After he purportedly said, “The Chinese are not people…hayop (animal)!,” the owner of popular VJANDEP Pastels has paid quite a price. VJANDEP Pastels, a business owned by the Jose family, is best known for its pastel buns — soft bread buns filled with various fillings such as yema/custard, uba, chocolate etc. These pastel buns are popular “pasalubong” items from Camiguin Island and Cagayan de Oro City.
Col. Virgilio Jose allegedly said that in an April 22 meeting with fellow traders. He later claimed that he only said those “remarks purely in jest.”
Unfortunately for the VJANDEP Pastel Breads owner, the Chinese-Filipino community didn’t take his remarks lightly. They’ve reportedly threatened to pull out VJANDEP products from their store shelves. I heard that the owners of superstores Gaisano and Ororama weren’t pleased with Jose’s statement and that some VJANDEP products haven’t been displayed for sale in their stores.
In a half-page advertisement published in a regional newspaper, Jose said that “with contrite heart, I would like to once again sincerely beg for forgiveness for my offensive remarks.”
“I have realized that although my remarks were said purely in jest without intention to offend anyone, such meaningless expression unduly damaged our good relations as community,” according to the published statement.
“May I also take this opportunity to humbly request that my family and my family’s business be spared from the trouble that my personal behavior has caused you,” he added.
I guess it’s commendable for the Jose patriarch to apologize. The Chinese-Filipino community, after all, is one group you as a businessman would never want to mess with.
I’m not too sure if what the VJANDEP pastel owner did was enough, though. In a publicity crisis such as this, more should be done, IMO. Perhaps the Jose family can publish photos of activities wherein they helped the Chinese-Filipino community in the past. Or maybe photos where the Jose family’s shown to have “friendly ties” with the Chinese-Filipino community leaders. Things like these can greatly help, IMHO.
What about you? Do you think the Jose patriarch’s apology is enough to mend the “strained ties”?
LikeJanuary 20, 2009
Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Events, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, kaamulan festival
Budding entrepreneurs, webmasters and companies – hear ye, hear ye! Here’s good news for those who want to do business during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Will you be one of the many business owners, participating companies or entrepreneurs during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration in Bukidnon? Or do you intend to promote your website, service or business and let the hundreds of thousands of residents, guests and tourists alike know what you’re offering? Let Bukidnon Online help you promote your business venture, website or service in what is largely called the remaining authentic indigenous festival in the Philippines – the Kaamulan Festival!
Thousands of people are guaranteed to participate in the almost 3-week long Kaamulan 2009 festivities this year. So if you plan to rake in the big bucks, don’t you think you need to be a cut above the rest? Don’t you think it’s important to really make sure that you get your message across, you introduce your product or service or establishment efficiently and that you reel in your target audience or market?
Contact Bukidnon Online today and see how they can help you promote your business! Should the contact form fail, you may send an email to bukidnononline (at) gmail (dot) com
The people behind Bukidnon Online are the same people who organized the Tukar Sa Kaamulan (nightly band jam at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City) and extended assistance during the major concerts in last year’s celebration of Kaamulan Festival 2008 including the San Miguel Beer-sponsored Kamikazee concert and the Office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri-sponsored Kim Chiu, John Prats, Gerald Anderson and Callalily concert. So you’re definitely in good hands. Plus of course, Bukidnon Online is drawing thousands of website hits every month so you can be sure that you will target the right audience. The people behind Bukidnon Online can also assist you in putting up banners or streamers or tarps and give out flyers during the Kaamulan Festival. Just feel free to contact them and I’m sure they’ll assist you the best way they can!
And in case you want to join the Kaamulan Festival 2009 festivities, check out Bukidnon Online for the official schedule of activities. Also, here’s a page that you might find useful. It details facts on how to get to Bukidnon.
January 9, 2009
Arts, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Davao City, Fashion, General Santos City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Sarangani, Soccksargen, Society, Weddings
So I just produced the photos I took during my very first wedding photography coverage gig. I was one of the photographers (and the only female photographer, I should say) during the Prestenbach Wedding in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 28, 2008. (Yep, I guess I’m now a wedding photographer here in Mindanao! 
