Pagadian City and Hotel Alindahaw in my mind!
PAGADIAN is back on its feet again, a year after a large scale swindling called Ponzi scheme by Malaysian national Manuel Amalilio hit virtually every money-greed souls in the city.
The local economy seems to pick up again and the multi-billion swindling had been forgotten now, at least for the time being.
I am just wondering about the progress of the criminal case filed against Amalilio, who is now languishing in jail in Malaysia on accusations he used falsified travel documents and completely not because of his Ponzi scheme in Pagadian and other parts of Mindanao.
Let’s keep a tab on this case.
I was in Pagadian with another editor just recently and checked in at my favorite hotel – Alindahaw – right in the heart of the city. I really enjoy the good services of attendants and food servers at the Hotel Alindahaw. Food is really great and delicious and the pricing is just right for a middle-class hotel and ranges between P180 for a complete meal or between P220 and P400 for other dishes.
But sad to say, I felt cheated by the Front Desk and was forced to shell out P150 for a breakfast, although it was supposed to be free. The waiter at the restaurant – Mike – told me that I have to pay my breakfast because it was past 10 in the morning and that free breakfast is up to 10 a.m. only.
And I said, well, this is still free breakfast because it’s included in my hotel bill – Deluxe Room – around P1,400 a night (on credit card) and P1,250 for cash payment. The waiter just smiled.
And when I got the bill from the Front Desk, receptionist Jenny, insisted to collect P150 for the breakfast because it was already past 10 a.m. I told her that none of the Front Desk receptionists or the food attendants said that “free breakfast” is up to 10 a.m. only.
Jenny pointed on a sign on the Front Desk, but it was the hotel’s rate card and nothing about what time a guest would have to wake up in the morning to enjoy the free breakfast that goes with the bill. And she herself was, for a while, silent and totally in defensive mode, and I demanded to speak to the hotel manager or the food and beverage manager, but Jenny said the hotel has no food manager and that the hotel manager was not available.
She then washes her hands and blamed the poor waiter, Mike, saying the food attendant will have to pay for the breakfast if I don’t pay! Out of pity to the waiter, I paid the breakfast bill. And I blame the Front Desk for all these trouble I had in the hotel. There was not even a single sign in the room that says “free breakfast” is up to 10 a.m. only and no signs either at the Front Desk. It was really a sad experience since I am a regular customer at the Hotel Alindahaw and the experience has surely left a bitter taste in the mouth!
Well, I hope this goes to the attention of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles, who owns the Hotel Alindahaw.
Thievery
Too bad also that we lost one of our ‘magnetic’ press sign from a thief while our car was parked in downtown Pagadian. Our driver was not even aware that he had one press sign missing until he returned to the hotel and I told him that it was gone. It was placed on the driver’s door.
Thieves roam Pagadian and even tarpaulin signs, according to our man in the city, are also being stolen by thieves and use them as matting in their house or as wall cover.
Gee! Pagadian is becoming like a paradise for thieves. Let’s see how the local police would act on this problem. Take care people and stay vigilant! (aljacinto@gmail.com)
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