I miss blogging.
Sobrang dami kong gusto i-blog, pero mas madami akong utang na email.
Makakahabol din ako.

Here’s one I wrote months ago but never got around to posting.

I got a fax notice sometime ago informing me that I will be given an award for best in custom made wedding gowns. Seal of product excellence.

WOW!!! as in WOW!!!!

A few minutes later, the phone rang again, Niko took the call and told me with a smile that I will be given an award nga daw. Niko, delighted – excited as ever, told me that the lady wants to speak to me.

Yihee!! I felt pink, my lips twirled on the side and I can’t get rid of my smile.

I spoke to the lady on the phone. She told me that I topped the survey they conducted on custom made wedding gowns and I am the most popular. I got exceptional customer ratings, etc etc.

AND I need to pay 12K to get the award.

Huwaaaaaat!??! My smile vanished and I heard bubbles popping.

And if I dont pay the 12K?

“Then it means that you are not accepting the award and we will give the award to the 2nd best kasi marami pong nag-aabang kung hindi nyo tatanggapin eh tsaka pag di nyo ho tinanggap eh wala na ho kayong right i-claim na kayo ang number 1”

Huh?!? ano daw?!?!

And she went on explaining that the 12K is actually my share for the grand awards night, the marketing chuva that will happen after the awards night and the right to stamp my products with the seal of excellence, etc, etc. The 12K is called a subsidy fee. My share of the expense, in exchange for the right to claim my being number 1. She probably sensed my annoyance so she went on explaining that what is 12K compared to the big business this award will bring me.

Oh ok 🙂

Thank you. I’m flattered and grateful.

Courteously, I declined.

Count me out.
It’s not the 12K.
It’s the act of paying.
I’m not buying.

Deep sigh.

Back to work.