Beware!!

[mUAr_cHEe]

> Good day to all fellow OFW here in Singapore. I'm Frederick

> (Jonathan) Sanchez and I've been working here since 2001 in the field

> of IT. I would prefer to write this email using our native language

> (Tagalog) coz it would be easier for me but I also want to share this

> to Singaporeans. Please bear with my incorrect grammar and poor

> command of the English language.

>

> This incident happened last Saturday, February 26, 2005. After our

> appointment with my 5-month old baby's pediatrician, my wife and I

> decided that we would spend the afternoon at Orchard. When we arrived

> there we went directly to Takashimaya bought some things for our baby

> and then afterwards bought some Philippine product at Lucky Plaza. At

> around 4:30 pm my wife told me that our baby is hungry and she need

> to breastfeed her. Normally if we are in Orchard we use the nursery

> room in Takashimaya since it is well maintained and spacious. Since

> Paragon is nearer to Lucky Plaza we went there to look for a nursery

> room. There are 2 nursery rooms in Paragon one is located at the 3rd

> level the other one is located at the 5th level. After we found out

> that the 3rd level room was fully occupied we proceeded to the 5th

> level room. The nursery room at the 5th level had 2 doors, the main

> door and a sliding glass door where breastfeeding takes place. My

> wife breastfed our baby there while I went to the basement level

> bringing along with me my baby's pram (stroller) with the intention

> of buying a drink at Marketplace. I was about to enter Marketplace

> when my hand phone rung, my wife's calling me. I answered it and

> heard from the other line that she's crying and panicking. She told

> me that the sliding glass door shattered when they are about to leave

> and glass splinters fell on them. I could not believe what I was

> hearing. I ran as fast as I could and took a lift. When I reached the

> 5th level I saw my wife carrying our baby who is covered with blood.

> It was the scariest moment of my life. I was so shocked in disbelief.

> How could this happen to us when just a week ago my elder sister who

> is about to give birth next month lost here baby. Who would have

> thought that this accident would take place in a nursery room. I took

> my baby from her because she has a lot of glass splinters on her hair

> and body. We looked for as security officer and told him about the

> accident. He assisted us to the Accident and Emergency Department of

> Mt Elizabeth Hospital, which is just behind Paragon. A doctor and

> some nurses attended to us. My wife had minor cut in his right hand.

> Luckily she is wearing long sleeve so her arm was protected. My baby

> sustained most of the injuries they are as follows (based on the

> medical report):

>

> 1. Superficial laceration over the left forehead measuring

about

> 1 cm.

> 2. Superficial laceration over the left upper lip measuring

> about 2 mm.

> 3. Superficial laceration over the right upper lip measuring

> about 5 mm.

> 4. Superficial abrasions over the right elbow region.

> 5. Superficial abrasion over the right wrist region.

> 6. Superficial abrasions over the right and left ears.

> 7. Slight abrasion over the occipital scalp.

>

> A hospital assistant there who incidentally is also a Filipino told

> us that we were lucky the glass door was a safety glass, they would

> crumble into small pieces unlike the normal glass where the injuries

> could have been worse. Just the thought of it gives me the creep. The

> only thing that worried us is that she might have swallowed some

> splinters so the doctor advised us to admit our baby for observation.

> The hospital staff there assured us that all bills will be shouldered

> by Paragon management. The security officer from Paragon keeps

> bugging me and my wife, that the management would like to talk to us

> at their office. It was so irritating and I even shouted at him

> saying that I would do it later. I felt that he was so insensitive to

> do it but I knew that he was just following orders from his

> superiors. He gave me piece of paper with a name and phone number of

> their security manager. A nurse assisted my wife and my baby to room

> 9303 while I filled out some forms. The cashier asked for a $6,000

> deposit so I called the number of the security manager but no one

> answered. I asked the cashier if it's possible for me to just deposit

> $1,000. She agreed and even asked me that I shouldn't be spending

> even a single cent because of the accident. After I settled all this

> I went to my baby's room. I saw Dr Cheah checking the condition of my

> baby. He told me so far everything is ok. I felt a bit relieved. My

> wife told me I need to get some clothes and other stuff so she asked

> me to go home. So I left the hospital but I proceeded first to file a

> police report at Orchard Neighbourhood Police Centre. The police

> officer told me that they would never come into the picture in

> accidents like this. Feeling a bit frustrated I left the station and

> went home. When I returned to the hospital I saw 2 security officers

> from Paragon together with a man who introduced himself as Mr Lim Joe

> Hoe, Senior Manager (operations) of Orchard 290 Ltd. He said that on

> behalf of Paragon management he was sorry for the accident He looked

> sincere,worried and remorseful. I told him that most of my baby's

> injuries outside the body were superficial so nothing to worry about.

