College Group work

University of the Philippines Diliman

College of Home Economics

Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutions Management

Strategy Formulation for

Submitted by:

Darleen May B. Alcantara

Vida Margarette D. Andal

Danica Mara R. Bermudez

Kim Floyd F. Suvilla

Prof. Germaine Salvador

1^st Semester, AY 2009-2010

HRIM 190 Strategic Planning for Hotels, Restaurants and Institutions

HOTEL SALCEDO DE VIGAN

CASE ANALYSIS

CONTENT

I. Hotel Salcedo Background

II. Long-Term and Short Term Objectives

III. Situational Analysis

IV. TOWS Matrix

V. Strategic Map

1. Financial Perspective
2. Customer Perspective
3. Internal Perspective
4. Learning and Growth Perspective

VI. O.G.S.M. Table

VII. Recommendations

VIII. Conclusion

I. BACKGROUND

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan is the newest hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage City of

Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur. It is an old mansion renovated to become a 23-room hotel with state-of-the-art facilities. It opened in April 2009 and is currently one of the preferred hotels catering to tourists belonging to Classes A, B and C. Being a new establishment, Hotel Salcedo de Vigan is currently experiencing tough times as the management is still getting a grip on the operations of a hotel. This paper attempts to identify the strong and weak points of Hotel Salcedo de Vigan and formulates possible courses of action for the hotel.

HOTEL AMENITIES AND FACILITIES

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan has 23 rooms including two dormitory rooms that can accommodate 8-10 people and one drivers’ quarters. The hotel has a honey moon suite, junior suites, executive suites and deluxe rooms. Each one is beautifully decorated and offers generous living spaces with high ceilings, large windows, and furnishings of old Spanish design. It has a function room that can accommodate 100 people, a business center, massage and laundry services as well as Wireless Fidelity or WiFi access to its guests. It also has its in-house restaurant called Bistro Amarillo that offers local Filipino dishes.

II. LONG-TERM and SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES

Since Hotel Salcedo de Vigan is new and the management is still aiming for stability, the hotel does not have any formulated long-term or short-term objectives. Herein, the group proposes that the hotel urgently implement objectives to direct the business’ path. The following are objective propositions that Hotel Salcedo may adapt.

Short-Term Objectives

To create a distinction from the competitors and efficiently market the unique experience of staying in Hotel Salcedo.

Long-Term Objectives

To build on a reputation as Vigan’s most luxurious historic lodging facility and satisfy the hotel’s investors by building long-term financial stability.

III. SWOT ANALYSIS

1. STRENGTHS

• New and well-designed facilities are superior to other hotels in the city
• Its distinctive theme is appropriate with Vigan’s character (Spanish Architectural Design)
• Bistro Amarillo offers delicious Filipino food.
• Elegant look heightens the experience of the guests
• Accessibility to tourist spots. Calle Salcedo, Vigan’s main tourist spot, is just a block away.
• The presence of online reservation system makes it easier to book in the hotel thus capturing the online market
• Having dorm type of rooms that cater to tourist groups on a budget.
• They are the only hotel in the city that has a ballroom and function hall.

2. WEAKNESSES

• Management is not stable. Some shows incompetence in the field.
• Absence of Vision, Mission, Objectives, and Core values. This in turn deprives the hotel of imbibing a culture to its employees.
• Absence of Employee Manual or handbook to ensure consistent service
• The location is inferior to its competitor
• Parking space is located at the back of the hotel thus guests have to cross a block to enter the hotel.
• Standards needs polishing and strict implementation
• Excessive expenses are not compensated by revenue (assumption based on constant financing by investment of owners and acquisition of liabilities)
• Insufficient marketing efforts. They only use sales blitz and internet marketing. The website’s search engine is not optimized. When one googles hotel Salcedo, its main website does not appear on the first results.
• Too simple website. Only minimal information is available.
• Absence of financial statements makes it difficult to analyze the financial situation of the hotel and identify its problem areas.

3. OPPORTUNITIES

• Vigan has a stable influx of tourist arrivals for its well-known historical and leisure tourist spots and numerous festivals. The city has a steady influx of tourist almost for the whole year.
• Online market is growing and the hotel is keeping up with this by maintaining their own website.

4. THREATS

• The main competitor, Vigan Plaza Hotel, has already established a name and has an excellent location
• Political connections give its competitor a large advantage.

4. TOWS MATRIX

External and Internal Factors	Strengths	Weaknesses
Opportunities	MAXI-MAXI: SO Strategy Partner with tour operators Offer tours to guests	MINI-MAXI: WO Strategy Improve marketing gimmicks Advertising more aggressively in the internet as they are now sited in different travel websites.
Threats	MAXI-MINI: ST Strategy Create more distinction from the competitor by showcasing excellent quality Vigan cuisine Add uniqueness to guest relations by training staff to provide the “historical feel” in their service	MINI-MINI: WT Strategy Target tourists that do not have cars by partnering with Vigan’s bus terminals. Hotel Salcedo may have a marketing stall in the station and offer transportation to Hotel Salcedo via horse carriage or sophisticated car

V. STRATEGY MAP

1. Financial Perspective

1. Productivity Strategy

1. Improve Cost Structure

• Open hiring to competent applicants and limit pirating from Vigan Plaza so as to reduce labor costs.
• Set operating standards to ensure that all resources are efficiently used thus lowering wastages and unnecessary costs.

