The venue was set at BlueJaz Resort, which could be reached by boat from Beachside Resort in Sasa, Davao City. Knowing that I was running late for the event, I was unmindful of the group of young men who was obviously out for some recreation in the same venue.
They were noisy, taking pictures along the dock on the way to the waiting boat. I walked behind since I had no choice; they were obviously taking their time.
Upon reaching the end of the dock, it turned out that some of their companions were already there, three of who were female.
Somebody from the group then shouted, "Si (name) may dalang baon." The entire group laughed. I did not mind them, since I was thinking of the event ahead.
The guy the group was heckling did not catch what his friends were saying. But eventually he did and turned around to look at me.
Obviously, the group was making fun of me, as the "baon" of their friend. This only sank in as I was about to take a seat at the boat and all eyes were on me. Nobody even moved an inch to offer a seat. Everybody was occupying the entire seats on the boat.
I found some space at the back. And humiliated, I sank into it thankfully. You could not fight a bunch of rowdy college students, I thought.
Now feeling irked, upon reaching the resort, I pushed my way ahead of the group, as I struggled to join the host who invited me.
Two females were blocking the way, strutting their hips and oblivious to others who wanted to pass. I tapped them and said, "Excuse me, miss." This raised their eyebrows even more. And I heard more haughty remarks.
But true to the nature of my work, I asked and found out, much to my dismay that they were not students. The group was composed of employees from Unilever Philippines.
I did some more sleuthing and called their office at the Merco Compound on Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City. Greater dismay awaited me when I learned that among the group was also the boss. A boss of a multinational company has allowed his staff to act like a bunch of drunk college students who humiliated a fellow passenger in a boat.
Ana Felicia Dulay /Copy Editor/Sun.Star Davao
(Note: This letter was also sent to the HRD head of the company in Paco, Manila.)
