Rachael Lampa, some day, we will meet!

According to Wikipedia:

Lampa was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Her father is Filipino and her mother is Hungarian & Irish; she is the second of four children, with an older brother, Ryan, who is her road manager. She has a younger sister, Colleen, and a younger brother, Nate. She has been singing since she was a toddler and learned to sing perfect harmony by the time she was 4.

Lampa has performed on The Jenny Jones Show Young Talent Search at age 12 and finished 2nd place at the World Championship of Entertainment. She has also performed many times at the Colorado Rockies baseball games. In August, 1999, she performed live on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock on the Road” in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Lampa was discovered while attending but not competing in the Music in the Rockies music conference in Colorado at 14 by Word Records producer Brent Bourgeois. She asked to sing at a cafe at the conference when the original performer did not make it. She then began recording soon after talks with the label and visits to Nashville.

A new mini documentary titled “The Filipina on Top: Deconstructing Maria Clara,” revolves around the empowerment of Filipinas to overcome concerns such as sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and unwanted pregnancies. The documentary is quite relevant in the light of the Reproductive Health Bill.

The New documentary puts Filipinas ‘on top’ indeed:

“The Filipina on Top” is a sequel to the mini documentary released last year, “The Empowered Filipina,” which also discusses Filipina sexual empowerment issues. Both films are directed by Kamil Roxas, winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in 2008. The film premiered during Illustrado’s annual Women of Substance event held last month at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

“The Filipina on Top” touches on sensitive-yet-significant issues concerning Filipinas. It addresses questions such as “Is the modern Filipina well-informed enough not to fall into bad situations? Or are they unknowingly contributing to their own problems?” Furthermore, it hopes to “create awareness on the harsh realities Filipinas face and, at the same time, provide relevant information and worthwhile advice.”

Part 1

Part 2

Filipinas take a stand. A comment in the video says it all . “ONE Filipina woman taking a stand is a good start.. and then ANOTHER Filipina, and then ANOTHER. When all Filipinas use the power of this information & join this said movement, then? there is your guarantee that the society will finally realize that totality of THE Filipina: She is strong & serious when she commands respect..A definite fighter of her rights. This documentary is a tool to awaken all of us. It is every Filipino’s duty to spread the word.”

During the Spanish Colonial Era, settlers from the peninsula were mixed with the indigenous inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, giving a mixture between Spanish, Malay and Chinese people. From that union it came up beautiful women who were recognized throughout the Asian continent by their clothing and Western customs. They were called The Spanish Ladies-Señoritas.

Whatever we may have thought or felt about erswhile lovers Katrina Halili and Hayden Kho–and whether or not we may have felt that their case was worth any airtime at all–we do have a lot for which to thank them. For one, their little lovers quarrel showed how appalingly simple it can be to produce and distribute intimate videos without one’s partner’s consent; for another, their case cracked wide open a series of social phenomena that have been penetrating the urban underbelly for a while now but which remain, for the most part, undisclosed and undiscussed. It also forced us to look at their issue as more than just a domestic matter or a sordid secret gone awry, but to look at what is essentially a private matter as a cause for public concern and action.

Investigating electronic-Violence Against Women (e-VAW)

From September to October of this year, the Foundation for Media Alternatives hosted a series of consultation meetings with government and non-government organizations in an attempt to map out issues and initiatives related to emerging forms of violence against women (VAW) using information and communications technology. These forms of abuse, collectively named e-VAW, are many, ranging from harassment and stalking through mobile telephony all the way to cyber-prostitution, sex trafficking, and online child pornography through the Web and social media.

Continue reading at Sex and Crime in the time of social media at Pro Pinoy

Denise Katipunera (Denise)

Denise claims that there is nothing original about her, but a quick look at her photos is enough to disprove this statement. This wardrobe blogger has the prettiest ukay dresses around and can get away with wearing layers and scarves in our tropical climate. Aside from her perfectly-composed outfit photos, her sunny personality and positive attitude towards life makes her blog a delight to read.

