The Truth About Royal Plaza

From The Blog of Eloisa Aniceta – Behan – When Silence Breaks Itself, I Don’t Even Need To Talk

Sometime in 2005, my husband Sean bought this 145 square-meter condominium unit in Royal Plaza Twin Towers Condominium in Malate, Manila. When he bought it from Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), he thought it was great buy, offered by one of the most prestigious and credible banks in the Philippines and even the world.

A month after the unit was renovated, I was shocked to see what the building as a whole was like. Not enough lights, one elevator, two provisions for elevators were said to be under construction and will operate soon, dirty hallways, dark and smelly exits.

We moved in and after another month, the electricity went. The MERALCO was owed almost seven (7) million pesos by the developer, Philippine Asia Pacific Corporation (PAPC), chaired by Mr. Stephen Liang. MERALCO disconnected the power of the building.

For one (1) year, we lived in the building ran by GENERATOR. The owner had to buy drums of crude oil every day to supply the entire building with a 20 to 21 – hour electricity (power).

We have to provide some power supplies (UPS) for our fan and one (1) light from 2 o’clock in the morning to 5:30 in the morning, everyday… I had only one child at that time. A 10-month old son.

Then I got pregnant with our second child, and my son then was more than 1 year old. And one night, the power wnet off and lasted for 16 hours the following day. I was not able to bear the heat (as the power supply ran out) and the anxiety of wanting to get down and out of the building, but there was no elevator. I suffered hypotension and collapsed for hours and I just woke up being brought out from our unit on a stretcher. The paramedics arrived. And they have to climb the stairs up to the 23rd floor.

Finally, there was the generator running again so I was brought down using the one and only elevator. Terrible as it was, we lingered.

It’s the unit where our son had his first walk. We struggled and survived despite the lack of power and its inconvenience.

Until I gave up and we went back to my husband’s another unit in Legaspi Towers. We left Royal Plaza and the with it were the burdens and sacrifices that no one could ever imagine.

How many times did we walk up and down the stairs from our unit at the 23rd floor, I can no longer count and imagine.

I have a bad heart and an epilepsy since I was small. And so is my husband who had a coronary artery bypass graft years ago. Lucky we are enough, we survived.

Now, I am facing another big challenge and the culprit … Royal Plaza… I thought we have moved on and will no longer come back to that crappy place again.

A group of tenants wrote a letter the Manila Mayor asking for help regarding their everyday situation in the building. The elevators all broken. For a week or so they have been climbing up and down the stairs, old and young, students, workers, professionals, senior citizens, foreign and local.

The Mayor sent City Hall officials tot he building to check its state and assess how the City Government can help alleviate the residents’ problem.

Only to be greeted by a quiet and lifeless building and they have to climb up to the 31st floor where they aimed to talk to the President of the Association, Julie Taneda. Unfortunately, she didn’t come out and instead asked her receptionist at the lobby (thru text message) who was or were knocking on her door.

The City Hall officials were also informed that the elevator which didn’t have a permit was operating before they came and was just shut down when they arrived. And everytime City Hall people come to the building, they always shut the elevator down.

Everything went fast and the tenants were advised to hold a meeting which they did. I was tasked to notify the tenants that a special meeting will be held and I was helped by several other unit owners who wanted to help the building.

For all I care, I already promised myself, I will have nothing more to do with Royal Plaza. But here is the call of the majority. They need help. So they made me, the AVENUE.

A special meeting was held and the possible closure of the building was discussed. The building and fire violations were explained and the unit owners decided the present administration be changed as there is a very evident mismanagement in their part.

For three years, the problems have not been addressed despite the money coming in from the association dues being paid by the unit owners every month.

The president Julie Taneda together with the other directors, Julita Lopez, Daaniel Uy, richard Yu, Liza Gay Lim refused to attend the meeting despite the notice. Strict common sense, there is a meeting called for by the unit owners and tenants who are tired of problems and burdens of the building, shouldn’t they be the first one to attend and discuss the problems of the members? Should they not be the one to preside and pacify the angry owners and tenants rather than hide in their respective units and in the case of other directors hide in their other condos and houses outside Royal Plaza?

So the meeting went without them. they wouldn’t even answer our phone calls. On the urgency of the needs of the owners and tenants, the attendees called and moved for an election of management committee who will oversee the problems which resulted fromt he neglect and mismanagement of the Board led by Taneda and Lopez.

The members of the association also wanted Taneda’s group to show the financial reports, accounting, and financial statements from the bank of the association which has not been shown since Taneda sat as three-term president also acting as secretary, treasurer, auditor, and building administrator rolled into one.

