The Monstrous Problem of Manila’s Metro Rail Transit (MRT)

The Monstrous Problem of Manila’s Metro Rail Transit (MRT)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The seemingly regular occurrence of crack, though, hairline in some portions of the MRT should have given a clear signal to the management that there is something wrong with the quality of the steel rails. Several years ago, China was prominently put in the limelight when inferior steel bars from the mainland that were supposed to be delivered to the provinces were intercepted. The locals dubbed them as fake steel which was not true, although, just of low-grade quality – inferior. Accordingly, they were sent back, but many are alleging that some are still stashed away in warehouses and being sold liberally. Steel is graded according to its quality that would suit its purpose, as well as, ability to withstand stress, and the grade must be compatible with the kind of welding rod to be used.

 

There is a question now, as to whether quality control has been observed in checking  the delivered steel bars of MRT or not, knowing how the tolerant culture of Filipinos is oftentimes observed in many projects, that has got to do with the “ pwede na” or “sige na lang” attitude.  In fact, when the new trains have been delivered, another problem came out, that of compatibility with the towing capability of the engine. The questionable quality of the steel rails has compounded the poorly-maintained elevators, escalators, and toilet facilities…making the MRT one of the monster problems of the Aquino administrations due to lackadaisical attitude of his supposedly trusted people.

 

Many are wondering why the Light Rail Transit which was built during the Marcos administration seldom encounters frequent problem on the cracked rails. Has it got to do with corruption? There is a general impression today, that corruption during the time of Marcos was stringently “controlled”, unlike the presence of such repugnant practice in practically, all levels of transaction today.

Ang Mga Laglagan sa Pilipinas

Ang Mga Laglagan sa Pilipinas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ilang buwan pa lang ang nakararaan, laglag-bala ang mainit na isyu. Ang mahigpit na pag-kontrol sa mga airport upang maiwasan ang pagpuslit ng mga deadly ammunition ay okey na sana subalit nasilipan ng butas ng ilang tiwali sa airport dahil sa paniniwala ng mga Pilipino sa bala bilang agimat. Dahil sa katiwalian na iyan, maraming tanga at may matigas na ulong Pilipino ang nawalan ng trabaho sa ibang bansa dahil napigilan sa pagsakay sa eroplano dahil lamang sa iisang balang nakita sa kanilang bagahe. Maraming tangang Pilipino ang umaming nagdadala talaga ng bala sa abroad upang pananggalang daw nila laban sa pag-aabuso ng employer. May mga natanggal na ring mga inspector ng bagahe dahil kahit obvious na talagang walang laman ang bala dahil ang tinuturing na agimat lang talaga ay ang tansong basyo, pinagpipilitan pa rin na “deadly ammunition” daw ito. Bakit nga naman nila palalampasin ang pagkakataon ganoong, ang “pakiusapan” ay may presyong mula 2 thousand hanggang 8 thousand pesos???!!!

 

Sa pinakapangit na airport pa rin sa buong mundo, ayon sa survey – ang Manila International Airport Terminal 3, laglag-kisame naman ang isyu. May nasugatan, banyagang turista pa, mabuti na lang at hindi nasaktan ang kanyang asawang Pilipina at anak. Nag-apologize ang manager ng airport subalit hindi pa rin ito sapat. Bago nangyari ang paglaglag ng kisame sa coffee shop, ay nagkaroon na rin ng laglagan bago pa man binuksan para sa operasyon ang Terminal 3, at nang nag-ooperate na, nagkalaglagan pa rin ng dalawang beses. Ibig sabihin, ang diperensiya ay ang mahinang “original” na kisame o suporta nito, kaya siguradong ang bagong kisameng ikakabit ay madadamay. “It’s more fun in the Philippines” pa rin kaya ang sasabihin ng pinakahuling nasaktan na turista?

 

Nilaglag ni Aquino si Purisima kung kaylan sobra na ang alingasaw ng amoy ng “teamwork” nila. Nilaglag din ng administrasyon si Vitangcol ang sinasabing palpak at nangurakot sa mga deals at management ng MRT, pero under investigation, as usual, at pinagduduhan pa . Latest kay Vitangcol: humihingi ng tulong sa PAO para bigyan ng libreng abogado! Ang kakapalan nga naman ng mukha kung umiral! Yan ang problema sa mga tauhan ni Pnoy, ginagawang tanga ang mga Pilipino….gusto ba namang magkaroon ng abogadong ang nagpapasuweldo ay taong bayan na sinasabing niloko niya! Walang delikadesa!

