MAY KASAMA SI MARCELITO POMOY

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!

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

VINCENT BUENO'S "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN"

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 would be uploading his (Vincent's) version of the song on this blog as soon as I am certain there would 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, was my most-watched video. I was 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 down 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

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: An Unbreakable 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

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)

HIS NAME IS BRUNO MARS - PINOY!!!

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 Internet 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 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 on 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!

LEONY DE LA LLANA SHINES AT THE SUBIC QUALITY FORUM

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 Administrators, & 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 Center

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!