> She will be observed overnight because she might have swallowed some

> splinters. He gave me a name card and told me that I just call him on

> his hand phone if I need anything after that we shook hands. The

> whole night me and my wife took turns sleeping so that one of us

> would look after our baby. Fortunately everything was fine. Morning

> came and Dr Cheah again checked the condition of my baby. He told me

> everything was fine. We felt relieved and very happy that our baby is

> fine eventhough she have scars on her face. Dr Cheah assured us that

> it will heal eventually and will not leave any mark. He told us we

> can go home that day. I settled all my bills amounting to $998:

> $217.35 for the Accident and Emegency Department and $780.65 for the

> room and other charges. We went home after I settled this. I called

> Mr Lim on his hand phone but no one is answering. After some

> unsuccessful tries I was finally able to contact him. I informed him

> how much I paid and he said he was not working coz it's a Sunday. He

> told that I can just go to his office tomorrow. I begin to sense a

> change of attitude on his part. Monday, I came to work and took a

> half day off in the afternoon, called Mr Lim and set an appointment.

> When I arrived at his office he brought to me a private room. I

> noticed that he is colder unlike the first time I saw him. I showed

> him all the receipt from the hospital. He told me that I might not

> get my claim that day since most of the bosses are not around and no

> one would be able to sign. I said to myself "Goodness, aren't you a

> senior manager". But being a shy person I just kept this to myself.

> He added that I also need to sign a form that will free them from any

> future liabilities. I told him I don't agree with that. He said I

> will not be able to get my claim if that's the case. At this point I

> begin to feel uncomfortable. I keep thinking that after all the

> trauma we experienced they still have the audacity to make everything

> difficult for me. I said that I would just file a lawsuit, hearing

> this he said "well go ahead it's up to you". I walked out of the room

> but he didn't even dare to follow me or call me at my hp. I went home

> informed my wife what happened and she said I should have accepted Mr

> Lim's condition or else we might end up with an injured baby and

> empty pocket. I called Lee&Lee which is a law firm. A lawyer told me

> that it is possible for me to file a case but it will take time maybe

> 3- 4 months just to process the papers alone. It will also cost me

> some money. I felt helpless because I don't have the resources to do

> this. So what I did was I swallowed my pride called Mr Lim again tell

> him that I really need the money for our daily expenses but I don't

> want to sign anything. I also requested for him to act as a "human"

> and not as a "businessman". He agreed so I came back at his office

> together with me my wife and baby. Mr Lim and some of his staff

> gathered there to meet us. He even carried my baby in front of his

> staff. I said to myself again "Mr Lim the Oscars was already shown

> this morning but what a nice performance you would have given Jamie

> Fox a run for his money." After some sideshow I gave them the

> receipt. I thought I will immediately get my claim. But instead they

> told me that they need to process this first at the finance

> department. I told them I don't have time to collect it and they

> suggested that they'll just mail it to me. What a cheapskate! The

> least they can do is refund me back my hospital bill, $998 is a small

> amount. Even if they gave me a $1000 bill I will give them a $2 bill

> back wholeheartedly. Just this morning I receive a call from of their

> staff informing me that they fax me an acknowledgement letter. I need

> to sign it and mail it to them. What a crap! Acknowledgement of what!

> I haven't received anything from them, what will I acknowledged.

>

> My finger is already tired of typing but thank you all for reading

> this. I would also like to thank Dr Cheah, the nurses and the staff

> of Mt. Elizabeth for the service they rendered us. Dr Cheah even

> called me on my hp to checked the condition of my baby.

