ARCHIE P. LACSON…BEYOND SUCCESS

ARCHIE P. LACSON…beyond success
by Apolinario Villalobos

Archie Lacson gave me my final break in Philippine Airlines when he made me the Administrative Manager for Philippines and Guam Region of Marketing and Sales to work in tandem with him as his assistant. He was then, the region’s VP. Despite his affluence, he is close to ordinary folks to the point of being altruistic. A dancer and a golfer by heart, he is also health conscious that makes him fit until today and which is what he needs as a newly elected Kagawad of Barangay Ayala-Alabang.

He is the kind of a guy who finds it difficult to say, “no”, that made him prone to abuse and which I have observed during our time in Philippine Airlines. Another skill that I admire in him is his ability to hold the attention of the audience, every time he hosts a show. He was a co-host of the famous “Penthouse 7”, a tv show that featured classic dances such as cha-cha, tango, etc.

What I cannot forget were our lunches of monggo soup and other veggie Bisayan dishes in the tourist district of Malate. One time, while we were on our way to Makati for a meeting, he suddenly stopped. I thought there was a problem with his car. It was only later that I realized….he stopped to buy “dirty ice cream” from the vendor that he beckoned to approach us. He confided that he loves “dirty ice cream”.

He guided me around Hongkong when he brought me there during his temporary administration of Southeast Asia region. It was my first time in Hongkong and he sacrificed his time just so, I could have a glimpse of the Harbor at nighttime. Being his “assistant”, I did all my best…but what he failed to let me do was have my passport stamped with a US visa!

Mga Karanasan Kong Kagila-gilalas Noong Naglibot Ako sa Pilipinas

Mga Karanasan Kong Kagila-gilalas Noong Naglibot Ako sa Pilipinas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Bilang editor noon ng TOPIC Magazine, obligado akong maglibot upang mangalap ng mga impormasyong pang-turista para mailathala sa magasin. At, dahil iba-iba ang mga napupuntahan ko, iba-iba rin ang mga karanasan ko. Ang iba ay sobrang censored kaya hindi pwedeng banggitin, except sa ginagawa kong “memoir” na ilalabas kapag ako ay patay na, at ang iba naman ay sobrang nakakatuwa kaya dapat i-share “to make the day” ng mga nagtitiyagang magbasa ng blogs ko.

 

Sa isang bayan sa norte, nag-check in ako sa isang maliit na hotel, okey naman dahil may toilet subalit hindi ko nabuksan para ma-check ang loob dahil nagmamadali akong makapunta agad sa mga tourist spots. Pagbalik ko galing sa paglilibot ay naligo ako at gumamit ng kubeta. Nadismaya ako dahil nang umupo na ako sa “trono” hindi ko madiretso ang dalawa kong paa…dapat nakaangat ang kanan kong paa upang magkasya ang wetpu ko sa” trono” dahil halos dikit sa dingding ito. Kaya ang nangyari ay para akong aso na nakataas ang isang paa, halos pa-side view, habang nagpapalabas ng sama ng loob….ang mahalaga noon ay nakaraos ako. In fairness sa maliit na hotel, malinis ang toilet, ngunit ang kubeta ay pang-unano yata.

 

Sa isa pa ring bayan sa norte, ang toilet ng hotel na tinirhan ko ay barado. Mabuti na lang at nasa tabing-dagat ang maliit na hotel, kaya kahit gabi na ay nagsabi ako sa staff na kunwari ay  magsi-swimming ako kahit ang katotohanan ay may binabalak akong gagawing kabantutan! Nagtampisaw ako sa mababaw na dagat dahil low tide hanggang makaraos ako. Kinabukasan ay nag-check ako kung may nakalutang na ebidensiya sa ginawa kong karumaldumal nang nakaraang gabi…mabuti naman at inanod yata sa malayo!…nakaligtas ako sa batikos!

