Adobo-Moto

Riding a bus for almost half a day is not everyone's idea of a comfortable trip. For passengers waiting at transport terminals, there are many ways to pass the time or ease one’s boredom, such as participating in a survey, taking a quick snap at a photo wall for souvenirs, maybe even scoring some free snacks and drinks.



Passengers of Bicol Isarog Bus 222 who were waiting at the bus terminal actually proved how effective these anti-boredom tactics were last December 17 as they waited to board their bus to Manila.

What the passengers did not know was that these “anti-boredom tactics,” conducted by the bus company in collaboration with Globe MyBusiness, were just an excuse to gather the wish lists of all 35 passengers.

That data was forwarded to Manila to fulfill the ultimate goal: to grant the wishes of the passengers of Bus no. 222 when it arrives in Bicol Isarog’s terminal in Cubao, Quezon City. For about 12 hours, select Bicol Isarog and Globe myBusiness employees played Santa's elves and wasted no time in finding the items the passengers wished for.

All the gifts which include flat television sets, mobile phones, laptops, a printer, a camera, and Christmas baskets were brought to Bicol Isarog’s ticketing office in EDSA.

Bus no. 222 arrived at a little past 8 p.m. to a warm and boisterous welcome by officials and employees of Bicol Isarog and Globe myBusiness and even Santa himself, who handed out the gifts on the wish list.
Fifty-seven year old Marcia Salida was among the passengers who got that holiday surprise. Marcia came to Metro Manila to spend Christmas with her eldest son, CJ, at the latter's home in Pasig City. She was planning to buy a TV for her son.

When Globe myBusiness and Bicol Isarog handed her a brand new TV upon her arrival, she couldn’t help but burst into tears. "I thought it was just a plain survey. I didn't expect them to grant my wish," Salido said as she repeatedly thanked Bicol Isarog and Globe MyBusiness.

Salido explained that the last time her son spent Christmas with them was two years ago. "He had to let go of his teaching job and come to Manila to take on a higher-paying job. And I'm so thankful to Globe MyBusiness and Bicol Isarog for making our Christmas extra special.”

For siblings Arrianewin, 13, and Edwin Federis, Jr., 12, Christmas came a week early. From now on, they no longer have to pay for time at computer rental shops in their hometown in Tigaon, Camarines Sur for their homeworks, projects and research.

Not after Globe and Bicol Isarog gifted them with their own laptop and printer. According to their aunt, Evelyn Mahupil who accompanied them on the trip, the brother and sister came to Manila to spend their Christmas vacation with relatives.

"We were not really expecting anything from the survey they answered this morning but we are very thankful for the gifts.

This means a lot to us,” she said. The surprise gift-giving was an inspired idea that both companies came up with and planned for almost a year.

Globe myBusiness and Bicol Isarog know that to maintain their edge in the business they have to make customers happy in any way possible.

"Look for ways to bring more smiles to the faces of your customers," says Derrick Heng, senior advisor for Globe MyBusiness. "It doesn't always have to be big, but the small gesture of thanking them for their loyalty goes a long, long way."

For more information, about Globe myBusiness, you may visit the website at http://mybusiness.globe.com.ph.