_twisted_edge

In an effort to become a loser, which I have posted about here 2 months ago, I went back to the basics of doing some calisthenics, sit-ups/crunches and jogging/using the elliptical (especially when it's raining). Last night, I had the chance to do some power walking with one of my QV kabarkadas, Tinnie.

Yep, we did power walking. Speaking for myself, I have totally been out of shape for the last couple of years. Tinnie admitted that she has been too. So to take it slowly but surely and to ensure we can build up our endurance without surprising our body with any pressure, we power walked (jogged a bit, too) 3 times around the village (~5 km).

As we were power walking our lovely asses off, Tinnie and I got into a great deal of topics which shows how far we've come FROM being those shrieking teenagers and how far we are TO becoming well-adjusted adults. Our hypothesis deemed true, that we are as clueless as the next mid-20's yuppie. But we have no worries. The adventures that await us can be scary but can be fulfilling, as well.

(  So what did we talk about? )Power walking, or any other actually, with a good friend can really bring out a lot of conversational topics. Topics which usually make you realize that, hey, you're not alone in this confusing, scary but awesome world. Not only did I get an exercise, I got bonding time as well. *grins*

So, what happened now to this whole 'scam' thing?

To set the record straight with my Ate's dilemma, Metrocare Marketing Services does have documents/receipts with my sister's signature. Apparently, the delivery acknowledgment receipt which, when my sister asked what it was for, the courier assured my Ate was just to signify that my sister has received the package. I guess my Ate was too trusting and didn't read the writings on the so-called delivery acknowledgment receipt that she just signed it. I got to see the document and just above the area for signature was a paragraph stating that by signing the document, the signatory is acknowledging that he/she is purchasing the package and that the merchant has called and confirmed the purchase. It also has a disclaimer that Metrocare Marketing Services is not, in anyway, affiliated with Citibank and other financial institutions which the merchant's agent has mentioned already during the first call. WOW! Talk about disclaiming deceits!

Now, the question I've had since my sister told me about this was, "How did they get to charge the credit card without any charge slip?". Initially, I thought that with the signed "delivery acknowledgment receipt", those scammers forged my Ate's signature. BUT NO!!! Here's what they did...

Apparently, my sister did have a copy of the charge slip BUT IT'S NOT THE ORIGINAL ONE! It's the copy that's supposedly to be w/ the seller. My Ate remembered only signing one piece of document. So how did METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES made my sister sign a charge slip???

THE COURIERS ARE IN IT!!! When my sister signed the "delivery acknowledgment receipt", there were other papers, including the charge slip, under it!!! We analyzed the signatures on all the papers left with my sister and if we put them all under the delivery document, they have the same angles!!! So we concluded that the courier had carbon copy paper thing under the delivery document so that when my sister signed it, the charge slip underneath it was signed too!!! My Ate remembered that the delivery document was folded in half, so the only thing she was actually seeing at that moment was the signatory part.

APPLAUSES TO THOSE WORKING AT METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES (a.k.a CITYLIMITS-SMD MARKETING)! YOU'VE TRAINED YOUR AGENTS AND COURIERS WELL ENOUGH TO DECEIVE SUCH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE!!! GOOD JOB!!! MAY THE UNIVERSE HIT YOU WITH SUCH KARMA!!!

*sighs*

I was hoping my Ate would try to get DTI involved with this; but given her workload and caring for her 4 year old daughter who has a condition (she still can't stand or walk on her own yet), she just let it go. She paid the PHP 5,850 and had her credit card cut. My dad said maybe they could just use the package. But the gift certificates were to places that are either very far from where my Ate lives or not even any one of my family would go to. And you know what other stupid thing that METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES did? They not only deceived my sister but they GOT MY SISTER'S NAME ON THE PRIVILEGE CARD WRONG!!! Say my sister's name is Ana C. Reyes, with the 'C' being her maiden name Cruz. The privilege card has CRUZ C. REYES!!! The wrong name on the card was one of the reasons why my sister tried calling them but they never answered.

*sighs*

I seriously pray to all the deities existing that they smite down those f*ckers at METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES/CITYLIMITS-SMD MARKETING!!!

Okay. Obviously I'm not talking about the MVP for NBA, as the finals have yet to start (Go Lakers!!! -- boyf's team, so I must follow suit, haha!). And I'm actually not talking about ANY sport. The MVP award I'm talking about is the one that my team in my previous company gives out quarterly to the individual who has contributed much to the team. The first time that the MVP award was up for grabs, they had awarded it to me for the main reason that I have finally put the permanent fix of a long-going issue into Production. To be bashfully honest, I felt great to have received the award because at that particular time, I was feeling demoralized all throughout the time I was working on the change/permanent fix. Plus, it's a rare occasion for someone like me to receive such an award, given that I'm not a 'favorite' (let's leave it at that).

