ripples at Aberdeen

I can't remember from which news anchor this Friday night
that I heard "Happy Weekend." I already blogged about its
significance for me. When I heard the expression last night, I
pondered whether or not it is still a harbinger of work during the
weekend. It still is :(

My boss called me at 9am this Saturday to alert me of the
bad news and I worked until 2pm.

As I was busy, my mother acted as my secretary :) I was
supposed to meet with my new doctor this Saturday and then attend a
meeting with the developer (Redevco) of the house I bought in
Mediterranean Heights in Rodriguez (formerly known as Montalban),
Rizal.

My mother had to call the hospital to check if my doctor
informed the coordinator whether or not he (my doctor) would hold
consultation because I didn't get a reply when I texted him at 8am.
He told me last Monday to text him if I were available this Saturday.
He is the second doctor I consulted about the torn ligament in my left
knee.

He impressed me a lot last Monday. He didn't concentrate on
my knee alone; like the first orthopedic surgeon I went to, but also
checked the swelling my left foot and gave medication for my back
pain. He also asked me to have it x-rayed to see its pathology,
whatever it means :) He said that he had to make sure that the pain
in my lower back is not related to my knee or my foot. He also
recommended operation for my left knee but not until after my lower
back has been ruled out. He changed my former doctor's prescription
for the pain and swelling (diclofenac) to include vitamin Bs. He also
prescribed a cream and relaxant (tizanidine) for my back. I
immediately felt better the following day. My back feels almost
normal. My knee also feels normal, except for suddenly giving in
again at around 8pm this Saturday while I was looking for some shoes
at SM Sta. Mesa with my mother and niece, Joy.

The relaxant is quite strong, though. The first night that
I took one, I became drowsy in less than 30 minutes…like how I feel
now and it's not even ten minutes since I took it :)

I had a running text with my doctor after 12nn, when he said
that he finally saw my text and that he was still in Sucat but we
could meet later. Unfortunately, I didn't and couldn't go to our
health-card coordinator earlier and I also have another appointment.
Unlike other doctors nowadays, my new doctor advises even in text
messages.

My mother had to call the developer, too, for the purpose of
the meeting this Saturday at the Penthouse of Aberdeen Court Hotel in
Quezon City. I was really irritated when one of the marketing staff
insisted on talking to me when I was busy working. So I have another
reason to confess, as I really scolded her. My mother told me only
this evening what she was told and it was just as well or I might have
been harsher with the staff. Some people think that that they can
fool other people. I might easily be fooled but not with regards to
housing now. I've had lots of practice with Violago, from which we
bought our first property, but which hasn't been turned over to
PAG-IBIG housing.

Anyway, after I finished work and had a late lunch (which is
normal), I talked to another marketing staff and she explained a lot
like why my housing loan was approved by PAG-IBIG even if the house
wasn't built yet. As I told her, it wasn't proper. To get some more
answers, I decided that my mother and I attend the meeting even if we
were already very late.

We got there by around 430pm and I heard all other owners'
complaints. I seem to have the least problem :) That is only because
I haven't moved in yet or because I am paying rent. I don't know how
many lot owners aired their complaints but we heard a lot. I didn't
like the usual answer by the leader of the Project Management Group
that some of the issues raised were not his group's concern or that he
couldn't answer for other departments. They proposed another meeting.
Hello?!! If the other leaders were not there, what's the use of
cellphone?! At one time, the president of Redevco called the
cellphone of the PMG head so that he can relay that the developer will
pay for the amortization of the house and lots already taken out by
PAG-IBIG. He didn't ask the president to answer other questions and
he announced that all other queries may be raised to marketing and the
next meeting. As he already concluded the meeting, I approached a
marketing staff to give her my suggestion and the marketing head gave
me the microphone instead.

So I told everyone that I don't know whether the other lot
owners would agree with me but I suggested that the developer write
each and every lot owner an explanation as to the delay in
construction and other concerns, the measures they are doing to
address these and their commitments to lot owners like paying the
amortization for the meantime. I told everyone that we are all busy
and my schedule for one is quite erratic to be attending meetings. As
the lot owners don't have an association yet, I told them that they
cannot expect us to file one complaint. I told the developer's people
that they should summarize our complaints based on the meeting, write
their responses, which is pro-forma, sort of FAQ, and send to all.
Now, if we still have queries, they can attend to them individually.
I told them that their public relations should be more pro-active.

At one point, while I was talking, the PMG head talked to
the marketing head and I told him, on the mic, of course, "Listen to
me, please." I was quite a sharp tongue or mataray :)

After my "suggestion", so many people clapped. Take note, I
was the only speaker there who got an applause :) It was spontaneous
and the first time in my adult-life, amidst about 200 strangers, that
it happened to me :) I guess that it was also my most eloquent public
speaking (no podium or barrier between me as the speaker and the
audience). Friends know that I hate speaking in public but I had to
say my piece and stand up for my right.

I guess that at this point, I made a good attempt at one my
life's dreams -- to make a difference, to create a ripple if not
waves.

My mother said that the first to applaud me was my seatmate
from Phase 1, and Sara who I met there only. An old woman by the name
of Rita Lopez also approached me and said that her son Ramil bought a
unit in Blk 7 (Lot 12) but that he's currently in Davao. I wonder if
he's married :) His mother seems to really like me :) She's already
planning to visit me and she said that she will not forget my lot
number as it's her birthday :) Other people talked to me, too. To
cap this, I was the fourth lot owner to get a 14" colored TV. Lot
owners were given TVs as a bribe...ooops, peace offering. But only 50
TVs were delivered that day so the rest of the owners would collect
theirs some other time.

At the lobby of Aberdeen Court, another lot owner
volunteered to carry the TV for me as we waited for a taxi. He also
heard me speak (who didn't?) and introduced himself as Erwin from
Phase 1. I wonder if he's single :)

sayong
04-20-09 2:10am