Monday, December 24, 2007

My Christmas Gift


The greatest Christmas gift I have ever received was delivered the day I left for Cebu. I went to cebu the other day, December 22, so that I, together with my Hejangnim and Sajangnim could celebrate with the Cebu branch their Christmas Party. Prior to the trip, an arrangement was made that the new ride I was going to get would not be registered under the company name but instead would be mine.
It was a Christmas gift from the wife of the Chairman... a personal gift. It would have been the first time that I would receive a gift as expensive and as extravagant as this. It was a Black Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4, and it arrived in my office about the same time that I was landing in Cebu. My driver reported that it has arrived and that it was a sight to behold... dual transmission system and other cool stuff. I was excited to go back to Manila so that I may have the pleasure of sitting on my new ride and once again thank our first lady for the most generous gift amounting to Php1.3M.

The Cebu Christmas party was a success... we had fun, we had drinks and we had a blast with everyone. The drinking ended around 3am and I went back to my room at our resort. I called my friend to order for me some Korean noodles so that I may pig out before going to bed.... and I fell into a slumber...

10 am, the phone was ringing off the hook and I was thinking that it was too early for a wake up call. It was my President who said that I should call my security officer because something may have happened to my new car...

I can't write about it in detail.... because I'll get pissed off all over again (I have to drive later and bring my family to my in-laws)... all I can say is... I never even got to sit in my car. By 4:25 pm, I was standing beside a ball of crumpled metal... or what was left of what is supposed to be a 2008 Black Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4 car...

A company driver has taken it for a test drive,.. and it went flying, or more accurately according to witnesses on a triple somersault and crashed on the opposite lane onto a solid concrete block that held the macapagal bridge... Php1.3M gone in less than 18 hours...

haaaayyy... at least I know that Hyundai cars are passenger-safe for no one was seriously hurt or injured... the air bags work.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Finally.. a resting place for my songs


I wish that I could personally thank the person who inspired me or more accurately prodded me to start blogging... now that I am hooked, discovering internet services has delighted me no end. When i started this blogspot, I said that I was in a hurry in life because I knew that it would be a short one. Now, utilizing the internet has seemingly took over a third of my life.

Very recently, the only way I knew how to keep my files immortal was with youtube. The problem is that making a video isn't really that easy. If I was a full-time artist then that would be great. I am already fortunate that my job allows me to do the things that I like and I appreciate it. The problem with hard disk technology is the constant reminder that if the systems breaks down, the risk of losing your life's work is almost inevitable. I've spent time and resources to recover, retrieve and digitize from analogue format old gigs from younger days, recordings my band did a long time ago and a lot of stuff like pictures and mementos. Just so that one day, when I'm sitting on a wheelchair or something or dying on a bed somewhere or passed out drunk (hehehe), then i'd be remembered. Maybe...

So a week ago, I stumbled upon a site that hosted mp3s of artists and I felt relieved. I recently added the links to this blogspot, now I have a permanent safe storage for my songs... bless the www!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

2 blogspots in a day


I've been planning for a new blogspot exclusively for Amazing Philippine Theatre so that all related blogs that I may think up will be in the proper place. So I decided to go ahead and make two... one for the singing contest next year and another for the theatre... I've added the links to this blog so that It'll be easy to navigate through it.

I found the urgency while I was in Boracay when I saw that the official site was up, running and being updated. I appreciated the fact that we were up again but I do not appreciate the fact that it did not go through the process. I appreciate the effort but as usual, I would much rather have been consulted. Anyway, enough of that, I already did it and I'd appreciate the contribution of people with the "institutional memory" on the new blogspot. It is unofficial and not company sanctioned... but no one listens anyway, so why should I?

Saturday, December 15, 2007

and the winner is...




i started having problems with my car about two months ago... and so does every car in this company. Despite the fact that I have a million complaints about my car - it's a 1997 Hyundai Grandeur - I loved it for more reasons than I hated it.

First on the hate list is the fact that its 10 year old V6 3.0 engine is an alcoholic just like me. However, it does give great performance given the expensive budget. Second is the fact that the model was never released locally and therefore the parts will have to be imported from Korea. Roughly, that would take about a month or two of waiting without a ride. Third is... well... it's old. But despite all these things, my Grandeur does some things that my old Honda Accord could not... and that is command respect!

I can't help but put into a parallel idea my view of making good business in general. A business, just like any other thing must be unique for it to be noticed... much like a person, much like his ride. It's a statement.

So the day before yesterday, the Chairman, the President and myself attended the Boracay Branch Christmas Party and he told us that it is time to replace our rides with new ones. Not the ones that would entail additional expense for constant repairs and problems and he said that we deserved "worry-free" rides,.. on a budget of course. A flood of quotations and brochures flooded our offices from different makes and designs. I must admit that I felt a bit uncomfortable with the fact that I would have to down-grade my ride because of the budget. The ride I wanted was just a tad shy off the budget, actually not a tad, but then... my boss saves me with a suggestion. He asked me to look up Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4 and it made me smile... I see Camrys all over, I see new Accords all over as well, but rarely do I see Sonatas... and I finally said... I found my ride!

Review



Once a marginal midsize sedan that scraped by on its low price alone, the Hyundai Sonata is now a worthy player that measures up to the class leaders on nearly all fronts. Upon its debut two years ago, the current-generation Sonata immediately impressed us with its attractive design, fine build quality and spacious interior. In addition, newly competitive four-cylinder and V6 engines and the availability of a five-speed automatic transmission (with the V6) brought its performance up to par in the family sedan segment. To be sure, practical-minded consumers will find plenty to like in the 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

Besides matching the top Japanese-brand sedans in regards to cabin quality and comfort, the Sonata is notable for its packaging efficiency. It boasts enough interior volume for the EPA to brand it a "large" car. In reality, though, its rear-seat accommodations are comparable to what "midsize" competitors like the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry offer. It's hardly a knock against the Hyundai, given that two adults or three children can easily get comfortable back here.

Additionally, the Sonata benefits from Hyundai's two trademark
advantages. First, compared to its key rivals, a comparably equipped 2008 Sonata typically ends up priced a thousand or two lower. Second, Hyundai's warranty coverage extends to five years/60,000 miles basic and 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain, both the most generous in the industry.

Monday, December 10, 2007

3 am

this is one of my favorite songs from matchbox 20... the beat, the melody, the lyrics... it reminds me so much of... aahhh never mind.

i was having this mental block episode at the office and i wanted to experiment with the new camera i got so i ended up making a fool of myself by myself after office hours... enjoy!



My New Gear

For all the hard work and accomplishments this year, the company gave me new gear for my working pleasure... the only problem now is learning the new stuff that comes with it. But i must admit, my office looks way cooler with the new workstation on my desk...


Between Friends

My friends always say that there are no thank yous and sorrys between friends. That as friends, it is inevitable that we make each other happy by giving help, a treat… lending a helping hand… and as friends we will eventually hurt one another, one way or the other.

Friendship has always been a big thing for me. Being a single child, I had no siblings to confide to in times of need and misery… but I guess that that was how I liked it. I have always said that we cannot choose our relatives, but we can choose our friends.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

the weatherman is back...


