The Way I Look At Him

November 3, 2009 will go down as one of the most memorable yet, sad date for us here in Asian Gaming Academy. Our STDO, Arnold Cesar Romero will say goodbye as he venture to a whole new world.

The man we fondly called “Notty” or “Naughty” to some extent, is severing his tie with Pagcor, whom he wholeheartedly served for 7 long years. I will just pay a little tribute to the person I called friend, boss, teacher, adviser, motivator and even an idol.



The latter part of 2007 produces anxiety for me and the rest of my colleagues in Surveillance Department. Rumors are spreading about the impending disbandment of our position as Surveillance Monitoring Staff (SUMS). Everyday was like a guessing game for us. Office order arrived almost every hour sending one after the other to one department to another. I got mine also. An interview with a never- heard department in branches, the Asian Gaming Academy, awaits me. Little did I know that this never- heard would become my saving grace!

I came face to face with this young fellow I can describe as quite intelligent but, permit me to borrow the word, just an average joe. He is Arnold Cesar Romero, the departments’ Senior Training & Development Officer. Conversation runs smoothly, probably because I’m articulate enough to answer his questions, he,he. I asked him the work he plans to give me and he said “Reliever ka lang, meron talagang naka-assign dun”. What I didn’t know is that the person he’s talking about is already dead and I’m not a reliever but a replacement.

Luckily or unluckily, depending on what angle I want to see it, I was accepted for the job. I had mixed emotions the moment I step inside the AGA office. Happy because my feeling of uncertainty is over and sad because according to Mam Beth, our Assistant Managing Head, I was accepted because I was the only one who wants the job. Anyway, I enjoy my stint here in my new house. Probably one of the biggest factor is my relationship with my co-employees especially with Sir Notty. He made me feel welcome and was quickly accepted in the tribe. He made me feel comfortable in a job totally stranger to me. Several months after, he included me in his application for Sun Group Plan which is a big help for me because prior to this, all my application in post-paid plan were denied.

My first night out with Sir Notty was also memorable. We bar hop and little did I know that I was already drank in just 5 bottles of San Mig Light. I can’t remember how I reach our house. But what made it more unforgettable is that it cost me 4 days to overcome my hangover.

He was also my first boss, as I was under him for several months. There I saw how strict he was in terms of work but always willing to lend his helping hand. Money is also not an issue for him, and probably, will never be. Whenever he asked me to go out with him, I don’t have any qualms because I knew my stomach will never complain.

As the days, months had passed, I started to realize that I’m wrong. He’s not your average joe, rather he’s a special person who’s full of wisdom in mind. I can’t remember a single instance that he failed to answer my question which in most occasion satisfies me.

He’s also a good copy for those who seek insights about a particular matter. His smartness is good to emulate. I’m honest to say that I will never be a writer as good as he is.

There are probably more praises and accolades we can hear from the people he work from day 1 here in Pagcor. I’m just fortunate that I was given a chance to work with him for 2 years.

He was my boss, where instructions must be followed. He was my teacher, particularly during my second wind as a student in BPA. He was my adviser, not just on work but also as a human being. He was my idol, because you can only imitate him but can’t totally replace. He was my motivator, especially in this kind of endeavour which I truly appreciate. And of course, he was my friend, though I have shortcomings, he still extends his outmost kindness to me.

That’s the way I look at him. That’s the way I salute Mr. Arnold Cesar Romero!

Flood in the City

It was probably the worst natural disaster that hit Metro Manila in recent memory. Typhoon “Ondoy”, left the country with a death toll of 200 and still counting. The extent of the damage was greater than what Typhoon “Milenyo” registered in 2006, which also devastated Metro Manila.

Ondoy started to wreck havoc in the evening of Sept. 25, Friday. The following day, I was scheduled to accompany my father and auntie to Heart Center for check-up but the bad weather prevented us from living our house. As it turned out, it was a blessing in disguise because traffic was starting to build up in almost all corners of Metropolis. Several hours later, the biggest amount of rainfall ever poured in the country was felt.

The perennial victims like us here in Malabon momentarily take the back seat as Marikina, Cainta and Pasig City was lured into the spotlight. The roof-deep water we experienced in the past is now happening even to the exclusive villages in the city. My cousin in Novaliches was awakened by a strong flashflood that they failed to rescue even a single cloth. He once told me “Kapag binaha kami, lubog na kayo dyan sa Malabon”. But lo and behold, water failed to infiltrate us (thanks partly to our flood control program), though our car was slightly affected.

The sight of people hanging for dear life, people walking in electric cables, people washed away by strong water current, cars tilted in a matter of seconds, sea-like underpass in Quiapo, Manila and Makati was all over the news the whole day. Just like a modern day version of The Great Flood in Noah’s time.

This catastrophe should serve as a warning that anything can happen even the most unexpected one. Everyone now must take extra precaution and prepare for the worst. If having a “salbabida”or a life jacket in your house will give peace of mind for you, get one now. Sometimes you have to think weird because bizarre things can topple even the most prepared soul.

Let’s pray for those who were badly affected by this calamity. Let’s extend a helping hand, the best way we can.

Time of Depression

It’s half of August already and I only have one (1) post here on my blog site. This is one of my busiest months particularly in my work. A hazardous month for me indeed! Add to my worries are my personal problems I had to face, a serious one at that. The condition of my auntie gave me so much pain. But I’m still optimistic that everything will be back to normal. So to my avid followers, if there’s any, just keep in touch. Thanks!

