candle burning, candle burned

While driving on my way home, the car engine, without warning, suddenly stopped. It was at N. Santos road in front of Puregold here in Paranaque. Good thing it was traffic because it was less likely that an accident may occur. Dad took over and tried starting the engine again, but it just wouldn’t. Mom and I looked for someone who would help push the car to jumpstart it. We were at a very busy street, and we had to make the car start or move it.

Fortunately, Mom approached an already leaving tricycle driver from the Puregold parking lot, and without hesitation, the man left his tricycle immediately near the entrance of Puregold to help push the car. Very kind. He pushed the car alone while Dad tried to jumpstart it. I couldn’t help because I was wearing high heels (damn high heels). He was really thin but he could push the car alone, although not as fast as it needs to be pushed. Meanwhile, Mom and I were looking for another one to help push the car when Mom saw three employees from Puregold who just left work. From this group, one man volunteered to help and let the other two already go home. How nice, the Filipino concept bayanihan is still alive.

So, in the busy street, they were pushing the car back and forth because there’s only a short distance between where we stopped and a construction in the street (the government never runs out of road to repair), only stopping whenever the trike driver leaves to check his trike and belongings or to move his trike nearby. After a while, the Puregold employee told Dad to turn to the Puregold parking lot because we might be towed. From there, Dad and the two tried to jumpstart the car again until they reached Unioil, in front of Multinational Village. Dad decided that he would just park the car and wait for it to cool down. The trike driver immediately said goodbye and was already walking away when I called out to him. We gave him a little money that he would have earned if only he wasn’t helping us. I am really grateful to him. The Puregold employee, hearing that Dad gave something to the trike driver, immediately said that there was no need to give him anything. Mom expressed our gratitude to him, and he said, “I would want others to help me too when I need help,” wow, the golden rule. I said my thanks and bid him goodbye, then he left.

Then we met someone opposite the two.

While Mom and I were busy thanking the two, Dad was busy convincing the Unioil staff that we’d only stay for a while, that we’re just waiting for the car to cool down—this happening in only a few seconds after we parked. We were parked at the side of Unioil, near the fence dividing Unioil and Puregold, not the side where there are stores and car services. I asked for a mechanic, he looked for it, but the mechanic was already gone. He then insisted that we should leave. Duh? Can’t he see the car won’t start? At first, I was annoyed by him, but then I realized that he was only an employee there. He said, “there’s our operations manager, and she doesn’t want you parking here,” pointing to the lady wearing a hat near the gasoline truck unloading fuel. My parents were convincing him that it would only take a few minutes when the gasoline boys and other staff were approaching one by one. Mom told them that we’d speak to their manager, who was just 15 meters away, to let us stay for a while, so they’d stop bugging us.

By this time, I was already annoyed by them nearing us and watching if we’d already leave or not. They have a large space, and we weren’t disturbing any of the gasoline activities. I remembered one time when I was alone and my engine suddenly stopped at Petron Macapagal (not this car). The gasoline boys were so nice to offer to help me move the car to their parking area, and they never asked me to leave. Petron Macapagal is a far more busy gas station than is Unioil Multinational.

Thus, Mom approached the manager with a smile and asked her if she would just let us park for a while. The manager, without a trace of amiability in her face, said that our vehicle would be blocking the gasoline trucks once it leaves, which until we left was still unloading fuel. Upon immediate and longer inspection, we were in no way obstructing the gasoline truck’s or any other car’s way into and out of their gas station. As there is a Jollibee in the gas station, Mom said that maybe we could dine at Jollibee. Voila! She allowed the car to stay where it is, no need to move, as long as we eat at Jollibee. I thought we were blocking the way?!?

I was irritated why mom would say that we’d eat at Jollibee, but I understand. The manager did not look obliging at all. We walked back to the car, and I told mom I don’t want to buy anything from Jollibee, that it is so selfish of them not to let us stay, and that gasoline stations should let vehicles stop over.

Mom told Dad that we should go to Jollibee, but Dad said we should just wait a few minutes, and the car may start already (hence, no need to eat at that fastfood). I also want to wait. And in just 3 minutes, the Unioil staff were again approaching one by one. They were not speaking, but acting as if they’re waiting for us to leave OR eat. Grrrr!

Despite my disapproval, my parents said we should just stay at Jollibee and grab something to eat. I said I am not eating anything lest I succumb to their capitalist and greedy nature. My parents felt compelled to buy something from the fast food chain. Of course, we don’t want our car to be towed. Perhaps sensing my fury over the situation, my mom ordered just fries and 2 peach mango pies. After my parents finished eating the fries and even before the pies were served (it took long!!), Dad went to the car and tried to start it again. Good thing it already did because I felt I’m about to explode. Mom took the uneaten pies and we left.

As regards social stratification, there’s an undeniable difference between the manager and the two guys. As regards morality, there’s a remarkable difference. Be the judge.

Update (January 20, 2008)

A Unioil representative has already responded to my complaint and has read this blog. He apologized for the bad experience I had with one of Unioil’s gas stations, which he believed was an isolated case. He also assured me that this behavior will not be tolerated and that due reprimands will be given.

He would like to set up a meeting with me to “show our sincerest apology and a chance to make up for our mistakes,” but the company’s apologies and assurances are enough for me. I am hoping that this negative experience I had with Unioil ends with me.

I would like to thank Unioil for the quick response to my feedback.