Like I said... the weatherman is back. Marcel Magsino and I will start work on a new project this coming year. Welcome back my old friend!

Monday, December 3, 2007

A letter from a former employee

This letter was sent to me by a former employee through my youtube inbox. I must admit that it made my day, as well as it came at an opportune time when I just mentioned that I have to make a decision very soon. And because of this letter, I have made my decision. I will stay. Not for anything else other than I want to make things right...


hi po i wanna greet you lang po na congratulation po its
a wonderfull video na nakita ko dito un sa boracay po sir and im so amazed n hanga sa inyo dahil khit your the only filipino in that management you can prove it that your not only a small size but your a large huge thing parang sobrang taray ha super success ang show at amazing po anyway congrats again and i want to say sorry for all those bad things ive done personally kc di ko masabi sa nyo.remeber po na your the only person who accpt me there before when im starting amazing dirty pa ko nun actually kundi dahil po sa inyo eh for sure tae tae pa ko hanggang ngaun thnx again sir cassey.and also napaka laking pasasalamat ko kasi now i see n i heared or some of my sister jan e they told na na aapreciate nyo na sila at inaalagaan po kc namn medyo napabayaan kc kmi nun time na najan ako i think n feel n di nyo kami napagpahalagahan or cguro kc marami lang taong umeeksena para maging biboang wrong dun kc ibang way ang ginawa ko but actually im happy for now where i am na eto nagrereview n po ako for my scholarship n class exams like what you told before na dpat pagpatuloy ko yun pag aaral ko po.and now im happy as a stanp up comedian n singer singeran na rin sa ibt ibang bar nagamit ko yung experience ko po jan.anyway sir mahaba na po pla isa lang masasabi kohappy ako nanaging family ako ng amazing beforeand sir sorry tlga ha more power posana umunlad pa po ang amazing its wow amazing tlga its me jemrod cotti as pukel hihihii ingat

The PLIGHT of the SKILLED…

By experience, I am versed enough in the art of making people work towards the achievement of my interest. I have learned the art simply because I was in the past, a person who has worked for the interests of bosses who has (whether they admit it or not) benefited from my tenacity as a loyal employee or subordinate. From watching how my bosses went through their professional lives conducting the affairs of their machineries towards a goal, professional or otherwise, I learned…

In most organizations I know and have had the chance to associate myself with, there was and always will be an employee who stands out as the office martyr. Martyrs in the professional world are usually skilled individuals who lack the character to stand out but have the skill or the talent to get the job done.

When I entered this company, I had no plans whatsoever to become the office martyr, but inadvertently it is perhaps in my nature to be so. It is perhaps something that I can never change. I know that for the longest time, my life and my principles have caused myself and the people closest to me unnecessary pain, anguish and misery.

Mistake no. 01

Good deed = Good Karma

I have always said that if I don’t do anything bad to someone, then that someone will not do bad things to me. Even if they did, then I will be the only party who can say negative things about the other party.

That seems to make sense in the ideal world. However, this world is not exactly ideal nor is it a tiny-bit close to utopia.

Besides, how many “bad” people do I know that eventually ended up successful? ACTUALLY, A LOT! And how many times have I seen bad things happen to good people? --- A LOT!

So in my short-circuited brain, the correlation between deed and karma is perhaps overrated.


The day before yesterday, the Chairman wanted to fire my administration director and gave the order directly to his minions. I was called in for consultation and I shrugged off the order entirely and called it another “volcano” decision which needed no second look. All in all, it was another kinder garden meeting. The mistake did not merit a sanction of termination… even if it did, I wouldn’t allow one of my men to be a sacrificial lamb for doing someone else’s job.

You see, this is the relevance of my intro. My administration Director has followed my career path a little too much… He wanted to be “Jack of all trades…” he has polished his multifaceted skills over time and now he is being martyred simply because he does a lot of work.

I typically say… and such is life. But this time I say, life is what we make of it. The numerous amounts of incidents that I do not like has messed me up and this organization that it is time to make a decision…

Anecdote:

This year, I paid 20k for a mistake which was not mine while a Korean manager bought a car for himself and got a new office for making mistakes that I had to fix.


Listening to: matchbox 20’s version of closing time… dear joan, tired… nothing compares… hang… busted unplugged.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

the SALARY MAN

Over the past several weeks, the Boss has been bugging me about making a "company song". A song that everyone in the company will sing to. To be inspired, to be motivated, to bond or simply because maybe it would be cool...

That would have been nice... to drop everything and stay in the studio and make a song. The problem was that it was impossible to drop everything and the fact that writing music meant placing yourself in a certain state of mood... now that was difficult. If I was happy with my professional life right now then it would be relatively easy. Three years ago, I wrote a song titled "Amazing Preso" (Prisoner), about my first meeting with then VP Chris Park. At the time i felt that he fucked me up big time when he convinced me to join the company.

Anyway, we earlier decided that the lyrics should be written by the employees themselves and a cash price be awarded to the chosen one. (That was actually my strategy to spread the wealth, otherwise, if I wrote it then it would be "gratis" once again the way the video productions has always been.) So we chose an entry and it was really quite good. I started with the music three days ago and I finished the recording of the bed tracks and some blings yesterday. Up on my door read; "Vice President, salary man trying to work: do not disturb".

My best friend in the company, Justine Nuñez has just confided that he would be leaving within the week for a new job. I am really heartbroken. That makes me the last of the pioneers in this company. When I say pioneer I mean the original ALOHA Hotel pioneers who started this theatre. No one is left... but I.

So I told Justine that I he should arrange for a reunion of the pioneers and we should have dinner together before he leaves. Last night would perhaps be the last conversation with him as his boss and then so maybe then we could be more open the next time we discuss having broken the professional protocol shit.

He never wanted to leave the company. That I am sure. It's just that he needs to prepare a better future for himself and his family. That I understand. And that is something that I hope my boss will understand... There are a lot more stories inside this company that should have merited the attention of the right people. But then again... perhaps such is life... for after all, at the end of the day we are just SALARY MEN!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

duuhh... but I... duh...


I've been rather sick lately. And that doesn't include being sick and tired. Right now I'm listening to Matchbox 20's "Damn". I awoke at half past five after a very long day yesterday. It was my day off and woke up at around the same time I did today. I've been sleeping so light lately. While I was sick I stayed in the office in the seclusion and confines of the walls and bling blings I'll probably miss once or if ever I decide to call it quits. My secretary keeps bugging me about eating, drinking medication which knocks me out cold on the sofa for about an hour. I've managed to finish the video of the 2007 show, I'm doing a proposal for a singing contest for next year. My boss wants me to go to Cebu but I've been putting that one off because I'm not exactly in the mood to go there. He wants me to stay in our resort with my guitar and write a song... the company song. Hell, if I was happy right now, I'd write it and record it in a day... but i GUESS i'M NOT.

Yesterday, I had to talk to my daughter's home room adviser because she'd been late three times last month. My daughter by the way is an entirely other story. She's growing up much like myself but more on the weird side. And as her adviser said.. but you are a boy!