This quarter, the MVP for my previous team in my previous company was awarded to my boyf! YAY!!! Now, my boyf doesn't care for awards and recognitions, not unless they have corresponding cash/GC prizes (w/c this one does, as far as I can remember); but they're still great ways to physically see how you're doing and how far you've come in your career. My boyf's a workaholic, except for days when he can sense that I'm getting frustrated with the lack of time and attention he has for me. I can't blame my boyf as I know his line of work, as I've been in the same one for 2 and a half years. One needs the determination and perseverance to be able to move up in his job. I actually thought my boyf and I are the same in terms of handling work tasks; but I realized he's more intense than I am. I thought I was a perfectionist but my boyf trumps me in that area.

My boyf is something else. I bow down to him when it comes to work. Mind you, he still has to work on his patience, especially with other people. Although sometimes, I would want that quality - the tough exterior that scares enables people to do the work they have and finish it in an effective and efficient manner. I see how much my boyf has reaped through his hardwork and it something I would like to have too. Sometimes I'm too sensitive that it affects my work. But with this second chance I have coming up (which, as I've mentioned in a much earlier post, will be discussed in a future post), I will ensure that I'm ready to face the hustle and bustle of the environment.

So congrats to my boyf, who's his team's MVP and, also, MY MVP, for being such a determined hardworker!!!

It's not surprising that a lot of businesses nowadays, especially those in sales, make use of aggressive approaches to ensure they get profit. These approaches just to make a sale or get a profit isn't a bad thing. They take part in a cycle integrated in an economy, which is one of the aspects determining how a certain country is doing. I have nothing against aggressiveness in consumerism as it really could amp up the economy. However, there are quite a few business that disregard the quality of their service or product and, sad to say, the ethics and values supposedly benefiting both merchant and consumer.

One of those aggressive approaches is making use of telemarketing, which, as defined here is "a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customer to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or Web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call" .

To be brutally honest, I hate dislike telemarketers telemarketing. Well, okay, I can understand the need for it, especially in this fast-paced, technology-inclined world we live in. It's just that, and I don't know if this is just me, telemarketers who CALL tend to contact me on moments that I'm super busy or in the middle of something. I have never gotten a call when I wasn't brushing my teeth, finishing up a work document or about to ride the bus! Plus, when I do get to answer a telemarketer's call, I can't seem to hear them loud and clear. But, kudos to those who work as telemarketers as I can imagine how much patience and determination they might possess if they've chosen that kind of job. It's not easy to sell someone something with just the use of words.

HOWEVER, I say...

TO HELL WITH THOSE TELEMARKTERS WHO TRY TO CONFUSE THE POTENTIAL CLIENT AND MAKE USE OF TRUSTED COMPANIES' NAMES JUST TO MAKE A(N) (DECEITFUL) SALE!!! TO HELL ALSO THOSE COMPANIES WHO WOULD ACTUALLY TRAIN THEIR TELEMARKETER TO USE DECEPTIVE WAYS OF SELLING!!!

Actually, right now,  TO HELL WITH METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES / CITY LIMITS -SMD MARKETING!!! YOUR MARKETING AND SALES TACTICS COULD SHAME HITLER'S BIG LIE!!!

I've never been THIS worked up on something that actually has never happened to me. See, my older sister was duped by this 2005 Philippine Marketing Excellence Award-ed company. Here's the story...

A telemarketer of Metrocare Marketing Services called up my sister. The agent's spiel, a long, rambling and hard to decipher one at that, was that she got my sister's contact number from HSBC, where my Ate has a credit card account with. Agent says that they are offering a discount/privilege card package which is priced at PhP 10,000. But, since my Ate is a good credit card holder, as per HSBC, they're giving her a ~50% discount to the package, making it PhP 5,850. My sister said outright that if she has to pay, she's not interested. The agent then proceeded to tell her that they'll have the package delivered to her so my Ate can review it and she doesn't need to pay yet, then they'll be calling her up at least 2 times to confirm if she'd want to purchase the package. Just so she can end the call to go back to work, my sister agreed to it. The agent then proceeded to tell her my Ate's HSBC credit card number plus our mother's maiden name and asked my sister to verify the information. Now, it wasn't wise for my sister to confirm the details but since the agent knew her details, my Ate assumed that they are indeed a company that HSBC deemed okay. A few days after, a courier brings the package to her office, she signs some kind of delivery acknowledgment receipt and gets the package. My Ate was waiting for the next few calls of the agent but to no avail. Just this Tuesday, she comes to our house, gets her mail and sees that she's been charged the PhP 5,850 by Metrocare Marketing Services!!!