2. Increase Asset Utilization

• Improve the visibility of the souvenir items such shirts, fans, key chains, mugs that are on sale in the lobby.
• Maximize use of function rooms by pursuing intensive marketing efforts to acquire bookings.
• Incorporate the concept of the hotel as a museum by labeling antique items on display and in use or even highlighting the history of the building site.

2. Growth Strategy

1. Expand Revenue Opportunities

• Partner with tour operators so as to grab the market of smart tourists.
• Partner with Rotary Club of Vigan and other clubs to have their weekly meetings in the function rooms of the hotel.
• Host events to be held inside the hotel such as a casino night such as those gambling meetings held in mansions during the Spanish era, a museum and fashion show featuring old Filipiñana dresses, poetry reading night and other cultural activities during lean months or peak seasons so as to further enhance the vacation experience of the guests and invite locals to visit their hotel.
• Offer shuttle services that will fetch guests from Laoag International Airport
• Partner with Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel to book transfer their guests to Hotel Salcedo when the latter visits Vigan after a tour in Laoag.
• Extend facilities to exude the Spanish Era Feel by putting up a small casino and a pictorial room where guests can take Old-Spanish-themed photos.

2. Enhance Customer Value

• Add more “inclusive” in packages. For example, they can offer packages that include dinner for couples on honeymoon. This adds to value perception.
• Provide variety by offering more packages that will cater to different tourist groups visiting Vigan.

2. Customer Perspective

• Create more distinction from the competitor by showcasing excellent quality Spanish- Vigan cuisine and service instead of serving usual home-made dishes. They can research on different menu items served during the Spanish colonial times in their locality and highlight its distinction from other dishes in the country.
• Add uniqueness to guest relations by training staff to provide the “historical feel” in their service.
• They can devise a loyalty system with their guests by providing discounts and privileges for frequent visiting guests.
• Strive to become more friendly to international tourist by posting multi-lingual signs and advisories in their rooms or probably hire manpower that are knowledgeable in common foreign languages.
• Implement events adding up to the distinct “Spanish era experience” like “Governador’s Ball” and Historical presentations/plays/poetry readings

3. Internal Perspective

• Target tourists that do not have cars by partnering with Vigan’s bus terminals. Hotel Salcedo may have a marketing stall in the station and offer transportation to Hotel Salcedo via horse carriage or sophisticated car.
• Improve marketing gimmicks such as participating in social events such as fiestas so as to make their presence more felt in the locality.
• Advertising more aggressively in the internet as they are now sited in different travel websites.
• Keeping a record of guest wants by using comment cards so to encourage repeat guests.
• Making necessary adjustments based on guests’ comments.
• The management and owners should have a clear distinction of their duties and responsibilities so as not to confuse employees and achieve a unified and single source of command.
• The financial statements of the owners and the hotel should be separated. This is step is a crucial one because the absence of Hotel Salcedo’s income statement and balance sheet makes it difficult to forecast their sales, determine their payback period, monitor their sales performance and keep track on their expenses.
• Employ locals with sufficient competence so as to support the labor supply of the community.
• Apply the principles of HACCP in their operations to ensure safe and high quality products and services to be delivered to their guests.
• Tap schools to conduct events like historical plays or presentations and poetry readings in Hotel Salcedo.

4. Learning and Growth Perspective

• Come up with an employee or training manual that will standardize the training that every employee will undergo
• Make necessary adjustments as recommended b guests though Comment cards
• Imbibe a distinct culture to employees so as to set them apart from other hotels in the locality.
• Research on the Spanish-era customs and apply some concepts to the hotel’s operations.

VI. O.G.S.M. TABLE

(Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures)

WHAT
OBJECTIVES	GOALS
To create a distinction from the competitors and efficiently market the unique experience of staying in Hotel Salcedo and to satisfy the hotel’s investors by building long-term financial stability.	Increase profitability ratios for the following years. Develop good working relationship with its potential partners.

HOW
STRATEGY	MEASURE
Focus on improving the over-all “guest experience” upon their stay in Hotel Salcedo	Remake the old Spanish-colonial period by modifying the menu, staff uniforms, greetings and customs.
Standardize operations	Devise training manuals and standards handbook
Boost effectiveness of management	Formulate Mission, Vision, Objectives and Financial Statements, and use these to analyze the hotel’s situation and make necessary actions
Increase influx of guests	Partner with tour operators, employ marketing stalls in bus station and shuttle service in airport; partner with rotary clubs and partner with Fort Ilocandia.

VII. RECOMMENDATION

Hotel Salcedo’s theme is very apt for Vigan’s heritage. The group recommends that the hotel take a separate path from its competitors by targeting the higher class market and travelers seeking for the “Vigan or Old-Spanish era experience.” Thus they should focus on selling a “unique guest experience” as a bouquet hotel. To achieve this, they may standardize their menu, staff uniforms, greetings and customs to exude the Spanish theme. They may also invest on Spanish-era-themed facilities like casino and a historic pictorial room.