Anyway, I try never to leave the house on a Monday, my wife used it as an excuse so I could drive her to the mall for a new curtain and to replace the bidet that she had previously broken. Parking is terrible as always as well as the traffic at that time. Mall food sucks and I hate going to malls in general because I always find something I want to buy for my office but I couldn't afford it. We got back home, and it doesn't end there. I did some plumbing job and had to help installing them damn curtains.

As a rule, my phone is dead on Mondays, but I was out so I had to turn it on. Got some calls from friends and scheduled some appointments. My dear executive assistant and admin director informs me that Cebu has a problem. The strong winds has managed to knock out the canopy of the three-hulled catamaran. I called Cebu to confirm, Damn! must be my god-awful lucky bitchin' day. My sajangnim calls me an hour later and tells me that I couldn't hold off my Cebu trip and I have to do some on-site inspection. So... I'm off to Cebu today. I have to attend to a few more meetings and take a late afternoon flight...

I really just wanted to say... duuuh, but I... duuh... don't really want to go. I'm not in the mood... but that's life I guess.

*** in my headset right now... an instrumental version of Sting's "Fields of Gold" right after Sheryl Crow & Sting's "Always On Your Side". Damn I hate the way I'm turning senti these days. I'd probably cry over a chick flick if I saw one. GRRRRR!!!!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

A reminder for myself...


This was something I wrote a long long time ago in a galaxy all their own.. I decided to post it to remind myself that I have been in tougher situations than where I am right now and that only rational thinking can salvage me from the ill feelings I harbour as of today.

Anyway, I omitted the names for obvious reasons but nevertheless, I would like to once again thank the stars of this memorandum for making me decide to leave them behind... thank you guys, your memories are not fond, but they are treasured..

BTW, the experience of working in hell produced two albums under my independent label, sunset recods limited. The first one is aptly named "FREEDOM" while the other was "DR.DEATH".


Date: April 29, 2001

For: Dr. _________

Ms. ___________

From: Casie Villarosa

Subject: In Response to PAR…

­­­­­­­­­­

Dear Sir, Ma’am,


Allow me to advance my apologies for once again breaking the instruction that I keep this response brief. Not because I find the urge irresistible, I just feel that this is fair considering it is my last, and as well as my conviction that one of the reasons we got here is our attempt to simplify and make brief so many things.

I have read the document over and over in the past three days. Although I would gain no benefit but to view and interpret the numbers that corresponded to a summation of my performance over the last 11 months, reviewed by someone whom I have known in less than a 3rd of the said period, honestly – I make no sense of it.

On the following:

· Technical Skills

score is 4. What is a VIDEOGRAPHER? Look it up in the dictionary the word does not exist. The term is used in reference to people in the new age of video (mostly independents) who are forced to learn all the aspects involved in making a video production. The smallest in-house team I know, based on employment where my friends are is three – one person for the sound (audio person), one for the camera (usually doubles as a cinematographer and lightsman), another as the editor. Three! Excuse me, but at this point, I have to remind myself that I am skilled!

Dr. ____’s side note –

“J___, asked him to go to the production houses and suppliers to check but he refused.” – For the record, I did not refuse. In fact, we got to the level of presentation with one of them, a lot of telephone conversations, discussions and meetings and none of them use our system. Which basically means that it is futile to even think of comparing set-ups. – It would be the same as comparing a chicken to a dog. (Refer to a document entitled “The Review: An inside look at P_____’s In-House Video Capability – full version)

Sad to say, I have ended up with another supervisor who cannot hook up a VCR and a TV together. But I have devoted a lot of time explaining to him how it all works and he was always willing to listen while I was always willing to talk because video and technology is my passion. – Who knows, maybe he’s learned enough to get by without me.

For the Record (again). Dreams and Vision – a Macromedia and Apple service and logistical support organization – knows of only three FCP operators in the country -- one of them is myself, I guess that technically speaking – that makes me rare. Excuse me again, but at this point, I have to remind myself that I am skilled!


· P_____ Policies
score is 5. When I say I am confused about certain policies, that is because I am. 11 months, 5 supervisors later I am still confused – In the last three months I see my supervisor groping in the dark. He has yet to reconcile the policies and the practices himself. But I was told by my supervisor to do this and that, (follow a budget line for the request) which I did (after explaining that it was not necessary and that the research will cost us an unreasonable amount of time). Yes, I was at fault because I followed instructions. – but isn’t that in the policy too?

· Interpersonal Skills

score is 4. I am smiling right now!

· Writing Skills

score is 4. He has managed to massacre everything that I have written. Not only are they not passed to the intended person/s, they are shelved to rot. He has always claimed to be a very good writer, I remember he says that everything he passes to management will get approved. I hear him say how terrible people are in English in this office. In reference to a video manual I have prepared for the ICM sites, it was shelved and he instead asked a secretary to copy an entire book without reference to the author and pass it off as his work. Yes, he is a great writer.

· Personal Organization

score is 5. 120% disagree and he knows it, too.

· Quality of Work

score is 3. Picture this in your mind, I have my supervisor (in the producer’s chair) chanting, raving and ranting (in a very “showbiz” manner) how much the video looks great. “I like it!” It’s Great! “If they don’t like it that’s because they don’t know any better”, etc. etc. Imagine my feeling at the time, I was happy that my supervisor likes what WE did. And that finally, part of the process I’ve proposed had come to pass. A producer – sitting in the producer’s chair, I’m the tekkie (technical person) and I follow instructions – but when it was viewed by Dr. ____ and he did not like it, all of sudden it was I, ME and MYSELF – alone again. The same story applies with the Bohai Sea booklet, the Tropical Coast Cover.

Do I ever get frustrated? Many times over, but I always value the frustration not as a failure but both as a challenge and a learning experience. I value very much Adrian Ross’ words when we had a chance to chat at the back about the process taking time, but that it was worth it because we get better at it everyday. (Check out the Videography Manual I’m writing for the ICM sites entitled “Editing in Mind: A Basic Manual for Producing Video in PEMSEA’s ICM sites”, I opened the manual with the quotation; “Failures are pre-requisites to success”.

· Quality of Work 2

score is 3. Yes, I’ve done 2 productions in a year, 2 approved productions plus dozens of revisions, alternative versions and studies, but I have done many other things including the unreasonable for the most part that I was under supervisors who had little idea as to the intricacies of my job.

In reference to quality, when I arrived in this office, in less than a month’s time I was immediately asked to do a video. Therefore I had to prepare an equipment proposal, be caught in the middle of a war between management and my supervisor, follow a story line -- approved by my supervisor -- that later went through enormous changes in the editing phase, was called a failure, and a host of other frustrating events.

As an output to the lessons learned, I drafted a video production process (protocol) for P____, which ended up in the hands of 4 supervisors and was finally “supposedly” approved 6 months later – where is it now?

· Working Under Pressure

score is 4. Do I freak out during high stress, high demand situations? I only remember doing it once, and that was July, and it was legitimate.