 

Sa mga maliliit na lunsod ay uso ang mga hotel na ang toilet ay nasa pagitan ng dalawang kuwarto…share ang occupants ng dalawang kuwarto sa paggamit ng toilet. Malalaman ng occupant ng isang kuwarto kung ginagamit ng taga-kabilang kuwarto ang toilet dahil naka-lock ang pinto niya sa loob, na dapat buksan kapag tapos nang gumamit ang taga-kabila, upang makapasok naman siya, at ila-lock naman niya ang pinto ng katabi niyang kuwarto. Nag-check in ako sa isang hotel na may ganitong uri ng kubeta. Nang hapong maliligo na ako (siyempre nakahubad) ay binuksan ko ang pinto ng kubeta…at nabuksan nga…nakalimutan kong may ka-share ako sa kubeta….at may chicks palang nakaupo sa “trono”….nakalimutan niyang i-lock ang pinto ko sa loob! Nahantad naman sa kanya ang kaluluwa ko! Nagkatinginan kami….nagpaka-gentleman pa rin ako at dahan-dahan kong isinara ang pinto habang nagbaba-bye. Nagkita kami uli sa dining room, kasama niya ang kanyang asawang egoy (black American)!…tinginan uli kami at nginitian niya ako ng pagkatamis-tamis…parang may nabistong secret na siya lang ang nakakaalam!

 

Ilan lang ang mga nabanggit sa mga  madilim na bahagi ng aking kahapon sa paglilibot ko sa Pilipinas dahil sa call of duty. Tiniis ko ang lahat dahil ayaw kong maging jobless at lumuwa ang mga mata dahil sa gutom. Noon ko lalong naunawaan na iba pala talaga ang buhay ng isang tunay na turista na hahamakin ang lahat makarating lang sa mga tourist spots!

Ms. Becky Versoza-Santos

MS. BECKY VERSOZA-SANTOS

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

She’s Ms. Becky Versoza, among the few pioneer stewardesses of Philippine Airlines. When she sought a ground-based position, she was given the post of Supervisor-Baggage Central Tracing Unit at the old Domestic Airport Terminal. That was where our paths crossed but never did I know about her flying stint with the airline as a Flight Attendant. It was only when the late Mr. Ed Guatelara told me about her that I got interested in her story.

 

She confided that during her time, the airline was utilizing DC-3s and among their job as Flight Attendant was to prepare sandwiches for the passengers. They were carefully packed in picnic baskets. They also trained the stewardesses of other airlines that operated, one of which was Japan Airlines. As an information, PAL was Asia’s first airline.

 

Every time I was on OB (official business trip), when I arrive at the domestic terminal, I would drop by her office for an amiable chat. I would give her durian candies from Davao as pasalubong. I also recalled giving her a sack of medium-sized pomelo and packs of dried filleted fish from Iloilo. But, what she loved most are durian and mangosteen candies.

 

Much later on, when I joined the International Sales-Philippines (ISP) group with offices at the S&L Building along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, I learned that she has retired. Many years later, I received an e-mail from her telling me that she was based in New York. She added that she was the only Asian woman included in a coffee table book about the prominent women of the city. We communicated via e-mail as the facebook was not so popular then. When finally, we got connected via the facebook, she sent me messages and photos showing her emaciated body. I was grief-stricken….

 

 

The Gacuras of Looc, Tablas (Romblon)…my family away from home

The Gacuras of Looc, Tablas (Romblon)

…my family away from home

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

To connect on the same day with my HS-711 flight to my first PAL assignment in Tablas after my training, I took an earlier flight from Davao, which I took upon arrival from my town. I left our place at dawn to ensure that I would be in Davao much earlier than my flight departure to Manila. As my habit when traveling over dusty road, I wore “tubaw”, a Muslim head kerchief to protect my hair from the dust. I failed to take it off when I arrived in Davao, so I took the flight for Manila still wearing it and still forgot to remove it when I was waiting for my flight for Tablas.  A lady at the pre-departure area took notice of it – nervously.

 

She got more nervous as I took my place behind her when we were boarding the flight at the tarmac, and she got more nervous when I sat beside her on the plane. Upon disembarking, she went straight to the office of the station Supervisor, Bien Alvaro to report about a “Moro passenger” and in her excitement failed to notice that I was trailing behind her. When I handed my letter of introduction to Mr. Alvaro, she was so pale which made me pity her. That evening, the whole staff was gathered for a meeting at the house of Mr. Alvaro over rounds of cheap rum, purportedly to “welcome” me, but I found out that it was the first that he did it as the rest did not experience similar “welcome”. He used the occasion as an alibi to kid me not to wear the “tubao” while in Tablas.

