ON RECOGNITION, AWARD, AND... ANIMOSITY

(NOTE:  This is a REPOST. Originally published on January 22, 2009.) 

One Sunday morning last May 2008, as I was about to go home after picking up some personal effects in my office, somebody approached me and asked me about the weather. He asked if “Cosme”, the typhoon, had left; if it would be fine weather that day. As I had not read the newspaper nor watched the newscast on TV that day, I told him I had no idea.

He then asked me if I saw his companion. I told him he went to the rest room. The guy took that opportunity to open up and started to release the bitterness that I perceived from his words and noticed on his face.

I realized that he was somewhat disgruntled and wasn’t really interested about the weather. And the reason why he was asking me if I saw his companion was because he didn’t want the latter to hear what he was going to tell me.

His negative sentiment focused on recognition and award.

He expected to be nominated Employee of the Month but found out that it wasn’t he who was nominated but somebody else. What was more disappointing to him was, the person who had shown and given him moral support and to whom he pinned his hope for being nominated was the one nominated. He felt betrayed. Could it be that the “moral support” was pure pretense?

My initial response to his gripes was silence. I tried to weigh things. I wanted to know with certainty if the guy was serious about what he was talking about. Trying my best to appease him, I just told him, “You are a good worker.” Also, I advised him not to always believe in awards for they may or may not be fairly or justly given.

As his companion had returned from the rest room, he put his right index finger on his pouting lips signaling he was ending our conversation. He then excused himself.

On a separate occasion, another office personnel—a lady administrative assistant—appeared to be working against her will as she was complaining about a task she was asked to do. It wasn’t her job but the one who was supposed to do it went on leave for a week or two. Releasing her negative feeling, she told her co-employees, “I should not be doing this as this is not my work. I have my own specific task to perform which I might neglect to do if I will do this. Besides, she (the employee on leave) was given award for this while I wasn’t given any award!”

It seems that although recognition and award motivate employees to improve their efficiency and productivity, they can also cause disillusionment to some and animosity among other employees. Why is this so?

I also remember an instance when the Administrative Officer requested me to proofread and edit a memorandum she prepared regarding the giving of awards. She stated in that memorandum that the purpose of the program was to boost employees’ morale. As I edited the memorandum, I made a comment that the primary purpose of giving awards should not be just to boost employees’ morale but, first and foremost, to recognize outstanding performance of employees. For to give awards just to boost employees’ morale may mean to demoralize those who will not be given awards and would be tantamount to saying those awarded have low morale and those not awarded have high morale and probably don't need any award at all. 

We have read or heard about some incidents regarding the giving of awards (especially in showbiz) that were tainted with deceit and complaints. And we have also read or heard about some supposed-to-be recipients of awards who refused to accept them because they believed the award-giving body was not credible.

But, I believe, even if the giving of awards is done in good faith, there would still be some feelings of displeasure on the part of some employees whose work performances were not given recognition. Since those who received awards will be recognized and identified as outstanding performers, the implication could be that those employees whose efforts were not recognized are low performers or inferior workers thereby demoralizing them and causing them to feel insulted. 

There are also instances when those in power and authority give recognition and award to anyone of their choice as though it is their sole prerogative. Sometimes they use it as a tool for their vindictiveness. They know so well how their malicious intentions will affect other employees, especially deserving ones, whom they intentionally deprived of recognition. Either ways, the giving of awards will defeat the very purpose for which such a program was initiated and is being carried out.

And what if those who were awarded no longer receive recognition the next awarding season? Will that mean they have ceased to be efficient workers? Shall we also attribute their inefficiency to the program?

Let us go back to those employees mentioned above. What has become of their motive for working? Do they work only for awards and not because they are paid for it?

I have often thought it would be much better if management would just do away with the giving of awards. Perhaps, there would be less or no disgruntled employees. Perhaps, there would be no false pride that makes some heads swell. Perhaps, more sensible programs will benefit from the cash amount that usually goes with it. And most of all, perhaps, some incidents of unfairness and injustice will never see the light of day.