· Initiative, Independence and Problem Solving

score is 4. Let’s start with initiative – animations, graphics, and all predictable demands for video productions are arranged in advance with both M_____ and J____ and we get it done almost always way before we start the editing phase. I finished the P____ Story video as early as January 26, 2001. It was shown only when Dr. ____ freaked (March, 2001), because my supervisor withheld the video from all P_____A personnel and instructed me never show any video in process because according to him, there has to be timing and that nobody knows about video in the office anyway. Later, he tells me that management hates me because I seem aloft. I had to remind him that he instructed me not to approach anyone in management for the solicitation of comments on videos I am working on. I also had to remind him that I almost always solicited everyone’s comments on videos in process. I therefore explicitly remember saying that “look where your twisted strategy has gotten me into”.

Independence – I only wish and seek the assistance of everybody from P_____A because then and only then will we produce good videos. That is why I wrote the video process in the first place. Independence in terms of capability – pls. refer to bullet # 1.

Problem-Solving – I’ve solved and resolved more problems than I thought I could be capable of, given our limitations.

· Analytical Ability

score is 4. I did not shift careers because I was intellectually challenged, I decided to shift because I like development work, I love technology, and I wanted to make a real difference. The bottom line, I just did not want to use my skills to sell a bar of soap.

What else can I say, except that I don’t think I lack any analytical ability. (Of course this was proven wrong when I trusted Jude to keep his end of the responsibilities, and most specially when I thought that he was a decent human being – boy, am I dumb) So allow me to retract that statement – he was right.

I’d like to believe that I’ve done a lot of good in my life, some/many mistakes –yes-- my PhD is my life.

· Dependability

I remember one general staff meeting where Dr. C___ said that if he needed something from me, he knows that he will get it on time. That day did not soften me, or made me lax, it made me steadfast in guarding that perception – the same perception broken because of a supervisor whose intent I have yet to be clear of.



If ever I will be given the chance to evaluate J___ W______ G______, I would be fair and honest. He has his strong points. He has the credentials for the job. He is friendly and accommodating (of course now I know that his friendship is as valuable as a matchstick for someone who lives in hell).

For the most part, we were led to believe that finally, the ISU will better move forward as an intricate part of the whole organization. We were doing good for October to December, the only thing lacking then was representation that would mainstream the unit and a unit head. It was only in late January that we noticed some things wrong, small things, negligible things that I knew would blow up in our faces sooner or later. And most of it did, just about now, I find myself hardest hit.

For this particular event, I was specifically requested (instructed) to take the blame, the fall, and to ask management for another chance. I was specifically told that this evaluation was nothing more but a strategy to keep me in the office, however, I see no sense in it. But then, there is a conflicting statement, I was specifically told that management wanted me out, that as my supervisor, he is tasked to officially cut me off. If this is true my only question is – WHY?

When Mr. G____ assumed his office, his first statement out of the blue when we had lunch was, “People will never know what I am thinking about.” I replied, “Is that good or bad?”, now I know better. (Check out what he did to his former Boss in U%&*) A tip to those who will further work with him – he’s not that good, -- when he is uncomfortable in a situation, most specially when he is lying, he sweats. This man cannot fight his battles head-on, he is a tactician, an opportunist and he kills when the prey is not looking. That was why inspite of the tears that he made flow from his eyes last Friday, I will not slip quietly into the night.

Ms.G____ last week has interviewed the unit, the sentiments may not have came out as strongly the way it should have, specially from his Boy Friday, but I am sure that somehow she has a clearer perception of the problem. Prior to this event, I took a stand in order to put a colleague’s name in the clear, weeks later, I am in the same boat. I am not and will ever be apologetic for the things I’ve done for I believe that I am in the clear. I may have committed some mistakes, but for the most part, it was because I followed protocol. I have room to improve, yes I do – who doesn’t? -- and I have and am always very willing to change most of my wayward ways. But I am afraid that I cannot do it in this organization anymore. Dr. C____ said that the bottom line is that if a staff cannot work with his supervisor, then he must go. I shall go. Because asking for a chance that I already deserve, admitting to things that I have not done nor caused, and accepting this evaluation will diminish my self-respect. It was the only thing I started out with, and I am hoping that I will not be parting with it anytime soon. I expect respect from my daughter, and I cannot expect it from her if I lose respect for myself.

Allow me this opportunity to thank you, the staff, my unit teammates and the organization for an opportunity to work with all of you. This is one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make.


P.S. Dr. C____, Thank you for not signing the evaluation before you handed it to me. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to defend myself. And lastly, thank you for believing in me, I shall hold it dear.

Wow! That felt really good.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

how confidence, not curiosity killed the cat

I awoke last sunday morning to the ringing of the phone. My security officer was calling from the office and he relayed news that there was an electrical explosion at the mechanical area of the building injuring three of our employees. Damn! That was not the wake up call I wanted to hear. Fear had crept through my spine anticipating a wost-case scenario. As I drove myself to the hospital, the only question in my mind was... why were they working on a "live" 440-480V panel board? As I pulled over, one of our employee was already in place to assist me in parking and he updated me abou the condition of the three people and asi I walked into the emergency room felt relieved when I saw my boys wrapped in bandages but moving about in their bunks. Relief turned into a bit of comedy when one of the attending physicians jokingly said that the boys were a bit late for a halloween party.

Two of them suffered from 2nd degree burns to the their faces and their arms while the other was more shocked than anything else. I need not ask them for explanations since they started talking the minute I arrived to explain what had happened. Bottomline? Confidence!!! Having worked with electricity almost all their lives, shutting down power for ten minutes seemed too bothersome a protocol to follow. Wearing safety equipment (gloves, boots, overalls, eye protection) seemed like a waste of time...

Right now, they are all safe and I am relieved. I just hope that this excursion to the pain zone will give them enough time to recognize and accept that protocols were made for everyone's good.

Note:

shutting down the supply for ten minutes would have been just that... 10 minutes. Instead, the entire building lost power for several hours, the panel board and the wires replaced (and that's not cheap), the incident scared the shit out of their relatives and friends, hospitalization, not to mention the amount of pain they are in right now, and the fact that they have just broken the company's safety record of zero accidents in the last two years.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Amazing Philippine Theatre and the Manila Film Center Links

Well, here's about everything I found in the internet about Amazing Philippine Theatre and the Manila Film Center that we didn't author...

http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20071012lif1.html

http://supremebeauty.blogspot.com/2007/09/search-for-amazing-philippine-beauties.html