 

May mga laglagan na rin sa pulitika bago sumapit ang election 2016. Nilaglag ni Pnoy Aquino si Mar Roxas nang i-veto niya ang batas para sa dagdag na 2 libo sa pension ng mg SSS retirees. Sa mga hindi nakakahalata, binago ni Roxas ang kanyang political ad dahil sinimplehan lang, walang music background, at ang dialogue tungkol sa tuwid na daan ay dinugtungan niya ng “pupunuan ko kung may kakulangan, iwawasto ang mali, at hindi ako nagnakaw….”. Malinaw na patutsada kay Pnoy na mula’t sapul ay walang bilib sa kanya. Nilaglag din daw ni Escudero si Grace Poe subalit deny to death naman siya sa isang interview…pero truthful ba siya?

The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado …friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive

The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado

…friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

For most people who know her, she was “Inday”, although, her other nickname was “Pancing”. She was a centenarian, having reached the age of 100 years last July 22, 2015, for which she was honored with a certificate given by the Quezon City government.  She died peacefully just when 2015 was bidding 2016 goodbye, particularly on January 14, at exactly, 11:15 AM. The tragic information that I received came from Gel Lagman and Mona Caburian-Pecson, former colleagues in Philippine Airlines.

 

Inday came from the well-to-do clans of Fontanilla and Hilado of Negros Occidental in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Her parents were Paz Fontanillla and Ignacio Hilado, and she came third in a brood of seven, such as, Clarita, Florita, Hermenia, Gloria, Enrique and Godofredo. Inday chose to stay single her whole life.

 

According to Tessie, Inday’s niece, who at 74, looks more like a little more than 50, she immediately came home when informed about the demise of her aunt, as she knew that with her were only her trusted caretakers, Rudy Lopez and his wife,  Muding (Modesta). Rudy was her loyal driver since 1975, and got married in 1992 to Muding who in no time treated the former like her own mother. Since the first day of her arrival, Tessie practically did everything with the help of her assistants that she brought from America, as well as, Rudy and Muding.

 

My fondest memory of Inday was our working together as part of the International Sales-Philippines (ISP) Team of Philippine Airlines (PAL) based at the S&L Building along Roxas Boulevard, in Ermita, Manila. We were under Rene Ocampo and later, Archie Lacson, as the Regional Vice-President of the Philippines and Guam Region. However, due to our well-defined function as members of the Sales Team, we were directly under Dave Lim, Assistant Vice-President of the ISP. Inday was handling the special account of manning agencies for seafarers and despite her age, being the most senior in the team, she proved to be just very effective. She reported to the office before eight in the morning, prepared her itinerary for the day and persistently made follow ups on previously requested bookings for her clients. I also used to help her with her weekly and monthly sales reports by typing them for her. She even stayed late when there were social functions to fete our clients, particularly, the travel agents and manning agencies.

 

The job of Inday was very critical as PAL fares were comparably higher than those offered by the other airlines for the seafaring segment of the airline industry. But motherly insistence and affectionate cajoling of travel agents worked almost all the time. To show her gratitude to her clients, during Christmas she would give them her own personally-purchased gifts, aside from the standard “give-away” items from our office that included calendars. Being in-charge of the Region’s administration, I would give her extra calendars and “give-away” items.

 

We were close to each other, such that we sat side by side during most of our Monday Sales Meeting. It was this literal closeness that gave her the opportunity to offer me her share of snacks served during the meeting. She was also very conscious about her health, as she ate only small portions of food during mealtime at the canteen. One time, however, during a party, I admonished her for eating plenty of “lechon” (roasted pig).

 

A terpsichorean in her own right, she would sashay with graceful cha-cha and tango moves around the dance floor during our parties. She admitted to me though, that she was really fond of ballroom dancing, and even confided the information about the pre-war public dances that she attended at Luneta (Rizal Park) every December, when she was young. Her love for life could have given her the vigor that kept her going even at an age beyond seventy which was the last time I saw her when I left Philippine Airlines.

 

Inday may no longer be around, but she left a legacy founded on love, as well as, diligence and dedication to job. She was unquestionably unselfish and indefatigable in many ways. She also proved that goodwill indeed works, as her staying “single” did not deprive her of families because of her altruistic ways. She had her colleagues in PAL, and who gave her love in return for her motherly and sisterly affection….they, who have become her family until she left the company. Rudy Kong whom she served with utmost loyalty as secretary in PAL, took her in as part of his own company when she finally left the airline. She also had Rudy Lopez, her loyal driver, and his wife, Muding, who stood by her side till she drew her last breathe. She loved them all, and they all loved her… and, just as what the popular adage says… love begets love.

