Goddy: A Fighting Spirit

NO, THE BOSS IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

2012-01-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

I once heard a female co-employee arrogantly exclaim, "Rule No. 1: The boss is always right. Rule No. 2: If he commits a mistake, refer to Rule No. 1."

Although to me what she said did not make any sense, it was obvious that she was trying to stress the arrogance of power.

The above incident stemmed from a work situation where another co-employee was silently complaining about an unfair move made by his supervisor that negatively affected him. In an attempt to resolve the problem, that distorted guideline was given.

In the mid-70s, during my employment as clerical assistant with the now defunct United States Naval Base in Subic Bay, the duty Officer of the Day (OOD), a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, asked me to type a personal letter for him, which I did. When I was done with the letter, I gave it back to him together with the sheet of yellow pad paper where it was drafted.

After proofreading the letter in his office, he went back to the Admin Office, confronted me, and the following dialog between us ensued:

OOD: Why did you change my spelling?

(I changed "laxidaisical" to "lackadaisical". He was referring to the "lackadaisical response" to the letter he sent earlier.)

Goddy: Aaah... that's the correct spelling, sir.
OOD: Did you go to college?
Goddy: No, sir.
OOD: Don't change my spelling!
Goddy: But that's the correct spelling, sir.
OOD: Did you go to college?
Goddy: No, sir.
OOD: Don't change my spelling!
Goddy: What do you mean by "laxidaisical", sir? Do you mean cold? Nonchalant?
OOD: Yeah!
Goddy: Then, that's the correct spelling, sir.
OOD: Did you go to college?
Goddy: No, sir.
OOD: (Very demanding this time) DON'T CHANGE MY SPELLING!!!
Goddy: Umm... do you want a dictionary, sir?
OOD: Yeah, give me a dictionary!

After I handed him an English dictionary, he went back to his office and, after some ten or fifteen minutes, returned the dictionary back to me. Although his silence implied he was convinced, I could sense he was not pleased.

Honestly, at times, thinking that that incident might have shattered the OOD's ego, I regretted having insisted what was right.

In an another instance, when all clerical assistants of our division were transferred to another division in our department, I encountered an incident similar to the one above.

After I was through typing an investigative report, one Filipino supervisor who edited reports confronted me. He was very much upset about my changing "double locks" to "double lock" (referring to handcuffs).

The Filipino supervisor demanded not to change "double locks" as, according to him, that was correct. Not wanting to be in an argument with the supervisor, I did as instructed by him--although against my will.

The other clerk on duty who was beside me and who witnessed what was going on, secretly looked up the phrase in question in the dictionary then showed the dictionary entry to me. Then I asked her, "So, who is right?" She said, "You!"

Although the abovementioned incidents dealt only with the communication skills of office superiors, similar situations occurring in work organizations will prove that bosses may not at all times be right.

It is unfortunate that some people at the helm of their organizations, especially in government offices, believe that everything they do is right. Still, even more unfortunate, they believe that running their offices depends solely on their whims, without regard for the laws or regulations and policies by which the organization and its men are covered and protected.

Back to that lady co-employee I mentioned above, let us try to analyze the rules she stated.

Rule No. 1: The boss is always right.
Rule No. 2: If he commits a mistake, refer to Rule No. 1.

Now, aren't these rules ridiculous and illogical?

First, she stated that the boss is always right. Then, she said, if he commits a mistake...

Isn't it that when one commits a mistake, he is not right? How come, therefore, that he is always right?

Rule No. 1 is not compatible with Rule No. 2. They do not jibe with one another.

Of course, that lady co-employee of mine might just want to underscore how arrogant those in power can sometimes be.

And, maybe, we can also add that we should not underestimate the intellectual capacity of some subordinates even if they have but low educational attainment. Many of them are very intelligent and have lots of common sense. In fact, there are occasions when they even outsmart their superiors.

LUCIANO "LOU" GABOY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

2011-12-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

Lou Gaboy. I believe many know who he is. Yes, he's the author of Gabby's Dictionary and someone the City of Gapan is truly proud of. He was an A1 and super bright student when he was still studying. Click the "author thumbnail" on this link to know more about him.

I am embedding on this blog two of his videos I found on youtube.com not just because he's a good friend of mine but because I really like 'em. Please click to play said videos below:

Lou Gaboy - Refrain
(Video uploaded by elgeefy on youtube.com)

Lou Gaboy - You're Closer To Me
(Video uploaded by elgeefy on youtube.com)

THERE'S REALLY NO PLACE LIKE GAPAN CITY

2011-12-22T20:18:00.000-08:00

I was surfing the Internet sometime last week when I came across a video about Gapan, my hometown. It made me yearn for home. I am embedding said video uploaded by nuevaecijabiz on youtube.com and sharing it with you, dear readers.

MAY KASAMA SI MARCELITO POMOY

2011-11-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Young Marcelito in a scene from MMK's Balot episode
(Photo from the Internet)

Bago ko narinig ang tungkol sa kakaiba at nakamamanghang talento ni Marcelito Pomoy, ang madalas kong pinapanood sa youtube ay si Lani Misalucha kung saan ginagaya niya ang boses at pagkanta ng ating mga local divas. Aliw na aliw ako sa pag-i-impersonate ni Lani at manghang-mangha ako kung papaano niya iyon nagagawa.