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife1_oct7_2006

http://www.yehey.com/travel/articles.aspx?id=181983

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/10/06/TOUR2006100676380.html

http://thepinoy.net/?p=943

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489369565/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490220484/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489323907/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490239358/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489377717/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489386121/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490222100/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490242512/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490184328/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489315975/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1489321475/

http://flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/1490181760/

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife1_oct27_2007

http://jaynir.wordpress.com/2007/10/31/amazing-philippine-theatre/#comments

http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2007/10/and-winner-is.html

http://www.paradise-philippines.biz/paradise-philippines/tickled-pink-in-boracay/

http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/48683

http://en.ce.cn/Life/entertainment/fashion&beauty/EFBab/200609/07/t20060907_8452820_2.shtml

http://ladyboy.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/move-philippines/

http://cinematografica.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/manila-film-center/

http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/97/1017/feat2.html

http://gmapinoytv.igma.tv/sidetrip/blog/index.php?/archives/42-The-Manila-Film-Center-mystery-A-ghostly-place-or-an-urban-legend.html

http://www.wgasuperferry.com/news/NEWS_view.asp?id=221

http://www.manilaseoul.com/print_paper.cgi?action=print_paper&number=1003&title=%ED%94%84%EB%A6%B0%ED%8A%B8

http://www.manilaseoul.com/print_paper.cgi?action=print_paper&number=1104&title=%ED%94%84%EB%A6%B0%ED%8A%B8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Film_Center

http://www.newsflash.org/2001/02/sb/sb001587.htm

http://financemanila.net/2007/10/28/ghosts-haunting-the-manila-film-center/

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/09/20/TOUR2006092074908.html

http://www.fitnessboi6000.com/2007/05/film-center-of-philippines.html

http://sari-saringsinengpinoy.blogspot.com/2006/04/naaalala-mo-pa-ba-ang-manila-film.html

http://cine67.blogspot.com/2005/07/peque-gallagas-pinoy-blonde.html

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/25140/Multo-ng-Nakaraan-(Ghosts-of-the-Past)

http://lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1982/eo_770_1982.html

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Wanted…

Preferably alive… very much alive…

This year, together with the expansion program of the company, we are planning to put up a team that will help us realize potential activities that will further develop our vision in the arts, entertainment and the tourism industry. We have many plans in mind but they are not yet in focus… and so this is why we need an

Events Management Team

Director

To head the EMT for Amazing Philippine Corporation


Must be a visionary, hardworking and can deliver
Must be willing to work long hours
Must be a team player
Must have ample connections and networks
Must be charismatic and a proven leader and manager

Salary is negotiable, plus incentives, plus profit-sharing scheme

Information Education and Communications Specialist

Must be a competent artist (not only in attitude please)
Must be competent with relevant software applications
Must be a multi-tasking oriented individual
Must be a team player
Must have knowledge in video production, graphic arts, print media, writing skills is a plus, a good speaker

Salary is negotiable, plus incentives, plus profit-sharing scheme

Marketing Specialist

Can prepare a maketing stratregy for each of the events

Can write!!!
Must be a visionary, hardworking and can deliver
Must be willing to work long hours
Must be a team player
Must have ample connections and networks
Must be charismatic and a proven leader and manager

Salary is negotiable, plus incentives, plus profit-sharing scheme

*** for information please call Amazing Philippine Theatre; (02)8348870-71 look for eugene baroña (administrative manager)




Tuesday, October 23, 2007

a look at the past... 2002

this is an open letter to a friend and colleague which I wrote in 2002. I dug it up in the old files while I was cleaning... I wish I am as "high" as I was with this job as I was in 2002.



July 1, 2002
0210H


To: ___________
_____ Department Supervisor

From: Casie Villarosa
Executive Director

Cc: Edmundo Cueto, Director
Elmir Castillo, Director
Aira Alano, Stage Director
Michael Reginaldo, Stage Manager
Jerome Buzeta, Costume Designer
Kurt Navos, Lighting Director
Engr. Eugene Baroña, Sound Engineer
Justine Romero, Chopreographer
Paige Illustre, Core Secretary

Francis Aliento, Head (Engineering Services Department)

Subject: An Open Letter to a Friend


It is the one single day of a week in my professional life when I may opt to forget that I am Executive Director of this company. Today at this hour is one of the moments when I can opt to play counter-strike in my PC and pretend that I am shooting and killing all of my professional problems and difficulties. But today, I have opted to write a letter to a friend who has let me down.

Over the past six months since you have occupied the directorship of the department of my creation and as a member of the core staff, I have believed in you and trusted your judgement as if it was my own. It was because I have always believed in a healthy management through trust.

It was therefore the reason why inspite of all the problems that I have encountered in relation with your department, and you as the ____ Director, I have only opted to dialogue with you. I have purposedly distanced myself from your Department out of “delicadeza”. Because I do not want any other department in this company to feel that one is more favored than the other and also because I have decided to put my 100% trust and confidence in you, as I have with all the members of the Core Staff.

Last Saturday, upon the advent of your demotion to a lower position, I have had the opportunity for the first time to interact with your department so that I may rationalize with finality the grievances, which led to your demotion. Words, at this moment will not be enough to describe how badly I feel for the incompetence I have exhibited in relation to my supervision of you as a member of the core. Words will not be enough to describe the ill-feelings I harbour because you have failed me, yourself and the department closest to my heart. Time and again, I have accosted you over matters that have reached my office in relation to your poor and dismal performance as ____ Director, and time and again you have proven that words are not enough to merit your attention and action.

Today, I shall remain steadfast as to my personal advice to you to suffer the full consequence of your actions. Actually, knowing what I now know, the consequences are lighter than what you deserve. So once again I shall remind you that you are threading on very thin ice and therefore will need to prove yourself not only professionaly but personally as I am personally making you accountable for what has happened to your Department.

At the same time, I am glad of your acceptance of your fate for it allows for a margin of probability that retribution be made for mistakes made in the past. Although at this point, my loss of confidence in you can only allow me to hope and not expect for the best.

Let this event be more than a lesson for all of us who hold a management position in this company. I know I have.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

what i was saying two years ago...

two years ago, i tried to fix what i thought was wrong with this company... and yet the problem remains. but not only did i not fix the problem, i fell ill on it as well that i get pissed so easily nowadays. forgive the english, i had to address both filipino and korean managers

about taking risks...



about the never ending cold war...

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Chasing the Sun...

That remarkable band named the Calling was introduced to me by a friend, Marcel Magsino. Since then I was hooked. And although I've done some covers from them, I've never really done justice to both Alex Band's voice or the very difficult (for me) broken chords of Aaron Kamin. But it never deters me and my friends from covering some of their songs... and as the song goes...

it's been like Chasing the Sun




And here's a sample of knowing when to give up. We tuned down two octaves lower and I still couldn't get the pitch right... it was a valiant effort though...

Stigmatized (Casie and Eugene's foiled attempt)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A tribute to my parents

Dear Nanay and Tatay,

I know that it's kind of weird that an agnostic like myself would write a letter to the departed but there are just some things that one cannot help... or for this matter, rationalize.

I miss you guys... and I mean that in the most sorrowful way.

I remember that tatay once said that he feels like a foreigner inside the house because nanay imposed an "English only" conversation inside the house. Back then, I remember how we'd put out mats on the living room floor because it was too hot to sleep in the rooms where the ceiling was lower. I remember the way you cooked fried chicken ala max's style and serve it with jufran catsup. I remember buying clothes at the Pasig Public Market with you and you'd pick the ones you liked. I remembered how you said you wanted me to stand out... always. --- and i always did... hahahaha.. but never in a good way.

I remember how tatay would always say that if he knew that I was gonna be a smart aleck, he shouldn't have sent me to school. That was of course jokingly. I remember my first bike that seemed to be a compilation of different known designs and styles (racer handles, easy rider seats and frame -- absolute chopsuey but i loved it because it was mine) because tatay got the parts separately from replaced bicycle parts from cartimar in pasay. I remember tatay saving up weekend tips as a cockpit arena broker so that he could buy me that original "ray-ban" shades I always wanted... (i eventually sat on it)

And I remember a lot more... and the more I remember... the more I miss you guys. I'm sorry if I never visit you guys. You know how it is with me. I'm not that kind of a man, and i don't really like memorial parks so instead, I keep you guys in my heart... and I visit everyday.. as in everyday.

