Tulabut: Cool Clark

Saturday, September 10, 2011

GOING in and around Clark means fun to me. Has it not been so, I would have left the area and had gone to either work or live somewhere else.

But Clark and the local environs is home for me. The environment is really clean especially inside the Freeport where its verdant fields and tree-lines streets really serve as attractions.

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What makes Clark more “cooler” is that every so often, you get to meet warm people, visit new places and joints. Here are samples of what makes this place really alive.

SMART STORE. Wireless giant Smart Communications have given their wireless centers a new stylish look. Now plainly called “Smart Store”, the one at SM Clark really looked neat, with really attractive decals, counters and displays.

No less than Smart President Nap Nazareno was the guest of honor during the re-launching of the redesigned joint. He was joined by top executives of the nation’s leading telecommunications company whose big boss Manny V. Pangilinan is a Cabalen from Apalit town. The VIP guests included Orlando Vea, the telco’s chief wireless advisor, Angeles City First Lady Miniang Pamintuan, our good friend Wo Rosete who was cheered at loudly by media colleagues when he was introduced (to Mr. Nazareno’s delight) and many others.

Not to be left behind are the store’s courteous staff headed by manager Lolita Cardona who relates to media well with her smiles and good pr.

With this renovation, I have noted that the other telco firms at SM Clark are pushing their own facelifts. One of which has already begun another renovation when it just opened its doors to its new look and design not too long ago.

LOHAS SPA. This facility at the Lohas Hotel inside Clark is really superb in features and service. And prices for massage sessions and other relaxation offers are priced reasonably.

Located near CDC offices (that is Aguinaldo Street, on the way to Redwood Villas), Lohas New Well Being Spa offers “Jjimjilbang” or Korean-style sauna, Swedish, Shiatsu, Aromatheraphy and foot massages.

While most of its habitués are Korean expats, both the hotel and spa are open to walk-in locals and other foreign nationals. The staff are real friendly too and they just make the experience of relaxation and wellness really complete.

CITIZENS CHARTER. My good friend June Magbalot who serves as chief of staff of Mayor Marino Morales is happy as the local government unit of Mabalacat has completed a “codified procedure” for the benefit of the town’s residents and clientele.

The Citizens’ Charter was framed in four days by Mabalacat officials and employees, with June as the maestro. As I have browsed through the 80-plus pages of the book, I would say that Mabalacat LGU has performed like a symphony orchestra during those four grueling days. Knowing June from high school days, he could have thrown his baton to anyone who was played his instrument off key.

The Citizens Charter, just like Beethoven’s 9th symphony, will be pleasing to everyone’s ears. It will guide people better in availing of services like obtaining documents (residence certificates, business permits, tax declarations, etc) and with certain and guaranteed time frames. It means that people availing of such would no longer have to wait that long as the charter comes with a time and motion commitments.

This piece of document is also in adherence to the provisions of the anti-red tape act of 2007 (or ARTA, Republic Act 9485).

Congratulations Mayor Boking. This document would show how Mabalacat tries to elevate standards to make taxpayers money really worth it. With June always at the helm, you could never go wrong.

By the way, I also want to congratulate Mabalacat for bagging the first prize in the region-wide dance-exercise contest in celebration of the Civil Service Commission’s 11th anniversary. Mabalacat won the top plum as it competed against several groups from various government agencies and LGUs in the so-called “Ehersisayaw”.

Again, this another round of achievement was made through the efforts of June Magbalot who is indeed a culturati and a gemologist, discovering talents and making them shine in local and national fronts.

NEW FACE IN CDC. I would like to welcome Cherrie Villanueva-Anderson, the new Senior Executive Assistant of CDC President Felipe Remollo. Don’t be deceived now as the word “senior” there does not in any way give justice to this very young London-schooled lawyer (I would decline stating her age but she is definitely not yet in her 30s, far from it).

Cherrie left a high paying job in England just so she could render some public service work for her country. Even as CDC employees are paid well, what she would be getting there is a pittance compared to what she used to get. No folks, she has not revealed to me her salary in queen’s land but to meet someone who has studied at London School of Economics (along with her impressive credentials) would tell me right away that she is making a big sacrifice here in moving to Clark.

This charming and pretty lady is not all work though. She has play too with her talent as a singer just gave us Pinoys another source of pride too. She comes to Clark fresh from a performance in Madrid where she sang for Pope Benedict during the World Youth Day there.

Her composition (she writes song too, isn’t that a monopoly of blessings now? Hehe) “Faith In You” was chosen to be the theme song of the Madrid event among hundreds of entries. Another song “Heart’s Cry” was picked as the anthem for the Pope’s State Visit in England recently.

Isn’t that a prized find there by Mr. Remollo?