) It was truly a great day – to be able to capture people and moments and to be a part of a nice couple’s memorable day. The Prestenbachs, a Germany-based couple, have been together for 15 great years and they’re thinking of moving here in the Philippines for good. The Prestenbachs have two lovely children. They also have this magnificent beachfront property in Baloy, Cagayan de Oro.
Here are some of my wedding photography photos:
* All photos are of low resolution only. All photos optimized. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED *
I use a Nikon DSLR. I use two lenses – one Nikkor and one Sigma. I also have a wide angle lens that’s great for landscapes and microphotography.
I’m looking forward to doing more photography gigs here in Mindanao. Not just weddings, mind you. I also do fashion photography, portraits, food photography, nature/landscapes and events (one of my favorites so far especially since I’m an events organizer myself). So if you have a special event, please don’t hesitate to contact me I would love to know how I can help make your special day even more memorable!
Oh yeah, before I forget, I work closely with my brother and his other photographer friends. Usually, there are 2-4 photographers in every wedding coverage. We can also refer you to a videographer here in Mindanao (the videographers we know are based in Cagayan de Oro but they can travel to just about anywhere, really. My brother’s photographer – videographer team has been to Davao City, Camiguin, Dipolog City, Iligan, Malaybalay City, Valencia City and neighboring towns here in Mindanao).
Contact me today or you can also call/text (+63) 919 238 6575. We’d love to hear more about your special event or wedding plans! And don’t worry, we offer highly affordable rates. All fees are negotiable, too!
So whether your wedding will be in Davao City, General Santos City, Zamboanga, Bukidnon (the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City is a favorite of many!), Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan…name the place in Mindanao and we can go there. We can also travel to Visayas (we’ve covered events in Cebu City and my brother and his photographer-friends have conducted photography workshops in Cebu) and Luzon
I’ve been receiving buzz from various businessmen around Mindanao and in Manila that Davao City is supposedly set to have its “own airline” very soon. By own airline, I reckon they mean an entire fleet with “Davao” in its name somewhere and that it will serve as Davao City’s very own answer to Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. I asked a few well-placed personalities in Davao if they’ve heard of this and most of them did confirm that there are “movements” on this plan.
If ever this will push through, this will definitely give Mindanao travel and tourism a big boost. I wonder, though, if the planes of this alleged fleet are as small as those of Mindanao Express’ (Beechcraft 1900C)? Or if the planes are basically those of Mindanao Express’ and then they’d just change the name? Is that possible? It would be great, though, if the so-called “Davao airline” airplanes would at least be as large as those owned by PAL or Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific.
Also, I wonder what the name of the fleet would be? Davao Air? Davao Spirit? Spirit of Davao? 
Ikaw, what do you think will be a great name for this alleged Davao airplane fleet?
Like I mentioned in this post, I was at the Social Security System (SSS) office in our area early this week because I had to secure my SSS ID card. Although I’m a longtime SSS member, it’s only now that I finally had the time (and finally ran out of valid excuses not to go! LOL) to visit and have my picture taken and stuff.
Here’s the procedure on how to secure your very own SSS ID card:
- Go to the Forms Issuance Counter and ask for the Social Security ID form (SSS Form E-6)
- Fill up the form in ONE copy only
- Proceed to any receiving/verification counter (usually counters 1-6). The teller will validate your form. You are required to bring two (2) valid IDs for verification purposes (valid IDs include your company ID, passport, TIN etc)
- If the application form is in order, the teller will stamp the form with “Qualified” and you will be told to proceed to the SS ID Data Capture Station
- Present your form along with your two valid IDs to the capture machine operator
- Wait for your turn
- Once you’re allowed inside the station, you will be asked for your fingerprints (index finger and thumb prints) and digital signature. The operator will also get a live capture of your facial image (fancy way of saying, really, that the operator will take your picture). I actually noticed a personal identification number (PIN) keyboard but I wasn’t asked to key in my PIN. I guess that’s not necessary anymore.
- After the data capture, the operator will hand you a stub. You need to keep that stub for future reference.
- Your SS ID will be mailed to you.
Interestingly, the operator told me that it might take MORE THAN TWO MONTHS before my ID is sent. This is because the machine, accordingly located at the SSS central office in Manila, is broken. Isn’t that funny? The SSS is supposedly one of the “moneyed” branches of government and yet they can’t even serve their contributors well.
Ahh…that’s the Philippine government to you.
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