Today I have to go your grand daughter's school and retrieve the cell phone that she smuggled in that was confiscated by her teacher. This is her 4th phone, she lost one already. Times are indeed funny. I remember I had to starve myself for three months for my first guitar.. I want to ask you guys for advise about parenting and this dead-end career that I have, but you're not here.

But I do know, that eventually, things will turn out well... I know. It always does. If the rest of the world is right and that you can still see me... I hope that my decisions in life are okay with you... or at least, most of them...

for you guys.

I miss you terribly and I love you.

Balang Araw

Saturday, October 13, 2007

and finally... the Rants!!!

Overview

This ranting article was written during my semi-long stay in the Beautiful resort island of Boracay while trying to establish the new theatre in Boracay. I believe I stated writing this sometime July before we officially opened the theatre on the 24th of July this year.


A few days ago, the Chairman of the Board called two of us (the President and I) in his office to discuss the Projects he has envisioned for the Island of Boracay. Prior to this meeting, we made a one day back and forth trip to the island to inspect certain possible locations for the businesses we were about to put up.

That day, we were instructed that we shall divide the projects between the two of us. That basically meant that I shall be in charge in the establishment of the Amazing Show in Boracay while the President shall handle the larger project, the Boracay Filipino Folk Village.

the RANT…

So WTF is this about?

My return trip to Boracay allowed me some insights as to the nature of the beast. Boracay in all its glorious beauty is quite peculiar in my perception. Everything seems to be more expensive here and the conditions a lot harsher. The white beach area is indeed exceptionally beautiful. Four kilometers or so of white powder-like sand, however, the main road is much like the busy street of a third class municipality teeming with motorcycles, tricycles and golf carts (which they refer to as the Boracay Benz). We were there during the non-peak season which meant “construction and development season” - when there aren’t as much tourists on the island. This basically meant that my team and I had to contend with the dust, the almost unbearable high temperature and humidity, and yes, the smell and feel of construction. Not that it’s something to rant about. We did the same with the Manila Film Center six years ago in the worst conditions, Cebu Amazing under the constant heat of the sun by the open sea and now we’re at it again. But something this time is much different… the feel, the circumstance and the mood.

Six years as a company and seemingly, this organization hasn’t learned that there are laws that need to be followed when undertaking a project. Second is that we've yet to learn that the simpler the structure of the project proponent, the smoother a project runs from construction to project development to the launching. Take the case of the very successful Amazing Show Cebu Project, only two people worked on it and headed the project development team. I (at the time I was General Manager) and then Vice President Iron Chang made that project with limited complications and it was completed with minimal hassles and we made the deadline.

As for this project, these are my rants….

• This is supposedly my project if I will base it on what the Chairman said in a meeting in Manila before we even started this endeavor. Of course, I wouldn’t know what he said to the others in reference to this.

• That plans were made and laid out in Manila in a series of meetings and consultations with the Directorial Staff but most of them were not followed either due to indecisiveness of the Korean Managers in Boracay, the whim of the Chairman, the over-confidence of some managers and the sheer ignorance and stupidity of some which, basically means that my ascendancy to the Vice Presidency of this company still remains as lip service for now until they learn to follow and respect procedures. On the other hand, maybe their perception is that no matter how horribly wrong things would go that I ultimately can remedy the situation anyway. For me, that is a management style that would, in the end cause unnecessary stress for everyone, especially myself.

• Third rant is, why are we compensating stupid idiots who in the clear assessment of pros and cons inputs more mistakes than positive contributions? This is the first time I have seen a company who is characteristically more of a school wherein managers are allowed to commit mistakes and learn (assuming that they actually do) and it would be OK. Unfortunately, schools earn from students so that they may learn. In our case, we actually pay for students to learn… why is that?

• The arrogance of these people who thinks that because they were put in a position of power means that they can play bully with employees who clearly know more than them. Being stupid is one thing, being arrogant… no matter what, is another story. The sheer lack of sensitivity of some of the managers is appalling as I wonder what kind of psychological imbalance they might have suffered as children. So altogether, I have received complaints and have personally seen many who are bossy, a bully, pretending to know a lot more than they actually know, feigning concern and sensitivity, and a host of a lot more.

Perhaps you may ask, how did the company turn into what have become a “rantable” company? To this my answer is plain and simple… the too much, too soon syndrome has a lot to do with it. Amazing Philippine Theatre has grown faster than anticipated that the people were not ready for it or perhaps more apt would be, they were not “readied” for it.

Amazing Philippine Theatre’s first structure was simple. There were five Koreans at the time including the Boss. One reported straight to the Boss while three reported to the one reporting directly to the Boss. The rest of the directorial team were Filipinos which meant that they reported to the Korean Manager whom they needed to report to, i.e. members of the Artistic Team reported directly the Korean who acted as the producer, while the same people reported to the Korean in-charge of finance to ask for money. The engineering people reported to the Korean in-charge of construction and logistics. The marketing people reported to the Korean in-charge of sales and marketing. It was too simple then that there were disadvantages as well, but not at the same level of disadvantages as these days.

The Flaw…

Three years or so ago, there was a major structural change in the company that rattled the structure to its core. This was the introduction of the “Corporation” which was primarily instituted to pursue expansion programs in the Philippine Islands. The rationale was simple, Amazing Philippine Theatre needed to expand and diversify its operations to ensure the viability of its existence as an entity in the Tourism Industry.

This diversification entailed that more managers were to be hired, mergers will have to be undertaken and core competencies be developed. These reasons in my mind are plain and simple rationalization of some other motivation that has led to the creation of the “Corporation”. From what I have heard, and from what I have culled, these maybe the real reasons behind everything that transpired three or so years ago.

• The original Korean managers have become too complacent with their accomplishments with Amazing Philippine Theatre that they rested on their laurels to much too soon. Perhaps the Chairman felt that there were more things to be done than to savor the initial success of the theatre. On the other hand, the opposing argument may be that these managers were promised rewards at the end of the project and that in their view, the end may never come and that basically means that the rewards will never come as well.

• The differences in opinion as to the thrust of the business were maybe qualifying factors as to why some key personnel broke off their ties with the company. I remember an incident wherein my closest executive friend was devoured in a corporate meeting for reasons unknown to myself. Later on, he tendered his severance from the organization which he has labored so hard to build.

• The Corporation in its premature existence decided to become intrusive as to the business of Amazing Philippine Theatre. The issue I think is related with “trust”. There were too many incidents that may have compromised the trust of the Chairman with key personalities. As a consequence and in a sense, it was like paying for additional salaries of people who’s main task were to find flaws from what seemed in my perspective an organization that worked rather efficiently – or perhaps there are more things that I don’t know of. At the time it felt like a witch hunt of some kind… receipts were reviewed, suppliers were interviewed, investigations were conducted – the results of which were never divulged. Perhaps because in the end, they did not find anything wrong with the system.

