When Teresita Gonzaga was told she was going on a cruise, she could barely believe it. After all, the 69-year-old Business Director of Excel Group, member of Camella Communities sales network, had no inkling there were more rewards coming her way after their all-expense paid, two-day grand tour of Camella developments in Manila just a few weeks back.
“When the GM told me to pack up my bags, I could not contain my excitement. In my whole life, I never thought I would go on a cruise,” she said. But off to Shanghai she went on October 15, as Davao’s top broker and one of Camella’s top 12 sellers for Mindanao and the Visayas who were cruise-bound.
Teresita is one of the 75 sales topnotchers Camella sent on a three-day luxurious cruise aboard Costa Classica, the best-loved ship among the fleet of Costa Cruises, the largest European cruise operator that provides entertainment and pleasure in all of its destinations.
“This cruise is another reward on top of what our hardworking sales network already receives for a job well done. What’s more exciting was the fact that Sen. Manny Villar joined them on this trip,” said Marlon Escalicas, GM of Camella Communities Davao, who broke the good news to Teresita.
From the moment Teresita arrived in Manila, she and the rest of the group were given VIP treatment, being whisked off by company vehicles from the airport on October 14 to their four-star hotel for the night and to the airport for their flight to Shanghai the next day. There they were once again fetched by tourist buses bound to where their cruise ship was anchored.
“Costa Classica is a huge ship; as tall as a building and very wide. Inside, the Italian-motif is so beautiful every moment spent on board was magical. But the cruise became more special because Sen. Villar and his youngest daughter, Camille, joined us,” she said.
The Villars acted as gracious hosts to the 75 top performers of the sales team of Vista Land & Lifescapes, where Camella Communities is a subsidiary. They feted the brokers to an unforgettable luxurious cruise from Shanghai to Korea and back.
“Sen. Villar was with us all the way, during meals, shows, and enjoying the various entertainments onboard the ship, and shopping, and sightseeing in Korea. He even insisted we take our meals daily at a fine dining restaurant on the ship instead of queuing up at the buffet for all passengers,” Teresita related.
During the two nights and one day the ship sailed to Korea, the group enjoyed the delicious international cuisines at the Tivoli Dining Room, Alfresco Café, and Trattoria. They also went dancing at the ballroom and disco, watched the opera and live shows, listened to live bands, and did other exciting activities at the Piazza Navona, Puccini Lounge, Colosseo Theatre and the many bars, dance clubs and entertainment centers onboard.
When the ship arrived at Korea on October 17, they took tour buses to the famous Lotte Hotel where they spent the cash gifts given to them by Sen. Villar to shop at the duty free center. They also toured the Teddy Bear Theme Park and Museum and Jeju Island, Korea’s biggest island known for its golden beaches, sparkling waterfalls, spectacular sea vistas, and its ghost road called Mysterious Road.
“Korea was so much fun, but we had room for more enjoyment when we got back to the ship. We had another fine dinner and spent the whole night enjoying ourselves at Piazza Navona and the Colloseo Theatre. The next day we shopped onboard before disembarking at Shanghai where we took a flight back to Manila,” Teresita said.
She remarked that the cruise was her most unforgettable happy experience. “What made it more special was the fact that Sen. Villar was with us, giving us everything we needed and making sure we all had a good time,” she said, adding how much she admired the generosity and down-to-earth attitude of the senator and his daughter.
“I have spent years working with other property developers before I joined Camella, and not once did I get to talk personally with the owners. With Sen. Villar, you have opportunities to talk to him one-on-one because he will seek you out,” she said.
One of the things that struck her most during their cruise was what the senator told them – that he will ensure the hard work of the company’s sales network will be rewarded with a good life. This struck a chord deep in Teresita because prior to joining Camella, she and her family had been living under tough times.
She recalled working with other property developers in the past, where getting her commission was hard and incentives were nil. She recounted difficult memories of doing her job by foot, having little to spare for fare. When she joined Camella in 1999 and became exclusive in 2005, her life took a complete turnaround.
“Ang brokers ng Camella, buhay na buhay, basta masipag ka lang magtrabaho. Ang Camella ay ’di tulad ng ibang developers, dahil binibigay nila agad ang mga commissions and incentives. At tulad nitong cruise, merong pang mga rewards na hindi inaasahan,” she said.
Teresita added she is very grateful to be working with a company like Camella, revealing that it is the only developer she knows that allows move in upon securing bank approval and payment of 20%, unlike other developers that only allow move in upon payment of at least 50% of the total package.
“Masarap talaga kapag nasa Camella ka. Dahil sa Camella, hindi lang cruise ang reward na natanggap ko. Umasenso pa ang buhay ko,” Teresita concluded.