Until six of us were elected. And the board made me the President. Contrary tot he newspaper write-ups that I forced the tenants to elect me as their President, I don’t think the unit owners needed the persuasion at the time, nor the harassment that they are accusing me of. None of them can be forced to elect me. They all wanted the change. And since most of them who own vast units already filed corporate case against Taneda’s group, they inhibited from being elected as Board of Trustees, thus we were chosen.

The libelous attacks of Taneda and Lopez in the tabloids written by the famous group of city hall reporters (can you get the relation???) are uncalled for. Shouldn’t it be one-sided? They got their side and disregarded mine? Oh, that I understand, and all of you reading this wouldn’t.

Let me get to the core of it. I was once a chief of the Manila Media Information Bureau. I replaced another chief who happens to be an adversary of that group of reporters. For some reason I became an adversary as well. I will not go deeper into details. A lot of other reporters outside that group will understand what I am saying.

To cut the story short, they found a way to harrass me int heir papers. And these two, one of which brags about being a close relative of a famous radio announcer/newsperson, got into the media to spread libelous (take note, libelous) attacks on my person.

I was called namedropper as they accused that I dropped the Mayor’s name in those times I was trying to mend the problems of the building with help of the legal officials.

From 2005 up to present, I have never mentioned nor asked help from the Mayor about what to do in Royal Plaza. Maybe in one instance in 2005 when my husband had to call for help to get me and our kid down from our unit because the power went our long again.

If it is indeed my plan or my ambition to be a president of the crappy association of that building, I would have done it long ago when we initiated it in 2006. But can you imagine that it is such a HUGE HASSLE (without exaggeration) to be inside that building alone (even just int he lobby)?

No you can’t, because you’ve not been there. YOU have not experience what we have experienced in that building.

In other condos, you will look for amenities, like gym, pool, hall, garden, etc. IN THAT BUILDING, to have just ONE elevator working, the unit owners are already JUMPING for joy.

By the way, before everyone starts sympathizing with the two little red riding hoods (in truth they are the big bad wolves), let me tell you that Taneda and Lopez had not paid their associations dues and they have been caught red-handed tampering their electric meters and making illegal tapping of electricity. DO YOU REALLY THINK IT’S FAIR FOR ALL PAYING TENANTS? Anyway, that’s why they can’t give their positions up.

And we are the ones paying for the electricity they are using. And not only that, the water as well. Because most of the water supply are tapped as well and have no water meters.

C’mon, open up your eyes and don’t be blinded. And don’t be soooo ONE-SIDED. YOU HAVE NOT LIVED there the way WE DID. You have not suffered the way we suffered. You didn’t go up and down the dark stairs. You have not experienced the elevator jumping broke while you’re in it. YOU NEVER HAD a 2 -year- old child living in fear that the elevator will stop everytime he climbs up. YOU were never there.

(To be continued…)

Lim Defends City Employee

Lim defends Behan

Manila Bulletin

November 5, 2010, 5:22pm

MANILA, Philippines —  Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Friday defended former Manila City Hall Media Bureau chief Eloisa Aniceta Behan from allegations that she was using the Mayor’s name to gain control over a posh condominium that the city government had recommended to be temporarily closed.

City Legal Officer Lawyer Renato dela Cruz said that Behan did not use the name of Mayor Lim to flex her influence among the members of the Royal Plaza Twin Towers Condominium Corp. (RPTTCC) seize the condominium from the former board of trustees, contrary to the reports that came out from different newspapers.

“We heard that majority of the residents living in Royal Plaza had voted Behan since the former trustees had been ineffective in terms of providing their needs. With that Mayor Lim, during a meeting, said that he will be standing by Behan,” he told the Manila Bulletin in a telephone interview.

Last Thursday, former RPTTCC president Julie Taneda and vice president Julita Lopez complained that Behan, who was now the current chief of the Manila City Hall – Electronic Data Processing Services, that she was allegedly using Lim’s name to scare them into giving in to her demands. (Leonard Postrado)

LIM, ISKO LEAD MANILA’S 439TH ANNIVERSARY

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will lead city officials and employees in the weeklong observance of the 439^th Araw ng Maynila.

The 2010 Araw ng Maynila is a 2-in-1 celebration of the 239th anniversary and the Cabildo on City Council founded by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.

The Araw ng Maynila 2010 activities will kick off with a thanksgiving mass at at the Bonifacio Shrine at 7a.m. to be followed by the successive laying of wreaths at the Bonifacio Shrine, Rajah Sulayman at Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate at 8:30 a.m. and at the tomb of Miguel lopez de Legaspi at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros and a free entrance at Manila Zoo for the whole day.