>

> For Mr Lim Joe Hoe all I can say is this. Instead of comforting us

> about the accident you even added salt on the wound. I have no

> intention of extorting money from your company all I need is to get

> back the hospital bill which you promised us. If I were in your

> situation I will never do the same thing. I will never exploit

> helpless people and will not washed hands on my responsibilities.

> Isn't it your responsibility to ensure the safeness of your

shopping

> mall. You know why? Because I believe in the saying "What goes around

> comes around". So continue living your life with your fat salary,

> nice house and flashy car while I go on with my meager salary, rented

> room and use public transport. The most important thing is that my

> baby is healthy.

>

> Sa mga kapwa pinoy salamat sa pagbasa nito pasensya na at madalas

> kasi kong absent sa mga english classes ko dati hehehe... More power

to

> pinoyitdotsg. Mabuhay ang OFW!!! Pakiforward na lang sa mga kaopisina

> nyong local... SALAMAT ULI SA PAGBASA NITO...

being a father to a 6 month daughter now.... my heart goes out for him... damn mgmt ppl...

[kareen]

After reading..... I think this is a hoax rather than the real thing. What is the motive, I don't know....

One big, big 'hole' I spot is that glass shattering in public place will be one big news for channel 8, 5, U. I don't remember hearing any on that for Orchard Road except exploding/shattered tiles in a HDB's kitchen flat not too long ago.

[Archilles19]

After reading..... I think this is a hoax rather than the real thing. What is the motive, I don't know....

One big, big 'hole' I spot is that glass shattering in public place will be one big news for channel 8, 5, U. I don't remember hearing any on that for Orchard Road except exploding/shattered tiles in a HDB's kitchen flat not too long ago.

I beg to differ.......

2 years back I was shopping in Ikea in the morning.....at around 12.00pm....I was waiting at the DIY store while my wife was at the ikea cashier paying for her purchase....seeing her walking towards me I then signalled her my intention to go into the DIY store....when I was about a few metres into the store I heard her screaming......I thought someone must have grabbed her purse or something but to my shock my younger son who was 2yrs ++ was having fits while sitting in his stroller......I quickly grabbed him & remoive him from the stroller & ran to the nearest toilet.....kicked the door opened & shouting to people inside to move away then placing him into one of the sink & start to wet his body.....

The ikea staff was helpfull enough, offering me assistance like calling the ambulance.....& so are some of the shoppers around. After hearing that I have a car...the manager/supervisor quickly instructed one of the employee to get the parking coupon.....those free one lah....after the child regain consiusness...we quickly drove to Alexandra.....which later...after administering medical care....transfered to NUH.....

The story above did happen to me...I even have the parking ticket that i took when entering ikea laminated & hung in my car....for good luck......not me or my wife ever forget that day....cause it happen out of nowhere.....& I thank my lucky star I was there...or else my wife would panick....& worst thing could have happened.....

BTW....the story above was not published in the newspaper.......It is up to you to believe.....but in the moment of deperation....I don think they would wanna think about calling the newspaper & neither does the shopping mall want any bad publicity.....

PS....never get a chance to thank those people in ikea who helped me.....even carrying my stuffs to my car & stopping traffic so that I can exit quickly........

[Reefaholic]

I suggest you write to the forum or the New Paper. This will definitely help.

[Lester]

I suggest you write to the forum or the New Paper. This will definitely help.

yap i agree ...

[kareen]

Hi Archilles19,

Oh no.... I do believe accidents do happen but for the 1st story, I think it is more likely to be a chain letter or similar 'cos there are no news report of such accident I have heard of. I write that is because I believe human are pretty kapo in nature, sure got someone call reporter for this "Glass shattering in Orchard shopping centre" news.

[riot]

I tend to see all email/ sms disseminated information as unsubstantiated until backed up by alternative sources- newspaper recounts or eye witness reports. One good example was the recent SMS tsunami donation hotline, that friends spread like wildfire.

However, it does make me take a second look at paragon and other major shopping centres now. It raises awareness, but should not affect consumer's shopping decisions or perception of the various buildings in Orchard.

Archilles personal experience, however, has made a positive impact on my impression of IKEA's ######. Way to go! But too bad their furniture sucks.

###### stands for public relations. The SRC censor machine in action here.