Fashionista Fortune Cookie (Lloyda)

A girl like Lloyda is difficult to miss. Her outfits are playful yet polished, fashion-forward but not contrived. Every single outfit she wears leaves not only a lasting imprint of her style, but also a refreshing playfulness so rarely found in adults. It’s no wonder that she snagged one of Preview Magazine’s Best Dressed Awards this year, a spot in a style book, and numerous snaps at Style Bible. Her blog is a real inspiration for anyone who’s not quite ready to ditch their quirky duds for more “grown-up” attire.

Chic in the Tropics (Eden)

Black is often the safe, go-to color for those who are afraid to experiment with their wardrobe, but Eden brings back the edge and excitement to black clothing once more. This young disc jockey can be found partying in the streets of Cebu wearing statement pieces, trendy neutrals, and gravity-defying heels. Check out her blog for some real rocker-chick fashion and for ideas on new ways to wear black.

The Capricious Club (Bestie)

“Capricious” – an old-fashioned word for fanciful, whimsy, or erratic – is truly the perfect adjective to describe Bestie’s sense of style. There’s nothing predictable about her; on some days you’ll find her frolicking in a field in a maxidress like the hippies of old, on other days she waxes nostalgia in frilly blouses and bows. Follow her blog for ideas on how to translate vintage-inspired fashion and current trends into real life.

Death by Platforms (Kookie)

Most girls would pair lace and florals with girly accessories, but not Kookie of Death by Platforms – she wears her frilly dresses with layered black necklaces and lots of attitude. And of course, black platform heels! Her sense of style is a unique blend between classic femininity and gothic romanticism. If you’re adventurous enough to make unlikely pairings, check out Kookie’s blog for more photos of her edgy fashion sense.

A Plus B in the Sea (A and B)

We all want to stay abreast of current trends, but what if you’re on a limited student budget? Meet A and B, two spirited girls who can show you how to look good without spending a lot. They’ve got a useful guide on navigating Manila’s thrift stores, not to mention an abundance of dreamy photos that will make you want to frolic in the nearest field in lovely floral dresses.

Drowning Equilibriums (Aisa)

It’s easy to see why Chictopia Style Icon Aisa keeps getting featured on other fashion blogs – she can mix and match items from different eras with such effortlessness and grace. Although her preference for vintage-inspired fashion clearly shows, every new photo she posts is always exciting and inspired. She’s giving away tons of goodies from local online retailers soon, so if there has ever been a good time to follow her, it’s now!

Source: Seven stylish Filipina bloggers

Looking at Rossana now, you would not believe she hails from very simple beginnings. Her own father did not finish formal schooling, making it all the more ironic that she has become one of the country’s top proponents for quality education. However, it is precisely because of her humble beginnings that have made Rossana value education and hard work all the more.

It is a miracle in itself that she was able to obtain a college education form UP Los Banos given her poor background. Her family was so poor, she couldn’t afford to buy her own textbooks, so she spent her time in the library studying.

A product of the public school system in the Laguna area, it was only through the financial aid and the help of an uncle that Rossana was able to get a Degree at UP Los Banos. Early on, she knew that to get ahead, she had to take matters into her own hands. She supplemented her allowance and helped her parents out by selling whatever she could. From mangoes, to polvoron, rubber bands and toys, Rossana did what she could to survive. She scheduled her classes so that it left her ample time to take on odd jobs. On top of her busy school and work schedule, she still had to do her share of household chores such as laundry and cleaning to help her parents. She also remained well rounded by joining several extra curricular activities and even playing for her college soccer team.

After graduation, Rossana worked in different fields, including real estate. In her twenties, she got married and later became a mother. It was a tough balancing act being a working mom, wife and so she decided to start her own business so she could stay at home to raise her two children back then.