Lim will host a breakfast at the Bulwagang Villegas with department heads and city councilors.

The outstanding Manilans for the year who will be feted at Manila Hotel are: President elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for public service (he will also keynote the event); Dr. Lydia Echauz, president of FEU, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Bro. Armin Luistro of De La Salle University, Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, UST rector, Dr.Lucio Tan, 2000 outstanding Manilan, Ricky Razon, 1997 outstanding Manilan, Justice Antonio Carpio, Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon  Sr. a 1994 outstanding Manilan, and Manolo Lopez.

The other activities for the week-long celebration are MASCO aerobics at Bonifacio Shrine and courtesy call of the Parole Board at Bulwagang Villegas on June 17, Awarding of Outstanding MTC/RTC judges and prosecutors on June 18, wreath laying at Rizal monument on June 19, medical mission from District 1 to 6, Pasig River Cruise on June 20, “Sulyap sa Maynila” exhibit opening at Rodriguez Hall, Kalilang at Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Awarding City Employees at Bulwagang Villegas, Historic Manila Bay Exhibit Opening on June 21, Awarding of Lots, Outstanding Barangays, Patnubay Awards at Bulwagang Villegas on June 22, City Council celebrations at Session Hall Lobby, Awarding Outstanding Taxpayers and Business Establishments at Bulwagang Villegas and Metropolitan Theater opening and cultural property plaque on June 23.

DOLE, CITY OF MANILA RELEASE LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE TO POOR

 

The City of Manila and the Department of Labor and Employment- Manila released Friday livelihood and educational assistance, including Negosyo sa Kariton (Negokart) to indigent residents of the city so they could improve their lives through business and livelihood.

At the awarding ceremony held at Palma hall of the City College of Manila, the educational assistance, capital assistant and Negokart to be given to the recipients will carry no interest.

The city, through Department of Social Welfare-Manila under OIC Jay de la Fuente has given capital assistance to 133 people from the six districts of Manila.

This is a project of the City of Manila under the Department of Social Welfare OIC Jay de la Fuente. The recipient of capital assistance are 133 persons from the six district of Manila.

The NegoKart is a being implemented  by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in coordination with the City of Manila.

In the city 50 indigent recipients and some members of the  Laka ng Inang Bayan received NegoKarts in the formal turn-over. DOLE-Manila Field Office Director Enrique Lalus of DOLE turnover the check to the city government amounting P585,000.

Basically, the NegoKart project provides vendors with services to help them augment and diversify their products and services and market the same to more buyers or customers.

Lalus promised to help and give DOLE’s full support for the city, for which Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked the DOLE for supporting his pro poor initiatives.

“Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, ang City of Manila ay nagpapautang since 2007 at ibabalik sa amin iyan ng walang interes, para dun sa mga maganda magbayad pwede kayo hanggang P2,000 to P3,000.

“Ang pwedeng ipautang sa inyo. Kapag sinabing hanapbuhay, pang mahabang panahon, iyan ay sa kapakinabangan ninyo din,” Lim said.

Manila Celebrates 112th Philippine Independence

Manila Celebrates 112^th Philippine Independence

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will lead city officials in celebrating the 112th Independence Day celebration tomorrow, June 12, Saturday at the Pambansang Bantayog ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal ( Rizal Monument ) in Luneta.

The Mayor will raise the Philippine flag at 7a,m along with city officials and employees at  the Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery .

The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebration is ” KALAYAAN, Tagumpay Ng Bayan”.

In 2009, the Mayor honored the war heroes and veterans at the North Cemetery .

The Mayor urged all Filipinos to join the celebration as we have once again succeeded in exercising our freedom and democracy during the successful May 10, 2010 first automated elections.

A whole-day jobs fair will be held at the Lagoon area of the Rizal Park and in the afternoon, President Arroyo will deliver her last Kalayaan address to the nation to be followed by a civic military parade of 10 floats representing her 10-point agenda and the 11th float called Inang Bayan which will feature the successful Filipino achievers here and abroad.

So as not to inconvenience the public and the motorists, the City of Manila has released its rerouting plan for major roads leading to the Independence Day rites on Saturday, June 12, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

Traffic will be rerouted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard north and southbound lanes from Katigbak to TM Kalaw.

All vehicles traveling southward from Delpan Bridge Pier Zone shall turn left at P. Burgos right Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All vehicles traveling northward along Roxas Boulevard shall turn right at TM Kalaw to their destination.

