Outrigger, Paradiso No More

We went to Anilao Outrigger Resort, and to our surprise we saw a resort not even close to the photos advertised through their website www.outrigger.com.ph

Until now, we’re still waiting for that 60% refund. For the 40% that they won’t give us back, this blog post is my response. Go keep the change. Like what my friends advised me, I’ll charge it to experience. And I’m sharing my experience with other people. Just hope this information will help readers and travelers in planning their vacation. Bon Voyage! Don’t let bad resorts ruin your perfect getaway trip.

Complete review at: http://theangeli.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/resort-review-anilao-outrigger-resort%E2%80%A6-sucks/

Bad Review

Resort Review: Anilao Outrigger Resort… SUCKS!

(I know that this is kind of long, you may want to go straight to the review and prices comparison part. Hope this post will help.)

Background: Two foreigner friends of my kabarkada were planning to visit the country on March 25, 2011, Friday. My friend told me months before that she needed help in preparing one nice trip to the beach for her guests. They were only going to stay here for 5 days, so they didn’t have the time to go to Boracay. Initially, we were looking for a white sand beach with lots of activities, when I spotted this diving resort. Diving was pretty much a good idea, so yeah I thought to myself, let’s do it! That’s when I sent an email to Anilao Outrigger Resort.

I immediately received a call from Noreen Vanhaltren, a very nice lady. From then on, I would give her a call whenever I have queries, and she was very accommodating… at start. The week before the trip, I made a call to her and ask her about the rates of their Island Hopping activity, and the entrance fee for a maid and driver. She told me that the boating is priced at Php 2,500, which is only for 6 people. The entrance fee for the maid and driver is at Php 700, the same with the fee me and my friends are going to pay for. First I tried to negotiate with her, but then when she said that “ganoon po talaga, eh” (that’s the way it is), I kind of snapped. I started questioning her with reason. I didn’t realize that that encounter was only the start of something more disastrous. I let it pass, thinking “Bahala na” when we get there. We could probably just negotiate on the resort itself. I was thinking that maybe Noreen had no control of these matters, because she’s just working for the Makati office. Moving on, we then finalized our booking on March 15, 2011 (Tuesday) and paid a reservation fee of Php 3000 for a total of 6 adults scheduled for a day trip on March 26, 2011 (Saturday).

Fast forward on the day of the trip, when we got to Anilao Outrigger Resort, we were surprised to see a resort not even close to the photos advertised through their website www.outrigger.com.ph

Disappointments / THE Review: The place looked deserted, and it’s untidy. Their staff was the most unfriendly resort staff I have ever met. They didn’t even greet us when we arrived at the resort lobby. Hoping that we would still be able to discover a hidden paradise, I requested to tour around the resort only to find out that the sun deck that seemed so enticing in the website looked like it was about to fall off. The infinity pool was not even what it’s supposed to be, and it’s not ready for use. I had to point it out to the crew before they even fix it. The room, we didn’t even have to go in to realize that it’s not as welcoming as it should be. The place apparently was not well maintained. We were even told that the Sombrero Island for the boating trip was not that beautiful anymore. Like what my friend said, the resort’s gate says it all. It’s not worth its price. (Later, I’ll illustrate the comparison of prices and services between Anilao Outrigger Resort and Anilao Beach Resort—the place that saved our trip.)

I was very disappointed I had to call their Makati Office without even having second thoughts. I spoke to Jet Esposo. I told him I was with foreigners and I am so embarrassed I can’t even explain to them the cause of the delay. We left Anilao Outrigger Resort right after I made the call to your Makati Office.

RATES COMPARISON:

Anilao Outrigger Resort

Php 700 – entrance fee /pax (inclusive of food, WELCOME drinks, snorkeling gear)

Php 1,300 – day trip room

Php 1,500 per 15 mins. – banana boat

Php 165 / 305 per hour – kayak (1 or 2 seater)

Php 2,500 – boat for Island hopping (6 people)

Php 200 – entrance fee to Sombrero Island / pax

Php 800 – hut in Sombrero Island

Php 1,800 – intro to diving

Php 550 – massage

TOTAL: Php 4,367 per pax – estimated (if we do all activities, since that’s really the idea)

ANILAO BEACH RESORT

Php 650 – entrance fee / pax (consumable for food and drinks)

Php 1,800 – intro to diving

Php 2,200 – boat (7 people, plus 2 guides and 1 dive instructor)

Php 50 – entrance fee to dive and trek / pax

Php 150 – snorkeling mask

Php 500 – hut

FREE: parking / life vest / booties / kayak / billiard table / volleyball / football / horse shoe game (plus the customer experience is outstanding. You’ll know that they are thinking about what would make your stay relaxing, comfortable, and enjoyable.)