In 1995, she started AHEAD with only P5000. She tutored students from her rented living room apartment in Pasig and only had her other friends who were Magna and Summa cum Laude graduates as other tutors. Rossana set her business apart from other review centers by focusing on preparing the students for the UPCAT. She later expanded to focused exam based reviews for the Ateneo Entrance Exam, as well as the De La Salle Entrance Exam.

The high passing and acceptance rate of her review center graduates made her a widely popular choice for senior students seeking the competitive edge. Three years after founding the review center, she put up Ahead Books and Things, with the publication of the industry’s first UPCAT review book. Within five years, AHEAD was established as the country’s premiere tutorial and review center. She also established AHEAD Professional Network.

Only in her early forties, Rossana has already achieved more that most people twice her age. It is a remarkable feat and a testament to this lady’s tenacity that she has overcome the odds to become one of the most successful businesswomen in the country today, all the while raising four children.

Rossana’s achievements have been met with several awards and accolades, including the Gold Quill for Marketing from the International Association of Business Communicators; Agora for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship from the Philippine Marketing Association; Aurelio Periquet Jr. Leadership Award; Ilaw ng Karunungn award from Philam Life; and the “Outstanding Educational Administrator” by the Consumers Union of the Philippines. She has also been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine and Mom Magazine, and is constantly being invited as a guest speaker to provide inspiration for the next generation.

One of the things that makes Rossana’s success story unique, is that instead of looking outside the country for opportunities for success, she turned inward and sought how she could help her country and herself. Instead of migrating, she found a need in the country, met it and raised the standards of expectation. She revolutionized the way tutorial centers are viewed, by making it a necessary supplemental aspect in a child’s education rather than where only lazy and underachievers go to. She raised the quality and standardized review centers.

This Renaissance woman is a shinning example of how far the competitive human spirit and unwavering focus and determination can take someone from the bottom rungs of socio economic poverty, to the very pinnacle of success. Even at the top, Rossana still wants to do more. She is currently taking up her Masters Degree in Educational Administration in Ateneo. She is also working on establishing a foundation to provide training to school principals. She is constantly thinking of businesses and projects that will benefit the Filipino community.

Without a doubt, success will meet this lady, whatever dreams she sets for herself.

Edna Flores bikes for a cause

Let’s learn a thing or two from this remarkable Filipina woman of substance.

From: Edna Flores
Date: Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Subject: Red dress
To: Lorna Dietz

Dear Lorna,

Fifty two more days from now, I will be taking off with my fiance Rich and thousands of other friends on a seven day, 575 mile journey towards Los Angeles from San Francisco. We will be using our strength and legpower to get there. Along the way, we will encounter communities who may have minimal services for fighting the AIDS pandemic. We will make lifetime friends with those whom we just met. We will be a community of cyclists making a stand against HIV and AIDS.

Hoping Rich gets to wear the Red Dress

Red Dress Day occurs on Day 5 of AIDS/ LifeCycle. People either wear red as Rich has done in the past or wear a red dress. I think the original intent was Dress in Red Day but it has turned into Red Dress Day. A lot of people go out of their way in finding a sexy or pretty or sometimes frumpy red dress to wear as they pedal their way down California. If one were to take an aerial photograph, it would look like a long AIDS ribbon winding down the state. Usually the straight men would not even think of wearing a red dress their first year of riding. By the second year, they are in on the fun of wearing a red dress. For the past two rides, Rich has been reluctant to wear a red dress but he is willing to do it if I am to make my fundraising goal.

I am a little under $1,000 of making the minimum $3,000 I need to particpate in this ride. Please consider giving whatever amount you can. No donation is too small or too large. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and loved ones as well. I promise to have a photograph of Rich in his red dress (which I already have in my hot little hands) to show for my fundraising efforts.

Thank you so much in helping me support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Your generosity gives critical help to those who need it in preventing the spread of HIV and those who are affected by HIV and AIDS.

All you need to do to help me out is to click on the link below and give what you can.

Again, thank you.
Click here to visit my personal page.