I Googled up the company and I saw blogs and threads dating way back 2005 until recently, May 2010, about having the same experience!!! There was one particular person who went to DTI to pursue a case against the company; but unfortunately, the mediator found the case in favor of the merchant. Here are some of the links I saw leading to blogs/posts on this "scam": 

LINK 1: http://www.dailyscamalerts.com/archives/credit-card-scam-by-citilimits.htm
LINK 2: http://eihnah.multiply.com/journal/item/108/SCAMMER_ALERT_SMD_Marketing_Corp.
LINK 3: http://mich0618.multiply.com/journal/item/2
LINK 4: http://khemikhally33.blogspot.com/2009/05/bad-day.html
LINK 5: http://kurkeh.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/credit-card-scam-metro-care-marketing-services-scam/
LINK 6: http://kurkeh.wordpress.com/tag/standard-chartered-bank/

We've called up HSBC and they'll be doing an investigation.Unfortunately, it doesn't look promising because in order to have a transaction reversed, the merchant has to do it. If Metrocare Marketing Services can do what they do, which is deceitful marketing and sales, I doubt they'll agree to giving the money back. Plus, with all the stories I've read and failed attempts to getting back their money, it's kind of discouraging to push through filing a case with DTI. My Ate tried calling Metrocare but no one answers.

Sad to say, it looks like METROCARE MARKETING SERVICES / CITY LIMITS -SMD MARKETING is a 'legitimate' company. It's just their marketing and sales strategy that I loathe. They use reputable (credit card) companies names to tell potential customer how they got their details and why they're offering the discounted package. They assure you that you have nothing to pay without your confirmation that will be solicited through at least 2 phone calls. They use the delivery acknowledgment receipt as their proof of purchase (I have yet to see the actual receipt which has a fine print, as I've read). Looking at their website, they say they're "one of the most promising telemarketing company composed of brilliant leaders and unmatched manpower." I'll say...they promised you won't have to pay anything yet and they'll call to confirm.

I'm sooo pissed off, mostly because this company has been dealing the way they do since 2005 (maybe there are even earlier accounts) and a lot of people have been taken advantage of!!! Arrrgh!!! I just hope they get what they deserve in the end.

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!

In the past few days, I've been filling up/out (what's the correct preposition for this?!?) a lot of forms. Being an IT graduate and employee, 75% of my note taking/reminders listing/journal 'writing'/etc are all typed up using a laptop or pressed into using a mobile phone. This is why writing with a pen can make me feel a little bit lazy. Technology really has made things, such as writing, much easier and more convenient to do.

So, going back to the gajillion forms... My right hand's bored and tired of writing my whole name, address, birthdate and other personal information over and over and OOOVER again. I'd start with intelligible writing on one form then as I move, my writing gets indecipherable by each set of paperworks. I envy those with such beautiful handwriting that look like calligraphy or like it's been typed up. *sighs*

Now why am I filling a lot of forms? Well, it's for one particular reason that I will share when the right time comes. However, I am blogging about this because as I was writing away on such a load of paperwork, I tried to come up of reasons why people would need to fill up a form. There's registrations, opening of accounts, renewals, loans and a whole lot more. These papers somehow signify the formality or the legality of your registration/opened account/renewed whatever/etc. You're bound by some agreement stated in a certain form and your obligations can be stated on it too.

What if our relationships with our loved ones had to be "formalized"? What if the start of a friendship signifies signing a form containing the scope of the relationship? Pre-nuptial agreements and wedding certificates are some examples of these. But what about the rest? I can just imagine parents coming up with some sort of document stating that while they are paying for their child's schooling, the child will have to ensure that they don't fail. The kid, for every graduation (Preschool, GS, HS, college) can request for appeal to change the scope of the agreement. .......... WAHAHAHA!!! Sorry about the outburst but I can actually picture that scenario with my parents and my younger brother. My younger brother was on the verge of getting kicked out and to appease my parents, he said he'll go for being an immortal (meaning if you've taken up and passed a certain number of units, any succeeding failures in a course will not merit and therefore will keep you safe from being kicked out) if they will get him a netbook. My brother even wrote it down and had my dad sign it.  They're actually canvassing for the netbook the past week since my brother reached his end of the deal. ...... Going back, I wonder if there will come a time that personal relationships would rely on some form or document to get to know each other better or augment the understanding between the people involved? I'm hoping not.

