HALLOWEEN is already becoming such a big business here in the country. Look at how the malls in and around the Metro have been decorated. Go to any toy store or kids shop, and the first thing that you will see are those spooky costumes that carry a hefty price tag, which most parents would find hard to swallow.
In some offices, there are now regularly scheduled trick-or-treat days during the last week of October, when employees can bring their kiddies to enjoy a whole day filled with fun activities that is coupled with the usual bags of candies and chocolates.
Now, that is as far as the kiddies goes, which to me is really good, as it develops their creativity and builds self-confidence. But for the employees, I am sure there are a lot out there that have almost daily real life Halloween experiences with some of their bosses.
Raise your hands if you are dealing with a boss who believes that he is always right and others are always wrong. How about a boss that makes subtle remarks about your work, which in reality are, actually slaps in your face? Oh, and those made-for-television bosses who shout at everyone at the top of their lungs and always fume at the slightest instance.
I guess for those employees, the thought of pulling a Jayson Voorhees on their bosses has entered their mind at least once.
But then again, that would be stooping to their level, which really is not good.
Scary stories?
GOING back to Halloween, I approached American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Arangkada Philippines Project Senior Adviser and Legislative Committee Chairman John Forbes—if you are counting, his name and designation alone have 123 characters—to ask him the scariest story he was ever told as a child.
Well, no such luck for me. I never even got to second base. He had this charming smile when I approached him and told him about my intentions to get some inputs from him for this column.
Forbes told me that he does not personally want to seek attention for himself, and that the things he would gladly talk about are the projects and advocacies that he is involved with.
With a tap on my shoulder and a few laughs between us, he then went his way to presumably another meeting he was be attending. This is one person who is really all arangkada, literally and figuratively, in the way he conducts himself.
Having no success with Forbes, I then approached European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Vice President for External Affairs Henry Schumacher. If ever there is one person in the business community that I hold in very high regard, it would be him.
The ECCP would not be what it is today without him. His imprint is all over the place in terms of two-way trade and investments between Europe and the Philippines. His inputs are sought by both the government and the business sector.
And most of all, even if he was from Germany, he is probably more Filipino than most of us.
Schumacher gladly accommodated my request and took a few minutes of his time. But when I asked him the question on the scariest story he was told as a child, there was a moment of silence.
He may have scratched his head a bit during that time. After the pause, he told me that he would have to get back to me on the question. I did not push it any further. He already had a long day at that time.
Port congestion, trucking issue
I GUESS at this time, the really scary stories for both of them, along with all investors and business establishments in the country, is the port congestion and trucking issue. It is something I agree with and which, like they said, would get worse as we approach Christmas.
Aside from the port congestion and trucking issue, we all know that investors are usually concerned with bureaucracy, integrity issues, and, of course, the high cost of electricity in the country.
Anyway, without any American or German scary child stories to tell, I thought I would just ask myself the very same question.
A child’s tale
AS a child, my parents usually told me that, if I did not behave properly, they would give me to the Indian who regularly passed by our street.
If I remembered correctly, the story goes that this Indian with turban, deep-set eyes, beard, and umbrella usually have children for dinner.
Nope, the kiddies were not dinner guests of this Indian. They were the centerpiece for his dinner. Yikes.
Of course, now I know the story is farthest from the truth, and that with the Indian nationals I have met, I could honestly say that they are some of the nicest and helpful people around.
Now, if you really want to be scared this Halloween, I suggest you watch the movie The Ring. Get the original Japanese version and not the crappy Hollywood adaptation. Even if you cannot understand a single word in the movie, it will scare you to death.
Coming from Hollywood, the two movies on top of my head that I believe can really spook you are Nicole Kidman’s The Others and Robert De Niro’s Hide and Seek.
Happy Halloween everyone.
For comments, suggestions and reactions, I can be reached at raalzona@yahoo.com.