Lani Misalucha in her Diva's Medley
(Video uploaded by mo94572 on youtube.com)

Nang minsang dinala ko sa office ang aking laptop at pinanood ko si Lani sa kanyang pag-i-impersonate, nakita ako ni Myrna, isang ka-opisina, at binanggit niya sa akin ang tungkol sa kakaibang galing ni Marcelito. Pati raw boses-matanda kuhang-kuha niya.

Nang mapanood ko nga si Marcelito sa KrisTV, labis akong na-impress sa performance niya na siyang naging dahilan kung bakit palagian ko na siyang hinahanap sa youtube.com. Maliban kay Vincent Bueno na labis ko ring hinahangaan at kinalulugdan, wala pa akong pinanood nang ganoon katagal sa youtube. My God! Twenty-four long hours non-stop watching of Marcelito’s videos—paulit-ulit! Nakaka-addict talaga!

Vincent Bueno sings I'm Yours
(Video uploaded by KemiKatt22 on youtube.com)

But what really affected me most was Marcelito’s own life story. Sa totoo lang, masakit sa dibdib! Parang gustong maghimagsik ng aking kalooban sa bahagi ng Maalaala Mo Kaya (“Balot”) kung saan ipinakita ang batang Marcelito na natutulog sa madilim na bangketa habang malakas na bumubuhos ang ulan.

Lumaki siyang hindi kilala ang tunay na pamilya. Hindi ba siya nagkasakit o nilagnat man lamang noong panahong iyon ng kanyang kabataan? Kangino kaya siya naglalambing kapag masakit ang kanyang ulo o masama ang kanyang pakiramdam? Kung araw ng Pasko, ano’ng nadarama niya? Kangino siya nakikipagsalu-salo tuwing noche buena? O alam kaya niya kung ano ito? At kung alam man niya, nagkaroon kaya ng kahulugan o kabuluhan sa kanya ang mga salitang ito?

Kung siya’y inaapi ng kalaro o kapuwa-bata niya, kangino siya tumatakbo para magsumbong? Sino kaya ang nagtatanggol sa kanya? O naranasan pa kaya niya ang paglalaro gayong walang sumusuporta sa kanya at kinakailangan nang magtrabaho para kumita?

I have great compassion for Marcelito—if only because his life story almost runs parallel to mine. Parang nakita ko ang isang bahagi ng aking buhay at pagkatao sa kuwento ng kanyang buhay.

Naging pin boy si Marcelito sa Estrella Bowling Alley sa Bislig City. Naging pin boy rin ako sa Torres Bowling and Billiard Hall sa amin sa Gapan City noong ito ay operational pa.

Nagtinda siya ng ice cream. Ako nama’y nagtinda ng ice drop. Nagtinda siya ng balot. Hindi man ako nagtinda ng balot, nagtinda naman ako ng sweepstakes ticket, ng nilagang mais, at ng kung anu-ano pa.

Kung anu-anong odd jobs ang kanyang pinasukan at ginampanan—nag-poultry boy, sa piggery, sa construction, pati pagtawag ng pasahero ng jeep, pinatulan din. Ako ma’y kung anu-anong mean and manual work ang ginawa—nagbuhat ng saku-sakong ipa (rice husk), hinahabol at sinasampa ang mga pampasahereong bus upang mag-alok ng tindang sigarilyo, at tumulong pati na sa paglalabada ng aking ina.

Hindi matandaan ng mga magulang ni Marcelito kung kailan siya ipinanganak. Hindi ko rin alam ang tunay na birth date ko. Noong una, ang sabi ng Inang ko, March 7 daw. Tapos, March 2 raw. Marcelito settled for September 22 while I settled for April 10.

At mayroon pa, pinaluhod si Marcelito sa asin dahil sa pagkakasalang nagawa niya. Ako nama'y sa munggo pinaluhod dahil sa kagagawan ng ina (o tiyahin ba iyon?) ng isang grade school teacher na nagsumbong ng kasinungalingan sa mga magulang ko.

Ano pa’t dahil kay Marcelito, nalama’t nadama ko na hindi pala ako nag-iisa.

At nais ko ring ipaalam kay Marcelito na hindi rin siya nag-iisa sa sinapit na kapalaran noong kabataan niya. Huwag na siyang magtampo sa mundo dahil may kasama siya—ako!

Goddy on board Sajorda River Resort's Floating Restaurant

ADDENDUM TO "MARCELITO POMOY'S INSPIRING LIFE STORY"

2011-10-24T03:43:00.000-07:00

Marcelito Pomoy - from a nobody to a shining Star
Photo from Marcelito Pomoy (Marsianz) Fanpage

[NOTE: I wrote and posted “Marcelito Pomoy’s Inspiring Life Story” on this blog, Goddy: A Fighting Spirit, at an earlier time than the showing of Maalaala Mo Kaya's (MMK) "Balot" episode on television featuring Marcelito Pomoy’s life story. During that time, I also haven't seen yet Marcelito's interview by Korina Sanchez on Rated K. As I have stated on that blog entry, I based the information I've written mainly on Marcelito Pomoy’s ANC Headstart: Singing the Way to the Hearts of Filipinos interview by Karen Davila as well as his interview by Kris Aquino on KrisTV. I find it necessary to inject supplementary information from MMK's "Balot" and Rated K on “Marcelito Pomoy’s Inspiring Life Story” not only since they are available but to make my blog post more complete and more interesting. I am retaining my original post deviating from the usual way an addendum is made. I just inserted additional information and uploaded new pictures—thanks to the Marcelito Pomoy (Marsianz) Fanpage—and embedded Marcelito’s PGT Season 2 audition and grand finals videos. To distinguish these additional information, the text are in italics.]

