Suzuki opens Davao office

Suzuki Philippines, Inc. recently inaugurated its new satellite office in Davao City last November 23, 2011, in line with its motorcycle production expansion plans for 2012.

The new office located at Dacudao Avenue, Agdao, Davao City, is the first of its kind in Southern Philippines and it boasts of a bigger and better office space, showroom and warehouse. Dealers and customers alike will have better access to original Suzuki spare parts and Suzuki certified technicians to service their motorcycles.

According to Suzuki Philippines President Mr. Satoshi Uchida, the launch of their new satellite office has three key goals. According to Mr. Uchida, their foremost objective is to carry on their business in Davao and help bolster the economic growth of the city. Secondly, to help their local dealers and distributors. And lastly, to provide their clients with better customer service and at the same time organize local activities which will help build camaraderie and promote safe driving.

Gracing the event from the local government are Councilors Bernard Al-ag and Pilar Braga.

In her address, Councilor Pilar Braga welcomed the opening of the Suzuki satellite office noting that Davao City has a Traffic Management Code. She added that this code pertains a lot to the motorcycle riding public and hopes that it can be integrated to the Customer Service Program of Suzuki.

Ms. Catalina T. Calderon, the Managing Director and Treasurer of Suzuki Philippines also stated that Suzuki has a social responsibility not only to their customers but as well as to their business partners. She said that Suzuki aims to improve the way of life of their constituents, end users and to their dealers, “customers are the reason for our being”.

The Suzuki Satellite Shop also gives their clients a one stop shop for all their motorcycle needs. It is a full service shop that cater to customer's requirement on purchase of a Suzuki motorcycle and spare parts and availability of a service shop all in one convenient location.

At present, the annual sales of motorcycles in the country is at 120,000 units. However, this industry is growing at an intense rate as it has become the primary means of transportation due to the sky-rocketing oil prices and as well as the affordability of their units.

Where The Mighty Once Roamed

The days of might are now gone. The once proud Armed Forces are now reduced to a retreating band of intruders in the soil that was once consecrated by the blood of Filipino freedom fighters, who disregarded beliefs and religion to fight for a common cause. The once gallant squadron of Filipino F-5's that ruled the Philippine skies, that became the envy of our South East Asian neighbors, are now reduced to shambles, retired and are lost in obscurity. The once equipped Navy we have, has now turned into a fleet of floating antiquated vessels just waiting to be pounced and trounced at. They can't even give chase to a bandits powerful turbined watercraft. Sad is just but an understatement when we describe the state of our brave soldiers, air and seafarers are in.

A half century ago, the Philippines made its stand against the onslaught of the marauding Japanese. There the legend of the Philippine Scouts was born. The popular line in those days in Bataan were, “make way, make way, the Scouts are moving in”. And move in they went. They fortified and patched holes in the shattered lines. They crushed the enemy at the Points and Pockets.

A decade later, the Armed Forces once again made a name for the country. In the land torn by democracy and communism, in Korea they helped. The Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) made a huge impact in several engagements during that conflict. Although the Filipino contingent's numbers were not as substantial as those being sent by other countries, their heroic and gallant stand in the Battle of Hill Eerie and the battles that they have taken part of established a reputation as a tough and tenacious fighters in the hills of Korea.

As what former Pres. Elpidio Quirino said to the PEFTOK troops before their departure to Korea, “Poor as we are, this country is making a great sacrifice in sending you there, but every peso invested in you is a sound investment for the perpetuation of our liberty and freedom.” The fledgeling and upstart economy made a sacrifice so that others may live and to ensure the protection of our young democracy.

Fast forward to the present, now every peso invested in the Armed Forces is another peso or two for that greedy General. I shall always seem to see a vision of a crouchng foot soldier trying to evade enemy bullets coming out of nowhere. Those group of Marines trying to clean and fix their failing mortar that won't fire its shell. The group of soldiers trying to request for reinforcements but to no avail. They are the once who suffer from this debacle and not those who hide behind the safety of their desk.

Last Wednesday another catastrophe occurred. A malfunctioning OV 10 Bronco once again “crash landed” in Zamboanga. The latter is the PAF's lone plane that makes bomb runs against the insurgents. Together with the MG520 Scorpion, they form the backbone of our aerial strength. I bet that that crashed aircraft's parts will be salvaged to be used in other ailing Bronco's. I bet Generals fly first class!

On to our Naval capability. The new, or should I say refurbished American Hamilton class vessel, is our latest acquisition. Not bad, at least we have upgraded our fleet. But one can't replace the bulk of degenerating vessels the Navy has. Remember the incident wherein a Naval gunboat accidentally rammed an encroaching Chinese fishing vessel? We went back to the medieval times where battering rams were a force to be reckoned with.

The ill-equipped Filipino soldier is one tough fighting machine. Yet, their bones are not made of impregnable steel. Their will and morale only goes as far as where their leaders take them. Unfortuantely, their commanders need a review of Sun Tzu's Art of War. It's a cheap buy and easy to understand so to you Mr. General don't fret.

In war there is no substitute for victory and in war we have no room for mediocrity and greed. Scoundrels don't belong in the Armed Forces. They belong to a World War I battlefield, the place is called the no man's land. Let them die in the crossfire.

