Making new little friends

Did anyone tell you not to talk to strangers??? I guess when we were kids...these were the advice of our parents. Funny just this week in two instances, kids approached me. I had fun knowing them.



Kids I met outside the church. They are siblings and cousins.



Alex and Mike Linux. They are "suman" vendors. Originally from Real, Quezon and they are in Tanay, Rizal on vacation, helping out their grandparents by selling suman at a nearby resort, Pranjetto Hills.




Kept saying "thank you" to me as I bought them some snacks for keeping me company while I was exploring the place. They were nice kids. Approached me just to have a conversation while waiting for the people inside the resort to finish their seminar. They were humble kids not asking for money, not telling fake sad stories...



Security guards

This is based on my experiences with security guards in the mall, airports and banks.

I was an usher for a few years in our church and whenever we would have nationwide gatherings, our church was always assigned to security. Not as those with guns but while it's praise and worship, we make sure our eyes would be lingering around making sure that people's things are safe. I took that seriously.As much as I wanted to pray, praise and worship...I made sure I did what I had to do. This was the time, I had so much respect with Security guards and what they do. Security is a hard job. Before I can't figure out why people would take this job lightly. Then I realize that it's because of the salary and the reputations that security guards have here in this country. 

I'm not quite sure who owns the agencies but as far as what I've been hearing that these people would be from the military, police or security field. Sad to say, they aren't training people that well. The importance of this job is not being emphasized. It's just business for the agency owners.

Almost every week, you would see news about security. Yet, there is only security when something bad has already happened. I remember watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmY_VJozq_c  where the guard was the first one to ran out of the shop while bandits do what they do. I usually ask help or info from them when looking for a place. It means I trust them giving me the right info. But most of all I trust them making me feel secured in the place where they are assigned. SM Megamall guards just point at their sticks at my bag. NAIA Terminal 3, I was ready for the lady guard to do a body search, yet was busy talking to the person on that x-ray machine for baggages. The worst that I've experienced and this is very consistent....no matter how many times I've passed by at this mall...Landmark, Makati...poor security. I'm assuming that the people assigned at the entrance are security guards right? Because Management did a good job in dressing these people according to the theme of the month/occassion. All they do is chat. You would see customers preparing their bags for inspections, yet they have to hear the lady guard talking to male guard about outings, families, love life, gossips, flirting etc. My guess is, since the malls in Makati are all connected to each other, their concept would be that SM, Glorietta, Greenbelt guards have already checked their bags so why should they. 

Not all of them are bad...I like Bank guards especially PS Bank. Very courteous and strict. EDSA Shangri-la guards roam around restaurants and at the food court making sure that your things are not on the way where snatchers could easily get it.

I wish this will improve. I wish the security guards will do their job. I wish they will be trained well and that they will give more importance to their job. I wish I would feel more secure in an establishment when I go in.