TOTAL: Php 2,927 per pax – actual price my friends paid for, since they took the intro to diving

I wrote Anilao Outrigger Resort a complaint letter on March 28, 2011, Monday. I must’ve made the mistake of sending them a harsh (somewhat straightforward to the point of insulting) letter, that this sales guy or the “boss” was kind of angry when he called me regarding my complaint and demand for refund. He had the nerve to ask me, “What kind of resort were you expecting anyway?”

Well, here’s the answer… We want the resort showcased in your freaking website! Not that resort we visited that looks dilapidated.

Until now, we’re still waiting for that 60% refund. For the 40% that they won’t give us back, this blog post is my response. Go keep the change. Like what my friends advised me, I’ll charge it to experience. And I’m sharing my experience with other people. Just hope this information will help readers and travelers in planning their vacation. Bon Voyage! Don’t let bad resorts ruin your perfect getaway trip.

Anilao Outrigger Resort, Perfect Getaway? Nooot!

www.outrigger.com.ph websites can be really deceiving. We visited this resort last Saturday, and the promise of beauty was all a lie. It was really disappointing. I had to write them a complaint letter today, and demand for refund. Now that sales guy whom I spoke to had the nerve to ask me “What kind of resort were you expecting anyway?” Well definitely not like that resort of yours!

Jojo Kaprichoso

The very least of all the problems of the Philippines right now is building an office residence for the vice president. It is advisable that we have one like the Malacañang Palace where the vice president can do all his work. It would be more practical to have an office residence owned by the government rather than rent an office from private-owned buildings. But in a time like this, when there are a lot of Filipinos without a permanent shelter, the vice president should at least make the sacrifice. We all can see how the new administration is now doing its best to clean all the mess the previous governments left behind.

From day 1, VP Binay has already been showing how capricious and extravagant is his lifestyle. His actions clearly shows how he can’t let go of wealth and power. During the proclamation, he ordered the cloth of his barong from Europe, and the beads from Japan. While the president had his barong made locally to promote the industries in the different regions of our country. Barong Tagalog is our national clothing. And this would definitely be best made in our country with our own raw materials.

VP Binay also do not approve of the “walang wang-wang” policy. What kind of leader does not want to serve as a good example? Somehow it shows how he want to receive special treatment all the time. It shows how impatient he is. And of course a high possibility of abuse of power or “powertrip“.

I think it was last week when VP Binay was caught violating traffic rules such as beating the red light and not following the “No Left Turn” sign. He already apologized for these with his lame excuses.

And now, the VP residence is the issue. I remember VP Binay said that he would use the office in the old Makati City Hall. It wasn’t a bad idea at all, since Makati could already be considered the Binay’s unproclaimed “territory”. I wonder what happened with that plan that he is now requesting for an office. Making it look like the VP is being neglected etc. His request for additional budget is another thing.

For me, VP Binay is not cooperating with the administration. And to think that he is also aiming to run for presidency in 2016. What kind of president would he be? I hope that the people would be very critical in observing this kind of leaders.

If VP Binay is a good leader, he would put service of the people above all things. If he is an effective leader, he can maximize his limited resources. The problem is it seems like he’s just saying he wants to become effective. But the question is, “Is he actually going to do it—be effective?”

To quote the old saying Anthony Taberna mentioned in Umagang Kay Ganda this morning: “Kung maigsi ang kumot, magtiis munang mamaluktot.”

reshaping our perspective

I am not a doctor or a medical student. But today, I was able to learn new things about the medical industry. It’s not at all very complicated. There was no use of any medical term that would probably make my nose bleed. (Laughs) I was able to learn about the principles in medicine. And I see a bright future for the medical industry in the Philippines.

I was in a presscon at The Medical City. And I was able to chat with some of the doctors. Of course, we discussed about their profession—their world. And we all agreed in one thing, the Philippines, our country make good doctors and nurses. Thus, we have an edge in the medical industry. One doctor even said, “Make all the nurses and doctors stop working in the US even for a day, and there would definitely be a great effect in their country.”

Dr. Alfredo Bengson, CEO of The Medical City also sat in our table. He is a great guy and a man of knowledge. The funny thing is that he was the one doing the interview to a writer like me. He asked me about the mismatches in our society in relation to the perspectives in medicine.

He was explaining how doctors were trained to take care of people’s health. He was discussing the whole process—they go to school (for years), pre-med, med school, internship, exams, etc. And in the end, they become doctors who are expected to cure diseases and illnesses, which is contrary to what their real purpose was from the beginning they enrolled to train in medical schools.

What Dr. Bengson was saying is that the purpose and the main mission of doctors is not actually just to cure illnesses, but to prevent them from happening. Curing diseases are definitely more expensive than prevention.

Then he asked me, “Why do you think are there mismatches?”

The first thing that came to my mind was because our society has evolved. Our old ways dictate that doctor’s are supposed to cure. And now, we are already making improvements that’s why we’re already focusing on prevention rather than cure.