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1168574&pg=personal&fr_id=1210&et=pUXnjR3U11z6kezkqtOs9g..&s_tafId=21160

If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=233a77653886a6701bda817bc2a6a89a1ccd4c50a5c00593

Dine Racoma and I believe that her life is worth sharing here at Filipina Images.

Here is a profile of a woman we both admire.

Mrs. Esther Asuncion Vibal is a woman of many talents and accomplishments. It is difficult to describe this multi-awarded lady under one label as she has achieved and contributed so much throughout her life. Success seems to follow her wherever she goes and whatever she applies herself to.

From her humble beginnings in Camiling, Tarlac, Mrs. Vibal has relentlessly pursued her love of writing and learning to become an accomplished writer, publisher, educator, businesswoman, feminist and philanthropist. Born on March 25, 1925, Mrs. Vibal’s life is an example of how hard work, perseverance and a strong faith in God can lead one to tremendous success. She is a Journalism graduate of the University of the Philippines and started with the Manila Times and later ventured into publishing and real estate with her husband.

Mrs. Vibal is a known force in Philippine publishing, having helped establish and run Vibal Publishing House with her husband Hilarion Vibal since 1957. Their publishing house has been influential in Philippine education with the publication of science, social studies, English and mathematics textbooks, magazines and periodicals. Under Mrs. Vibal’s leadership and after more than 60 years in the industry, Vibal Publishing has established itself as multi-million peso corporation that continues to produce textbooks and other instructional materials used by private school in the country. The publishing house now has several offices located all over the country.

Today, Mrs. Vibal continues to achieve excellence in real estate, having established Pacifica Realty Development Corporation. This venture has also produced tremendous financial success for the Vibal family.

Despite her busy professional life, she has managed to carve out time for her husband, whom she married in 1950 and their five children: Stella, Aida, Rosauro, Nila and Gus.

She also devotes much of her time to her socio civic work. In the 1960’s she was one of the founders of Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City, which is composed of wives of Rotary Club members. In 1983, she later became the first Asian president of the International Inner Wheel, after serving as the Philippine representative to the international organization.

Since 1971, her work in behalf of Filipino women has brought her to different parts of the world such as China, London, United States, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya, Russia and Japan. Mrs. Vibal has served as an advisor to the UN Commission on the Status of Women and has been a member of the Philippine delegation to several World Conferences on women.

Mrs. Vibal has not only been active in women’s advocacy work internationally, She has also been influential in women’s work in the Philippines. She has been president of the National Council of Women of the Philippines, which is the main organization for all women’s groups in the country such as the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, ZONTA and the Catholic Women’s League. She serves a Board of trustees of the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation. She is also a board member of the Philippine National Red Cross- Quezon city council and a life member of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

In 2007, Vibal Foundation was established as an advocacy for education, women and community outreach. The foundation has so far produced two Internet based knowledge sharing initiatives. The first is the digital library Filipiniana.net and the second is Philippine’s largest online encyclopedia, wikipilipinas.org.

In 2010, Mrs. Vibal was one of nine women awarded by Go Negosyo “Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and the Philippines Commission on Women Inspiring Women of the Year”, for her tremendous achievements in business and contribution to Philippine society.

It seems that whatever hat Mrs. Vibal Vibal dons, be it writer, publisher, educator, wife, mother, businesswoman, feminist or philanthropist, this energetic and intelligent Filipina always put in the best of herself in all her pursuits and endeavors. Even in her golden years, she remains active in Philippine education and women’s advocacies.

For the Filipina who wakes up early in the morning to prepare for the food she will sell at a community market in the outskirts of Cagayan de Oro City, or for the Filipina mom blogger who takes the time to write about her passions before she starts her day, and for countless Filipina women who are toiling in farm lands, factories, hospitals, offices, or homes around the world — this is A VERY ORDINARY DAY.

“International Women’s Day” hasn’t really caught up with the sugar-dripping greeting cards for “Mother’s Day” or “Valentine’s Day.” Yet, there are a few companies that are positive about the future of a more commercialized “Women’s Day.”