MARCELITO POMOY'S INSPIRING LIFE STORY

(NOTE:  This is a REPOST. Originally published on August 7, 2011)

Marcelito Pomoy

(Screenshot 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", 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.

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)

AN EMAIL FROM A READER

(I got an email from a reader, a United States Navy retired serviceman.  I am publishing it verbatim on this blog as well as my reply to same.)

Hello Goddy

May 25

Goddy, I just saw your blog entries for Olongapo and I have to say those pictures caused a flood of memories...... all quite pleasant.  I have to say that from my first visit to your beautiful country, as a sailor, and throughout my Naval career thereafter, I considered the Philippines to be my second home.  I was lucky to have spent considerable time there....... Since I spent so much time in the Aviation side of the Navy, Gordon Avenue was my favorite haunt.  The old places I used to visit for a beer (every time I got to spend time out in town) were VP Alley and the UA Club across the street. For sure, I spent alot of time up and down Magsaysay, enjoying the food, the people and the fabulous music.  Thanks for the few pix of Gordon. Those are rare, to say the least.  But they sure do bring back memories of my younger days and the great time I had meeting some really fine people.  Yes, I visited many other cities in the Philippines and especially enjoyed the time I was able to spend on Samar Is.  LOVED that place!  All I can say is that the people of the PI are forever friends with me....... You folks are the best!

I could go on and on..... obviously..... again, I just wanted to say thanks for posting those pix, especially those of Gordon Ave...... If you have any more, especially if they are of the old VP Alley or the UA Club locations, I would sure appreciate seeing them.  Of course, you may not even be able to locate those anymore.  But if you have any pix of that area, I would love to see them.  THANKS AGAIN and God Bless!

Mike Armstrong (USN Retired)

MY REPLY

Intersection of Magsaysay Drive and Gordon Avenue, Olongapo City

October 29, 2014

Hi, Mike!

Thank you for your email and for the kind words and pleasant things you said about my blog as well as our country—the Philippines—and its people!

I got your email about an hour just after you sent it and I’m sorry for not replying right away.  I was thinking it would make you a lot happier if I could grant your request; that is, posting more pictures of Gordon Avenue, your favorite haunt, particularly the area where VP Alley and UA Club were located.

I was quite familiar with both establishments that you mentioned not only because I used to pass by the area but also because I worked with the Military Police, Office of the Provost Marshal, U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay and we had a list of all clubs, hotels and restaurants (about a thousand of them collectively—if I recall it correctly) as well as their addresses in Olongapo City and nearby Subic town.  But twenty-two years have passed since the U.S. Bases’ pullout and I can no longer remember their exact location.  I made an effort to ask an elderly person out there but he, too, could not recall even the buildings that housed them.

You probably were attached to Patrol Squadron 47 in Cubi Point when you were stationed here.  I remember VP stands for Patrol Squadron.  And VP Alley must be for VP personnel.  But that's just my guess.

Anyway, I am sending you on separate email recently-taken photographs of Gordon Avenue and other areas of Olongapo and the former U.S. Naval Base and look forward to sending you pictures of the area or the new business establishments where VP Alley and UA Club were located.

Thank you again for your email and God bless!

Goddy

GOOD FRIDAY "REFLECTION"

Gaudz

I'm home (Gapan City) for the Holy Week--not just to reflect but also to unwind.

It’s Good Friday today and I am actually thinking of how I should spend the Day. I thought it would be okay to deviate from the usual way I have spent past Good Fridays as I have always carried my cross ever since. I have suffered long enough and have already sacrificed so many things in my life--my ambition... my personal happiness... and some other things that I value so much—not just for the sake of those who mean much to me but, more importantly, to please the Lord.

I have oftentimes been betrayed and stripped naked of my dignity as human. In atonement for my sins, I have mortified and offered sacrifices. I have practiced self-emptying and self-denial. In fact, I have already experienced crucifixion and death on the cross—if only metaphorically.

On 28 June 2009, I posted on this blog an entry titled “Deja Vu” where I wrote partly about the pains I had gone through. Please click and read the aforementioned link.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

NO, THE BOSS IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

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.

THERE'S REALLY NO PLACE LIKE GAPAN CITY

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

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