 

In Tablas, I took the place of a colleague who was hurt by the local mayor. The airline pulled him out of Tablas but I was not told about it. Fortunately, the mayor and his son became my friends. In time, I have developed friendship with the local retirees – a judge, a police captain, a physician, uncle of an actress, and a former businessman. I became a member of their group that took pleasure in whiling time away over glasses of tuba (coconut sap wine) at Barusbos. And, in time, the lady who got frightened at the sight of my “tubaw” realized that I was a good guy.

 

The lady was Mrs. Nena Gacura, whom we  (PAL staff) called “Mommy”. Her husband (Genaro/Aro), we called “Daddy”. One time, at the airport, she invited me to visit them for dinner. I was introduced to their children, Bel, Toto (Job/Bogs), Mari (Marissa), and Nonoy. Bel was later married to another PALer, the late Boy Loquias, Toto Job is happy with his family abroad, Mari with her own, but unfortunately, the youngest, lost his life in Iloilo….he used to perform in Boracay restaurants as a folk singer.

 

The Gacuras became my family in Tablas…our family, as the rest of the PAL employees in Tablas were treated as members of their close knit and religious family.

 

Several years after I was taken in by the Tours and Promotions Division of Marketing and Sales-Philippines in Manila, I went back to Romblon to make an extensive survey of the whole province that consists of three main islands- Tablas, Sibuyan, and Romblon for TOPIC Magazine, the airline’s tool in promoting local tourism. Two years afterward, I went back to make a circumventing attempt on foot of Tablas Island during which I surprised my adoptive family with a quick visit. That was the last time that I had a talk with Mommy and Daddy.

 

When my path crossed again with the Gacuras, it was during a lunch hosted by Celso Dapo who was also assigned in Tablas, but the family was represented only by Bel, her son, and Mari. Boy, Bel’s husband has been long gone, followed by Mommy. And, lately, I was surprised to know from a short message from Bel about Daddy Aro’s demise. My terrible regrets is that I failed to retrace my steps to Looc and their home while Daddy was still happily alive as shown by his photos posted on facebook and despite the reminder of Toto Job to do it soonest. I failed to decipher his message.  I underestimated the happiness on the face of Daddy in the photos that I viewed. I took my time….which was a big mistake.

 

The Gacuras as a family is one of a kind, as I may say. They were so accommodating whose hospitality had no tint of any pretense. They shared whatever fare they had on their dining table. They never failed to invite us PALers to even a simple occasion in their home to make us happy while we were away from our families. Every Sunday, they would walk the several kilometers of distance to their Church as one whole family, and which later included Boy, a former Catholic, the husband of Bel.

 

I admit that they had been among my inspirations, every time I was wanting of humility and tolerance due to my undesirable shortness of temper. They personify sincere friendship, real happiness and heartfelt satisfaction that many fail to do. They are real people….Christians to the core!

 

Si Eboy at ang Kanyang Musika (para kay Eboy Jovida)

SI EBOY AT ANG KANYANG MUSIKA

(para kay Eboy Jovida)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Sa dami ng gustong niyang gawin

Upang maibulalas ang nasa damdamin

Musika ang piniling maging kasangkapan

Upang ang pakikibahagi ay sa kaaya-ayang paraan.

 

Sa pagitan ng isinulat na mga talata

Na binigyang buhay ng makukulay na nota

Nakapaloob ang mga nais niyang ipahiwatig

Umaalagwa mula sa pusong buhay ang pinipintig.

 

Sa pagtipa ng gitara at hihip sa pluta

Ligaya ay mababanaag sa kanyang mata

Na animo ang musika ay kanya na ring buhay

Kaya para sa kanya, ito ay hindi dapat mawalay.

 

Marami sanang nais niyang maibahagi

Musikang buhay na talagang katangi-tangi

Naudlot ng kapalaran, nakalaan para sa kanya

Hindi kayang iwasan dahil sa palad ay nakaguhit na!

 

Alaala niya, sa diwa nati’y di mawawala

Mababanaag ito sa bawa’t himig ng musika

Na naging kasingtunog na ng kanyang pangalan

Pahiwatig na kapiling natin siya magpakaylan man!