Vehicles coming from McArthur, Jones and Quezon Bridges shall take the road leading to Round Table, Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All cargo trucks traveling Osmeña Highway shall turn to President Quirino Avenue, straight to Nagtahan, AH Lacson, Yuseco Street crossing Jose Abad Santos straight to Raxabago, Capulong to their destinations and vice versa.

Routes to be closed during the civic military parade from 12 noon onwards are: the entire stretch of Roxas Blvd. and Bonifacio Drive north and southbound from Anda Circle to President Quirino; the entire stretch of P. Burgos east and west bound from Roxas Blvd. to Ma. Orosa; the entire stretch of TM Kalaw east and west bound from Roxas blvd to MH del Pilar; Finance Road to Taft Avenue; Lagusnilad and P. Burgos.

LIM GETS DONATION OF FLAGS FROM CFBCI

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim  received on Thursday 100 pieces of Philippine flags from the Chinese-Filipino Business Club Inc. (CFBCI) headed by  its president Lino Uy during their courtesy call at the Bulwagang Villegas Thursday morning.

Last month, the city of Manila observed the ceremonial cremation of flags during the National Flag Day as a final honor to the old flags and the ashes were stored in an urn that was buried under ground.  A marker was also placed above the burial ground for the flags.

About 400 damaged flags were collected from the different barangay halls, plazas and police outposts in the city.

Mayor Lim said the donation is timely as the country celebrates this Saturday the 112th Independence Day. The donated flags will be turned over to the different city schools.

Mayor Lim also stressed that the flag is a concrete symbol of the country’s freedom and democracy.

Joining the CFBCI President in the ceremonial donation were CFBCI Vice-President Lao Giok Chiao, Immediate Past President Siy Yap Chua and Director Stephen Sia.

LIM INSPECTS CCM ANNEX IN ESCOLTA

Following a complaint of a concerned student who wrote him about the sorry state of the City College of Manila annex building in Escolta, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim took with him key officials of the city to conduct an ocular inspection of the toilets and other facilities to ensure that they are kept in tip top shape for a better learning environment to students.

Lim brought with him Secretary to the Mayor, Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Engineer Armando Andres, City Electrician Engr. Ernesto Cuyugan, City Health Officer, Dr. Marie Lorraine Sanchez and CCM’s Dean of Business Administration Elena Cernias.

A concerned student wrote the Mayor and submitted photos of the dilapidated and unhygienic state of the comfort rooms, which prompted the Mayor to immediately go to the site himself right after the department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting Monday morning.

In a dialogue that followed the inspection, Lim invited all the female students to Dean Cernias’ office and ordered them to use, for the meantime, the toilet of the dean, for emergency purposes, until such time that restoration work is completed within two weeks. He also asked his Secretary, Garayblas, concurrent president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, to check the conditions of all the toilets in the university.

This CCM building in Escolta, originally belonging to the Philippine National Bank, was built in 1995 and when the city took over it was converted into a school for poor but average students. The Mayor plans to rehabilitate the facilities of the school,  but the first priority must be the comfort rooms. 

During his meeting with the students, Lim recalled some success stories of former students who graduated at City College of Manila such as one who graduated cum laude in Criminology and placed 9th in the board. Another is lady who now works in a multinational company and tied the knot with a Singaporean businessman. Now she is supporting her parents and younger siblings in their studies. 

The lesson here is to study, study and study so that you will achieve your lofty goals in life. As the saying goes success comes with perseverance and hard work. “Kaya lahat kayo pagbutihan ninyo ang pag-aaral, there is time for everything. Your time now is to study hard,” he said.