Among the first concerns is strengthening the hotel’s management team, workplace culture and product and service standards. Herein, the group suggests the hotel hire experienced managers and conduct intensive training for its staff. The management should also implement standards, and these can be established through trainings, policies and manuals. The management should also realize the importance of budgeting, formulating and analyzing financial statements, and making necessary adjustments based on these records.

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan should also effectively sell its brand. To heighten the influx of guests, the hotel may partner with tour operators, bus terminals, airports, hotels from other nearby cities, rotary clubs and schools.

VIII. CONCLUSION

The hotel is located in a locality that has a big and steady market. Their market visits

Vigan not just to marvel on the view of the old houses that have been well preserved but to experience the feel of travelling back in time and having an appreciation of the culture there was. Therefore, Hotel Salcedo de Vigan must gear towards improving their product and delivering their promise of providing “the ultimate Vigan experience”. There is so much potential in this hotel and it only takes proper choice of strategies to employ to make it reach its full potential.

Draft- Yearbook 2010 College of Home Economics- University of the Philippines Diliman

Mga lumang sulat ni Inay, mga damit na naisuot ko sa mga okasyon, mga balat ng kending binigay sa akin ng kasintahan ko, mga tuyong rosas na naipit ko sa lumang Bibliya….

Hindi ko namalayang pumapatak na pala ang aking mga luha habang nakangiti kong ginugunita ang aking mga sandali doon sa malaking bahay na bato- tahanan ng marami kong masasayang ala-ala. Sa bahay na bato na puno ng mga kuwento; kuwento ng mga buhay ng mga taong maaring naging mahalaga o dumaang pahapyaw lamang sa aking buhay. Mga kuwento na dinala pabalik ng mga nahukay kong piraso ng aking kahapon.

Minsan kailangan nating magbalik tanaw upang mabigyang halaga natin ang kasalukuyan- makapagpasalamat na marami na pala ang napag daanan at nalampasan. Magpasalamat na sa mga pinagdaanang ito ay naging bahagi ng buhay mo ang maraming katauhan, at naging parte ka din ng buhay nila. Mga karanasan mo na kasama sila at mga karanasang naaalala pa nilang kasama ka nila.

Minsan ay naiisip ko kung saan na nga ba ang mga taong iyon. Magkahalong lungkot at saya ang dulot ng mga inaaalalang mga halakhakan naming doon sa may ilalalim ng puno sa harap ng bahay na bato. Naalala ko din ang mga alagang isda ni mama na madalas niyang hindi palitan ang tubig kaya namamatay. Ang sarap ng mga pagkain ay sumariwa na rin sa aking gunita. Ang mga halakhak na kay lutong, parang galling lang sa kabilang silid.

Pati yung mga kababalaghan ay hindi ko makalimutan, mga sundalong hapon na hindi matahimik, mga naiwang putikang bakas, at mga batang naglalaro doon sa lagayan ni ina ng kanyang mga damit. Sa araw ay wala ang hiwaga, ngunit pag gumagabi na ay nababalot na ng misteryo ang mansiyon.

Mga ala-alang nakakasindak, nakakatuwa, nakakakilig, ngunit nasaan na ba yaong mga taong nakasalumuha ko dito. Maalala kaya nila ako gaya ng lagi kong pag-iisip sa kanila….

Intro to Interior design

Ang asotea na noon pa may paborito ko ng tambayan ay wala na ring laman. Naalala ko si Tita Indes, gusting gusto din niya ang lugar na ito. Kuwento niya sa akin, ditto niya ituturo sa mga anak niya ang mga mahahalagang aral sa buhay.

Si Tita Indes, siya na may malikhaing kamay na sa ilang bagwis lang ay nakakalikha ng mga pambihirang dibuho. Madalas akong mainggit sa kanya, sana may ganoon di akong galling. Tinanong ko siya minsan kung paano niya nagagawa iyon. Sinabi niya sa aking kailangan mong magpursige, ang mga katulad niya na nais ng kahusayan sa pagguhit ay kailangan ding marunong sa iba pang aspeto. Pinakamaganda niyang naiguguhit ang loob ng bahay, alam niya kung saan tumpak na ilalagay ang mga gamit at kung ano ang dapat na idagdag upang maging kaaya aya ang azotea. Noong bata pa siguro ako ay naisip ko na pagpapaganda lamang ng azotea ang gawain ni Tita Indes ngunit nakita ko ng ako ay tumanda na na may iba pa palang mga dahilan ng mga pagkaka ayos niya sa mga gamit. Kailangan din palang maging may pakinabang kaakibat ng ganda ang lahat ng kanyang mga ginawa. Namangha pa ako sa kahusayan ni Tita Indes. Maari ring masabi kong ang swerte sa bahay ay dala ng mag mapamahiing pag-aayos ni Tiya.

Intro to Clothing Tech

May mga damit dati si inay na lagi niyang ginagamait pag may okasyon, ngunit may mga bihira din siyang gamitin. Ang sabi niya mapapatahian daw kami ng mga ganoon kagarbong damit pagdating naming sa ika 18 na kaarawan. Si Ate Siti ang tumatahi sa mga damit namin. Ang mga retaso na akala mo ay hindi mapapakinabangan ay nabibigyan niya ng buhay. Ang mga sobrang tela ng mga damit ni ina ay nagiging magaganda naming mga saya. Ang mga damit naming ay namumukod tangi lagi sa simbahan dahil hindi ito sa sunod sa uso ngunit mapapansing bago at hindi pahuhuli ang disenyo. Lahat ng mga klase ng tela ay alam niya, pati mga butones ay alam niya. Ang mga pagpapares ay nagagwa niya ng maayos. Naniniwala siyang maari pang pantayan ang uso mula sa mga pangkaraniwan. Nakapagtayo nga sana siya ng sariling negosyo kung hindi siya nakapag asawa ng isang haciendero.