But my answer was wrong.

Only then did I realize that I am familiar with this topic. I was discussing at home about the disadvantages of technology. I believe that the more we invent technology, the more we complicate life, and the more we get into health risks and the like. More people get sick because technology has made changes in our environment and lifestyle.

Thus, our medical doctors in The Medical City are going back to the basics. Dr. Bengson used H1N1 as an example. How were we able to fight H1N1? There was no need for machines or medications. Prevention was the cure. The authorities educated the people on the ways to avoid H1N1—wash your hands, cover your mouth, etc.

Dr. Bengson also emphasized the need for doctors and patients to become partners. Since the person concerned is the one who owns the body, then he should do something to take care of it. Everyone is accountable for their own health. The doctors are not gods. They can’t make miracles. But what they can do is to educate the people on how to keep themselves healthy and well.

Dr. Bengson told us about the Greeks during the ancient era. Whenever a man is sick, the family would bring that person to the temple. This is not only an act of consulting the gods or asking for miracles. In fact, the Greeks do this to consult their community. Health care back then could be considered a communal activity. Everyone used their eyes, ears, their brains to make observations and come up with a communal diagnosis. Moreover, when technology came, the community and the people were pushed away. And in my opinion, medicine also became a money-making business, and it has become less caring and colder.

In my opinion, based on these things, I could say that the old ways which are simpler seem more effective than the complicated and expensive technology we have today. Dr. Bengson asked, “Who are we to blame?” And the answer is simply, “No one in particular, because we all contributed to what we have today.”

For Dr. Bengson, health and wellness is a spectrum with two ends—cure and prevention. And their goal as doctors is to keep the people in the part of the spectrum where wellness is. Early detection is also prevention.

And since we are all stakeholders of our own body. We all are responsible for our health and wellness. Prevention should also be our goal. Thus, we need a reshaping in our thinking and behavior. We need to be educated so that we would do things the proper way.

In the end of our conversation, I was touched with Dr. Bengson’s words when he said that we, people from the media and journalists, play a very important role because we can touch people’s lives. Although our ability to inspire and influence are often misappreciated and misappropriated. But knowing that we have this kind of role is very inspiring and motivating. Dr. Bengson quotes from the Spiderman movie, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

do not spoil the media

I know that the media plays a very important role in the society, since the constitution clearly states our freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom to get information. It was during the Martial Law that these rights were taken away from the people. We know that without information and the right to express, the people are somehow paralyzed or weak.

I have become one of the press, since I finished a degree in mass media, and I work for a publication. I was in the proclamation and inauguration of P-Noy, because I was assigned to cover these historical events. I have several media/press ids/passes. And it already seems like a collection of IDs I can exhibit someday.

The media is powerful because it has the medium to influence the people’s opinion. And the media definitely know what they can do. It’s no different with the common notion that no one is supposed to mess with waiters or you’ll have spit on your food. Do not mess with the press or you’ll spread shit all over. The media can make someone famous in just a few minutes, and they can also make someone fall if they want to.

And this is probably the reason why P-Noy apologized to the media on behalf of Lacierda and Bro. Armin. He doesn’t want the media to go against the administration since he also needs them to communicate to the people.

Nevertheless, I still agree with Bro. Armin when he said that the media is not helping. (He said it jokingly. But the press misinterpreted it.) Sometimes or oftentimes, the media really isn’t helping. With too much power they’ve become irresponsible and rude.

It is a general observation that the news in the Philippines are sensationalized. Our media is also voyeuristic. They don’t show the whole picture. They only give the audience a glimpse of the facts they want to emphasize.

This is one reason why I don’t want to become a TV reporter/newscaster, because I don’t want to deliver the type of news that we currently have. I love the media because of the exposure. My experiences in the press are things that nobody can take away from me.

Furthermore, despite my criticisms of our Philippine media, I give credit to the press for the success of the May 10 elections. They were able to keep watch of what’s happening all over the country. Thus, the whole Philippines was atleast able to make sure that there was transparency and credibility in the recent elections.

And, of course, I also know that there exists responsible journalists like Howie Severino, Jessica Soho, Cheche Lazaro, Maria Ressa, etc. I remember during my freshman year, Howie visited DLSU to do a talk. Afterwards, I approached him and asked him, “Do you think the people in the media are still ethical?” He was shocked and offended. And it was only then that I realized that I asked the wrong question, because not everyone in the media is a rotten egg.

I see the need for further improvement in our media. There should be more responsibility in their (our) use of power. And we should be more objective, since our mission is to deliver information and intelligent news, the truth and nothing but the truth.

