Mr.Hann and Mr. Lam making bundles in PH

What mattersmost

Before Dae Sik Han, there was Jack Lam. Han is Korean and Lam is Hongkong Chinese and through his Jimei Company operates Fontana. I don’t want to douse cold water on the joy exhibited by the Korean businessman following what the millennials call ‘bonggacious’opening day last Wednesday.

Your attention please Mr. Han. Fire the people behind the construction of Han casino, your management team, architects and engineers. The 2-level parking space is spacious but the exits are ideal for Volkswagen and Wigos only. It is so difficult to maneuver when going through the exit even for a sedan. God forbid, if there will be an emergency that will happen, a great disaster can be expected. Plus your elevators weren’t in their working condition. I nearly got trapped last Tuesday afternoon.

Now back to Mr. Lam and Mr. Han. The two have something in common. They both made money in their casino operation inside the Freeport. The difference is that Mr. Lam was more generous to his Filipino employees. It cannot be said of Mr. Han. I asked some of his employees of their take home pay and they raised their eyebrows and gnashed their dentures. (Btw. That’s also true in Midori and Heights Casino. Ang baba ng pasahod. P16 thousand per month. Midori is owned by Taiwanese businessmen and Heights by Koreans.)

It is so evident that the casino operators are too slow in pay increases for their workers despite the work related stress they have to face each day and night. At the height of operation of Jack Lam’s Fontana Resort Casino help, financial and otherwise cascaded to the nearby communities. His employees were happy because they were well paid.

In fairness, as for Widus, the former name of Mr. Hans casino, it also adopted a corporate social programs and once in a while launching something unnoticed. The hundreds of worker hope that when Hann will gain traction, there will be upward salary adjustments.

Let’s revisit what happened some years ago which led to the closure of Fontana Casino.

I pointed it then that the Philippine government enters into contracts with private individuals and firms and should honor those contracts, because for anyone to enter into business it has to get the state's consent.

And once given, after going through rigid process, the state's integrity in honoring and respecting the contracts must be upheld at all times.

The closure of Fontana Resort and Leisure resulted to related stories. The biggest of which was the alledged extortion against Chinese businessman Jack Lam by two alleged associate commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration. The government acted hastily in ordering the closure of the gambling casino which resulted in the displacement of thousands of workers.

To this date the casinos in operation in the Clark Freeport are PAGCOR Mimosa, Heights, Fortune Gate, Royce, Midori and Hann.

There are POGOS and other on-line gaming operations and are making bundles. I have heard so many.

Last Friday, I was told of a very heartbreaking news and I am deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. A colleague from Central Office suddenly passed away due to pneumonia, which he did not even show or exhibit signs and symptoms of. What I remember however, is that he was a smoker. But his unexpected demise should be a reminder to all that life is really short.

This coming Christmas Day, I hope we focus on what matters the most and these are the things that make us happy whatever they are. I hope each of us cherish all the blessings we have and not be bothered by what we still do not have. God is good all the time, and the best things in life are absolutely free!

I would like to share in full this post from We Are Catholics Facebook Page:

A Gentle Reminder From Pope Francis

This life will go by fast. Don't fight with people, don't criticize your body so much, don't complain so much.

Don't lose sleep over your bills. Look for the person that makes you happy. If you make a mistake, let it go and keep seeking your happiness.

Never stop being a good parent. Don't worry so much about buying luxuries and comforts for your home, and don't kill yourself trying to leave an inheritance for your family. Those benefits should be earned by each person, so don't dedicate yourself to accumulating money.

Enjoy, travel, enjoy your journeys, see new places, give yourself the pleasures you deserve. Allow dogs to get closer. Don't put away the fine glassware. Utilize the new dinnerware; don't save your favorite perfume, use it to go out with yourself; wear out your favorite sport shoes; repeat your favorite clothes.

So what? That's not bad. Why not now? Why not pray now instead of waiting until before you sleep? Why not call now? Why not forgive now? We wait so long for Christmas; for Friday; for Reunions; for another year; for when I have money; for love to come; when everything is perfect...look...

Everything perfect doesn't exist. Human beings can't accomplish this because it simply was not intended to be completed here. Here is an opportunity to learn.

So take this challenge that is life and do it now...love more, forgive more, embrace more, love more intensely and leave the rest in God's hands. Amen.