Valentines Schmalentines

I called our florist to order several floral arrangements today for various reasons and because we are regular customers, our florist friend adviced us not to get roses because the price had already gone up. Go figure. I was left with carnations instead but even those prices will go up for two days (on Feb. 13 and 14). Can you imagine how much florists make this time of the year? Their margins increase by at least 200-300% for this day alone.

The Valentine's Day business is very lucrative indeed. The "romantic" day for love has in fact turned into a ruckus and a moneymaking opportunity for establishments to take advantage of. It is almost impossible to go out to a restaurant on Valentines Day, as if it were some ordinary day. First of all, most restaurants will not seat you until you can commit to sit at 6pm or 8:30 pm, which are both pretty odd times to have dinner, 6pm being too early, and which really is closer to merienda and 8:30 pm being a tad bit late. But this seems to work, as many restaurants have declared themselves to be fully booked. Not to be forgotten is the fact that you will also have very limited choices as to the food you will have to eat for the night, since many of these restaurants have set menus for the night itself. Shall I even include hotels that offer Valentines packages for the night or weekend, as if their very package alone can incite romantic and you-know-what feelings from the couple...

Let us not forget the single hearted. I mean, what more painful way to remind them of their singlehood than this holiday that seems exclusive for couples only? If we would have this, then we should also have a day to celebrate the single life, right?

Last Valentines, I received a lovely bouquet (which came with a teddy bear) from the BF on the morning itself. I knew it cost him an arm and a leg but I really really appreciated the gesture (what girl doesn't like flowers anyway?) . That night, we went for the second seating at Chateau where I felt as if we were in a venue for speed dating. To the left of our table, barely one foot away, there was a couple who obviously just got together, and even if I truly tried not to listen, I could hear them talk about their friends who were seated at another table maybe four feet away (perhaps they heard it too). To the right of my table, I again tried not to listen to the yuppie lovebirds talk about their office and what they did that day. Thank God no one talked about what they were going to do for the remainder of the night or I may have puked out my sea bass and ruined the BF's crisp white polo shirt. After that night, I told myself that next year would be different.

So this year, I told the BF to not give me flowers, and plans have not been made as to where we will be celebrating, if we are even going to. But I have a fabulous date planned for Saturday (two days after Valentines), and that excites me more than the 14th itself.

Who said you can only be romantic on Valentines anyway?

Remembering

As an employer, there is a sense of responsibility that I feel toward those who work for me. I work within an industry that deals with loans and collections at the doorsteps of the poor communities. With that task at hand, danger is almost apparent. This afternoon, an employee of mine was killed in the line of duty. His killer was shot dead by the police eventually, but the damage was done.. He was a model employee, younger than me. Tomorrow, I'm off to the province to show support and do "damage control". It is very hard.. I can only imagine how hard it is for his family who have yet to find out (they are from another province). I wrote a memo to all our employees, which goes like this:

At the time of this writing, you would have all heard about the tragic and unfortunate death of our colleague, Mr. Ronel Abadiano, which occurred yesterday at 4:30 p.m. He was a victim of a senseless assault which occurred when he was on his way to fulfilling his sit down obligation for the day. He was stabbed several times in various parts of his body and died minutes after arriving in the Provincial Hospital.


For the information of those who do not know him, Mr. Abadiano has been employed with us for the past three years. He was practically a fresh college graduate when he was hired and immediately was singled out as a promising LEAP (Livelihood Enhancement and Promotions) Agent because of how he was able to manage his clients, his books and the endless struggle with delinquency. He was compassionate to his clients yet at the same time was firm in the way he handled his clients’ accounts. He was also very hardworking in his role as LEAP Agent. He was a model employee who would even serve as a mentor and trainer to new recruits and a trustworthy and dependable right hand of his immediate superiors. He was recently promoted as Team Leader for Recording and Bookkeeping and had he lived on, would have surely risen further in rank.


One thing that I noticed about Ronel was the strength of his fighting spirit. He always was one who fought with his superiors with issues and values which he stood for. He was a man with principles- a man with dignity. Unfortunately, it was perhaps his fighting spirit that got him killed. He sustained the wounds because he simply kept fighting back, not allowing the killer to take what was his. He died with courage and dignity, and I believe it is best to remember Ronel in that manner.


As we grieve the loss of Ronel, let us remember and honor him for his valuable contributions to the Company. He was more than an ordinary LEAP Agent. He showed utmost dedication in our cause of serving the poor communities and was a loyal employee until the end. In this regard, I would like to ask for your continued prayers and support for him, his family and loved ones.


Rest In Peace.