 

(pluta – flute)

 

 

Enrick Samonte: The Copying Machine Technician who Became a Regular PAL Employee

ENRICK SAMONTE: THE COPYING MACHINE TECHNICIAN

WHO BECAME A REGULAR PAL EMPLOYEE

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

During the early part of 1990, to ease the burden of copying for the Standards and Coordination Division (SCD) of Marketing and Sales-Philippines (MSP) of Philippine Airlines, an agency was contracted for the provision of one heavy-duty copying unit with a technician. Everybody then, on the 5^th floor of Vernida building, not only the division for which the machine was intended, was happy. What made them glad more was the amiable technician who was assigned by the agency, Enrick Samonte. A gregarious guy, he at once befriended almost everybody for being accommodating. He would be late sometimes for lunch for giving in to many requests for which he would just smile and scratch his head.

 

He must have been astounded with the voluminous requirements most of the time that at times forced him to extend his duty beyond 5PM. I would recall the times that he also stayed overnight with the staff if there were urgent copying to do. All of them were taken in stride by Enrick. He was also proud of his job and diligent, as we would find him at his post way ahead of the PAL employees in the morning. He was also very neat in his outfit and sometimes wore blazer to match the color of his sport shirt.

 

When our group was absorbed by another division at S&L Building, I lost contact with Enrick. I thought he was pulled out by his agency and transferred somewhere else. I was glad to learn, however, that he was taken in as a regular employee. When I left the company, I learned further that he joined the staff of Mr. Dave Lim, the SVP for Sales. Lately, I was surprised to find him to have been assigned to the Office of Metro Manila and Luzon Sales, a division of the Philippine Region.

 

For Enrick, his journey within Philippine Airlines has been challenging as he had to deal with people of various characters, but he successfully melded with them. He is liaising for the division with which he is now connected and very much happy about it because he is back to where he started as a copying machine technician. Just like any other regular PAL employee, he is enjoying free tickets, benefit that he shares with his family….all because of his patience, diligence and amiability.

 

Ang Tagumpay ni Joselito Hibo ng Philippine Airlines

Ang Tagumpay ni JOSELITO HIBO

Ng Philippine Airlines

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Taga- Gloria, Oriental Mindoro si Lito at nang makipagsapalaran sa Maynila ay napasabak sa iba’t ibang uri ng mapagkikitaan upang may maitulong sa mga kapatid at biyudang ina. Panganay siya sa pitong magkakapatid at lalo siyang nagpursigeng makipagsapalaran sa Maynila nang mawala ang kanilang tatay. Naging landscape assistant siya sa Ayala bago napasok na janitor ng Superior Maintenance Services (SMS) at masuwerteng ang naitalagang assignment niya ay ang PAL offices sa Makati noon. Nakaisang-taon din siya sa SMS nang maisipan niyang mag-apply at kumuha ng eksamin sa PAL, at dahil may pinagmamagaling namang talino ay napasahan niya.

 

Messenger ang unang trabaho niya, sa noon ay tinatawag na Public Relations Office ng PAL, pero kung tawagin ngayon ay Corporate Communications. At, dahil hindi siya nagrereklamo kung may pinapagawa ang mga nakakataas sa kanya. Natuto siya ng iba’t ibang gawain pati ang pag-classify ng mga impormasyong kinakalap ng opisina nila na pina-file niya upang magamit na reference materials. Napasabak din siya sa pag-cover ng mga events ng Philippine Airlines lalo na ng iniisponsoran nitong taunang PAL Golf Tournament sa Davao. Dahil sa mga naipon niyang kaalaman hindi naging mahirap sa kanya ang ma-promote bilang Corporate Communications Assistant.

 

Sa kabila ng kawalan ng trabaho ng kanyang asawa, naitaguyod nila ang pag-aaral ng kanyang tatlong anak sa tulong ng suweldo niya sa PAL. Ang pagtitiyaga nilang mag-asawa ay nagkaroon ng magandang resulta nang makatapos ang dalawa nilang anak….ang panganay ay nakatapos ng Customs Administration, at ang nakababata ay Business Administration. Ang bunso ay nasa third year college naman…at, lahat sila ay walang bisyo!