Marcelito Pomoy's house in Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Marcelito's life story--with all its loneliness, deprivations, and hardships is one for the movies. His eventual success via PGT Season 2 where he emerged as champion will surely inspire anyone who has come to know about the difficult life he has had and clearly see the hands of God lifting him from the sufferings he had gone through.

His is not just a Cinderella-like story but a poignant story of longing and love for his own family he never grew up with and one of forgiveness.

His story not only gives hope to those who are weighed down but also strengthens their faith in God and renews their belief that God sees all their sufferings and that sooner or later, He will liberate them from their woes.

To start with his lonely yet inspiring life story and basing on his TV interviews and information from various Internet sources, Marcelito Pomoy first saw the light of day in Mangagoy, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. He is third in a brood of four.

[Marcelito’s parents could not remember the exact date when he was born. But when he asked his father (Mang Mario) for a copy of his birth certificate for employment purpose, the latter requested for a late registration of Marcelito’s birth date. Marcelito uses September 22, 1984 as his birth date.]

When he was about two years old, his father, on false accusation, got imprisoned.

(In his Rated K interview, Mang Mario said that he was a suspect for Arson, and put behind bars not really knowing what wrong he had done.)

His mother, together with his eldest sibling who was then about seven years old, left him and his two other siblings to somebody else's care to look for a job elsewhere.

(In his interview on KrisTV, Marcelito said that when he asked his mother why she left them, his mother said that she left them to look for a job but after three weeks when she returned, she learned that they were already with their father in prison. In MMK’s “Balot” episode, during an argument with her children Marilou and Brian, Marcelito’s mother said she really did not intend to leave them. She only did that because she was afraid of their father.)

When someone reported to the authority that nobody was attending to them, they were brought to their father in prison where they were fed on foods shared with them by other prisoners.

(Actually, in Rated K’s interview with Marcelito, Mang Mario said that when he learned nobody was attending to his children, he asked the Mayor if he could bring his children with him in prison so he could take care of them.)

When their father got sick, however, and could no longer take care of them, he was forced to have them adopted by a local policeman in the person of Ali Macawili.

Marcelito stayed with the Macawilis until he was eight years old. When he experienced maltreatment from Macawili's mother, he asked his foster parents who his real parents are.

(In his Rated K interview, Marcelito said that for some misdeeds he had done, as a punishment, he was asked to kneel on salt.)

After disclosing to him the truth that his father was jailed that eventually led to his adoption by Macawili, Marcelito left home the following day to look for his father in prison but miserably failed to find the latter there.

Marcelito, in subsequent turn of events and despite his tender age, found himself engaged in various economic activities in order to survive. He worked as pin boy in a bowling alley, sold balot and ice cream, and performed other odd jobs.

(Since he was a working child and had to provide for himself, Marcelito was unable to continue his studies and finished only Grade Three.)

When he was sixteen years old--eight years after he left his adoptive parents--and while selling balot, a suki (regular customer) recognized him and told him he knew what happened to his family and that he also knew of his father's whereabouts.

(Marcelito’s suki was another inmate during the time of Mang Mario’s detention and knew what happened to Marcelito’s family as well as his adoption by Ali Macawili. His suki recognized him due to his striking resemblance to Mang Mario.)

The man brought the excited Marcelito to his father.

(It later turned out that Marcelito’s father was another regular customer of his.)

His father cried when they met and upon telling him of the story behind his mother's leaving them, Marcelito harbored ill-feelings against his mother.

Marcelito stayed with his father who then has a new family but only briefly as he decided to leave him because he could not get along well with his stepmother.

Through an illegal recruiter, he later moved to Manila to seek employment. He worked in a furniture shop, washed empty Emperador Brandy bottles, worked in a poultry farm and in a piggery, and also worked in a construction outfit.

[According to Marcelito in his interview on Rated K, he first worked washing empty Emperador Brandy bottles, and he last worked in a furniture shop. Also, Rated K reported that part of the odd jobs Marcelito engaged himself in was calling passengers for jeepneys (barker).]

It was during his employment in a poultry farm when he started singing using his female voice. He would sing as he sprayed the chicken house.

(In a part in the MMK’s “Balot” episode, as a young boy performing his duties as pin boy at Estrella Bowling Alley in Bislig City, Marcelito could be observed singing.)

When Marcelito turned 24, he went back to his father in Surigao.

[In MMK’s “Balot”, Marcelito went back to his father in Surigao to ask for a copy of his birth certificate to be used in his application for a job in a company engaged in the manufacture of spoons and forks. His father told him that while he (Marcelito) was in Manila, he tried to find where his mother and siblings were and learned they were all in Manila.]

His father then informed him that his mother was in Manila. He didn't know that while he was working in Manila, his mother and siblings were also there.

Equipped with his eldest sister’s cell phone number which his father provided him, Marcelito returned to Manila to look for his mother and siblings and this time successfully found them.

When Marcelito first met his mother, he could not describe his feeling. He said he was kind of angry as though asking why she left them. His mother, however, hugged him and asked for his forgiveness.

(It was also during this time when Marcelito found out that he got his good singing voice from his mother.)

Shortly after finding his mother and siblings, Marcelito got sick. He was operated in appendicitis. It was his second-to-the-eldest sister who spent for his hospitalization.

When Marcelito got out of the hospital, he was brought to his eldest sister who made unsavory comment that hurt him.

