Warning: Club Ultima - Fact or Bluff

    I was about to start my blog regarding my recent travel to US but I felt the urge or maybe an obligation to share an experience which I feel is worth sharing and for the information of many.  
     As I pass by Glorietta activity center one morning I was curious to see an exhibition so I went to check, it was an exhibit of various businesses showcasing their products.  As I pass by one of the booths, a lady approached me to fill in a raffle coupon for a chance to win gift certificates which can be use to stay in their accredited resort or hotels. I was not quite interested during that time but the lady was persistent that she was the one who filled in the coupon asking for my details so I just let her do it after which she handed me the other part of the coupon in order for me to claim the prize if in case I won.
     Right on the following day, I've got a call and to my surprise, I was one of the winners of the gift certificate for a free accommodation in Caliraya Resort which I can use anytime with my family at no obligation to pay at all.  At first I was excited for I was looking forward to have an out of town trip this coming summer.  So she explained to me the process of claiming the said gift certificate in their office at the back of Megamall,  I ask her  if they have an office in Makati for I am from Makati but she said they don't have an office in Makati, so I said just sent me the details through text so I would know where to go but I had a feeling that time that there is something fishy with the process that she told me.  After a while I got the SMS from a certain Asian Reyes who she identified herself as the Reservation Manager of Caliraya Resort with mobile number +639778062748, the SMS says that it is the confirmation of my attendance in claiming my gift certificate for a free dinner in BSA Twin Tower Hotel, no need to bring cash, just bring one valid ID for proper identification and I need to watch a 90 minutes video clippings and presentation about Caliraya Resort in order to familiarize myself with their amenities.

I already had a doubt in my mind after reading the SMS for why should I need to watch a 90 minutes presentation.  So I search over google for reviews of Club Ultima and I found out that this has been existing way back 2011 with this kind of tactics.  They have been deceiving people about their marketing strategy and luring people into joining Club Ultima and paying thousands of pesos. 

MODUS:  They will call and inform you  that you won a gift certificate that can be use to any of their accredited hotels and resorts with no obligation to pay.  (You don't even know where did they get your details, perhaps in some events where you did sign up and you don't remember )  Upon claiming in their office, you are required to watch a 90 minutes video presentation in order to claim the said gift certificate but not only that, they will convince and offer you to join and purchase a club membership which costs thousands of pesos.  And in order to use the gift certificate you are required to reserved and pay reservation fees which is I think almost equal if not more than the cost of your accommodation so in turn your gift certificate is of no value at all plus you wasted your time going to their office and watching the 90 minutes presentation.

     Apparently, Club Ultima is a legitimate company but what is wrong is their marketing strategy wherein they are deceiving and luring people into buying their expensive club membership. Be careful, if it's too good to be true, it is likely to be a scam.

A very "POETIC" me is just a mystery - this is outside the theme Wanderlust

NO TITLE

When I first saw you

You were talking with someone to

I did not bother to think twice

If I'll disturb your conversation so nice

Opened the door, I entered

You were disturbed I observed 

Thinking could not withdraw anymore

Your companion I did ignore

As expecting you not to be my mentor

Inquiry I did, formality no more

Quietly we were, as you entered the room

Surprise of all surprises, I got all in my form

As we proceed to our lesson, I remember

Myself already thinking how to be the center

For the obsession, all I ever wanted

To be noticed by you not necessarily be attracted

I know too foolish to hope

It's just like taking a dose of dope

You and I be close friends my imagination

Impossible as it is, may only be an illusion

During our discussion you conducted

There were influx of ideas, my mind got distracted

For just looking at you was enough

To be the culprit of that distraction I got

Remembering too the attitude I showed

Loquacious sometimes in other words no good

But could you blame me for those

For my feeling drives me at a loss

Tell you, every session we had, all about computer

Riding in a bus. my mind was wanderer

Days has passed, my feelings the same

But only to find out I'm in vain

Inspite of this, at home in the afternoon

Busy rehearsing my notes, there locked up in my room

Sure of myself, no need guess, you know why

You got me inspired my interest was so high

I doubt myself, had you ever notice me?

For such sessions were not meant to be

Am I able to show my enthusiasm I ought to be

Then came the last day of our meeting
It was July 20 the day of my testing
For you to know if we absorbed the ideas you shared
Which in our part, such ideas should be cared
Examination was over yet we were still there
Chatting with a friend but trying to get a glance at you near a computer
I was simple with my attitude
Laughing with a friend sharing a joke
Just not to noticed about my reaction
Myself was so usual and simple with my actions

Until now, bothering not to show
Afraid I am to be misunderstood by you or the people I know
For the feeling I am telling
It's just an effection I am longing
A sister or a friend I can confide
In times of happiness and loneliness inside
Of course I have sisters so kind and thoughtful
Only they are far away so sharing is impossible

Notes:  I got the copy of this poem from the stacks of paper in my cabinet which I was about to throw away.   It is worth sharing for it is a very nice and well written poem way back 1989.  Please read between the lines, it talks about unclassified feelings.  Credits goes to the author ELA, I am puzzled who she really is.