 

Hindi gaanong malaki ang sinasahod ni Lito sa PAL, pero sa kabila niyan ay nakakapamuhay sila ng maayos, kasama na diyan ang walang patlang na pag-aaral ng kanyang mga anak. Ang ibang suwelduhan na halos umabot sa isandaan libo kada buwan ang tinatanggap ay hirap sa pagpatapos ng mga anak dahil sa maling paraan sa pagpapalaki sa kanila. Ang biyayang ito ang pinagpapasalamat ni Lito sa Diyos na kanyang inaalagaan, at ang hinihingi niya ay may matutunan sa kanilang mag-asawa ang kanilang mga anak.

 

Throwback: The Early Freight Service and PALShop Program of Philippines Airlines

Throwback: The Early Freight Service

and PALShop Program Of Philippine Airlines

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Almost always, when it comes to specific topics for recollection of ex-PALers, the cargo operation, if ever mentioned becomes only a “by-the-way” as part of the Manila Station- Domestic. One reason, perhaps, could be the unassuming character of the ex-PALers who moved commodities from station to station, but the fact is, cargo operation was never behind as regards revenue generation of the airline, especially, during its Golden Years.

 

The early years of PAL saw Manila Station-Domestic under Manny Panlilio as manager, and located at the old Domestic Terminal (today, NAIA Terminal 4) where Airfreight Marketing-Domestic (AFMD) under Louie Adecer was also located. He was assisted by the All Cargo Aircraft Coordinators (ACAC) such as, Alfonso “Boy” Bayani, Beda Cuenco, Cecille Mella, and Tony Bejar. As Coordinators, they set up domestic cargo flights utilizing three to four DC3s, one YS-11, the “ubiquitous” Argosy, to quote Boy Bayani who added that the said aircraft should have been better called “Agony” as it spent more time on the ground due to frequent servicing than in-flight. In addition to those aircrafts, they sometimes chartered the L100-20, a civilian C-130 from the Philippine Aerotransport, Inc. (PATI), a competitor which was later absorbed by PAL.

 

The sales aspect of the AFMD was supervised by Johnny Corpuz, while the cargo handling was under Nonoy Tolentino. Later, however, due to an organizational shake up, both MSD and AFMD were brought under the administration of the MSP which at the time was headed by Mr. Ricardo Paloma. The organizational change also resulted to the re-assigning of the personnel to other offices, and among them was Boy Bayani who was transferred to the Vernida building.

 

As there was a dire need to shape up the operations of AFMD, Dr. Avelino Zapanta (PAL President during his retirement) was made to manage it in the interim, and later replaced by Jose Clemente. It was during the time that Dr. Zapanta prepared studies that led to the development of the Domestic Cargo Operating Manual, and which further resulted to the mechanization of the whole operation. From such feat, the Cargo Department became a formidable revenue earner of the country’s flag carrier which could have even enabled it to stand on its own as a “separate business unit” (SBU). But, that’s another story.

 

The metamorphosis of what was just a small airfreight division at the Old Domestic Terminal resulted to the conceptualization of other revolutionary programs, with the most remarkable as the “PALShop”. It was a program which benefited both the employees and the company. With the program, the employees were afforded the opportunity to enjoy the products of the provinces where PAL stations were located from Batanes to Tawi-tawi, at the cheapest possible price and could be picked up fresh from the PALShop outlet at the old Domestic Terminal. On the other hand, the company was assured that allowable weight of cargoes that translated to revenue would fill up the regular passenger and cargo flights, especially, during the “lean season”. All that the employees did was fill up an order form based on the list of products provided by the PALShop Office to be covered with the regular airway bill.

 

A year-end bonanza following the PALShop concept was the Christmas “tiyangge” (bazaar) on the fifth floor of the Vernida Building where the Administrative Offices were located. The bazaar was filled with products packed in crates sent by the different stations. Employees of the stations pooled their financial resources that they used for the purchase of local products based on the “order list” prepared in advance by the Standards and Coordination Division, under Ed Guatelara, and in close coordination with the Manila Station and Domestic Cargo Office for speedy delivery to Vernida building. With this arrangement, the provincial/station-based employees earned extra pesos to tide them over the holiday season while those in Manila were able to save on the commodities that they need, instead of being strangled by the prices of those found on the shelves of supermarkets that have soared expectedly.