I know what I've been thinking about forms and personal relationships border on losing hope with human race and their dealings with each other; but it was an interesting thought to process. Problems or issues could be resolved if things were black and white but they're not. We'd all get to understand one another if we'd listed down our likes/dislikes, personalities, history, etc and had our others read our profile so they could decide to pursue the friendship further or not; but that's just whacked.

Excuse my weird trail of thoughts. The whole filling up/out of forms is just getting to me! Hopefully, I get to finish all these SOON!

This week's the last of May's. It seems that 2010 is a fast-paced year given that it's now approaching half of its time period. Wow! The past 5 months just flew by! Personally, May 2010 has been such an eye-opener. It encompassed realizations, decisions and learnings on most, if not all, aspects of my life. And my May experiences kept me from stumbling into those looming, cold pitfalls of failures and negativity.

In this 5th month of the year, I thank God for 5 major realizations / decisions I've made / lessons I've learned:

1. At the end of the day, whatever happens, your family is a haven, a source of comfort. With my grandma's passing away, my feeling of being stuck in a rut and my fleeting paranoia on whether I'd be able to accomplish all my goals, I am thankful that my family, most especially my mom and my younger brother, Jr, is there to keep me from totally falling apart. I've accepted the fact that among us, the 4 siblings, I'm the crybaby and the most sensitive one. I take it hard when I hear bad news, even if it doesn't involve me. So it's a relief when any member of the family would sit me down and remind me to take it easy on myself, once in a while.

2. "Think big, act small, fail fast, learn rapidly". Okay, I have to give credit to my current company, Orange and Bronze, for introducing me to this slogan, which is one of Agile's. I've actually put the slogan into the perspective of my life goals. I've always taken time to reflect and to determine what I want to accomplish in my life, when I'd want to start/finish my goals, how I'll be going about achieving them and why I've decided on listing/doing such goals. A huge hurdle that I've discovered is my fear of failure. Failing is sometimes inevitable and the only answer I have to it is that when it DOES come, I'd just have to get back up ASAP, learn from the it and move on. 

3. It's okay to take a breather, once in a while. I am a self-confessed borderline perfectionist/obsessive-compulsive. I don't can't stop myself from finishing a task unless it's done in the way I expected or was instructed on. I also can't seem to stop myself from doing chores and cramping up my To Do list. I always feel like I'm not doing much for a day and that I should maximize my time. However, at the end of the day, I'd end up being tired and cranky. Sooo...I've started to appreciate more the coffee breaks, chikka breaks, non-working holiday breaks and all other kinds of breaks there are! :D

4. Relationships CAN go on and grow despite less time (physically) spent with each other. Now this goes both ways for a romantic relationship and for friendships. My boyfriend and I are on different working shifts, live relatively far from each other, have different sets of friends and have certain family obligations to attend to on weekends. We barely see each other but I have to admit, and I will have to be cheesy about this, that everytime I do get to be with him, or even chat/talk with him, it feels like we've always been together. The same goes for my friends who I don't see often too. I guess there will always be that kind of understanding and link between good friends and couples that are strengthened more by the 'quality' time spent with each other rather than by the 'quantity' time.

5. When in doubt, pray. I'm still not a rock-on-God type of Catholic; but I do believe in His existence and His part in my life. Everytime I feel a little bit lost or if I have to make a decision that I'm still not sure of, I pray. I believe He has a plan for me and I'd want to be able to get in tune w/ His plans. Just to share the 2 bible verses I've fallen in love with:


I hope that the rest for my May would be smooth. If not, I'm praying that I have the strength to face whatever comes my way. June is nearing and another challenge is waiting for me. Ack! Let's go!

Nope, nothing wrong with my keyboard. And I certainly am not a jejemon. My blogpost title's typed up in that particular way because of the new toy I have which is...

( Wait...let's take a look-see )
YAY for dads who get pressured into buying random but persistent wants of their kids! I actually convinced my dad to buy one for my Ate Tin too! Hihihi!!!

I seriously can't wait to download songs and, of course, games, into my pretty new toy! I need not 'accidentally' bring home with me my friends'. Bwahahaha!!!

Now, what to name my new toy? Hmm... Oh, oh, I'd need to buy stuff for it too! Ack! I'm excited!

With what's been going on in my personal life, specifically the death of my grandma, I've been spacing out and forgetting a lot of things.

One of the things I forgot was my entry for Cosmo Mag's search for 3 interns, one of which will get the chance to fly to New York and visit the Pond's Institute. I only got to remember it when I was browsing the May 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine. In it are the 3 lucky winners of the contest.