MANILA’S REPLY ON CHEESEBURGER ISSUE: ALL IS PROPERLY DOCUMENTED

In what is clearly being used as an election issue against incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim on the purchase of cheeseburgers in August 2009 for a Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) conference of the National Capital Region, Lim asked his rivals to just refer to the documents on said purchase. “Everything is properly documented so they should just use the figures stated in the documents instead of fabricating their own in terms of the number and value of burgers purchased for said event,” Lim said. Also, Manila Barangay Bureau (MMB) chief Atty. Analyn Marcelo-Buan said the burgers were bought and given to the members and attendees of the launching and oath taking ceremonies of the BPAT-NCR last August 27, 2009 at the Rizal Football Stadium.   The clarification is being issued in view of a column in one of the tabloids last March 23, 2010 alleging that it was an anomalous purchase.   The issue is also being used against Mayor Lim by his political rival former Mayor Joselito Atienza Jr., and Atty. Rey Bagatsing, with the latter filing a case in the Ombudsman against Mayor Lim and other city officials.   Bagatsing alleged there was no event that happened to justify the purchase of 5,500 cheeseburgers from Angel’s Burger.   Buan, in a letter said that the event  was held last August 27, 2009, a project spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Vito Cruz Manila.   “It was attended by various government agencies and NGO’s which include the BPAT composed of barangay tanods, Security Guards, Brgy Chairmen, Council of Elders, among others,” Buan stated.   “Considering that all 896 barangays of Manila were involved, MMB was requested by Manila Police District (MPD) to coordinate said event,” she explained.   “Gen. (Rodolfo) Magtibay, MPD chief requested for logistic support from the Office of the Mayor and the Mayor even approved the snacks of cheeseburgers for 25,000 people,” Buan explained.   She said the Mayor and DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Congresswoman Naida Angping attended the event.   She said there were two orders placed with Angel’s Burger which then had a promol offer of “Buy one Take one.”.The first order was for 5,000 and the second for 2,500 or total of 7,500 orders but at the promo this meant 15,000 burgers, again contrary to the 5,500 pieces that Bagatsing alleged.   Each order costs P29.50  (discounted 50 cents from the normal P30) totaling P147,500.00 for the first and P73,750.00 for the second. The grand total was P221,250..   Lim said he did not want to dignify the lies his rivals are spreading.   Other city officials assert that the documents are in place and anybody can look at them to get to the truth.

GIVE BLOW OUT TO YOUR PARENTS, LIM TELLS STUDENTS

Before handing the cash incentives to over 300 outstanding students of Manila who competed in different regional and international events, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim urged them to treat their parents for a meal.

In awarding ceremonies held at the Bulwagang Alfredo Velayo at Victorino Mapa High School, the Mayor reminded them that from the very start, “your parents showered you their love, attention, sacrifices and whatever they could give to inspire you to do your best. So they deserve one blow out from you in return.”

Mayor Lim said the incentives they were receiving came from the taxes their parents paid.  “Gusto ko lang liwanagin na ang mga natanggap ninyo ay galing sa mga magulang ninyo sa mga buwis na kanilang ibinabayad.”

Lim asked for their understanding for coming in late as he had to attend a necrological service of the slain police officer. He extended his condolence to the bereaved family in rites held at the Manila Police District Headquarters.

Mayor Lim also thanked the selected students of Juan Luna Elementary School for their remarkable introduction of him with matching visual presentation.

“Ngayon ko lang nalaman na habang pinapanood ko ang visual presentation ninyo ay marami rin pala akong nagawa para sa lungsod. Ang sabi kasi ng mga katunggali ko na wala daw akong nagawa,” Lim said.

During the Holy Week, Lim said he prayed that the Lord would forgive his detractors since they don’t know what they were doing.  “Patawarin ninyo po sila dahil hindi po nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa.”

Mayor Lim was assisted by City School Superintendent Dr Ponciano Menguito and Assistant City Schools Superintendent Drs Mauro de Gulan and Aurora Franco in distributing the incentives to the outstanding students who gave pride and honor to their school, to the city and the country.

LIM INAUGURATES NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning led the ribbon cutting that formally opened the four-story, 3,024 square meter building of the Tondo High School.

He was accompanied by Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Cong. Ben Asilo, both products of Manila public high schools, along with Mayor Lim.

The new building has 10 classrooms located at the second and third floors while the fourth floor is the multi-purpose hall. On the ground floor is an open area. Each floor has two toilets– for girls and boys.

The blessing was officiated by Rev. Fr. Eduardo Hila, assistant parish priest Don Bosco Parish.

The city spent P70 million for the building. 

The new building is a symbol of the care and concern of the dynamic and able leadership of Lim and Domagoso.

Domagoso is a product of Tondo High School, who praised his alma mater for molding him into what he is now.

Congressman Asilo is also a product of public school as he showed his debt of gratitude to the city public school system.

Lim said the new building is dedicated to students, teachers and school principal. The Mayor said he is a product of the P. Gomez Elementary School.

He said one of his priority is education which is why I am putting up new school buildings, elementary and high schools.

The Mayor said education is the only way out of poverty and the road to a brighter future. “Strive to finish not just grade school or high school but college as well, which are provided by the city free to Manilans. Who knows, 50 years from now, the next leader will come from this school, just like me and vice mayor”, he added.

Lim stressed that the building was paid by taxpayers money as he reminded the students and teachers to maintain it properly.

Also present during the inauguration were: City Engineer Armando Andres, City School Superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito, Tondo High School principal Wenifrida Lazarte-Lagman, assistant superintendents, teachers, students, and department heads.