The Jungle Restaurant - Drawing a Line in The Sand

I am sure everyone who reads these entry's are tired of hearing about The Jungle Restaurant. I can not blame everyone for that. But, since it is a big part of my life, well come to think of it, it consumes my life daily. It stands to reason you will hear a lot about it in my writings. We are very proud here to have worked really hard and to support and promote the Filipino and Filipino Culture to the Entire World. It has come at a great sacrifice and suffering on our part also. From the first time I moved here over 8 years ago, I seen something beneath all the corruption, beneath all the lies, deceit, scams, and even beneath the poverty. I seen a nation full of history, culture, diversity and pride. This has also come at great sacrifice and suffering for the Filipino.

In starting this business I knew it would be a struggle, and would be a uphill battle. Getting support for Filipino Cultural Dance, Filipino Heritage and Traditions from Filipino's themselves is a hard battle. If you have a Westernized venue, or theme, its much more accepted and patronized than a Traditional Themes. But, even knowing this, It was something that needed to be done. Not just done in a limited and sometimes put in the back of class, ( so to speak). But promoted, organized, accessible, activity for tourist and locals alike to enjoy and witness on a daily basis. This has come at great cost to my wife and I. Working long hours, spending days and days on the phone. Inviting and inviting people from all around to come and witness this time honored art form. The struggle's and time and money we have involved is staggering to what we have been give in return financially. But we did not quit or give up. Even through times when we did not know where to turn, how we would survive the next day. We stayed the course. We turned not away to yet see another business fall by the waist side here in PI. Not again to sacrifice the Heritage and Traditions of the Filipino for a mere profit...

Look at us now... We have come through the dark times, we have stood strong and endured. You might ask, well this is all great and good, but whats the point your trying to make here. Here is the point. Not only did The Jungle do all of this through hard work, integrity, sweat and suffering. WE DRAWN A LINE IN THE SAND. We will allow no one to cross that line. We not only represented the Filipino Culture and Way of Life to the entire world. We done it, without allowing any of the corruption, or allowing any of the so called Under the table moves in which has plagued the reputation of This Country for so many years. How could we be representing the Heritage and Culture of The Filipino and still allow this. If we allowed that, then again we are just prostituting the values and culture again.

We drawn the line and said, " we will not allow this line to be crossed". Major newspapers have contacted us so many time from all around Philippines. We would love to do a article on The Jungle and its Representation of The Filipino. But you have to pay the hosts airline tickets, you have to pay for their transportation, you have to pay a rescheduling fee, and talent fee. WAIT, WAIT, I thought you wanted to cover The Filipino Heritage and Traditions because you are proud of it. Sounds more like you are trying to pocket money, and scam. You crossed the line and no thank you we decline your offer. Anytime they wish to cover The Jungle for the correct purpose, we will be happy to feed you and cater to you, but we will not be part of such corruption for the greed of money. Will defeat all we are working for here if we do that.

We drawn the line when " Trip na Trip " a well know ABS-CBN affiliate said the same thing. Received the email. Trip na Trip is coming to Cebu and would love to cover you Restaurant. We feel it would make a great addition to Tourism and to The promotion of The Filipino People. We were so proud. I replied, thank you and I will sponsor your whole staffing and drivers with Free Meals and Drinks. We will help to promote the airing over the internet and our media contacts. The reply from Trip na Trip. Ok, but due to scheduling problems we will have to ask that you pay for the flights of the cast and crew, plus transportation charges, and a rescheduling fee if you shall wish us to cover your venue. WAIT, WAIT, you said you would love to cover it because of the pride and how good it would be for tourism and the Filipino.. NO thank you, I decline your offer, you have crossed the line..

We have also said :
* No we will not allow you overcharge a tourist in our establishment.
* No we will not allow our shows to be shorten so you " the guide" can go home early.
* No we do not allow stand by's to stand outside and aggravate the guests.
* No we do not allow taxi touts to scam guests.
* Yes we take plate numbers and car numbers of each and every taxi. If you overcharge, you will be reported.
* Yes dancers, you will practice at least four times a week. Yes we will demand perfection.
* Yes Kitchen staff, you will prepare the food in a timely manner.
* Yes Waiters and Waitress you will be knowledgeable you will be friendly, and your service will be what The Filipino is Famous for.
* Yes marketing and stocks staff, you will not run out of stocks for our customers.
* No they will be no hidden charges, cooking fees, or anything allowed.
* Yes if a manager or owner is asked for you will get to speak with someone.
* Yes if they is a problem, or dis pleasure with your experience, we will make it correct to your wishes, and fix the problem so it does not happen in the future.
* No they will be no cell phone use during working hours.
* No local travel agents we will not serve your guests a P 150 meal while you charge P 1500 for our package.
* No we will not give you, taxi driver, tricycle driver, or anyone commissions for bringing someone here to The Jungle, when they have already requested you to bring them here, or they have a flier or advertisement, or even a internet booking already. You will have to actually work and promote if you want a commission.
* No to the local travel agents who call with such friendly words and acts of their interest in our business , IF we can """HOST"" your monthly meeting for 20 people, when in fact 80% of your business is ticketing only. Plus the fact you have no intentions of including us in your tours. ( We know this through many that have already failed us, and never did anything when we hosted their event.) ( This problem does not exist with Foreign Travel Agents.)
* We say no to the local resorts if they try to give guests coming to the business a hard time with transportation, in the hopes they will stay inside the resorts.
* We say no to event planners, guides, or anyone who we see undermining guests that are reserved to attend The Jungle, and they are co horsed into going to other establishments for commissions from family or friends. In the lack of quality and price in which they do not care. We go straight to the guests or to the agency in which they work for, and let them know what is going on. We do it right in front of the person. We do not hold back or allow such things.
* We say yes to the Great Filipino guides, event planners, agency's and support them, and work with them, and always are ready to change or do what they ask of us.

These are just some of the things that we have said. Do not cross that line. How much easier would have our job have been if we allowed these things. How much quicker might we have grown. But to what expense, selling out what we are actually trying to protect and promote. We advertise " A True Philippine Experience ". We have more respect then to allow those things to happen, if we did, that is really not the true Philippine Experience. Its only a sell out. Filipino's are better than that really.

So when you hear or see about our Place, remember it is real deal. Even behind the scene. Filipino's, when you hear or see the shows and the business, remember that you can actually really for sure, feel proud and honored that it is a true representation of what a Filipino really is. Do I take credit for this success. NO... I am just a American with a lovely Filipina wife, who has been a catalyst, leader, and adviser that has allowed the amazing staff of Filipino's to see and understand, and be very proud of their ability, Heritage, Culture. No money can buy that, no worth can pay for that. If i done anything, all i done was let them see me struggle beside them, and say no. Even when I could have profited more, easily taken things that would have made success more easily, I could have taken the easy road..

So now The Jungle has grown into a major Tourist Attraction. People from many countries are knowing and finding out about us. Appearing now on TV, Newspapers, and media all around the World. ( Still not in Philippine Media to much. ) Its been a struggle, even at great personal sacrifice and suffering for my wife and I. So who do i give credit. The Filipino people. DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND, and say, I will not allow that line to be crossed, for no reason.

** Draw a line in the Sand - Its a old Phrase, in which I am not sure where originated, which means. " Our feelings on a subject or our beliefs are this.. The line represents if you intrude, dis obey, or go against what we belief or stand for, then you have crossed the Line." Also used in terms that you can do a lot of things that are almost against someone, you will be given given compassion and understanding, until you push to far and Cross The Line.....