Ang koleksiyon ng damit ngayon ni Ina ay nakalagak sa kuwartong madalas mabalot ng hiwaga pag gabi. May mga batang gusting makipaglaro sa mga manikin na nakasuot ng mga damit ni ina. Mga batang hindi ko mahanap sa aking gunita. Maari kayang iyon ang aming mga kabataan na yaw pang lumipas ang mag maliligayang sandal?

Intro to Nutrition

Madaling araw pa alang ay kumakalembang na ang mga kampana sa aming bahay, mga kampanang gawa sa mga banga na kinakalembang sa kusina. Si ate Komnuti ang may kagagawan nun. Mahigpit n autos ni Ina na gawin niya iyon upamng magising kami at mag ehersisiyo. Naniniwala sila ni ate Komnuti na ang malusog na pangangatawan ay kailangan. Ang hirap magising lalo na kapag malamig ang mga umaga. Nagpipilit akong mamaluktot sa loob ng aking kumot. Madalas akong kagalitan ng aking ina. Ang mga hindi nakakagising sa pang umagang ehersisyo ay pinap-akain ng mga gulay sa agahan.

Kung nagkakasakit kami ay madalas kaming iaruga ni Ate Komnuti. Habang pinupunasan niya an gaming lagnat, pinagsasabihan niya kami. Nakakatawa na kapag may sakit ka ay naipapangako mo na gawin lahat ng bagay gumaling ka lang. Kaya pag sinabi niyang uninom kami ng maigi ng tubig, o kumain ng mabuti, o iwasan ang kendi, o kumain ng gulay… nagiging masunurin kami. Pag gumagaling naman ay nagiging suwail kami. Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang halaga ng mga bagay na ginigiit niya- ngayong tumanda na ko ngunit wala akong mga nagging malubhang karamdaman. Nakita ko na nais lamang ni Ate Komnuti na mapabuti ang kalusugan n gaming pamilya sa pamamagitan ng tamang nutrisyon. Sa aming magkakkapatid, siya nga ang mukhang pinakabata kahit na pangalawa siya sa amin.

Intro to Food Tech

May mga pagkakataong nahihilig magluto ang ina at masyado siyang maraming naihahanda. Kinabukasan, lahat kami ay nasasayangan sa mga nasirang tiring pagkain mula kagabi. May pagkakataon ding nasasayang din ang ani mula sa paligid ng mansiyon sapagkat hindi naming siya nagagawang kainin. Salamat na lamang at lagging dumadalaw sa bahay si Tito Futelo kaya nagagawaan naming ng paraan ang mga kasayangang ito. Tinuruan niya kaming gamitin ang mga kagamitan sa kusina upamng mapahaba ang buhay n gaming mga pagkain naming. Naituro din niya sa amin kung paano iimbak ang mga pagkain. Nagagawa din niyang ibang produkto ang mga pagkain. Ang mga prutas na madalas lang naming kainin ng sariwa ayun sa payo ni Ate Komnuti ay nagagawa niyang minatamis, o kaya ay pinapatuyo niya. Bukod sa tumatagal ay hindi na kami medaling maumay sa mga prutas sa aming bakura.

Akala ko dati ay simple lamang na gawain ang mga tinuturo ni Tito Futelo, iyon pala ay nababalot ng malalim na siyensa ang mga ito. Para sa aming ang mga produkto lamang ang nakikita, hindi ko dati makita ang halaga ng bawat hakbang upang maihain sa amin ang masarap na pagkaing ito. Naikuwento niya na mahalaga ang kalinisan sa paghahanda ng bawat pagkain- dapat daw mailinis at maayos upang tumagal pa ang buhay ng pagkain. Ni sa hinagap, hindi ko inakalang may mundo din pala sa mga bote, platito at banag sa aming kusina o sa mga bote ng alak.

Intro to FLCD

Habang lumilibot ako sa lumang mansiyon ay napupunta ako sa mga kuwartong nagsilbi naming silid aralan noong mga bata pa kami. Doon kami natutong magbasa at magsulat. Naalala ko an gaming butihing guro na si Falicedi. Siya ang pinakamabait na gurong aking nakilala. Hindi katulad ng nauna naming guro mabait siya at naiintindihan ko ang kanyang mga tinuturo. Namamalo siya at pinapagalitan niya kami ngunit may mga sapat na dahilan. Naipapaliwanag naman niya ang mga dahilan ng bawat gantimpala at kaparusahang naipapataw ng mga amin. Dahil doon, napamahal sa amin ang guro na si Felicida. May sa majikero ata siya dahil nahuhulaan niya an gaming mga gusto at ayaw pati na an gaming mga kinatatakutan. Hindi katulad ni ina, naiintindihan niya ang minsang tampuhan at pangangailangan ng atensiyon ng isang bata. Maaring masabi kong malaking bahagi siya ng naging paghubog sa akin. Siya ang naging daan upang maimulat ako ng tama.