[Marcelito was brought to his eldest sister because Marilou, his second-to-the-eldest sister could not take care of him as she was working. Besides, Marcelito decided to live with his mother so he could be close to her. It was also during this time when Marcelito found out that his mother and eldest sister were hooked on gambling.]

He was challenged by that kind of offensive comment so he decided to join reality TV talent search.

Marcelito's PGT2 audition (video uploaded by 050177eful on youtube.com)

He first joined ABC 5 Talentadong Pinoy but didn't make it there. Not giving up, he tried ABS-CBN's PGT Season 2 where he garnered 19.56% of the total text votes making him the grand champion and winning a whopping P2 million. All the members of his family were present showing their support during the grand finals at the Araneta Coliseum where he impressively performed "The Prayer," a song popularized by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Marcelito was given a standing ovation by the audience and all three judges. When asked what his prayer was during that night, Marcelito said he prayed that his performance be successful so his family would be proud as that was the very first time in his life that he saw all the members of his long-lost family together and complete. Marcelito got emotional when he answered that question.

PGT2 grand finals performance (video uploaded by rcdpjr on youtube.com)

Couples of weeks after his win, smira30 uploaded a video on youtube.com showing Marcelito being the object of affection, admiration, and pride of Bislignons when he visited his hometown during its fiesta celebration. There, with high government officials of the province and the city present, Marcelito was accorded the hero’s welcome that he deserved.

Marcelito's lonely and difficult life seems over. With his "beautiful voices" coupled with his unique style of singing and his legions of fans ready to support him, no doubt, this "darling of television" will be going far very successfully.

Marcelito reunited at last with his long-lost family
(Left to right - Ayan, Brian, Marilou, Mommy Anecita, Marcelito, Daddy Mario)

VINCENT BUENO'S "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN"

2011-10-09T05:25:00.001-07:00

Vincent Bueno's performance of "Singin' in the Rain"

(Video downloaded from youtube.com)

Vincent Bueno uploaded a video of "Singin' in the Rain" by Jamie Cullum on his Facebook account. I posted a comment on that video where I mentioned I am uploading his (Vincent's) version of the song on this blog as soon as I am certain there will be no legal implication in doing so.

I downloaded the video from youtube.com just couples of weeks after Vincent's win in Austria's Musical: Die Show as Grand Winner and just as I was trying to learn the technical aspect of blogging--including the downloading of videos from the Internet.

The said video is no longer available on youtube.com. Although I was able to download it, I failed to get the name of the person who uploaded it so I can properly give credit in case I use said video for blogging purposes.

"Singin' in the Rain", Vincent's version, is my most-watched video. I am quite certain I have watched this video perhaps a thousand times or more. No exaggeration at that. I remember I watched it for the whole year--except on Good Friday to respect the holiness of the day.

I watched it just after saying my morning prayer upon rising, watched it again during break time at work, and before I went to sleep. This is, of course, aside from watching other Vincent's videos like Hair, I Wanna Be Like You, Grease Lightning, and Music of the Night that I all likewise loved so much. All these videos were Vincent's actual performances in the reality TV talent search which were responded with thundering applause and some by standing ovation by the audience.

It is my belief that had Vincent's reality-TV-talent-search experience happened here in the Philippines, he would have been more popular and better recognized here for his excellent performances. But then, maybe he would not be that popular in Austria where the cash prize he won was more than what he would have won in the local counterpart of the contest.

Anyway, I love "Singin' in the Rain". It is my most favorite of all Vincent's performances. It has both beautiful and happy melody. It really makes my heart sing. Also, the video was where I first saw Vincent sing and dance. And I was very much impressed with his performance.

During the time I fell in love with the song, my life was laden with problems and sorrows. There were problems in all areas of my life, and everywhere--at home, in the workplace, everywhere!

It was also during that time when a doctor in the Subic Dispensary and a cardiologist in the Nueva Ecija Doctors Hospital in Cabanatuan City told me there was finding in my ECG results. It was during this time when I was feeling very, very weak and very much afraid.

"Singin' in the Rain" became a sort of self-affirmation to me. I AM HAPPY--despite the rain. I AM SINGING AND DANCING--despite life's insurmountable problems. I am not negatively affected by problems that have enveloped me.

I sang this song when I jogged or took a brisk walk at Olongapo's Tapinac Oval--everyday.

I sang this song while walking and as I headed for work.

I sang or hummed this song when I walked on the hallway of the building where our office is housed. And everyone who heard me sing or hum could not help but sing or hum this song, too. Even Aling Helen, our janitress, was also singing this song. Ask her.

After a year or a little more than a year, when I had my annual physical examination again, the nurse who conducted my ECG told me, "It's okay, sir. It's normal." Praise the Lord! To where shall I attribute the healing aside from jogging and brisk walking if not to positive thinking thru singing that song and my fondness for its singer--Vincent!

Well, it's mid-October. Pretty soon, the rainy season would be over. I don't like the floods! But I do love the rain. So, before the rainy season winds up, as the rain rhythmically falls from the heavens, I'll get out and sing in the rain (a la Vincent Bueno--with matching umbrella--but minus the backflip and break dance, of course).

SPECIAL REQUEST FROM ANOTHER MARCELITO POMOY'S FAN

2011-10-01T22:36:00.001-07:00

Marcelito with Kris - No trace of unhappy childhood
(Photo from http://telebisyon.net/balita/Kris-kinilabutan-kay-Marcelito/artikulo/195298/)

I got Ms. Gina Montoya's message on Facebook (fb) requesting me to cover the event of Marcelito Pomoy's grand fans day on October 1st and make a blog post out of it.