 

Ex-PALers who benefited from the PALShop would reminisce about it with fondness. “Those were the days”, is what they could just say with a sigh.

The Consistency of PAL-Davao in Maintaining the Airline’s High Quality of Service Standards

The Consistency of PAL- Davao in Maintaining

The Airline’s High Quality of Service Standards

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Davao station of Philippine Airlines is considered as the hub of its operation in Mindanao and lately, its scope extends to the neighboring Asian countries. As I have worked with the said company for a little more than twenty years and left it during the early years of the new management’s take over, I can very well say that I have an idea of what had been and what are being done as regards the customer satisfaction which fortunately has been maintained due to the consistency of the airline’s high standards.

 

According to Mr. Vic Suarez, the new Head for Mindanao Sales Area, the airline will not compromise its high standard by scrimping on other aspects of operations as some sort of an offsetting, most especially, by offering low fares, except the seasonal promos. High quality of service can only be assured if there is enough manpower that can attend to the requirements of customers. As can be observed, all ticketing offices and the check-in counters at the airport terminals are adequately manned by equally vibrant personnel of Macro-Asia. Mr. Suarez is supported by Ma. Leana Sanga, Secretary; Edgardo Ramos, Staff Assistant; and Ricardo Ambrosio, Sr. Market Planning Analyst.

 

If international cuisine has its “fusion” dishes concocted based on different cultural influences, PAL has its “fusion service”. It is my own terminology and I came up with it in view of the harmonious co-operation of service providers and the held-over organic PAL employees. As in Manila, this unique and harmonious fusion of effort is also found in the operation of PAL in Davao. The ticketing office at the Davao airport is manned by the organic PAL employees, while the check- counters, load control, and the Mabuhay Lounge are manned by the young staff of Macro-Asia. Behind them, such as the Airport Service Manager, Ms. Ludy Bagares and the Customer Service Officers are all organic PAL employees. Helping them out in the overall operation is Excellent, the manpower agency that provided the aircraft cleaning crew, janitorial and porter service.

 

The Customer Service Officers who have spent a good number of years with PAL are Leonilo Abella, Ernie Adrias, Archie Batu, Karlo Respicio, Marlon Rosales, Allen Dizon, Art Migalben, and Anthony Paradela, with the last four mentioned also handling Cargo.

 

The Macro-Asia Supervisors are  Charlie Erojo, Erwin Tongco, Dennis Tiamson, Rommel Covarubias and June Dalisay. The Passenger Services Agents is Ruben Maglaya; and Cargo Service Agents, Ben Arcayan and Julbert Nolasco. The ramp area is handled by the Ramp Service Agents, Ruel Catao, Cyril Pollaris and Joel Montales, while the Ramp Equipment Repairman is Lambert Lazaro.

 

Ms. Bagares expressed that so far, their operation is smooth and without any hassle as the traditional and high PAL standards are maintained to ensure that the customers get the commensurate worth of what they paid for to reach their destination safely.

Salvador Caburian, Jr….”Cabu” ng Philippine Airlines

Salvador Caburian, Jr.

…”Cabu” ng Philippine Airlines

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang unang pag-usap namin ni “Cabu” ay nangyari noong bigyan niya ako ng Trip Pass papuntang Tablas station na first assignment ko nang matanggap ako sa PAL. Akala ko ay istrikto siya hanggang biruin niya ako tungkol sa unang karanasan ko sa pagsakay sa eroplano. Nagkuwento pala sa kanya si Ludwig “Bud” Aseoche tungkol sa kung paano akong gininaw ng todo sa flight mula Davao dahil wala akong jacket na suot noon, kundi manipis na t-shirt lang. Si Bud ang “escort” ng mga recruit galing sa Davao at mismong sa tabi niya ako nakaupo. Sa awa niya, ay pinagamit niya sa akin ang suot niyang jacket. Mga fresh graduates kami noon at dahil nag-alala rin siguro para sa amin si Mr. James Hannen na Director ng Mindanao Sales Area, ay pinasamahan kami kay Bud Aseoche.