• The Corporation was represented by people whose ascendancy was questionable in the first place. If their perceived Term of Reference would be that of a “Fault Finder”, then how could they ever be expected to become a part of the organization that calls itself a “family”?


So in my most honest opinion, most of the initial dilemma of this organization started at the onset of the “Corporation”. Perhaps (actually I am quite sure) there are issues that I am not familiar with or is outside my realm. Whether there are issues on “trust and confidence”, it is beyond me for the Koreans have kept themselves isolated from my realm a long time ago. My realm incidentally rests on the people immediately below my rank and designation. Unfortunately, part of this realm is to frequently do “damage control” for decisions and actions made by “them”. Damages that I have nothing to do with nor do I have any participation in the making of.

It is therefore my assumption and conclusion that the entire issue rests on what is the priority for the organization? Or to be blunt, what is more important for the Chairman? Surrounding him with people who are “loyal” or surrounding him with people with the skills and the competency to drive the corporation forward? This is given the assumption that maybe he cannot have both.

If we were really out to make a corporation, then certain things should have been addressed at the onset. The first of which are the personalities that will rule over the structure. Simply putting people in management positions, no matter how seemingly “bright” they are is no guarantee of an efficient management. Putting people in management positions for the sheer reason that one can is irrational and will simply result in catastrophic consequences.

The second is the absence of a clear-cut goal and objective-setting that would allow all members of the organization a sense of common vision so that all initiatives would thrust towards it.

Third is a clear set of identified function and a clear organizational structure that would allow harmony at the work place, not to mention acceptance. The unclearness of the structure, the chaotic terms of references has already wreaked havoc in the organization. It has allowed disintegration from among the ranks of the managers and complaints from rank and file. There are too many people in authority that the main pre-occupation of people in the organization is to shoot down each other and find fault on everyone. As I have always said, this organization is too “top heavy”, there are too many managers whose job is undefined or based on a whim.

And I should admit to the crime myself, despite the fact that I have announced my disinterest in the position, I now wish for it so bad, so that the destruction would stop and measures be undertaken to prevent the demise of a company I personally worked so hard for to build, establish and institutionalize.

Side Bar:

When the corporation was at its infancy, one of the new Koreans entered my office and said that he has full respect for me and that as far as he know, I should be the President of the company. I told him that I have respect for the organization and that I will not tolerate back biting or disrespect to any person in authority. I honestly wanted to remain as Vice President of the company because I am most efficient in this position. Unless I find a successor that will accomplish more than what I have, otherwise it would be a futile promotion in the first place.

At the time, I felt that the new Koreans were making me some sort of a trophy. That whoever wins me over to the corporation would stand victor. This was not how and it still is not how I want this game played. I simply want to care for an organization that I have helped conceive. Hypocrisy considered, I also just want to be compensated in equal terms equivalent to the amount of efficiency I deliver and I see no reason why people better compensated than I am should deliver less than I do.

I simply want to run the company the way I see fit. Am I prepared for it? I don’t think so… but who is anyway? Nobody ever is. And that is the point… If a Manager excuses himself with words like “but I did my very best, sir”, and the results are catastrophic then that means that he has no room in this business. If a Manager pisses off employees, who has stayed with the company longer than he did, then he should not manage at all.


The Major Rant…

I have set aside in my mind the fact that the Chairman did not keep his word about this project… that it would be mine. My baby! The experience is not new for me, I was never able to claim Cebu despite my hardships and sufferings there simply because I became irrelevant right after we opened and launched the show.

Boracay as I have surmised became a simple lay-out of plans and strategies for completing a show ready for presentation to the general public given a substantial amount of time. After the meeting in Manila where I was advised that I would just have to deliver the opening night and that legal documentation was beyond my concern and that another executive would be in-charge of it made me breath a sigh of relief but felt a tinge of apprehension and concern knowing that things might still go wrong. (and it did! -- BIG TIME!)

The sigh of relief came from the fact that I am ignorant of this place, the politics, the small island culture and mentality and lastly the major players and operators in the island. This means that handling the legal documentation will definitely be an additional burden for me.

The feeling of apprehension stems from a gut feeling that things might not go the way they have anticipated it. This is largely due to the fact that I hear this fellow executive always saying that there are no problems and that he is close to the mayor’s sister and the mayor himself, that he has already given the task to a Filipino broker who charged a substantial talent fee and therefore he expects that everything will be ready by the time we open.

Every time I hear someone name-drop, chances are they’re bragging. In fact, in one consequent trip I made to this island, I hand carried two pipes of engineering plans we prepared in Manila to help facilitate the release of the building permit needed for construction. The executive snapped at me saying that we don’t need those plans since everything will be cared for by the broker. The broker on the other hand used the same plans eventually.

Actually, we were already constructing. In my mind, it was okay because I knew that the permit application has been filed. Later I found out that it has not been filed when I tried applying for a permit to transport a 150KVA generator set to the island. I went to the Municipal Hall claiming that the application has been filed. I was with a friend who held a position there and sure enough, they did not find the application. I sent an MMS message to the executive to verify and he said that it has not been filed, which was contrary to what he reported a week before. It was quite an embarrassing experience being Vice President and being blind.

Fact is all of these things are supposedly not my concern. Fact is, as always I end up fixing the mess they’ve made. (Forgive me for being redundant on this point but I really want to drive it through like a stake in Dracula’s heart)

The worst incident…

Two days before opening. Everybody was frantic with the deadlines, finishing touches and preparations for the opening ceremonies. By this time, I already know that we have problems with the permits and other legal stuff but I was hoping that we could still have a miracle and push on with the opening without much hitch. Then, disaster strikes. The Barangay Chairman together with his team pounces on us and orders the stoppage of all activities because he was never informed and he never signed the clearance of the project. I was called in to defend the fort, naturally.

There was only one thing to say… we were so sorry… Except that I was the one who will have to say it as VP of this company. Apologize for someone else’s stupidity? There wasn’t much of a choice. I personally apologized then I promised that we would stop it for the meantime until I settle matters. I told everyone to stop what they were doing including the Korean managers. I went out for lunch that day and midway through I got another call. This time, the Barangay people went back and caught people still working in front and on the facade of the building. The tools were confiscated and we were charged with illegal construction. The Barangay Chairman spoke on the phone and told me that I was not a man since I did not keep my word. -- But I did! Someone else didn't!

For Now... (written today)

The writing of this rant ended in August. Maybe because I just got tired or just got used to my life in Boracay at the time. Or maybe, deeper in my subconscious, I just gave up. And literally, hell yes, I give up for now. Like what I said in one my songs... "There is no cure for the tormented, there is no recipe for the damned, there are no lies that needs to be invented, there are just the broken pieces that I've collected..."

I have realized, long time ago that this is dead end career for me... It is unfortunate that I have yet to learn to let go... but for now.. i can't. I publish things that I write to this blog without any intention of making my feelings public but that is inevitable. For me, this is therapy!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Amazing Show in Boracay



this was what the theatre looked like when we were working on it.

I would like to acknowledge the "heroes" of this project whose sacrifices, skills, efforts and dedication made this theatre possible; Mr. Song (Project Manager), Justin Nuñez (Technical Director), Francis Aliento (Engineering Director), Ian Cuenco (Lighting Director), Ronald Gallardo (Batten Supervisor), Rey (the all-around man) plus plus plus...