( So did I win?! )

Because of this contest, I am fully engaging myself in writing more in my journal and, hopefully, in this blog. I have to keep on writing so that my mind would be trained to let out the creative juices, no matter how scarce they may be, I have onto paper (or online blog, whichever comes first). I have to overcome the fear of not sounding smart or unintelligible. I have to overcome the fear of not finishing a post/blog/story/etc. I have to overcome the fear of getting (constructive) criticism for my work. Add to the writing part, I'd also need to read more so I can have more ideas and allow my imagination to keep on running.

Next time Cosmo Mag's looking for new interns, I'll be ready. Actually, next time, I'll apply as a contributor for Cosmo Mag or probably other sister Summit Media publications.

Last night, I planned on blogging today about how my Lola Nieves, trying to live with every hard breath she can take, has suddenly become an inspiration for me to get up my lazy ass and to take a step in pursuing each and every life dream and goal I have. If my Lola, who has been bed-ridden for months, does not have any sickness and has been gasping for air the last few weeks, could brave all the physical hardships old age brings and allow her children to see she's fighting to live for them, then I could definitely face a few challenges, obstacles and failures to be able to reach my dreams and goals.

At 6:30AM, I woke up with my mom telling me I have to bring my car to work. I asked why. She said, "Wala na si Lola mo. Mga 1:30 kaninang umaga siya nagpaalam." ("Your grandmother is gone. She passed away at around 1:30 this morning"). My face drained of color and my heart sunk. I made sure my voice was steady and said, "Okay...uuwi kayo probinsya?" ("Okay...are you going home to the province?"). My mom said she'll leave later and then smiled at me. My heart sunk even deeper. It's hard to see my mom be all strong when I can feel she's sad. It doesn't help that today is my parents' 35th wedding anniversary. *frowns*

2 years ago, my Lola Ne, my dad's mom, passed away. I wrote her this. I was a bit closer to my Lola Ne than my Lola Nieves; but it's only because my Lola Ne lived in Manila for a huge chunk of my life while my Lola Nieves stayed mostly in her home back in Ilocos Sur. Despite the distance, I've always looked up to Lola Nieves because I could see the tenderness and care she has instilled in her children through the way my mom and my uncles and aunties have beent reating me.

So, to another one of the greatest women I've ever encountered in my life, Nieves B. Gaerlan...

I have always loved going to the province to visit you and Lolo. Lolo always smelled of tobacco and you always had a twinkle in your eyes. You and Lolo greeted us with smiles and beckoned us, your grandchildren, for a hug, which felt really nice. When Lolo passed away, the twinkle in your eyes faded a bit into a glimmer but make no mistake that your smile was still on your aging yet still beautiful face.

I loved seeing you in your rocking chair on the patio of your house. You sat there and watched us, your grandkids, run about your place, making a mess on the mah-jong table and splashing water from the pump to our siblings and cousins. You would gently scold us when we get too rowdy but it never felt like you were mad or disappointed at us, just concerned.

You were the epitome of grace under pressure. It felt like there was nothing that could break your poise and your quiet demeanor. I wish I could have your calm and nurturing nature. It would greatly help me deal with anything that life has to throw towards me.

I'm happy my family and I, plus your great granddaughter, got to see you last Holy Week. Even if you couldn't remember us, I knew through your smile that you were happy to have us around you. I'm happy that you got the chance to spend your last days with most of your children. I know how family is important to you. And I'm happy you passed away peacefully in your sleep because, at least, you didn't have to feel the pain of gasping for breath.

Thank you, Lola, for being the pillar of strength for the Gaerlans. Thank you for being an inspiration for me to become an ultimate wife and mom (someday). Thank you for all the smiles and hugs you've given me. Thank you for being such a caring grandma. Thank you for everything. You've had 94 years here in earth and I know you've had the time of your life.

I'll miss you, Lola!

This is my last chapter for my PEBB series. I believe I've researched (read: Google-d) enough to have a complete picture of what my PEBB should look like. Plus, if my super PEBB doesn't exist; at least I know what other options I can use to recreate a semi-PEBB. Of course, once I've purchased my PEBB (super or not), I'll be posting about it and it'll serve as the epilogue of this 'series'. So, here we go...

Criteria #5: Brand and budget.

I'm not really a brand-conscious person, mainly because I'm a little bit of a thrifty shopper. However, if I do have the means to get or if some relative or friend would wholeheartedly give a branded bag, then I'd be more than willing to have it with open arms. Just to list down the top 3 signature(s) (bags) I am eyeing on and for the sake of those who have such a generous heart planning to surprise me with a possible PEBB (I can dream, can't I?!), here they are:

Signature Bag #2: Kate Spade's Brooklyn Heights Stevie OR Lincoln Road Stevie