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This is Davao, Sir!
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3:27:00 PM
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tabije: This is Davao, Sir!
By Ismael D. Tabije
Monday Notions
A FEW years ago when I was still stationed as UN Consultant in Timor Leste (formerly East Timor), I came home for a vacation. The air route I took was Dili (Timor-Leste)-Bali (Indonesia)-Singapore-Davao.
I arrived in Singapore about noon time but had to stay overnight there to wait for my connecting flight to Davao the following day. After lunch, I went to a department store to pass the time.
As I was walking around, I stopped to marvel at a store displaying very beautifully tailored suits. The Singaporean haberdasher approached me and engaged in sales talk. I told him that it is not possible for me to have a suit ordered as I was leaving the following morning.
His answer shocked me, "Don't worry, sir, we can finish your suit tonight. We'll deliver it to your hotel at 8 p.m." That was then 2 p.m.
"Are you sure?" was my incredulous reply. I knew for a fact that a suit ordered in the Philippines takes two weeks, at least.
"Don't worry, sir, this is Singapore. We do what we say. And, if by any chance we can't finish it before you depart, we will send it by air freight to anywhere in the world, free of charge."
That "boastful" claim really piqued my curiosity. I was forced to take up his offer even if it was a bit pricey. "Tingnan nga natin ang yabang mo," I murmured.
I chose the cloth to be used and ordered a coat, two pants and one long sleeved shirt. At 2:30 p.m., we were done with my measurements.
At 8 p.m., I got a call in my hotel room apologizing for some delays. They promised to be done by 10 p.m. I started to doubt. 10 p.m. came and still no delivery. More doubts. Then at 10:10 p.m. it arrived.
Still doubtful, I checked the suit thoroughly just in case they delivered a previously-sewn suit. When I confirmed that it was exactly the textiles I chose and the fit was perfect I was absolutely bowled over by the fact that they did a complete suit with an extra pair of pants in just 10 hours!
Now, why am I telling you this story? Because I love the haberdasher's catch phrase, "This is Singapore, sir." It shows a lot of nationalistic pride borne out of confidence that they can do what they promise. It explains succinctly why Singapore has progressed tremendously.
I think the City Government and the concerned national agencies, e.g., Department of Tourism (DOT), can start a campaign with a slogan, "This is Davao, sir!" The objective is to make the Dabawenyos prouder of their place and work harder to improve its image.
Let me drive home the point a bit further via a true story.
A few years ago, a friend from Manila narrated a story to our group. She said she took a taxi from her hotel to our office. The taximeter showed P56. When she gave P60, he was totally surprised that the driver promptly gave him a change of P4. Never in Manila. "This is Davao, Sir."
Suddenly, one of those in the group, also from Manila, shared that his experience is even more "unbelievable". He took a taxi and the meter showed P84. When he gave P100, the driver apologized that he had no change and requested for an exact fare. My friend told the driver that his loose change is only P80. The driver said it's okay, took the P80, and cheerily drove away.
"Pambihira, ako pa ang nabigyan ng tip," was my friend's comment, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is Davao, Sir!"
The campaign can be expanded to trumpet the relative peace and order condition of Davao that allows the people to roam the streets even at night, the people's friendliness, the cleaner air, the lesser traffic, the convenient access to world-class beach and mountain resorts and more.
"This is Davao, Sir!"
Tabije: This is Davao, Sir!
By Ismael D. Tabije
Monday Notions
A FEW years ago when I was still stationed as UN Consultant in Timor Leste (formerly East Timor), I came home for a vacation. The air route I took was Dili (Timor-Leste)-Bali (Indonesia)-Singapore-Davao.
I arrived in Singapore about noon time but had to stay overnight there to wait for my connecting flight to Davao the following day. After lunch, I went to a department store to pass the time.
As I was walking around, I stopped to marvel at a store displaying very beautifully tailored suits. The Singaporean haberdasher approached me and engaged in sales talk. I told him that it is not possible for me to have a suit ordered as I was leaving the following morning.
His answer shocked me, "Don't worry, sir, we can finish your suit tonight. We'll deliver it to your hotel at 8 p.m." That was then 2 p.m.
"Are you sure?" was my incredulous reply. I knew for a fact that a suit ordered in the Philippines takes two weeks, at least.
"Don't worry, sir, this is Singapore. We do what we say. And, if by any chance we can't finish it before you depart, we will send it by air freight to anywhere in the world, free of charge."
That "boastful" claim really piqued my curiosity. I was forced to take up his offer even if it was a bit pricey. "Tingnan nga natin ang yabang mo," I murmured.
I chose the cloth to be used and ordered a coat, two pants and one long sleeved shirt. At 2:30 p.m., we were done with my measurements.
At 8 p.m., I got a call in my hotel room apologizing for some delays. They promised to be done by 10 p.m. I started to doubt. 10 p.m. came and still no delivery. More doubts. Then at 10:10 p.m. it arrived.
Still doubtful, I checked the suit thoroughly just in case they delivered a previously-sewn suit. When I confirmed that it was exactly the textiles I chose and the fit was perfect I was absolutely bowled over by the fact that they did a complete suit with an extra pair of pants in just 10 hours!
Now, why am I telling you this story? Because I love the haberdasher's catch phrase, "This is Singapore, sir." It shows a lot of nationalistic pride borne out of confidence that they can do what they promise. It explains succinctly why Singapore has progressed tremendously.
I think the City Government and the concerned national agencies, e.g., Department of Tourism (DOT), can start a campaign with a slogan, "This is Davao, sir!" The objective is to make the Dabawenyos prouder of their place and work harder to improve its image.
Let me drive home the point a bit further via a true story.
A few years ago, a friend from Manila narrated a story to our group. She said she took a taxi from her hotel to our office. The taximeter showed P56. When she gave P60, he was totally surprised that the driver promptly gave him a change of P4. Never in Manila. "This is Davao, Sir."
Suddenly, one of those in the group, also from Manila, shared that his experience is even more "unbelievable". He took a taxi and the meter showed P84. When he gave P100, the driver apologized that he had no change and requested for an exact fare. My friend told the driver that his loose change is only P80. The driver said it's okay, took the P80, and cheerily drove away.
"Pambihira, ako pa ang nabigyan ng tip," was my friend's comment, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is Davao, Sir!"
The campaign can be expanded to trumpet the relative peace and order condition of Davao that allows the people to roam the streets even at night, the people's friendliness, the cleaner air, the lesser traffic, the convenient access to world-class beach and mountain resorts and more.
"This is Davao, Sir!"
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