Celebrating this ordinary day allows us to take our virtual stethoscopes and feel the heartbeats of Filipina women and men who support a political party in the Philippines that is “for women, by women, and of women.”

The Facebook description stated: “If elected, BABAE KA could make a difference by bringing direct services to its constituents at the grassroots level, and mobilizing the women sector in productive and constructive activities that would contribute to nation building and development.”

The phrase “Babae Ka!” a.k.a. “You are Woman!” or “You are a Filipina Woman!” sounds like a “Stand up and be counted!” battle cry. Perhaps it is. Reminiscent of Helen Reddy’s warrior song, “I am Woman!” — the call for Filipina women everywhere to celebrate their dignity, their pride, and their leadership is truly compelling.

Benjamin Pimentel, a Filipino American journalist from the San Francisco Bay Area, serendipitously posted a Youtube video today of the late Susan Fernandez Magno, a Filipina singer-songwriter, activist and academic who was “top-of-mind” for her protest music. The song had a folksy beat and bittersweet, poignant lyrics. The song’s title: “Babae Ka.”

Yesterday, over the phone, when I listened to a dear friend’s experiences as a volunteer in this for-real grassroots campaign among the Filipina street vendors, homemakers, students, and community organizers for “Babae Ka,” a women’s political party in the Philippines that is participating in the party-list election system, I was in awe of her bravery and courage. My friend confirmed that people in the cash-strapped barangays (villages) in the Northern Luzon region of the Philippines were savvy about asking for money to ensure their loyalty and their votes. However, their group’s valiant stand against vote-buying won the hearts of very ordinary people, very ordinary voters. I was touched by the email she sent me so I could, in turn, email my friends. My friend emphasized, “Contact us through Facebook at BABAE KA.”

I continued to read what they had to say in their Facebook group page.

“Babae para sa Kaunlaran or BABAE KA has evolved from being a cause-oriented civil society organization at the time it was organized in early 2005 to a comprehensive women’s political party.

Initially named as Kababaihan para sa Inang Bayan or Kababayan, the organization first focused its efforts in the delivery of basic services to poor and needy communities thru medical and dental missions, livelihood projects, skills trainings, counseling, social and political awareness discussions and similar socially relevant programs.

The decision to convert the organization into a women’s political party and participate in the party-list election system stemmed from the realization that the sector needs genuine representation in the House of Representatives with the foremost aim of helping stir the country towards attainable progress and development.”

Taking a cue from the flier about the Babae Ka platform that I received via email, their “pet bill” on Equal Employment Opportunity was something I had been waiting for.

Equal Employment Opportunity, BABAE KA’s pet bill
By BABAE KA Partylist (from Mielin Medalla)

If you are a woman or a man and looking for a job, you will always see in the advertisements, “female, 20 to 35 years old” or “male, 25 to 40 years old” as one of the qualifications. Not anymore, that is if the proposal of women’s party-list Babae para sa Kaunlaran (Babae Ka) will be enacted by the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

This proposed law will make it unlawful for any employer to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s age, gender and religion.

To be patterned after the Age Discrimination in Employment of 1967 that was enacted by the United States Congress, even the printing of any employment advertisement that will tend to be discriminatory to age, sex and religion shall be unlawful in this proposal.

I understand that there are many party lists that are jockeying for more funding, more supporters, and more visibility. If you’re a group like Babae Ka who is doing its best to be involved with issues, not personalities, then you have my attention.

Mabuhay, Babae Ka!

References:

I decided to share what Babae Ka’s grassroots campaign is all about.

Official Website: http://babaekapartylist.tripod.com/

Update as of May 5, 2010:

I asked one of the members of Babae Ka, via Facebook email, what some of Babae Ka’s achievements are.

