SM Mall Wifi Meet Disaster

I forgot to write about my participation in the SM Marikina Bloggers Wifi Testing Meet last February but here are some of my observations. First is that the event or its non-event was handled i would say with mediocrity. At first, I thought since there is a list of invited bloggers, the organizers will have at least a sandwich allocated for those in the list, but when i got there 20 minutes into the affair, the food and drinks are all gone. Well, I thought what the heck I did not go there for the food so i stayed around somewhat pissed.

I checked out their wifi, which I actually have been doing so for the past months already in the comforts of the nearby Starbucks to do some blogging. I noticed that the free Globe wifi is now restricted to Starbucks clients who should purchase something and ask for the access passcode with the counter staff. So I checked out the other wifi available, there are so many of them actually, but all are for private use by their respective establishments. The only wifi available for free is the so-called SM HappyZone, and at first I was happy with the connection but minutes into the browsing and stuff, it turned into a slow pace, I guess brought about by the throng of bloggers all eagerly waiting for the raffle for the Asus Eeepc later that day. No one are assisting the bloggers they have invited.

Someone went home with the Asus Eeepc alright and lucky her, turns out to be her birthday as well that day. Then the organizers just left all the bloggers after the raffle. It was a shame in the PR department, really. First time I encountered such a PR nightmare and discourtesy from the SM Marketing people, make that from any PR and Marketing Department. And I was not the last to be dissapointed. Established bloggers (make that, sikat na bloggers) are all up in arms too with what happened at the SM Marikina bloggers meet, just check out the various reactions on this particular meet.


Since the PR department has the temerity to provide us an email address for feedback on what transpired that day, I did as told, and up to now, the very same PR and Marketing Department has not responded at all to my email. How professional.

And with that, to this day, I am still impressed at the Smart marketing people for how they handle bloggers. They treat us with respect and courtesy.

Unethical Starbucks Staff

Came across the unethical counter staff of Starbucks. I know this is not a big deal really but it is to me. This is my first brush of rudeness in a seemingly cool place like Starbucks. What happened does not really concern me in a way. It happened to other customers who were not seated near the counter staff. It was within my own full view and earshot, the counter staff would make face, make side comments or make derogatory statements of a customer after they had ordered and had chosen a seat where the customer will not hear or see their reactions. How unprofessional of these staff to think that they had seem to be better educated than your regular fastfood or convenience store attendant. Wala lang. Just ranting. I was really disgusted by these useless chatter and actions. I expected it pa from say Jollibee but not from Starbucks.