PIANDRE SALON

This is something worth sharing with everyone.

Before anything else, let me just make it clear that this is not an advertisement for Piandre Salon, nor am I being paid to write this. This is just my way of giving credit where credit is due.

I have been a regular client of Piandre (Greenbelt branch) for almost 10 years or more, if my memory serves me right.

You must be wondering why I've patronized them all these years.

It is because this is a place where I can relax and feel so much at home. Also, exchanging banters with the staff gives me an assurance that I am in the company of people whom I regard as friends, or even family for that matter. The staff are all so courteous and accommodating, the service is par excellence, and the stylists who attend regular training sessions abroad belong to the creme of the crop in their field. They have regular promos for their valued clients as well, not to mention tokens of appreciation during the holiday season.

My monthly visits to Piandre is something I really look forward to.

Although it might be a little pricey compared with others in the same line of business, you'll never get the feeling of being shortchanged because with the kind of service they offer, perks included, for sure you'll get your money's worth.

Annual recollection (or is it quarterly) and other religious activities are among the many benefits provided for their employees. Aside from giving them the opportunity to bond with one another, it also instills in them and enhances their spiritual values.

When the country was devastated by Typhoon Ondoy, they even offered free lodging for their employees who lost their homes as a result of the tragedy. In addition they also sponsor mass weddings for their staff.

However, what I find truly exceptional and noteworthy is their being very spiritual. Every 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, everything is at a standstill as everybody stops what they're doing and prays along with a leader who recites the 3:00 o'clock prayer. It is the only business establishment I know who practices this habit. If only for this reason, I'll keep coming back to Piandre.

It is not any wonder then why the owners (Zulueta family) are so blessed. It is because the services they offer are all for the glory of God.

To the owners, management, and most especially to the Greenbelt staff, thank you so much for making me a part of the Piandre family.

Kudos to everyone and praying for your continued success. May you always be showered with God's blessings.

A LITTLE RESPECT PLEASE

Christmas is just a few days away. Most people look forward to this occassion as a day of merrymaking, reunions, festive meals, etc. They seem to forget the real essence of Christmas which is the birth of Baby Jesus.

I also find it truly disgusting whenever I hear people say Xmas instead of Christmas. Why substitute Christ with X? To me this is a sign of total disrespect. X is not and will never be tantamount to Christ.

Another thing I find disrespectful is when I see young women going to church to attend mass wearing skimpy shorts, sandos, spaghetti straps, etc. and receiving Holy Communion at that. I wonder where their sense of decency lies. It seems that they are not aware of the type of clothing that can be considered modest and appropriate to be worn in church. Either that or they simply couldnt't care less.

When I was a little girl I remember seeing women go to church wearing veils. To me that was a gesture of utmost respect. Also receiving holy communion in sleeveless dresses or blouses was taboo.

But times have changed and Vatican became more lenient and gave way to modern practices such as discarding of veils inside the church. While we do conform with changes being a part of life, still we should not discount the fact that we have to wear something decent everytime we go to church, much more when we attend mass.

There is nothing wrong in keeping up with the times but it should be done in the proper perspective, especially when you are in the house of God.

NO RETIREMENT PAY, NO PENSION...............

I am deeply saddened every time I remember the plight of members of the clergy.

These men of the cloak had chosen this vocation because of their desire to serve God above everything else. Although fully aware of the hardship they would encounter and the sacrifices that this job entails, they chose to do it anyway.

We must however remember that priests go through retirement too. But unlike most retirees, they neither have a retirement pay to speak of, or pension to sustain them for a lifetime.

Since they do not have families of their own, where do they go from here? They are lucky if they get to live in retirement homes for priests. But others have nowhere to go.

These retirement homes however lack the necessary funds to sustain taking care of these members of the clergy who are in their twilight years. They were established and are being managed by the private sector who rely merely on donations from kind hearted souls. As such they cannot provide for their basic needs such as food, clothing, medicine, etc. We must remember that the residents here are all senior citizens and being such are prone to all kinds of illnesses.

I am blessed because this Christmas and Christmas of 2009, I was able to do my share no matter how small in putting a smile on the faces of our retired bishops and priests.

Ever year I ask Mama Mary and Jesus to lead me to those who are in dire need of help and they always answer my prayer.

In 2009, after several months of trying to find people who need help, financial or otherwise, Mama Mary's message came to me on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Truly this is not a matter of coincidence. During mass in our parish, it was announced that they have a fund raising project for retired bishops and priests and they were looking for kind hearted souls who are interested to help. So I signed up and was able to donate medicine, adult milk, etc. It brought so much joy to me.

About two weeks ago, I was asking Mama Mary what Christmas gift I could give her and Jesus. I reminded her that I get a sense of fulfillment only when I am able to help others. I asked her to lead me once again to those who need help the most. While attending mass last Dec.8, to my delectation the priest announced that they were reviving the Munting Handog Program for retired bishops and priests. (This was not implemented last year for reasons I am not aware of.) I was thrilled because this was the sign from Mama Mary that I had been waiting for all along. And for the second time it transpired on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

I am overjoyed because once again I was used as an instrument to be of help to others.

I just wish I had more resources so I could give more. But then again, God does not take into account how big or small we spend to help others. It is the deed or the intention that matters after all.

I will be having a Merry Christmas again this year for truly it is in sharing our blessings with the less fortunate that give meaning to our lives.