Jose Mari Chan concert organizer apologizes to ticket holders
Organizers of the Jose Mari Chan concert apologized to ticket holders and promised a refund after they were flooded with complaints last December 8.
“We sincerely and unreservedly apologize for the mix-up that resulted in frustration and disappointment for those who wanted to see the show but could not,” said Chie Febra of the organizing SGF Travel and Tours posted on her Facebook account, Sarahgoching Febra on December 9, 9:41 a.m.
She added that they will “continue to investigate what lead to this unexpected and unfortunate situation, and will issue refunds for those who received refund authorization at the door”.
When asked by the Journal if there were more than 800 tickets sold, in a text message, Febra clarified that they have “800 people confirmed kasama na ang allowance dyan in case may darating pa”.
“But that night and daming dumating pa na walang tickets naka bumili lang sa entrance at maraming naka lusot na kung saan ang may mga tickets nawalan ng upuan. Ang mga General Admission inupuan ang VIP tables, pag pinaalis nagagalit sila,” Febra said.
Carlo Cachuela posted by replying to the organizer’s post stating “Do not produce events like this if you don’t know how. It is now always all about the money! The $80 that we are now asking for a refund wouldn’t pay for the time wasted, efforts inserted and the excitement to see the show”.
“Pinagmukha mong PIPITSUGIN ang mga Pilipino,” Cachuela said.
Lixmilla Serrano, an event sponsor, booked for two tables only to find out their tables were “taken by two groups”.
Tony Surtida, a concert organizer himself, stated on his Facebook page that they “showed up all decked out for the Jose Mari Chan concert. After lining up for who knows how long (the line didn’t move all that time!), we were told that they were no longer letting people in”.
A Filipino business association member, who requested anonymity, said that the incident also embarrassed members of the Filipino business community in Edmonton and will be holding a meeting to draw up a plan on how to help prevent another unfortunate incident.
The organizer, SGF Travel and Tours on its FB page, is a Canadian-based full-service travel agency with contact number (902)7891410 that is based in Nova Scotia Province.
Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