The Filipino soldier isn't to blame. They follow and make do with what is handed to them. A strong will and swift decision should be made. An iron hand or peaceful touch be as it may. Generals should stand-down so as to stand proud.

Tagum City Pill Pushers Celebrate First Year

Tagum City – The refurbished Davao del Norte Association of Detailmen and Salesmen (DNADS) celebrated their maiden year in a Halloween themed affair last Wednesday at Doc’s Cafe, Barangay Apokon.

The party entitled “Spooktacular Event” was organized to provide a venue for sales people to meet and greet their counterparts from other companies and at the same time to induct their current set of officers.

Representatives from the Pharmaceutical industry as well as those from Fast Moving Consumer Groups graced the momentous event paving the way for bridging the gap between competing companies.

According to a Rep who asked not to be named, Medical Representatives who are based in Tagum or those covering the said area are “great and a close knit bunch as compared to other reps in major cities who take their jobs too personally even to the point of being hostile against rival Reps”. He also added, “that Doctors and Medical Representatives have a smooth relationship with one another and the working environment is just fantastic and one of a kind”.

One Rep also noted that, “I feel homesick being away from my family most of the days. But I found great companions in these guys. Before, I used to just stay at home and feel sad after a hard days work. Now, I have someone to talk to and hang out with after a turbulent day of sales calls and dealing with my quota for the month”.

The induction of officers was led by outgoing DNADS President Cherry Akim. The new sets of officers are as follows, President: Cris Oliver Malimban, Vice President: Shaira Faye Berondo, Secretary: Jared Rick Tagra, Asst. Secretary: April Hannah Flores, Treasurer: Cherry Akim, Asst. Treasurer/s: Jerry dela Cruz/Jing Bonhoc, PRO: Marlene Rojas, Muse: Badet Falcunit, Prince Charming: Bryndell Gregorio.

Gracing the event from the medical community are Dr. Aryeel Llanos, who inducted the incoming officers, and his wife Dr. Cleofe Llanos. The two have been an integral part of the group since its resurgence last year acting as advisers and guide to these Drug Representatives.

The Sweet Serenade and the Ugly Truth

Flowers, chocolates and expensive jewelries, an offering to attain the objective. Fabulous dinner set ups, extravagant getaways and those gentlemanly acts, to sweep an individual off of her feet. These are things that men often do to become the right guy, or so you thought. The game that we often call courtship, may it be short or long in span, just gives a false impression. As what people say, first impressions always last. Place the best foot forward and hide the other, usually the one that reeks, away from view. That is, for the meantime. When all is said and done, and that so-called “yes” has been uttered her world would soon crumble. Reality sinks in and the real “him” starts to unravel to her dismay.

There are things in this world that are better cloaked than revealed. Intentions are one and other grotesque things follow suit. Preaching fabulous lines of wealth and advancement echoes through the walls and halls seeking to conceal the possible infractions. Today the whole material world is offered and soon it will crumble on top of you rampaging in the form of poisoned rivers, destroyed livelihood and displacement from your home.

The Tampakan Mining Project proposed by Xstrata/SMI, two mining conglomerates, sounds perfect. Promises of wealth and the uplifting of lives just sounds to good to be true. It may be authentic it may be sweet and it sounds just like that, to good to be true.

To quote the two British experts, Dr. Robert Goodland and Clive Montgomery Wicks, “the Tampakan Mine has a high potential for loss of life and it could also lead to high environmental damage”. According to the report that the latter filed, the proposed mining project lies in a “theoretically extinct Stratovolcano complex”. They added that “Stratovolcano’s are one of the most deadly as they are often filled with explosives and toxic gas capable of killing many people”.

It's also good to note that the Philippines lies on top of the infamous Pacific ring of fire. Fault lines are lying here and there and Tampakan is not excused from having a devastating quake. In fact it lies on top of a number of fault lines. Remember what happened in Christchurch a few months back? Buildings that were designed to withstand massive quakes were reduced to shambles. Now a quake of that magnitude would certainly puncture, or may even rupture the mine pit that holds those toxic substances. Willing to surf in a wave of harmful liquid? I don't think so.

The notorious Marinduque mine disaster in the 90's should serve as a reminder to what open pit mining can do to our environment. The result of that incident was the death of the Boac river, flash floods and the subsequent flooding of a number of barangays and the displacement of a number of individuals living within the vicinity. Let us note that their livelihood were and still are affected just because of that one swift act.

The Tampakan mine may provide livelihood to the residents of area. This is as far as there are still minerals to mine. The mine can only give us a good 20-30 years of produce. After those two big firms siphon out all they need from that site, where would the residents go? It is as if they would make millions mining in that area that they can use to provide for their families once the mining operation ceases.

In the event a disaster who will take responsibility and the blame? I bet these large firms will be gone by that time, off to the races and a cat and mouse game would soon ensue. Who wins? The roadrunner always wins against the ingenious coyote.

Gamblers win a pot then lose that same amount and much more. Venturing to this project places the two huge firms on the upper hand. At the end of the day and when all is said and done, when a disaster strikes those tears and howls of anger could not bring back the past. Only the memory of what was once a beautiful symphony would reverberate on the background.

Oh that wonderful serenade has struck its final note of devastation and plague.