 

 

Ang Lumpiang Sariwa ni Flor Enriquez-Francia sa Quiapo

Ang Lumpiang Sariwa ni Flor Enriques-Francia

Sa Quaipo

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Mahigit apatnapung taon nang kilala ang lumpiang sariwa na binebenta ni Flor Enriquez-Francia sa labas ng simbahan ng Quiapo. Subalit ngayon ang nagpatuloy sa pagtinda ay ang kaniyang pamangkin na si Nathaniel. At, kung dati ay sa bilao lang nakalatag ang mga lumpia, ngayon ay nasa kariton na at naka-styro at may balot pang plastic sheet upang masigurong hindi naaalikabukan o madapuan ng langaw.

 

Una kong natikman ang lumpia noong taong 2002 nang umusyuso ako sa selebrasyon ng kapistahan ng Black Nazarene. Si Flor naman ay nakapuwesto sa hindi kalayuang Avenida dahil ipinagbawal muna ang mga sidewalk vendor sa Plaza Miranda. Sa pag-uusap namin, binanggit niyang basta walang okasyon sa labas ng simbahan ng Quiapo, sa Plaza Miranda siya nagtitinda, kaya nang bumalik ako sa Quiapo makaraan ang ilang linggo ay nakita ko nga siya doon at halos hindi magkandaugaga sa pag-asikaso sa kanyang mga suki. Matagal bago ako nakasingit upang bumili ng dalawang pirasong inilagay niya sa maliit na supot na plastic at nilagyan ng sarsa. Mahirap kainin ang lumpia kung nakatayo at hindi nakalagay sa platito o pinggan. Kailangang hawakan ang supot na parang saging at ang ilabas lang ay ang dulo ng lumpia. Pero kapag sanay na ay madali nang gawin ito.

 

Nang dumagsa ang iba pang vendor sa labas ng Quiapo church ay hindi ko na nakita si Flor. Inisip ko na lang na baka umuwi na sa probinsiya o baka nagsawa na sa pagtinda ng lumpia. Subalit nang minsang namili ako sa Villalobos St. ay may nasalubong akong lalaking nagtutulak ng maliit na cart at ang laman ay mga lumpiang naka-styro.  Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil inisip kong katulad lang din siya ng ibang naglalako ng pagkain sa lugar na yon.

 

Sa pagpasok ng huling linggo nitong Disyembre, bumalik ako sa Quiapo kasama ang mga kaibigang balikbayan upang bumili ng mga panalubong nila pagbalik sa America at Canada. Nakita ko uli ang lalaking nagtutulak ng cart na may mga sariwang lumpia. Nagtanong na ako kung inabot niya ang “original” na nagtitinda ng lumpia sa Quiapo. Ikinagulat ko ang kanyang sagot dahil tiyahin pala niya ang tinutukoy kong tindera, at idinagdag pa niya na ang buong pangalan ay Flor Enriquez-Francia. Nasa bahay na lang daw ito at doon niya inihahanda ang mga lumpia na kinakariton naman ni Nathaniel.

 

Halos isang taon din pala bago naitinda uli ang lumpiang gawa ni Flor at ito ay pinangatawanan na ni Nathaniel na umaming maski anong mangyari sa kanyang tiyahin, ay walang problema dahil naituro na sa kanya ang sekreto sa pagtimpla lalo na ng sarsa. Nakakadalawang hakot ng mga lumpia si Nathaniel hanggang dapit-hapon kaya malaking bagay daw para sa kanilang magtiyahin ang kinikita niya lalo pa at nagkaka-edad na rin ito kaya marami na ring pangangailangan.

 

Ang ginawa ni Flor ay isang halimbawa ng pagbuhos ng katapatan sa anumang bagay na ginagawa – walang panloloko, kaya lumpia man, na sa paningin ng iba ay napaka-simple, kung hindi naman masarap ay madaling makakalimutan. Ganyan dapat ang ugali ng tao… bukal sa kalooban ang anumang ginagawa maliit man ito o malaki, pansarili man o nakaka-apekta ng kapwa.

Baclaran Creek: Ugly Stain on the Philippines’ Tourism Image

Baclaran Creek: Ugly Stain on the Philippines’

Tourism Image

by Apolinario Villalobos

 

Nothing can be one hundred percent clean, sanitized, germ-free, well-kept, etc., to show a pleasant image. But in exerting an effort for such end-result, consistency should be exercised, as failure to do so could be tantamount to being negligent.