A new beginning for all of us Filipinos

I am one with the Filipinos in rejoicing not only for P-Noy’s victory, but also for OUR own victory. What we witnessed at the Quirino Grandstand yesterday was made possible, because all of us decided to make a difference during the May 10 elections. Regardless of whom we voted for, I know that we all have one thing in mind. We finally united in our vision for a “Bagong Pilipinas”. I know, I hope, and I want to believe that this would only be the beginning of many more victories.

While we all have great expectations on P-Noy, let us also accept the challenge of making the country—OUR Philippines, a better place. We deserve to become great, because we are a great nation. Thus, we should fight for our right to be recognized for what we truly are.

Despite some and/or probable criticisms, I want to praise P-Noy for a very inspiring and brave inaugural speech he delivered before the Filipino people yesterday. He made a strong declaration of what he wants for our country, and I want to be there to help him along the way.

We need not make big sacrifices to be able to help in this mission of building “Bagong Pilipinas”. Following simple rules and laws definitely makes a big difference.

“Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow.” …Lahat tumatawid sa tamang tawiran. Lahat nagtatapon sa tamang basurahan.

the president: the servant of the people

I once wrote an analysis on Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). I think that was back in 2008. (Unfortunately, I lost the copy of the 10-page paper I wrote about it.) All I did was criticize her. (Laughs)

As a Philippine Studies major, I have a very strong feeling towards the Filipino language. Yes, I do write in English, but that’s because I need to master the use of the language to earn a living. It’s a means of survival.

Anyway, I am one of the people who pushes for the intellectualization and strengthening of the Filipino language. And I find it proper that a leader should use the country’s lingua franca in addressing the nation.

You might say that because the Philippines is a country of many dialects, English has become our official second language and it would be more convenient to use the language that people of other dialects would understand.

However, let us not forget that we have many countrymen who are not privileged to go to school and learn English. Moreover, a leader should be the one to encourage the people to recognize and use the Filipino language.

For me using the English language in the SONA is a sign of submission to an invisible colonizer. They are the ones who understand the language fully. And Mrs. Arroyo was right in using English to address the foreigners, and please them with her so-called achievements.

But the State of the Nation Address is supposed to be the president’s report to the citizens of the country. As the president is the servant, and the Filipinos are his masters.

Anyway, I don’t actually give a damn about Mrs. Arroyo, because she is not my president. Truly, “she stole the presidency, not once but twice.”

Moreover, I am hoping that our new President Noynoy Aquino will use Filipino in his SONA.

The Filipino language is the product of using different languages such as Spanish, English, Chinese, etc; and different dialects in the country.

Tagalog is a dialect.

Let’s start by correcting this misconception. I would never get tired of explaining this until everyone learns it.

declaration to the universe

I do believe that we create our own reality. And we shouldn’t say negative things, so that we wouldn’t attract negative vibes. We should always think and shout positive things so that the universe would follow what we want. Our wish is the universe’s command.

Dear Universe:

I am looking for a job, because I want to work; not because “I have to”. Working is not a “must”, it is supposed to be a choice. I didn’t study in a prestigious university to make other people rich. I am a leader, and I want to make a difference.

I want a job where I can use my people-relation skills and my leadership. I want to save my passion in writing. I don’t want to lose it by using it to earn a living.

Working is a stepping stone. I don’t want to be caught in the rat race. I work because I want to. It is not only because of money. Someday, I will become wealthy. And I will help more people.

I will always aim for the best and for perfection. When I am down, there’s no other way but to go up.

the dilemma

It’s normal for any person to dream and make plans. We’d feel excited. And at times, we feel very sure that everything would fall into place. But at some point in time you’d find yourself lost. And all you could do is ask “What the hell just happened?”

Yesterday, while I was in the bus on my way home, I was feeling so down that I wrote a poem:

Walang katapusang alingawngaw

ng sigaw ng piping

umiiyak sa gabi.

Patuloy na umuugong

ang tunog na nakabibingi.

Ngunit walang nakaiintindi

ng ibig sabihin,

ibig iparating.

Nabulabog ang mga ibong

nagliparan sa kadiliman;

unti-unting lumalayo

patungo sa kawalan.

Napupunit ang mga panaginip

ng matulis na tinik

na tumutusok sa dibdib.

Niyayanig ang daigdig.

Dumagundong ang kulog.

I just wrote every word that came to my mind. I don’t know if my poem made any sense. I thought of writing about my quarter life crisis, but it didn’t come out that way. The poem would probably just describe how I felt. It seems very dark and sad. And it could mean a lot of things.

Anyway, what I’m going through right now is some kind of dilemma. And a part of me just wants to not move. But come to think of it, this isn’t the first time I’m going through this kind of struggle. This is probably something that normally happens in our human life; that feeling of not being able to satisfy your expectations of oneself. Then you’d feel lost and disappointed.

Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, it is also a part of human life that among the many roads, there is one that leads to the right direction. And as for myself, I’ll be able to find my way back to my goals.