Here is the reply:

1. We’ve already facilitated free cataract operations with more than 100 beneficiaries;
2. Facilitated medical-dental missions with more than 10,000 beneficiaries;
3. Assisted numerous women cooperatives in getting soft loans;
4. College scholarship for 50 deserving students

I recalled my sister who experienced the same harassment twenty years ago when she visited my father in Manila Garden. At that time, we were still building a house in Manila since our main home was Cebu. Before she could enter the elevator, she was stopped. In the same manner as Cleo, she spoke in English (being a Cebuano) because she was not fluent in Tagalog. My sister was very humiliated and insulted while my father raised hell with the hotel staff.

So it is probably the protocol of hotel security to check on visitors but is there a more polite way of determining intentions of pretty visitors?

1. Can’t they first call the hotel guest to verify their visitor?
2. Can’t they ask for the Identification Card of the visitor?

And where is discernment? Even if Cleo or my sister were “prostitutes” or “guest relations officer”, they still deserve to be treated with respect. Magna Carta of Filipina Women or RA 9710 recognizes and protects women’s rights at home, at work and in all spheres of society toward developing all aspects of their well-being.

All hotel security officers should realize that the new law’s most “empowering provision” is its recognition that “women’s rights are human rights”.

So change your protocol when dealing with women whom you think are “questionable” or else face the consequence of the law.

Here is the complete entry of the harassment of a Filipina at EDSA Shangrila.
(the purpose of this post is not to destroy the reputation of the hotel but to let them change their protocol when dealing with the basic human rights of women)

.:EDSA Shangri-la Security Personnel Harrass And Publicly Humiliate Ms. Cleo Caliente: A Breach Of Protocol, And Then Some:.

Before anything else, happy birthday, dear Cleo!

Ladies and gentlemen, today is the birthday of a good friend of mine, one of the hosts of the radio show I usually guest on, the Disenchanted Kingdom on 99.5 RT. Her name is Cleo Caliente.

Normally, birthdays are supposed to be really happy days, but the fine folks over at EDSA Shangri-la in Mandaluyong clearly had different ideas.

Around the stroke of midnight, Ms. Caliente was on her way to the hotel room of her friends who flew in all the way from the United States. She was going to celebrate her birthday with them, as is customary. What is not customary, though, was the manner she was treated by the hotel’s floor security, from the moment she stepped into the vicinity of EDSA Shangri-la.

Upon approaching the door, instead of being subjected to the standard check of bags by security, she was immediately asked a question by the man at the door, pretty much asking her what room she was supposed to go to. She promptly answered which room. While this might still be construed as routine, what followed certainly wasn’t.

After stalling for a while, she was escorted by several security personnel not to the reception area which is standard operation procedure for any clarifications regarding rooms and the like, but to the phones hidden away in the corner of the first floor of the hotel. It was as if they didn’t want people to see her, which was bizarre, to say the least. Instead of calling her friends at the reception area, she was calling from the phone booths. Does this count as protocol?

As you might’ve seen in the picture above, Ms. Caliente is quite a looker, and she was, as is customary with Chinese women, wearing a red dress on her birthday, as well as some jewellery. She was dressed to impress that midnight, and wanted nothing more than to just hang out with her friends and chill out with them, especially since it was her idea to make them move from Makati Shang-rila to EDSA Shang-rila because she lives closer to the place.

Instead, she found herself surrounded by seven security personnel, repeatedly asking her questions in the vernacular while she was answering the questions in flawless English. That they were disregarding her mode of expression with the way they were speaking to her was unmistakeable, and at the same time, immensely disrespectful. Cleo comes from Cebu, and Tagalog is not her native language, although she can speak and understand it.

Then, at some point, they asked her a question that just completely went beyond the acceptable boundaries of protocol. They asked her: are you here to see a foreigner guest, or a Filipino?

Let me ask this of you, dear security personnel of EDSA Shangri-la: exactly what the blazes are you implying in asking her that question? Are you implying that you are assuming that the person who brought you business by having her friends check into your establishment, a person who has repeatedly gone to your establishment in recent days to see said friends, just so happens to be a prostitute? Really?