How I would love to go and be counted! But unfortunately, I wasn't able to do so for some good (or should I say bad?) reasons.

First, there was another typhoon ("Quiel") and many areas I will have to pass to get to the venue of the celebration were under flood waters.

Second, we've just cleared our area of trash left by "Pedring" and have just cleaned the mess on the ground floor of the house where I live after the thigh-deep flood waters subsided. And it was good my room is on the second floor so my personal belongings were spared from being damaged.

Third, I was ill-prepared. That is, I have yet to purchase a new digital camera to record the event as the one I was using was stolen sometime last year.

Fourth, I really am NOT a professional writer and am afraid I might fall short of Ms. Gina's expectations.

And some other minor reasons.

Ms. Gina who lives in Madrid, Spain and who works in Switzerland or Belgium (as her fb profile indicated) is a new friend of mine on fb and apparently is another die-hard Marcelito Pomoy fan. She (as well as other Marsianz and Marcenatics) was able to access my blog and read its entries because John Pel Fajura (Marsianz founder) linked my blog to Marcelito Pomoy's fanpages.

At times I could not help but smile seeing that Goddy: A Fighting Spirit is turning out to be a virtual Marcelito Pomoy's fanpage. Well, I don't mind! After all, I'm an avid fan of Marcelito, too. Just like them.

I didn't mean to disappoint Ms. Gina. But I just couldn't help it. In lieu of her request, however, and since she's a fan of the K-Mars tandem, maybe I'll just have to invent or create a short dialog between Mars and Kris with the same title - A Special Request - and is written in Filipino to sort of appease her feeling of disappointment. I just hope she'll find it "cute" and not "corny".

A SPECIAL REQUEST

(Kris called up Mars on his cell phone.)

Kriiiing!

Mars: Hello po!

Kris: Kumusta, my love? Kumain ka na ba?

Mars: Opo. OK lang po.

Kris: Bakit OK lang? Dapat masayang-masaya ka na dahil yumayaman ka na!

Mars: (In his usual humble self) Hindi naman po.

Kris: Kumusta'ng mga kapatid mo?

Mars: OK lang po sila.

Kris: How about your Mama? Nagkakausap ba kayo?

Mars: OK naman po siya. Nagkakausap naman po kami.

Kris: O, sige. Kinumusta lang kita. Tatawagan na lang uli kita. I love you!

Mars: (Boses-babae, a la Regine) I love you, too!

Kris: (Not too pleased) Mars... special request naman... puede ba, boses-lalaki na lang?

Mars: (Boses-lalaki) I love you, too, Kris!

MARCELITO POMOY'S AVID FAN REQUESTS A SPECIAL BLOG POST

2011-09-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Lily Sabas, an avid Marcelito Pomoy fan, who visited this blog requested me thru Facebook to embed the video of the song Hanggang Ngayon recorded by Marcelito Pomoy (from his debut album Duet Yourself) and the one recorded by Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez claiming Marcelito's male and female voices are no different from Ogie's and Regine's.

Well, I'm not a fan of Ogie and Regine and really don't listen to their songs. But it takes someone with an amazingly great talent to make me appreciate not only their meaningful love songs but their beautiful voices as well.

Anyway, Lily Sabas, whoever you are, this special blog post is for you.

Please click the videos below and have a wonderful time listening to this great love song.

Hanggang Ngayon (uploaded by MarcelitoPoMoy)

Hanggang Ngayon (uploaded by Loiso718)

MARCELITO POMOY IN THE "BATTLE OF BIRIT"

2011-08-31T02:49:00.000-07:00

Marcelito belting out On The Wings of Love during PGT2 semi-finals
(video uploaded by ocirneose on youtube.com)

I enjoy watching Marcelito Pomoy doing his thing. His unique singing style is so amusing and has always left me craving for more such that whenever I start watching him perform on videos, I always wind up searching for more of his performances on youtube.

I particularly liked his remarkable performance in the semi-finals of PGT Season 2 where he belted out "On The Wings Of Love". In one of my searches for this particular song on youtube.com, I came across a video clip uploaded by spiderdivanez1 where Marcelito is pitted against four other male divas. (See video below)

I find it interesting to compare Marcelito's rendition of "On The Wings Of Love" with others who belted out the same song.

I have also embedded Regine Velasquez's version in a video uploaded by RegineVelasquezTV to complete the list. (See video below)

Whose performance is the best?

Click the comment section to see my choice.

"DUET" YOURSELF

2011-08-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

Marcelito Pomoy has fast become very, very popular since his win in Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 2 as grand champion, not only on television but also on the Internet especially on youtube.

Along with his popularity comes his very amusing and very unique style of singing. He performs a duet, supposed to be done by a man and a woman, all by himself.

This act he does or performs is one that defies definition in that a "duet", as the dictionary defines it, is a musical composition for two performers or voices; an action or activity performs by a pair of closely connected individuals.

But he does it all by himself! Thus, a "duet" now may mean "do it" yourself when referring to Marcelito Pomoy's performance.

I embedded two video clips of the song "Hanggang Ngayon". The first one (please see video above) was performed by Marcelito Pomoy and uploaded by antasheekyra on youtube.com and the other (please see video below) was performed by Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez and uploaded by regineisbetter, also on youtube.com.

Please click to play and watch said videos.

MARCELITO POMOY'S INSPIRING LIFE STORY

2011-08-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Marcelito Pomoy

(Photo from ANC Headstart interview by Karen Davila)

For the past several weeks now, I've been preoccupied with things about Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 2 grand winner Marcelito Pomoy--that is, watching his video clips on youtube, reading news articles about him on the Net, and watching his guest appearances on TV. Apparently, I am greatly magnetized by this instant celebrity whom one blogger referred to as "darling of television".