 

Nang mag-apply naman ako sa Tours and Promotions ay kay “Cabu” ko ibinigay ang mga dokumento ko para i-submit sana kay Mr. Vic Bernardino, pero iniwala naman niya, kaya lalong hindi ko siya nakalimutan. Ang sama ng loob ko ay nawala nang malipat na ako sa Manila dahil nalaman kong maawain pala siya. Ang Tours and Promotions Office ay nasa lumang Domestic Airport, at ang Regional Office naman kung saan siya nag-oopisina ay katapat lang ng Administrative Offices Building (AOB) na ngayon ay Data Center Building (DCB) na. Madalas akong pumunta sa kanya para kumuha ng Trip Pass na gagamitin sa mga biyahe ko bilang Editor ng TOPIC Magazine. May mga pagkakataong wala akong pocket money dahil umasa lang ako sa regular per diem na mawi-withdraw ko sa istasyon kung may nabenta nang mga tiket, kaya pinahihiram niya ako ng kahit kaunting halaga.

 

Pinapayuhan din ako noon ni “Cabu” tungkol sa mga istasyong pupuntahan ko lalo na ang mga maliliit upang makapaghanda ako tungkol sa mga pwede kong makain. Alam kasi niyang kung isda ay hanggang sapsap o dilis lang ako. Lalo akong napalapit sa kanya nang lumipat ang mga opisina namin sa Vernida building 1 (Legaspi St., Greenbelt, Makati) mula sa AOB dahil siya ang nagbibigay sa akin ng tip kung nasa mood si Mr. Paloma na pumirma ng mga dokumentong “handcarried”, hindi na kailangan pang ilagay sa “incoming tray”. Alam din kasi niya ang ugali kong apurado at makulit. Nang ipakita sa akin ni Mr. Paloma ang mga na-clip na contributions ko sa mga diyaryo at magazines, sinabi niyang si “Cabu” ang ang nagbanggit sa kanya tungkol sa mga ito kaya inutusan niya ang secretary niyang si Bill Trinidad na palaging mag-check sa mga sinu-supply na mga diyaryo sa office niya. May mga pagkakataon din noong hindi ko natututukan ang mga Travel Order na dapat mapirmahan agad ni Mr. Paloma, kaya sa kanya ko pinagbibilin, at panatag ang loob ko dahil kahit nakauwi na ako, kinabukasan, siguradong ang mga ito ay nakapaloob na sa brown folder at nasa ibabaw na ng mesa ko.

 

Si “Cabu” na Administrative Manager ang pinaka-“kanang kamay” ni Mr. Paloma noon na Regional Vice-President naman ng Philippines and Guam. Ang hindi ko alam ay popular din pala siya sa iba pang opisina sa Vernida Building 1, kaya kilalang-kilala ang tandem nila ni Mr. Paloma. Sa puntong ito, ewan ko lang kung maaalala ng pinakahuli kong boss na si Mr. Archie Lacson, nang sabihan niya akong alalayan ko siya….ako kunwari ay si “Cabu” at siya (Lacson) naman ay si Mr. Paloma o “Tatang”. Kapo-promote lang ni Mr. Lacson noon bilang Regional Vice-President ng Philippines and Guam. Dalawa kasi sila ni Mr. Dave Lim (ngayon ay Senior Vice-President), na Director naman ng ISP ang pinagsisilbihan ko bilang Assistant. Gusto ni Mr. Lacson na sa kanya na lang ako mag-concentrate sa pag-alalay dahil sa nadagdag na trabahong sumasaklaw sa mga domestic stations.  Dahil sa nangyari ay nakiusap naman ako sa namayapa na naming kasama na si Miguel Estrada na pumalit sa puwesto ko upang umalalay kay Mr. Dave Lim.  Nang banggitin ni Mr. Lacson si “Cabu” ay noon ko lalong naunawaan ang impact ng kanyang pagkatao dahil pati si Mr. Lacson ay napabilib niya. Mula noon ay pinandigan ko na lang ang naging tradisyong tandem nina Mr. Paloma at Mr. Caburian…na ipinagpatuloy namin ni Mr. Lacson, at sa palagay ko ay hindi naman yata kami napahiya.