 

Among the ugliest manifestation of the Philippine government’s negligence and inconsistency is the creek at Baclaran which is fringing the northern edge of the purported “business-tourism showcase” of Metro Manila – the cornucopia of condominium buildings, malls, office buildings and the supposedly biggest casino in Asia. Practically, the creek that serves as the catch basin-cum-open drainage of Pasay and Paraἧaque that flows out to the Manila Bay, shows it all. How can the Department of Tourism proudly declare that Manila is a clean city with the obnoxious filth floating on the stagnant creek in all its obnoxious glory greeting the arriving tourists from the airport on their way to their hotels along Roxas Boulevard? Is this progress as what the Philippine president always mumbles? How can such a short strip of open drainage not be cleaned on a daily basis, just like what street sweepers do to the entire extent of the Roxas Boulevard?

 

It has been observed that every time a government agency’s attention is called for not doing its job well, it cries out such old lines, as “lack of budget” and “lack of personnel”. But why can’t they include such requirements every time they submit their proposed budget? In the meantime, as regards the issue on the maintenance of the city waterways, national and local agencies throw blames at each other, trying to outdo each other in keeping their hands clean of irresponsibility and negligence!

 

During the APEC conference which caused the “temporary” bankruptcy of commercial establishments in Pasay and Paraἧaque, as well as, local airlines and lowly vendors by the millions of pesos, the creek was almost “immaculately” clean with all the floating scum scooped up and thrown somewhere else. But as soon as the delegates have left, the poor creek is back to its old self again – gagged with the city denizens’ filth and refuse.

 

Viewing the Baclaran creek is like viewing the rest of the waterways around Metro Manila, including Pasig River, as they are all equally the same filthy picture of neglect, irresponsibility and inconsistency of government concern! One should see the nearby creek at Pasay where the Pumping Station is located, with an “island” that practically developed out of silt, garbage and clumps of water lily! Some days, the short length of artificial creek is skimmed with filth to make it look clean, but most days, it is neglected.

 

In view of all the above-mentioned, why can’t the national and local government agencies concerned co-operate and do the following?

 

• REQUIRE the daily cleaning of the creek by assigning permanent “brigades”, just like what they do for the streets. If there are “street sweepers”, why can’t there be “creek scoopers” and “dredgers”?

 

• REQUIRE the vendors with stalls along or near the creeks to maintain the cleanliness of their respective periphery so that they are obliged to call the attention of irresponsible pedestrians who do not show concern. Each stall must be required to have a garbage bag or bin, as well as, broom and dust pan. Their negligence in carrying out such obligation should be made as a basis in revoking their hawker’s permit.

 

• REQUIRE government employees with sanitation responsibilities TO GO OUT OF THEIR OFFICES AND DO THEIR JOB, and not just make reports to the City Administrators based on what street sweepers tell them.

 

• DREDGE the creek regularly on a yearly basis, not only when flooding occurs during the rainy season, which is a very repugnant reactionary show of concern on the part of the government. The yearly dredging of the waterways would eventually “deepen” them to accommodate more surface water during the rainy season, and even bring their bed back to their former level.

 

The costly effort of the national government in putting on a pleasant “face” for Manila every time there is an international event, as what happened during the APEC conference, may elicit sympathy and grudgingly executed cooperation, but there should be consistency in it….otherwise, it would just be like sweeping the house, only when visitors are expected, or worse, sweeping the dirt to a corner to hide them.

 

Cooperation between the government authorities and the citizens is necessary. However, as there is a clear indication that the concerned citizens, such as vendors and pedestrians, lack discipline, the government should take necessary steps in imposing measures to ensure their cooperation, albeit by coercion, so that whatever sanitation projects may have been initiated can be consistently maintained, for the benefit of all.

 

If littering on the ground can be prohibited with appropriate penalty, why can’t the same be done for the sake of the waterways? If ever local government units have passed such measures why can’t they be imposed authoritatively and consistently?

