'Grabe 'yung abala at perwisyo na binigay nila sa amin': Owner details how viral resort trashing affected their business
The co-owner of a Laguna resort that went viral after being trashed by its guests shared how the incident affected their business.
In a CCTV footage, a group of adult men who rented the place on Aug. 13 can be seen laughing as they threw some of the establishment's items into the swimming pool—from bottles and plastics to chairs, tables, and even a water dispenser—after a "company event."
According to a Facebook post by Noneth Palentino, one of the owners of the Jeremias Triplex Resort, they learned about what happened after the visitors asked the caretaker if they can get a refund for their security deposit worth P1,000. When they were told that owners would have to check the area first before granting their request, the guests immediately got on their motorcycle and left.
Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, co-owner Desiree Manalang recalled how they weren't able to welcome customers for two days just to clean up their mess.
"Grabe 'yung abala at perwisyo na binigay nila sa amin," she said. "It’s really hard for us since hindi kami makapagbook nang maayos for the guests, marami na din pong tao na naabala, questioning our credibility at sinasabi na 'yung caretaker daw po namin, hindi daw po ginawa 'yung trabaho nila nang tama."
Manalang told L!fe that they decided to file a complaint at their barangay, which called for a conciliation between both parties to settle the dispute.
"Tumawag po kami sa barangay, sinuportahan kami at kinausap both parties. May confrontation pong nangyari, nagsorry sila pero hindi naman namin makita yung sincerity sa kanila," Manalang said.
She and her co-owners, however, ended up agreeing to a P30,000 settlement for the damages that have been caused.
"Nagmakaawa at lumuhod po sa amin 'yung magulang ng isa sa mga suspect at nagsorry. May settlement po na nangyari, 30k worth of damages at bayad na po. Pinakamahal po na nasira ay 'yung water dispenser," she shared.
In a statement released on Aug. 15, the guests' employer Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines noted that it was not an "official event" of the company, but a "personal deviation made at a private meeting of some employees." SEMPHIL also stressed that the "disturbing incident" is "not a reflection" of their values.
While the resort's owners opted not to file a case in line with property damage, they revealed on their Facebook page that the guests have been dismissed by their employer.
Manalang expressed her hope that this would serve as a lesson for everyone involved.
She also advised resort owners and Airbnb hosts to take action "right away" in case they find themselves in the same situation. "Sa lahat po ng mga makaka-encounter ng nangyari sa amin, importante po na tumawag sa kinauukulan right away. Tumawag po kami agad sa barangay at nabigyan po kami ng kailangang suporta," Manalang said. (with reports from Brooke Villanueva)