Intro to HRIM

Nakita ko ang mga iskaparate na puno ng mga lumang pinggan at naalala ko ang mga mariringal na piging na ginaganap sa aming bakuran dati. Hindi lang naman sa mariringal na piging ginagamit ang mga magaganda naming mga pinggan kundi sa bawat hapunan na kumpleto ang buong pamilya. Andun si ate Horimana na lagging nangunguna sa pag-oorganisa sa mga piging at pati sa mga pagkain ng buong pamilya. Kahit ang mga simpleng hapunan ay ginagawang espesyal ng mga magagaling na kamay at malikot na imahinahinasyon ni Ate Horimana. Ang mga ordinary niyang putahe ay nagiging espesyal dahil sa kanyang mga sekretong sangkap. Kapagayaw naming kumain ng gulay, niluluto niya ito sa paraang magugustuhan naming at hindi mahahalatang gulay pala an gaming kinakain. Ngunit hindi lang sa pagkain at pag-aayos ng mga piging magaling si ate Horimina, Magaling din siya sa pagaayos ng mga usaping pera sa bahay. Siya ang lagging nauutusang bumili ng mga gamit dahil magaling siyang mamili.

Ang mga ala-alang iniwan ni Ate sa mga piging na pinagdaanan ng mansiyon na ito ay hindi mababakas sa mga luma naming mga pinggan, maalaga siya sa mga gamit gdahil naniniwala siya sa halaga ng mga gamit. Madalas naming siyang tawaging kuripot dahil mahigpit siya sap era ngunit alam naman naming magaling lang siya- isang katangiang hindi ko nagawang gayahin

Intro to HE

Habang lumilibot ang aking mga ala-ala sa lumang mansiyon ay nadaanan ko ang lumang butaka na laging ginagamit n gaming lola. Naalala ko ang mga kuwento niya sa amin tungkol sa kanyang mga pakikipagsapalaran. Sa kanya nga yata nagmana ang mga kamag-anak ko na may mga espesyal na kakayahan dahil halos lahat ay kaya niyang gawin. Para siyang isang katauhan na may tagpi-tagpi ng bawat kakakyahan n gaming angkan. Siya na puno ng pamilya ang naging dahilan ng aming disiplina. Sa kanya nagsimula ang pagtira naming sa lumang mansiyon na ito. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya. Ang hindi ko lamang mawari ay kung bakit may ilan naring hindi maka alala sa kanya. Isang malaking kasayangan sa isang taong may malawak na kakayahan sa larangan ng buhay.

Paglalagom

Ang aming pamilya na puno ng kuwento. AAkalain mo na ibat-ibang taong pinagsama ng tadhana- mga tao na pinagbuklod ng mga disiplina. Iba –iba man ang interes at kakayahan ng bawat isa, nanatili kaming isa sa panananlig sa Diyos, sa pagpapaphalaga sa pamilya, sa pagpapahalaga sa oras, sa kagustuhang mapabuti ang kapwa at pati an gaming mga sarili. Lumipas man kami ay nanatili pa ring buklod ng isang layunin- mapabuti ang bayan- mabuhay ang angkan ni Teodora.

Enemies of the state

It is so easy for us to tag the rebels and the NPA and the MILF and the whatnots as the enemies of the state. Likewise we label those thieves on the streets, the beggars, the killers, the drug addicts and the likes as "salot ng lipunan." But can we tag easily those who are in power who continuously empty the nation's coffers for their own gain? I think not. For more often, we award them the benefit of a doubt thinking that it is merely the doings of their detractors that such controversies of graft and corruption are plaguing them.

Currently it is a picture I see with the alleged corruption cases of the Ligot couple. Although there are some who automatically adhere to the fact that the couple stole the money on cold blood, there are also significant individuals who either remain quiet and contemplating waiting for the justice system to really prove the guilt of the couple. But can our justice system really elicit guilt from the couple? I think not again- it is a painful fact that the enemies of the state and the salot ng lipunan are the only one's easily given verdict on our justice system. 

For me, although we must persecute those we currently know as bad there is a greater need for us to look deeper into our system and find those more treacherous salots who are taking advantage of our innocence. They are the most bad among the bad weeds as they are not taking  only out of our coffers but they they out of our trust and innocence.... Ang mga Filipino ay hindi mga corrupt... Patunayan po natin to!!!

to or not to be appreciated

Instantly Radical At Criticisms

Superior

Why do people think they are less than other people? What makes one greater over the other? I know I would not be the only person to rejoice if the world is enlightened that after all, equality is possible. Equal in the sense that we appreciate the fact that weaknesses are complimented by some strengths, that we would see the importance of other people aligned with how we see our own importance. Equality does not only mean same in capacity and power but it would be equality on the respect and chances. Karma is a story of racism that can be corrected by such enlightenment. Pretention may be the best word to describe the main character as he tries to claim that he is one of the superior race and he rejects his younger self who once belonged to the inferior race.