 

Dr. Avelino L. Zapanta…Mananalaysay ng Lakbay-himpapawid at Kalakalan nito sa Pilipinas

Dr. Avelino L. Zapanta…

Mananalaysay ng Lakbay-Himpapawid

At Kalakalan nito sa Pilipinas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kulang ang ibig sabihin ng titulo sa pagtukoy ng kaalaman ni Dr. Avelino L. Zapanta, at “Lino”, naman sa kanyang mga kaibigan pagdating sa kasaysayan at kalakalan ng lakbay-himpapawid sa Plipinas. Mabigat ang dating ng salitang mananalaysay o “historian” dahil sa lawak ng saklaw nito pagdating sa kultura ng isang bayan, kaya hindi ko na dinagdag pa sa titulo ang kanyang pagka- Presidente ng Philippine Airlines na tumagal ng maraming taon, at ngayon ay bilang Presidente at CEO naman ng SeaAir.

Tulad ng iba pang mga natatangi at nakaka-inspire na mga empleyado ng Philippine Airlines, nagsimula din siya sa mababang puwesto. Maganda ang animo ay pagtuntong niya sa mga baytang ng hagdan ng tagumpay upang marating ang pinakarurok na puwesto sa kumpanya, at iyan ay bilang isang Presidente. Naging Supervisor, Manager, Director, Assistant Vice-President, Vice-President, at Senior Vice-President din kasi siya ng iba’t ibang departamento ng PAL, hanggang maging Presidente. Kung baga sa prutas, siya ay hinog sa panahon. Kaya nang maging Presidente siya ng kumpanya ay alam na niya mula sa kaibuturan ng kanyang puso at isip, ang lahat ng mga bahagi ng operasyon ng Philippine Airlines, na itinuturing na flag carrier ng bansa.

Nang dumating ako sa opisina ng Marketing and Sales-Philippines na nasa Administrative Offices Building (AOB) na ngayon ay Data Center Building (DCB) na, at sa tapat ng unang Manila Domestic Airport noong kalagitnaan ng dekada sitenta, natanaw ko si Dr. Zapanta sa kanyang “cubicle” bilang manager ng Cargo Division, at subsob ang ulo sa mga ginagawa. Ang tanawing iyon ay hindi na nasundan pa dahil ipinadala ako sa Tablas station (Romblon), sa paghikayat na rin ni Gng. Mila Limgenco na Market Planning Analyst ng Luzon Sales Area, na nasa ilalim naman ni G. Federico Pabelico bilang Area Sales Director (puwesto na naging Assistant Vice-President, kalaunan).

Noong panahong nasa Tablas ako, tuluy-tuloy na pala ang paggawa ng departamentong pinasukan ko, ng mga alituntunin at mga pulisiya para ipaloob sa isang libro o manual na siyang magiging batayan ng mga desisyon na aangkop sa lahat ng sitwasyon sa pagpapatakbo ng kumpanya, gaya ng pagtawag o pagpunta sa ticket office upang magpareserba o bumili ng ticket, pag-check- in sa counter, pagpadala ng cargo, pag-arkila ng eroplano, pagdating ng pasahero sa airport ng destinasyon, pag-asikaso ng mga pasahero kung naantala ang paglipad ng eroplano dahil sa bagyo o pagkasira nito, hi-jacking, at pagtulong sa lokal na pamahalaan na may dinadayong festival tulad ng Ati-Atihan at Moriones.

Sa utay-utay na paraan, naiipon nila ang mga ideya mula sa mga empleyadong hinugot pa mula sa mga domestic stations upang makibahagi sa proyektong ito. Nang ilipat ang departamento sa 5^th Floor ng Vernida Building sa Legaspi St. ng Greenbelt (Makati), lalong sumidhi ang paggawa ng mga manual. Ito ang panahong gumawa si Dr. Zapanta ng isang malaking flow chart o daloy ng mga karampatang aksyong tutugma sa mga sitwasyon, na nabanggit na. Gamit ang pinagtagpi-tagping illustration papers, ang nabuo ay animo higanteng diagram ng isang radyo na sumakop sa kabuuhan ng isang dingding ng Conference Room!

Ang mga ideya galing sa mga analysts ng Standards and Coordination Division, mga representatives ng outlying stations, Reservations Division, Cargo Division, at tinatalakay naman sa mga magdamagang miting ng komiteng pinamumunuan ni Dr. Zapanta ay pinapaloob sa mga nakalaang Manual at pinipresenta ni G. Ricardo Paloma sa management ng PAL upang maging official na mga pulisiya o alituntunin ng kumpanya. Kalaunan, ginaya ito ng Marketing and Sales –International Department na ang saklaw ay operasyon ng PAL sa ibang bansa.

