I should have been writing about my singleness! In fact, I almost have finished an article about the pleasures it brings to me especially in the past weeks, not until I had a very terrible experience last night!

From a meeting in Makati, I tried to get straight home and pass through a nearby mall. I was walking along the basement when a woman approached and asked me if I do own a credit card. In my excitement to join a free raffle promo that I was told of, I decided to spare some time to sit down and listen about the offer. After introducing me to a fellow, she handed me a poster showing the prizes I could possibly win including a luxury car and P888,888.00 cash. I might have thought of it as a bluffer to their true motive so the woman let me read a line on the poster saying that it was not an obligation for me to pay anything that has a value. She further explained that it was a special promotion and just wanted me to know so I may have something to share with my friends about their company. Even before that, I was told that I already won an umbrella and a bag because of the time I gave them.

It was not over yet! She brought me to the third floor of the mall where I would be playing for the P888,888.00 cash. The woman was so persuasive. While on the elevator, she was asking questions about my work and then telling me some stories about her life. I must believe that she were really trained to have such a speaking caress! As we finally reached the lobby of their office, I saw many other people accompanied by agents like her with the same sense of friendliness. Then after few minutes, another woman called my name and asked me to get in for a "45-minute orientation".

She was equally outspoken and convincing. She first asked me to fill out a form while preparing a cup of coffee for me (hmmm! who could resist of coffee???) and then started the conversation by asking of my dreams in life that I wrote on the form. The questions were quite personal so I assumed that we were having intimate and serious talks, which I ought to answer seriously. She commented that I sound so matured and profound (huh?!) while bringing the issue of future security over the cup of coffee and then… finally offering their insurance program!

I had so many questions expressing hesitation not until their account manager came to me. In the end, I was convinced to avail of their insurance through initial deposit over my credit card plus a monthly premium payable within 7 years, entitling me to a P250, 000.00 cash endowment upon maturity period of 15 years. That was the only time I got raffle coupons for the luxury car and won 11 PIN as my ticket for the P888,888.00 cash to be drawn on July 2008.

Ergo, all I took home was a free gym-bag and the insurance certificate for myself after the 45-minute-turned-3-hour-orientation!