Racism is a disease rooted on a selfish and a stupid view on ones self. If only everyone can devote a little background check on the biological and anthropological development of humankind, we can breakdown the hierarchy and biases of races based on erroneous assumptions. The Out of Africa theory is the simplest biological and anthropological theory that can explain clearly why racism is not founded on sound basis. Backed up by the mithochondrial DNA and hundreds of excavations, this states that the first humans originated and developed in Africa. After being fully developed into humans and organized into simple groups, they are forced to migrate to other places because of food scarcity. This suggests that we all sprouted from a single race and it would be nice to note that that race is black. When this surviving root race spread across Asia, they first populated India and the Middle East until they spread lastly to Europe and America. This is an Indian story and Sir Mohan Lal should be more proud of being an Indian because they came first before the Europeans. This fact reflects that the society and culture of India which he despises evolved and developed earlier than the European

Being proud of where you came from is still the strongest foundation of identity building. Some may pretend they are someone else because of superficial characteristics that they have acquired but these qualities are easily shaken by stronger forces like avarice and discrimination. If people are bound to the thought of one superior over the other, then pride of ones origins would be very hard. Somehow, it is social construct that dictates the people what their place in society is. It is very evident on how he treated his relatives and countrymen with disgust even to the point of setting aside his native language and the love for his wife. All the things he used to have and those that would define him, he had rated it second class or third class. It can be well understood that his mentality was acquired from his fascination and education in the European way; the Europeans who have placed themselves high and created the strata for races. In reality, we are oftentimes tempted to set aside our own identity for something new only to find out in the end that what we have left is still the best. Sir Mohan Lal is just a victim of European ethnocentrism. With all his pretensions of trying hard to impress the white men, he lost his true identity and found a hollow one masked with white mans ways.

All religions have their own version of the golden rule golden rule, even physics, even computers function this way; even if stated in various ways it is unified by the point that things happen with a cause. The term Karma may be the unifying word for these across nations may it be the nation of pagans, kingdom of Moslems, or to the realm of Christianity. On my opinion this was used as the title because; first because Hinduism is a prevailing religion in India and second because the story ended with a picture of how karma works. It is a common mistake to view karma as a punishment and rewarding system where every good or bad deed has its corresponding reward or punishment. Karma works with the sum of what you have done; if you have done more wrongs in your life than good, then bad karma would hit you and vice versa. It can be seen on the story that the treatment on him by the white soldiers is a karma on how he treated his wife, his wife’s relatives, his countrymen and his own identity.

It was all ironic because he has given up all his old self for something new. It is a wrong or rather a selfish way of escaping racism. He who was educated and a high ranking official in India should be one of those who call for equality and respect among races. It could be the most disgracing thing to be considered second or third class in your own land. It could have been brought by his cowardice, lack of strength or fear to go against this avalanche called racism that he just went with the flow but the problem was that he was completely consumed by his desire to not a part of the “inferior race”. He who should be the one to escalate their culture is one with the foreigners in stepping at it. He is in a delusion that when he is doing or acting the way these white men do, he would probably be safe from discrimination and that he would be given that respect given to them. Little did he realize that no matter how good he is, how high his position may be, a lowly white soldier is still higher than him. To the discriminating races, color is the determining factor. What hit me most is the last scene where Sir Mohan Lal was thrown out and Luchimi spat her chewed betel on the platform. I interpret it as painful end for Sir Mohan Lal who was so busy trying to impress the white people and by doing that compromising his own people. At the end when he will realize that he will never be one of those white men nor would they consider him their equal, he will find no place to return to. He will be rejected and be treated with scorn by his own people.

Karma is a story that taught me a good lesson. All the fruits of racism be it good or bad deserves a karma. All things happen with a cause. It is a story that gives hope that there is a loving God who will bring justice to everyone. The good things we do including sacrifice and love will not go wasted and those that do us harm will get what is due them. As the Bible says, “you reap what you sow”. We are deciding for our own lives thus we make our own karmas.

Critiquing the Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan

If only this story can really be happening in the Philippines, I am sure that the incidences of crimes or maybe the number of unsolved crimes will decrease by significant levels. But I guess that would only be an advantage of a story, fictionalizing a Filipino setting. Everyday, we are exposed to an over doze of crime, corruption and chaos that I can barely associate the events, characters, the setting and the plot to our local setting knowing that what happened in the novel is a picture of what never happens in the country. The witty policemen and NBI, helpful politicians, smart priests/ investigators and up to date equipment and methods are mere fantasies in our country.

For me, the character and the setting of the story are detached from each other. It is just so good to be true. Although I appreciate this novel because it was written in a very good manner that it grips the reader until he/she is finished. I can say that this is a fact since a lot of my friends and classmates commended the novel on this aspect. Even my younger friends who are still in high school shared that they have read the book because of the consensus of their classmates that it is interesting. The story was successful as suspense, detective story because it really challenges the reader about the outcome of the story. The monologues at the start of each chapter have been very helpful in maintaining the interest in reading. It is acting on two directions; one to give a sneak on the coming chapter thus enticing the reader to read more, and another to open a passage to different possibilities to where the story can lead. The monologues strengthen the mystery in the novel that although it is giving a hint, it would still make you wonder. The story is a reinvention of a typical detective story because it was written in such a way that only after reading would you realize that you have read that or seen that somewhere. The novel has been effective in reaching out to the reader what is happening using simple English. Even the technical terms are explained in simple terms with credit for the author that it was also well researched and accurate. It is also good that the creativity of the author was reflected on the weaving of the story. It was weaved in an almost flawless manner that would link the previous to the next. This mechanism drives the reader to be continuously interested in the novel. It was simple enough but not to the extent of being a “pamigay” type of reading. There is a good balance of suspending the facts and telling the juicy parts.

