ours.

An artist nephew once wrote on his Facebook wall: “I do not like slim jeans because I hate seeing sausages.” Just because the world says it is cool should we also define it as beautiful, even if they make ridiculous creatures of us.

Beauty, if one means real beauty, need not be complicated.