Marcelito's life story--with all its loneliness, deprivations, and hardships is one for the movies. His eventual success via PGT Season 2 where he emerged as champion will surely inspire anyone who has come to know about the difficult life he has had and clearly see the hands of God lifting him from the sufferings he had gone through.

His is not just a Cinderella-like story but a poignant story of longing and love for his own family he never grew up with and one of forgiveness.

His story not only gives hope to those who are weighed down but also strengthens their faith in God and renews their belief that God sees all their sufferings and that sooner or later, He will liberate them from their woes.

To start with his lonely yet inspiring life story and basing on his TV interviews and information from various Internet sources, Marcelito Pomoy first saw the light of day in Mangagoy, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. He is third in a brood of four.

When he was about two years old, his father, on false accusation, got imprisoned. His mother, together with his eldest sibling who was then about seven years old, left him and his two other siblings to somebody else's care to look for a job elsewhere.

When someone reported to the authority that nobody was attending to them, they were brought to his father in prison where they were fed on foods shared with them by other prisoners. When their father got sick, however, and could no longer take care of them, he was forced to have them adopted by a local policeman in the person of Ali Macawili.

Marcelito stayed with the Macawilis until he was eight years old. When he experienced maltreatment from Macawili's mother, he asked his foster parents who his real parents are. After disclosing to him the truth that his father was jailed that eventually led to his adoption by Macawili, Marcelito left home the following day to look for his father in prison but miserably failed to find the latter there.

Marcelito, in subsequent turn of events and despite his tender age, found himself engaged in various economic activities in order to survive. He worked as pin boy in a bowling alley, sold balut and ice cream, and performed other odd jobs.

When he was sixteen years old--eight years after he left his adoptive parents--and while selling balut, a suki (regular customer) recognized him and told him he knew what happened to his family and that he also knew of his father's whereabouts. The man brought the excited Marcelito to his father. His father cried when they met and upon telling him of the story behind his mother's leaving them, Marcelito harbored ill-feelings against his mother.

Marcelito stayed with his father who then has a new family but only briefly as he decided to leave him because he could not get along well with his stepmother.

Through an illegal recruiter, he later moved to Manila to seek employment. He worked in a furniture shop, washed empty Emperador Brandy bottles, worked in a poultry farm and in a piggery, and also worked in a construction outfit.

It was during his employment in a poultry farm when he started singing using his female voice. He would sing as he sprayed the chicken house.

When Marcelito turned 24, he went back to his father in Surigao. His father then informed him that his mother was in Manila. He didn't know that while he was working in Manila, his mother and siblings were also there.

Equipped with his eldest sister's cell phone number which his father provided him, Marcelito returned to Manila to look for his mother and siblings and this time successfully found them.

When Marcelito first met his mother, he could not describe his feeling. He said he was kind of angry as though asking why she left them. His mother, however, hugged him and asked for his forgiveness.

Shortly after finding his mother and siblings, Marcelito got sick. He was operated in appendicitis. It was his second-to-the-eldest sister who spent for his hospitalization.

When Marcelito got out of the hospital, he was brought to his eldest sister who made unsavory comment that hurt him. He was challenged by that kind of offensive comment so he decided to join reality TV talent search.

He first joined ABC 5 Talentadong Pinoy but didn't make it there. Not giving up, he tried ABS-CBN's PGT Season 2 where he garnered 19.56% of the total text votes making him the grand champion and winning a whopping P2 million. All the members of his family were present showing their support during the grand finals at the Araneta Coliseum where he impressively performed "The Prayer" which was popularized by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Marcelito was given a standing ovation by the audience and all three judges. When asked what his prayer was during that night, Marcelito said he prayed that his performance be successful so his family would be proud as that was the very first time in his life that he saw all the members of his long-lost family together and complete. Marcelito got emotional when he answered that question.

Couples of weeks after his win, somebody uploaded a video on youtube showing Marcelito being the object of affection, admiration, and pride of Bisliganons when he visited his hometown during its fiesta celebration. There, with high government officials of the province and the city present, Marcelito was accorded the hero's welcome that he deserved.

Marcelito's lonely and difficult life seems over. With his "beautiful voices" coupled with his unique style of singing and his legions of fans ready to support him, no doubt, this "darling of television" will be going far very successfully.

(Please click to play video uploaded by 050177eful and watch Marcelito Pomoy perform during the semi-finals at the PGT Season 2)

HIS NAME IS BRUNO MARS - PINOY!!!

2011-05-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

The amazing Bruno Mars

In his Manila concert at the Araneta Coliseum last April 8, 2011, Bruno Mars stated, “Guys, I want you to know one thing: I’m very, very proud to say that I’m a Filipino.”

That declaration stirred national pride among Filipinos as the audience responded with approval and wild cheers.

Shortly after that live performance, I read somewhere on the Net about someone’s comment regarding Bruno Mars’ statement. He said Bruno Mars said that in a crowd comprising mostly of Filipinos and asked in a sort of discussion that he started on that web page if there was a video or written interview done outside of the Philippines where Bruno Mars made the same declaration. He, however, added that he likes Bruno Mars’ songs.

Joining that sort of discussion, a reader stated Bruno Mars is both of Filipino and Boricua (Puerto Rican) descent and is inclined to say or claim both depending on where the concert is being held (implying, perhaps, that Bruno Mars said that to please the audience).