Paalam, Kaibigan

Gabi ng Lunes, Hulyo 20, ako’y nagulat sa mensaheng aking natanggap mula sa isang dating kasamahan. “Pare patay na raw si Ariel”? Napatayo ako sa aking pagkakahiga. Tinawagan ko ang ilan sa mga taong alam kong malalapit sa kanya kasama na ang kaniyang pamilya. Kumpirmado. Namaalam na ang isa sa aking matalik na kaibigan.

Mula ng matanggap ko ang masamang balita, gabi-gabi akong hirap matulog. Di makapaniwalang wala na si Ariel na sa murang edad ay kinuha na ng ating Dakilang Lumikha. Pero sino nga ba si Arielito Delos Santos? Ano ba ang naging papel niya sa aking buhay?

Taong 2002, buwan ng Agosto yata ‘yun ng una kong makilala si Ariel. Unang araw ng training naming noon para sa Surveillance Monitoring Staff (SUMS) Batch 2 ng Pagcor. Palibhasa’y karamihan sa mga kasama namin ay Pagcorian na, kaming mga galing labas ang nagsama-sama. Si Ariel ang una kong nakatabi at naging kasabay sa uwian. Nataon pa na ang kaniyang kasintahan ay taga-Malabon din kaya’t mas lalong naging malapit kami sa isa’t-isa. Nagkahiwalay kami ng branch sa deployment namin after ng training. Muli kaming nagkasama sa CF-Pavilion noong 2003. Madalas kaming magkasabay ng shift at madalas ding sabay sa pagkain, nguni’t hindi sa paninigarilyo. Masasabi kong medyo may pagka chain smoker din siya kaya’t madalas tamaan ng ubo. Marami kaming pinagsamahan sa Pavilion. Magaganda, pangit, nakakatuwang mga ala-ala ang naiwan namin dito. Muli kaming nagkahiwalay panandalian at muling nagkita sa CF-Silahis. Dahil itinuring ko na siyang tunay na kaibigan, pinili ko siyang maging abay sa aking kasal noong 2005. Ngunit isang mabigat na pagsubok ang hinarap niya noong 2006. Naoperahan siya sa puso sa Manila Doctors dahil sa pagbabara ng ugat nito. Dinalaw namin siya at matagal din bago siya naka- recover. Napilitan siyang mag-resign noong 2007 dahil pinili niyang manirahan sa ibang bansa kasama ang kaniyang maybahay na si Michelle. Kinuha ko siyang ninong sa binyag ng aking bunsong anak bago siya lumipad patungong Los Angeles. Doon ay biniyayaan sila ng kanilang unang supling. Mula noon ay hindi na kami nagkita. Nagbabalitaan na lang kami sa telepono, nag- chachat sa internet at nag-iiwan ng mensahe sa aming Friendster account. Huli kaming nag-usap bago ang Reunion Concert ng Eraserheads. Gusto niya akong isama bilang isa sa mga security ng venue nguni’t last minute ay hindi natuloy. Nag text pa kami noong Pasko noong isang taon at nangako siyang pupunta sa bahay. Hindi rin kami nagkita dahil hindi siya natuloy pumasyal ng Malabon.

Nakakalungkot lang isipin na napaka-bata pa ni Ariel para bawian ng buhay. Maliit pa ang kaniyang anak na hindi na niya malalaro pa. Ang mga pangarap nila ng kanyang asawa ay mag-isa na ngayong haharapin ni Michelle. Hangad ko na gabayan ng Diyos ang kaniyang pamilya gaya noong nabubuhay pa siya.

Paalam, Kaibigan. Salamat sa Ala-ala.

Piece of Advise

What is respect? According to Webster Dictionary, it is something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or trait. In a simple term, respect is to treat people considerately.

Sometimes or most of the times, we tend to forget respecting other people. It varies in different forms like respecting his way of life, his religion preference, his knowledge and ideas and even his free time. Real respect is hard to attain. You go to office, spend 8 or 10 hours even without doing anything and you earn money. But to earn respect is a totally different story.

On a personal note, I started working in 1997 as a marshal (crew) in the first “play care center of the Philippines”, Kids at Work. There, I did everything my boss wants me to do. From mopping the floor, “washing “the comfort room and even worse cleaning the unpleasant “mess” of kids, name it and I’ll do it. That is beside the usual task assigned on me. But I considered those experiences as the foundation of my mindset in treating others. When I was promoted as the store supervisor, I always look at my subordinates as myself, when I was like them starting. During their free time, I always find time to converse with them to uplift their moral a notch higher. I never ask them to do me a favour without making “pasuyo”. Even up to now with my present work at Pagcor where I’m back as a rank and file employee, I always see to it that I will not hurt the feelings of my co-employees and even my superiors. Sad to say, some of our co-employees whom are just at par with your level were acting like they are the captain of the ship. Just learn how to co-exist more importantly with the people down there. Just always remind yourself where to stand. Small workers had egos too and if both prides collide, your office will turn into your personal battleground.

Lastly, it still boils down to how are you raise by your parents. But if you’re aware about this and didn’t act to overturn it, it’s now your fault. Respect doesn’t earn overnight. It’s something even money can’t buy and something you will get if you truly deserves it.