More Boracay Pictures

Amazing Staff Fun Dive in Boracay

It's gonna be a bright... bright... sun shiny day!!!

whoooaah! I broke 100... finally. I am perhaps the worst golf player I have ever seen. After a year attempting to be a better player, I finally broke 100 and scored 96! My friend who is an Undersecretary always jokingly says that he typically scores 75.... on the front nine. Hahahaha! I think that it was "shame" that made me play good that day because I decided to have the game documented on video so that I could see what I was doing wrong. Or maybe because I had a new caddy who was way better in attitude compared to my old one.

GOLF DAY!

Friday, September 7, 2007

RANT 101 - the memo that never was...


September 4, 2007

Subject: Offense and Resolution


I am saying sorry in advance for whatever reaction this open letter may cause to anyone but I am at the moment in no mood to play politics with my feelings. But as of this writing, I am already all too fed up with the amount of stress that I have to put up with in this company. Stress which I think is utterly unnecessary, have we been working together as a team and not as loose cannons by ourselves.

I am very much offended by all the media releases in relation to Amazing Philippine Theatre. I know that the Korean Managers will not be bothered by it as I will not be bothered by any article that appears in any Korean newspaper.

The articles from the newspapers and the internet have caused me personal and professional anguish because, and I quote:

“According to _________, the Korean chief operating officer and director of sales and marketing of the Amazing Philippine Theatre. The Amazing Show can rival, if not surpass, the ones being put up in Thailand, well-known for musical shows featuring transsexuals and to which the Philippine show took its inspiration.

The wealth of talent as well as the beauty of transsexuals in the country inspired Korean investors headed by its chairman and owner Lee Jong Hyun to put up the Amazing Philippine Theatre in 2001. At the first audition, they hired 80 performers to make up the first pool of talent. Investors decided to rehabilitate the Manila Film Center to make it the venue for the shows with an initial capital investment of about US$ 1.4 million. The selling of the show was concentrated to the Korean market.”

(I didn't even know that we had a COO already... So much like the saying, “who died and made him COO?")


and…

“According to Korean ________, the COO and director of sales and marketing of the Amazing Philippine Theatre, APT owner and Chairman Jong Hyun Lee approached him with the idea of creating a theatre company with the purpose of providing a world class show that would benefit both the foreign and local markets.” -- he wasn't even around in 2001!


I actually do not give a damn about whose mistake it was… the bottom line is that there was a mistake and it belongs to somebody and yet no one wants to claim it and again, no one will be punished because of it. The damage is at the expense of this company whose history we have just altered because of these articles that were read by Filipino readers. And this, I do not take lightly. Not from someone who has given me much headache and stress since the inception of the Amazing Philippine Theatre Boracay Project.

Amazing Philippine Theatre was established with people who are mostly not here anymore to defend themselves. They are fallen, but they are not dead. They were not survivors in this company, but it doesn’t mean that we can erase them from our history. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the first executive director of this theatre who patiently waited in my living room until I awoke to bring me to Aloha Hotel. The initial show would have not been possible if not for the talents and skills of the first artistic team led by the first director. Good or bad, these people were a part of this theatre’s history. And those facts, I will never undermine or allow to be undermined so long as I am a part of this company.

I have remained silent for more than two years now hoping against hope that we are threading the right direction. Hoping that after six years we have learned enough from our mistakes. Like a good soldier that I wanted to be I remained patient. But my silence has gravely contributed to, my opinion, the worsening of the situation. Amazing has stood its ground after six years and those of us who has poured our sweat, blood and tears into her foundation has the responsibility to ensure the viability of our existence as a company and a family.

I have initially contemplated that with this open letter, I shall attach with it my resignation from this company so that I may be spared further anguish and unnecessary stress brought about by mistakes of people who should have known better… but I will not.

Instead, I shall channel my indignation by formally proposing a rectification of the situation by institutionalizing this company as an entity with a structure, with an organization and with a clear and concise direction. I would like to formally propose an organization which would be coherent and responsive to our needs as a company so that incidents like these may be prevented and unnecessary anguish may be prevented as well.

I propose to professionalize the ranks of the departments by hiring competent personnel that will help us accomplish out bottom line objectives. With this in mind I would like to begin with the Sales and Marketing Department. We will need competent staffing to promote and sell the theatres nationwide. I would recommend that we hire a part-time publicist who will take care of our promotional and other related needs. The publicist’s first task is to damage control what has been done because of the articles and further to promote the “proper” history and accomplishments of this company. Further, to develop a tri-media campaign for promoting Amazing Shows all over the country.

As of now, the managers are already spread too thin to make adequate and competent decisions. Let us not fall prey once again to mistakes we have committed over and over again for the past six years. This year is the worst year of my personal and professional life, and I want to change that. Nobody will change it for me, so if I may… I would like to begin.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

damn.. i want to rant!

but I wont... not yet anyway. I'm too busy making calls and thinking. So after this Boracay project that we have, expect that RANTS will overflow from the pages of this blog. Grrrrrrr....

Saturday, June 23, 2007

the worst of the lot...

Just like sim games, life is affected by every action and every reaction we make... Like I always say... I am here to make friends, not enemies. As an off shoot of my "salisi"gang experience, a friend of mine, a high ranking police officer recommended that I file for formal charges and complaints at the local police station. There, I was entertained by an officer whom I have previously met through another officer who was relatively a close friend of mine. (I now remember that at that time, my friend spoke ill of this officer)

This officer later texted about business matters and that he needed help for his OSEC schooling. Last week, he gave me visit and I entertained three of them at our Korean Restaurant. Later he made an appointment to visit my office for business matters and asked if I wanted to go to _______, a massage parlor to which I declined and said that I would much rather go for a simple drink at the office.

I must admit that my first impression was very bad... but good natured as I am, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and that perhaps he was just in need of a friend for which I have been known to be a good one to have.

So the entire night was spent with him flattering me up and most of it flattering himself with his "accomplishments".... it was actually the most annoying night of my life so I just wanted to get it over with. And he is in my book, the most obnoxious person I've met so far.... but sensing that he wanted to paint the town red, and that getting as far away from him would be a distant reality if I did not oblige him, I had no real choice but to take him out for some R&R time.

But at a certain point in the night, the whiskey got to my brain stem and since I have my limitations as well... I blew a fuse...

and I guess that that is all I should say about that matter as of this time...






Sunday, June 17, 2007

Boracay...

It wasn't exactly what I expected...

or perhaps it was because I was there for business... but really this island is great. It is paradise, specially for those who can afford it. It was a great way to spend it for bonding sessions specially with my boss. In Manila, we rarely have the chance to talk casual over business and personal matters but this trip we did bond and I feel good.

Once again I feel alive, refreshed and significant once again with this new project. At least now I have something worthwhile to do.

To Boracay!

Casie Villarosa - You Won't Be There
written and performed by Casie Villarosa
from the album "Paalam" 2007
recorded at Sunset Records Ltd. Studios
video made in Boracay with under wate footages courtesy of Jack of Party House Dive Shop


Almost a year :)