Bruno Mars, Peter Gene Hernandez in real life, is the son of Bernadette Bayot, a Filipina, and Peter Hernandez, a Puerto Rican.

Objectively, Bruno Mars won’t be his person if he will be seen only as a Filipino. Neither would he be himself if he is seen only as a Puerto Rican. We should all realistically embrace the truth that Bruno Mars is a product of the blending of two beautiful races or nationalities—Filipino and Puerto Rican.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Bruno Mars is a native Hawaiian. And since Hawaii is a state of the U.S.A., he is also an American.

With his songs Just The Way You Are, Grenade, Billionaire, Nothin’ On You, Count On Me, The Lazy Song, etc. being sung by almost everyone and almost everywhere in the planet, Bruno Mars now belongs to the whole world.

Just as how we all love his beautiful voice and music, let us all love and be proud of Bruno Mars for what he is made—just the way he is! And most importantly, as what he has claimed, for being one of us—FILIPINO!

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (CRITIQUE AND RECOMMENDATION)

2010-10-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

(Note: This blog entry was my particular assignment in a group report in a Management class when I was still studying at the University of the Philippines Extension Program in Olongapo. I am publishing it in this blog believing it makes sense.)

A. Critique.

Performance evaluation system as a management tool in appraising employees’ work performance can have some negative repercussions not only on employees rated below the outstanding mark but also on the organization as a whole.

While it is true superior performance must be recognized, it cannot be denied that such rating cannot come about without taking into consideration other employees’ performance, comparison being a basis for or a method of performance appraisal. Thus, when one or more employees are given a rating of outstanding, surely, others are rated below that rating. The implication can be that other employees are inferior or low performers, and that can be shattering to their ego. Worse, if the employees don’t agree with the rating, and such disagreement isn’t settled, they might feel resentful, and animosities and intrigue among employees might ensue.

As a consequence, they might not be motivated to work resulting in the deterioration of their work performance thereby defeating the very purpose for which performance appraisal is being done.

There is also a tendency for performance evaluation to be used (or be misused, for that matter) as an instrument for personal vengeance by those in power and authority, especially so that one Poor rating or two successive Unsatisfactory ratings for an employee can be a ground for separation from the service.

During the time of the now defunct United States Facility in Subic Bay, performance evaluation was associated with grand incentives—not only certificates of recognition or plaques of appreciation and the accompanying cash awards but even the chance to work and live in the “land overflowing with milk and honey”. Employees who rendered service with the U.S. Government (outside of the U.S.) for 15 or more years were given the privilege to apply for special immigrant in the United States. But the Special Immigrant Program is not merely a reward for length of service. Employees should be able to present a number of certificates of awards to the U.S. Embassy as proof of their outstanding performance. This privilege can easily be lost as a result of actions of vindictive supervisors who unjustly rate their subordinates due to ill feelings they harbor against them.

There might also be instances when the rater does not know the mechanics of making an evaluation and the rating he gives may not reflect the actual performance of the employees, thus, resulting in erroneous and unjust appraisal.

B. Recommendation

Performance evaluation should be accurate and credible if it is to serve its intended purpose.

Since the rater plays a major role in performance appraisal and is the key personnel influencing its outcome, accuracy and credibility of the report depend much on him. It is, therefore, imperative that placement and selection of personnel be based on the merit and fitness system of the Civil Service Commission to ensure public organizations of personnel highly capable of carrying out organizational functions and program activities geared towards attaining organizational goals and objectives.

LEONY DE LA LLANA SHINES AT THE SUBIC QUALITY FORUM

2010-06-14T02:35:00.000-07:00

Ms. Leony C. de la Llana, Senior Vice President and Head, Customer Retail Services of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), was invited by the Total Quality Management (TQM) Office of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to be the Resource Speaker at the Subic Quality Forum held at the Board Room of Building 229 (SBMA’s Administration building) last June 11, 2010.

The Forum was attended by SBMA’s high ranking officials that included Atty. Joy Alvarado, Senior Deputy Administrator and Head, Regulatory Group; Atty. Robert S. Martinez, Deputy Administrator (DA) for Administration; Ms. Knette Fernando, DA for Corporate Communications; Mr. Joel Ea, Manager, Internal Audit Service Department; Ms. Paulita Yee, Manager, Treasury Department; Ms. Amy Canonizado, Manager, Accounting Department; Ms. Amethya de la Llana-Koval, Department Manager, Ecology Center; Ms. Marietta Fe Dumlao, Officer in Charge, Transportation and Communications Department; Mr. Joey Lacanlale, Officer in Charge, Management Information System (MIS) Office; and other SBMA and locators’ officials or their representatives.

Ms. De la Llana’s presentation was titled “The Theory and Practice of TQM” and cited MERALCO’s experience relevant to the topics she discussed.

In her very lively discussion, Ms. De la Llana cited her experiences when she was TQM head of MERALCO, and strongly stressed the importance of the head of the organization to believe in the concept of Total Quality Management pointing out that, without it, nothing will happen. She added that, “even if you give me the best TQM expert… the best TQM consultant, if the leader is not a TQM champion and not ready to do it with me, no deal!”

Ms. De la Llana also reminded her audience that TQM is a way of life directed towards the satisfaction of the internal and external customers of the organization. She emphasized that “it is not something I will do because the boss is here… it is a way of life that we should embrace,” and that “it is applicable both to your personal life as well as your official life.” She likened 5S of TQM to the way “how you organize your life... your kitchen... your cabinet...”

