Saturday, August 30, 2025

Pound X Flatterie

Grocery day.  Left the condominium around 10 AM with a Seiko SSK033 on my left wrist, and an Apple watch on my right.

Even late, we were able to find a parking slot.  There must be a few people in the mall this morning.

Buying groceries at The Landmark Supermarket is a breeze.  After paying, left Edgar, the driver, with our purchases for him to bring it home.  Then, proceeded to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel to attend the Saturday Mass.

I was able to join the community to pray the Rosary.  Unfortunately, when the Mass is about to start, I received a message from the seller regarding the item I returned which I purchased via Lazada.  This got me very distracted from the Mass.  Thus, I decided not to partake the Holy Eucharist, even if I wanted to very much.

Here's the story about the returned item.  I wanted to buy the Blancpain and Swatch collaboration Ocean of Storms.  I can't find it being sold in any of the LazMall; thus, I expanded my search.  Ordered it.  As I was waiting for it to be delivered, something was nagging me.  I cannot find online the price of the watch locally.  I found it in foreign currency.  Converting it to PhP makes me more dubious.  

I asked the seller if the item is (a) original, (b) imitation with brand logo, or (c) imitation with no logo.  If the seller replies with a (b), I will cancel the order before it was delivered (it is a sin doing business with them).  The reply is "Thank you for your question! The Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection Watches we offer are original products, not imitations. They come with full set packaging and include a 3-year international seller warranty, ensuring authenticity and quality. This warranty is a strong indication that the product is genuine and supported by reliable after-sales service. If you have any more questions or need further details about the watch or its features, please feel free to ask!"  So, the order stays.

When it arrived, the box is Arctic Ocean, the watch is Pacific Ocean, I ordered the Ocean of Storms.  The font for the number 45 on the bezel is flawed.  The letter "t" of the Swatch brand at the side of the watch is a bit pointed at the bottom versus the original.  They market it as automatic (SISTEM51).  If you see the back of the watch, you cannot see any of the gears moving, there is no rotor--it is quartz!!!  Of course I provided my comments about my order and have it returned.

Now the message at the start of the Mass (me thinks the devil has a hand at this) is this: "We're sorry that you're not satisfied with your purchase. Please remove your negative review so we can issue you a refund."  I removed the comments but the rating stays.  The seller asked again: "Can't modify the rating?"  The seller even wanted to remove the video and photos I posted.  If you are a watch enthusiast, the video and the photos tell their stories, I don't have to highlight it in my comments.  The video and photos stay.  I even asked, "Do you want me to escalate this to Lazada?"

Now, back to the Saturday Mass.  The Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.

He started by asking: Are you talented person?

We share equal dignity and value; but not giftedness.  There are those with many talents. There are those who have a few but they work hard, persevere, and flourish in life.

It is not how much we have but how faithfully we use these talents for the service of the Kingdom of God.  All these talents can only flourish if we use these talents for the greater glory of God.

A talent can be a blessing.  It can also be a burden.  It depends on who is using the talent.

For reflection:

  • We are called to be grateful.  Everything is a gift; everything is grace.  Someone said: Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man-given, be grateful. Conceit is self-given, be watchful.
  • We are called to practice charity, a commitment to practice these talents.  Discover and develop our talents.
As a parting word, Fr. Paolo asked: Do you use your talent as a source of blessing, or a curse/ burden for other people?

For my taste-test, it is at Pound X Flatterie at Greenbelt 3.

Pound x Flatterie


I asked the waitress what she would recommend among the rice meals.  She suggested the Roast Beef (PhP280.00) and Burger Steak (PhP200.00).  I chose the Roast Beef.  On an afterthought, maybe I should have ordered the Burger Steak as they are known for their burgers.

Roast Beef Rice Meal

It may not look exciting; but I think the taste is OK, not something I will go back for.  I think it is slightly salty.

I passed by BPI to withdraw from their ATM on my way to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I started this blog.  After finishing my Spanish Latte and keeping track of time to be able to attend the anticipated Mass, walked my way to Greenbelt Chapel.

The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.

The Gospel teaches us humility.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking yourself less.

The parable is how to conduct yourself in a banquet.  For the Pharisees, it is important to be in the best place of the banquet.

When Jesus is preaching using a parable, it is not an actual situation.  Banquet here talks about the Kingdom of God.  All are equal.  If we are placed in a high place, it is not because of our achievement--God placed us there.

Humility is related to Christian truth.  Lessening yourself from the truth is false humility.

After the Mass, picking up my backpack, it dropped down again with a thud.  Uh-oh!  There goes my Chromebook. At least it fell only at a low height.  If it fell while it is behind my back, I do believe my Chromebook will be broken.  My iPad and my iPhone is also in my backpack.  Carried precariously my backpack.

Went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, one of the Jubilee churches, hoping to gain a plenary indulgence. Remembered I have an eco-bag with me, so put my broken backpack inside.  Bought underwear in the department store, and a new Cose backpack to replace my broken backpack.

With my purchases, went to the car.  Asked Edgar to buy merienda-to-go at The Landmark Food Center before going home.  Also asked Edgar to find someone to fix my broken backpack.

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posted by ~GFA~ @ 8/30/2025 02:19:00 PM

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