I can also say that the title is creative because it does not directly provide you with the story. It is a thing I like with novels that the title itself would entice you to read the whole story. Not alone is it effective in inflicting appetite for one to read the novel but is also good in providing avenues for analysis. It embodies the story as a whole. When one would interpret what are the smaller and smaller circles in the story or why the title, the story would all be incorporated in the process of explaining it.

Another reason why the novel may be well appreciated and patronized in the Philippines is because of the rarity of this kind of works Filipinos can call their own. It even won a Palanca award. Maybe because it is a first of its kind with no competitors that we see it as a a good book. It is one of the very few attempts to write a suspense- detective story set in the country. It is trailblazing in the local literature.

What I observed to be lacking from this book are the real emotions felt by the people. I think it is important to make the reader feel than to dictate how the reader should feel. It may be that the author intentionally wanted to do away with such gory scenes that there was no detailed description of the procedure, the experience of the killer, the agony of the victim and other emotions. The procedure of the killing which should be an effective tool to inflict the reader with hate towards the killer and sympathy towards the victim was stated as mere speculations of the priests and the investigators. Presenting it in that manner would somehow lessen the intensity. The pain of the victims are also not mentioned. The only emotion projected in the story is anger felt by most of the characters. Through this, the author somehow directed the reader to feel hate and anger towards the killer.

On my own opinion I enjoyed reading the book because I have this mindset that what I am reading is fiction and it is intended to entertain me. But once we move out of the circle and try to relate the book to reality, there are different flaws that would eventually lead us to not believing at the story. Convincing the reader and placing them in your story are big indications that the story is very effective. It is like watching those “telenovelas” and we see the characters apart from the real actors. The characters are exaggerations; either very smart, good looking or super humans. While reading it, I observed the near perfect characteristics of the characters. Only few funny imperfections like an impacted tooth and ill temper. If we separate the elements of the story, we would see things as detached pieces because they barely have things in common. The characters are not so Filipino while the setting itself has confusions if it is really a Filipino setting. Although, it should be noted that the characterization and the definition of the setting are very effective and creative that you can clearly visualize the characters and the slum setting. Except for some inconsistencies, the characters would have been perfect. I wondered why the priests are so interested with a branch of science which would deal mostly on biology and anthropology, the sciences which gives much proof to evolution. It is funny that as workers of the church, they are studying it not the way they should learn it. Their identities as detectives/ criminal investigators are so detached from their identity as priests when they are doing things. There was no mention of them praying (or rare mentions) in any instance; or even bless the cadavers of the children. Even the choice of music is not aligned to their identity as priests. The response time of the police is also not very realistic. In the story, the policemen are responding immediately while in reality, it would take a longer time to do it. Even the investigations are fantasies for the NBI here in the Philippines, in the story, the investigations are accurate, up to date and in depth while the investigations of here in our country are based on outdated machinery, outdated methods, and educated “speculations”. One strong characteristic of the Philippine police portrayed accurately in the story is the reporting of the disappearances of the children as merely “missing”. It made me think that maybe those inconsistencies together with the imperfections of the setting and characters are intended to do a commentary. It is presenting the situation Philippines comparing it to better conditions of other countries when it comes to society and development.

I think the ending can be written in a better way. It is so illogical to approach the man in such a state. If they truly are smart and scientific, entering a wounded and bothered lion’s den would be suicide. They would have devised a better way to lure him out. The manner of the killer’s death is also disappointing for me. It made me think that I have read that long just to come up with a death like that. The author created a hate and anger build up in the reader and would end the killer that simple. It would have been more exciting if the death was of a more atypical cause like getting killed by rat bites or catching dengue. Even with the imperfections, I can still say that the story is an interesting one.

Is it a goodbye?

Today marks the first day of separation to a friend who will go somewhere else. Technically speaking, she is not a friend for she was my boss and my guide during the times that I was groping for the proper competence of my job. Yet I never said a formal goodbye to her for I hate goodbyes. I hate the fact that we will no longer see each other and that the goodbye I am going to make today will seal any possibilities of some hellos in the future. Although social networking sites can always be there to augment what we can not physically do like chitchatting and updating but it will never suffice to replace the raw experience of eating at a buffet restaurant or going somewhere to unwind. For she is a friend not a boss.. for only she among those wolves managed  to understand how it is to have grace under pressure.

Salamat sa yo!

Caption ng pic... dalawang monster meal for 10 people.. note: 1 monster meal good for 10 people na hihihihi

FAYEmen- a tale of friendship

It is greatly possible for competition to breed a lasting friendship only for people who know what competition really is. For someone who thinks highly of himself and who thinks that he must dominate every competition, it is difficult to think that he can go smoothly with someone who is so much like him. Not that they are compatible because they are equally haughty and over confident but they know from the start that there is no use for competition for two beautiful individuals who are born winners.