According to Ms. De la Llana, another process essential to TQM is "transformation". She pointed out that “we cannot go into TQM unless we go into restructuring process; not unless we reinvent the way we do things; not unless we reengineer some of our processes and empower our people”. She quickly added, however, that “we can only empower people if they have the skills and competence”.

Ms. Leonisa Cuayo-de la Llana has a Master’s degree in Economics from the Utah State University, U.S.A. and earned her BS degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. She was a College Scholar at the U.P. School of Economics and recipient of the Dean’s Medal for Excellence.

In her 28 years of service in MERALCO, the country’s leading power distribution company, Ms. Leony de la Llana has held top positions and became the first woman ever in that company to get to the position of Vice President.

Ms. Leony de la Llana has had various speaking engagements in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and in the Philippines and has delivered various papers on many subjects and topics which included Human Resource Management Update, Harnessing Executive Talent & Potentials, HR and Corporate Planning, Leadership and Organization Transformation, Business Excellence and ISO Certification, and Women in the Workplace, among others.

A high level speaker, Ms. De la Llana did her thing with passion and articulateness fascinating what seemed like a “star-struck” audience very much like how an amazing performance in a television talent search wowed both the judges and the audience.

Below are photographs of the just-concluded Subic Quality Forum.

Ms. Leony de la Llana, Quality Speaker, arrived earlier than the scheduled time

Mr. Buds Fernando and Atty. Joy Alvarado chat with the Resource Speaker

Sir Buds Fernando introducing the Resource Speaker

Beauty-and-brain Leonisa Cuayo-de la Llana, the Resource Speaker

Ms. Leony de la Llana starts her presentation

Participants easily got fascinated by the very bright and articulate Speaker

Leony de la Llana reads the outline of her topic

Senior Deputy Administrator, Deputy Administors, & Department Managers among the participants

OIC of Ecology Center; Senior Deputy Administrator Alvarado; OIC of Transcom Dept., DM of Accounting Dept., DM of Treasury Dept. in attendance

The Resource Speaker cites the MERALCO experience

"We in MERALCO, when we say 7:30 am, it has to be 7:30 am..."

The Question and Answer portion of the Forum

Ms. Leony de la Llana intelligently answers questions

"Total Quality Management" class picture

Tin-Tin Geronimo, Media Relations Office; SDA Joy Alvarado, Regulatory Group;

Ms. Leony Cuayo-de la Llana; & Amethya de la Llana-Koval, OIC, Ecology CenterQuality people sharing common interests

Goddy Ramirez and other SBMA TQM Office staff

The talk continues even at lunch time

Mr. Bubong Antonio, Ms. Leony de la Llana, Mr. Buds Fernando, & Mr. Noli Manuel

Ms. Leony Cuayo-de la Llana, Senior Vice President, MERALCO

Quality people at a quality restaurant with quality foods

Ms. Leony de la Llana attentively listens to Mr. Bubong Antonio

TQM heads, private and otherwise

Leony, Goddy, & Buds

Goddy approaches Leony for a souvenir photo

One shot

One more

And another one

Two old friends and former classmates meet again

Classmates no more but still friends

Thank you, Ms. Leony Cuayo-de la Llana for your invaluable contribution to the Subic Quality Club and SBMA!

SELF-AFFIRMATIONS

2010-04-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Goddy with Loraine (Taken in front of San Pablo City Cathedral)

Affirmations are positive statements or basic ideas about ourselves that we want to happen or take place in our lives. They lift us up when we're down and help increase our self-esteem. It is a sort of mind-setting or conditioning ourselves to thinking what we may actually are not at the moment but what we desire to be or what we really want to experience at some future time.

I listed some self-affirmations which I silently say to myself whenever some ill-intentioned people try to put me down. Whenever I jog or take a brisk walk at the Tapinac Oval, I say them aloud. I am sharing them with you...

I am happy.

I am healthy.

I forgive and release all those who have wronged and hurt me.

I like myself.

I am proud of myself.

I am at peace with myself.

I am at peace with God.

I love God.

I receive God's forgiveness and blessings.

I feel God's love.

VINCENT BUENO - MUSICAL ROCKS! CIRCLE OF LIFE

2010-02-27T02:39:00.000-08:00

Here's another video clip of Vincent Bueno that I enjoyed watching and am sharing with you dear readers.

The video was uploaded by musicalswien on YouTube.

VINCENT BUENO SINGS "BLEEDING LOVE"

2010-02-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

Listen to another great song from Vincent Bueno - his version of Bleeding Love.

Video uploaded by pauri100 on YouTube.

VINCENT BUENO AND "HAIR"

2010-01-13T21:38:00.000-08:00

For the sake of those who have not seen it yet and for those who want to see it again, I am PROUDLY featuring the video clip where Vincent Bueno performed Hair.

Vincent's performance of Hair was his first television appearance in the Musical! Die Show, a reality talent competition in Vienna, Austria that started sometime in the last quarter of 2007 and wound up in January of 2008. Vincent Bueno was declared winner in the said contest.

Vincent's performance was characterized by passionate singing, strong stage presence, powerful as well as beautiful voice, and very graceful body movements.

The audience responded to his superb performance with cheers and wild applause and easily made him the favorite of the crowd as well as the judges. In fact, he was reportedly dubbed as the "darling of the jury".

Undoubtedly, Hair is one of Vincent Bueno's great performances in the reality talent show.

The above video clip was uploaded by MSTLuna on YouTube.