The line of questioning was foul and out of line. There is a protocol by which security personnel must conduct themselves, and while I am not 100% familiar with it, I don’t think asking a visitor if she’s there “to see a foreigner or a Filipino” constitutes protocol. This was downright insulting, demeaning, and given how this scene lasted for over ten minutes, this was practically criminal.

To make matters worse, given how Ms. Caliente was dressed, the security personnel who circled her and were accosting her were eyeing her in a very uncomfortable manner. In her words, she said that she felt like “they were stripping her naked in their minds,” with the way they ogled her. This was harassment, and they were attempting to bully someone whom they assumed was merely a “poor, helpless little girl” who also happens to be a hooker.

They couldn’t have been more mistaken.

After over ten minutes of being questioned relentlessly and treated like a common criminal, Cleo’s friend finally came down to pick her up and at this point, Ms. Caliente filed a complaint after she recollected herself in the hotel room. This was a travesty and a gross act of disservice to her, and they just had to do it on her birthday.

This morning, on 99.5 RT, King DJ Logan, the host of Disenchanted Kingdom, decided to call EDSA Shangri-la to perhaps get the establishment to issue a decent apology for the mistreatment Ms. Caliente has received at the hands of the security personnel. The first time he called, the person who received the call immediately put the phone down on him upon hearing the words “This is King DJ Logan of 99.5 RT.” It boggles the mind why she would do something like that, but they called the hotel again, this time with Cleo making the call.

Soon enough, they were transferred to a guy named Kevin, and he offered to clarify the matter when Cleo asked whom she could speak to for her to register her grievance. What followed has got to be one of the worst examples of customer service I have ever witnessed, as he fumbled his way through, put Cleo on hold multiple times, trying to come up with answers for her questions. It got to a point where Logan had to take over, and cow Kevin into admitting that in reality, he was not in a position to address the issue himself.

Now, take note that this was the second time the complaint was filed, and clearly, there was no log of the first complaint, as Kevin had no idea about what was going on at all despite putting Cleo on hold multiple times. He had to realize he was actually on the air before he realized that he couldn’t just sweep this complaint under the rug.

To make matters worse, after this call, the hotel attempted to bribe Cleo’s friends by offering them freebies on the hotel’s tab. Now, if I recall correctly, it was Cleo who got harassed by these security personnel, and not her friends. So why are they being bribed, when all the were asking for was accountability and a written apology for her ordeal?

Real classy, EDSA Shangri-la. Way to address the situation. Wasn’t it bad enough that you thought Ms. Caliente was a prostitute? Now, you have to try and pay her off (Actually, pay her friends off, even!) as if she really were one? Customer service at its finest! Well played, EDSA Shangri-la! Bravo!

A simple, straightforward apology and accountability for the security personnel who accosted Cleo would’ve been more than welcome, dear EDSA Shangri-la. In case you haven’t realized, at no point did she even flaunt her status as a radio broadcaster throughout her ordeal. Apparently, her desire to not act like she was entitled to any special treatment was taken as a sign by your goons, I mean security, to instead harass her as they please.

Seven guys to deal with one person, ladies and gentlemen. Does this not scream “excessive” and “abusive” to you?

Seriously, EDSA Shangri-la. Do you actually need to step on powerful people’s toes before you realize that you’re mistreating people? Has it gotten to this point already? Can you not simply do the right thing and apologize for treating people the wrong way without having to look at their status in society or in the media industry? And do you think that bribing them with gifts will just make them look the other way? You think you can buy off principles?

Well, at this point, the answer to that is moot, and let this post stand as a warning: unless EDSA Shangri-la decides to do the right thing and issue a public apology in writing to Ms. Cleo Caliente, then we are left with no recourse but to let this post stand as a testament to the discrimination and inhospitable treatment the employees of EDSA Shangri-la clearly are capable of.

I will categorically say that I have no desire to patronize such an establishment, and I certainly hope those who see this will know better than to as well.

Not cool, EDSA Shangri-la. Not cool at all.