So much for glorifying the characters for their narcissistic nature!

Looking back to where they started and where they are right now, nothing much changed with their attitude and friendship. Not that it was purely smooth sailing but those rifts have somehow helped them forge a deeper friendship.

It is no wonder that these two individulas are exceedingly beautiful because they hailed from an equally magnificient place- Sagada. It is where they started dreaming- dreams to be future journalists. The ones that would replace Korina Sanchez on the case of Kimmy and to replace Mike Enriquez on the dreams of FAYEmen. As life steered their destinies, FAYEmen ended up as a Broadcast Communication graduate in UP Diliman and thank you for the strong inspiration imparted by his lifetime idol Mike Enriquez. Kimmy the prettier one ended up as a graduate of HRIM and is happy to be one. Despite the fact that they have separated ways on their careers, the fact remains that they are solid. For no one can understand the concept of loving yourself better than these two.

Love starts with L and so is Lemuel

It was two months ago when I got infatuated by the rarely smiling person who thinks so high of himself. It was that confidence and seriousness that took me off guard. As an individual with a loud and light personality, I am not used to meeting people who do not get easily affected by my humor and my antics. I found him as a challenge to try my theories on what better ways can I connect to a person with this nature of personality or maybe my established reputation of using my charm was put to a test.

But then came the opportunity to get to know him better and I felt that I lose the game that instant. In my attempt to look deeper into him, I feel into the well and was lost myself. The disorientation might have given him the different impression thus putting me into his mercy as he seems to assume that I am head over heels over him. Well I did think I am, but now I know I am not. For a person as proud as I am, it is not easy to admit admiration over other people especially if that would compromise yourself.

Now that it is over, we fell into an abyss of animosity where we no longer regard each other as someone for the situation turned out to be a very awkward one. It is indeed awkward but I found it fulfilling for I learned a lesson or two on giving importance on the feelings of others. I found my error on thinking that I can always predict people- for there are those who are difficult to predict and you end up on the losing end.

The Promise

Count every morning that you sing the Lupang Hinirang and recite the Panatang Makabayan. I believe that if we do trace the history of hymns and oaths, it would not lead us into a very shallow definition of nationalism. Whether it is the song or an oath, it is the same in professing the loyalty and the heartfelt promise that an individual will abide by the law of the land.


For the Igorots, they practice "sapata" at times when crimes can no longer be solved by the laws. Sapata is a promise made with the elders, members of the community, and all those involved as the audience professing their innocence of a crime. The person to do the sapata is required to promise to the people and to God that he is innocent and he has nothing to do with the crime and in the vent that he is lying, may he be punished by either hideous sickness, abnormality or death. Sapata relies on the conscience and the deep culture of inayan and social respect. It most of the times proves to be effective as the power of words is upheld by the community through its culture.

Reciting the Panatang Makabayan is like exchanging vows with your wife or a husband. Is it because doing it everyday makes it a usual thus losing its latent meaning or is it merely taken for granted because from teh start we are not trained to give meaning to it. For if we give meaning  to it, where is the honor of the people in abiding by what they are promising almost periodically?

Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.
Now what is a Filipino?

Sagada Tours

SAGADA TOURS Sample Package ( Group Treat)

3 nights and 2 days accommodation

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 2 lunch meals

2 or3 in a room cabin furnished with hot/cold bath

2 tour guides

DESTINATIONS:

Day1: Sumaguing cave, burial caves, Echo valley, hanging coffins, St Mary the Virgin Church, hiking and pottery

Day 2: Bomod-ok falls, Northern Sagada rice terraces, Fedilisan Mines

Price per person Php 6,500

Sample Package B ( Traveling and the Food Culture)

3 nights, 2 days accommodation

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 2 lunches

solo or shared room/cabin

1 tour guide

DESTINATIONS:

Day 1: Eating by the Caves- picnic after the cave adventure with food from the yoghurt house, French baker, some indigenous food like linapet and have a dinner paired with the assorted local wines of your choice

Day 2: travel to Banawe

Price Per person 12,000 inclusive of the food and travel expense to Banawe

(Prices do not include travel expense to and from Sagada.

Hitting the notes

I am a bit exhausted for the night because I have been traveling for almost 5 hours just to get to Tagaytay for a wedding of a friend. I am quite exited about going to the venue as the cool breeze of Tagaytay reminds me of my hometown. I arrived almost an hour before the wedding ceremonies which gave me the opportunity to gather my breath, last minute rehearsals and to get a feel of the place.

I though I would really be ready fro the occassion as I am confident that I can sing all the songs I am tasked to sing. I do love to interpret this song of Regine Velasquez entitled Pangarap ko ang ibigin ka because I almost feel the emotions of the song directly- maybe with the pat experience in love it made me relate with the tale of the song.

I am not sure if it is because of the cold weather that I am hard up with usually easily hit notes. It seems like croaking to me because my voice is a bit raspy and  I can feel the strain of singing the start of the song. I am not confident anymore that I can sing the song on full falsetto because of the initial strain I am feeling. Towards the middle of the song, I thought it would be great if I just do a doble karaoke so that I can use my manly voice on the high notes. I was fortunate that the guests did not figure out that all was a coping mechanism. I got out of the event alive...=)