Sa huling yugto ng proyekto ay napasama ako, at doon ko uli nasilayan si Dr. Zapanta. Nabigla man ako sa mga puyatang nangyari, nakisabay na lang ako. Noon ko natutuhang uminom ng kung ilang tasa ng kape upang tumagal. Subali’t iba si Dr. Zapanta, dahil pagsapit ng hatinggabi, habang kaming mahihina sa puyatan ay nagnanakaw ng ilang kisap-matang idlip, siya ay tuloy pa rin sa pagsulat, at paggising naming pupungas-pungas pa sa madaling araw, ngingitian lamang niya kami habang tuloy ang pagsulat sa malaking flow chart!

Kung sa panahon ngayon, malamang ay gumastos na ng malaki ang kumpanya sa pag-upa ng isang research outfit upang gumawa ng mga Manual, subali’t nagdesisyon si G. Ricardo Paloma, ang Regional Vice-President ng departamento na gamitin ang kaalaman ng mga empleyado, at hindi naman siya nagkamali dahil lumutang ang iba’t ibang galing ng mga ito. (Tatalakayin sa isa pang blog ang mga “unsung heroes” na ito).

Dahil sa malawak at first- hand na kaalaman ni Dr. Zapanta tungkol sa operasyon ng PAL, na nadagdagan pa ng kanyang pagsubaybay sa masiglang pagsibol ng industriya, maituturing siyang isang historian o mananalaysay nito, at isa ring airline management authority, na ang kakayahan ay hindi matatawaran. Wala nang iba pang Pilipino ang maaaring umako ng ganitong kakayahan. Ayon kay Dr. Zapanta, ang pagpapalabas niya ng kakayahang ito upang makatulong sa pagpaunlad ng PAL at ng industriya, ay hindi niya itinuturing na “sakripisyo”. Sa halip, ang mga ginawa at ginagawa pa niya ay pagpapakita niya ng pagmamahal sa larangang pinili niya at pagmamalasakit ng buong puso sa kumpanyang nagtiwala sa kanya – ang Philippine Airlines.

Wala pang gaanong naitalang kasaysayan ang industriya ng lakbay-himpapawid sa Pilipinas, maliban na lamang sa mga mangilan-ngilang impormasyong nababanggit sa mga naisulat ng mga banyaga na may kaugnayan naman sa industriya na saklaw ang buong daigdig. Ang mga librong isinulat niya na sumaklaw sa kabuuhan ng kasaysayan ng lakbay-himpapawid sa Pilipinas ay may mga pamagat na, “HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE AVIATION”, at “100 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE AVIATION, 1909-2009: A FOCUS ON AIRLINE MANAGEMENT”. Ang ikalawang libro ay mabibili sa mga outlet ng Central Book Supply, Inc., tulad ng SM Megamall (5^th level, EDSA, Mandaluyong, Tel. 6381088); Ever Gotesco (Manila Plaza Mall, CM Recto Ave., Manila, Fax 7346178); Aldevinco Shopping Center (19A Building A, Roxas St., Davao City, Tel. 2241070); West Concourse (Limketkai Mall, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Tel. 8566961); at GV Building (P. del Rosario St., Cebu City, fax 2530784). Maaari ring makipag-ugnayan sa Head Office (Phoenix Building, 927 Quezon Avenue, QC, Tel. 3723550) para sa maramihang bibilhin o di kaya ay sa may-akda mismo, sa kanyang cellphone number 09178320711, email na alzapanta@yahoo.com, at facebook gamit ang buong pangalan niya.

Si Dr. Zapanta na nagtapos ng kurso sa University of the Philippines at nagtamo ng Masters of Business Administration (MBA) sa Ateneo de Manila University, sa kabuuhan ay nakagugol ng 38 na taon sa Philippine Airlines, at apat pang taon bilang Presidente at CEO ng SeaAir na ginagampanan pa rin niya hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Hindi pa rin ganap na kuntento si Dr. Zapanta sa mga nagawa na niya, kaya tuloy pa rin siya sa pagtrabaho at pagsusulat, na malamang ay nasisingitan ng mga tula at script na pang-pelikula… na dati na niyang ginagawa noon pa mang hindi pa siya empleyado ng Philippine Airlines. Nagbabahagi din siya ng kaalaman sa tinatalakay na larangan sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng mga lecture sa Asian Institute of Tourism(AIT) ng University of the Philippines at sa Institute of Graduate Studies ng Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilsSCA) . Dapat magpasalamat ang bansa at ang sambayanang Pilipino sa naiambag na ito ng isang taga-Taytay, Rizal, na tinaguriang lalawigan din ng mga pintor, dibuhista, kompositor, at manlililok, partikular na ang bayan ng Angono.