Our Own Joffrey

The Fall of an Empire

The making of a tyrant is a not so tedious process. Mix the elements of privilege without honor, perseverance and hard work and a spoonful of one’s grandiose illusion of entitlement. This is the perfect recipe for a boy’s demise and unfortunately enough, the kingdom he so wrongly rules.

I am no knight, only a soldier. A loyal one at that. Left to rot on a soon to be exhausted pasture, an ageing warrior who fought valiantly for his Lord and now can do nothing but wait for the imminent. 

Several years ago, an attempt to destroy me was plotted by my Lord and his son. The plot only damaged my emotion and my livelihood but not my integrity, definitely not I. I believe that it was upon the belief that I am no longer needed because there are no more enemies to be faced and the challenges ahead seems to them manageable.

It was the time of plenty, and it was the time they plotted not to share. And it was a time of misconceived capabilities of themselves and their minions that led them to believe that I, and some others, like old dogs, can be put down and discarded.

That was eight or so years ago… and over that time, with every project, they have proven that I am still of value.
The empire’s expansion and the carelessness of the masters has led to our own demise and the appointment of the heir-apparent to a significant position did not help, in fact it made matters worse.

When an adult child comes into an organization with this level of entitlement and a God complex, the problem is that he or she was probably catered to as a kid. Many parents with the best of intentions never want their children to suffer. As a result, the child is often protected from rules, discipline and consequences of his bad decisions.
A child raised in this manner will enter the adult world expecting everyone in his environment to allow him to be a dictator. The adult world will soon teach this young man that business rewards results, not a grandiose ego.If his father has allowed this guy to act like this since he was 2 and learned the word "No!" then you and your coworkers may be in for a long slog while his father learns to get his child in line.
Parents who have raised entitled kids have a very hard time being the "bad guy" so they can teach their kid to function in the real world. Only you can decide if the job you currently have is worth the price you will have to pay to see if your boss will control his son. ---- Daneen Skube, Ph.D.

This piece of internet literature made me laugh simply because our own King Joffrey’s email says that he is God and acted that way upon entering the company’s organization. But I on the other hand understand my Boss enough to have tried getting the heir in line…. And I miserably failed.

And that failure is simply because I did not play him like I should have because I simply for the life of me could not. I am more of a man than that.

In a company where you are favored by the Royal family one day and fall out of grace the next, that is how martyrs are made. And that is how kingdoms crumble.

Family-owned businesses are in many ways the backbone of capitalism around the world. But at some point in their growth, having family members in charge is not only problematic, but dangerous.
New research looking at firm performance of thousands of medium-sized businesses found a lot to like for family run enterprises. But it also pinpointed a common practice that can lead to a business diving into big problems. And that practice is when the founder hands the CEO title to his oldest son.
"The firm's share price and profits usually take more of a tumble when the company is handed from the founder to his eldest son relative to an outsider," according to the researchers, reporting on their results in Harvard Business Review. "Studies of CEO succession also suggest that sons who become CEOs usually have poorer college results and are much younger than other CEOs."
As an alternative, family owners should consider bringing in professional managers from the outside, say the researchers -- Nicholas Bloom (Stanford), Raffaella Sadun (Harvard Business School), and John Van Reenen (London School of Economics). "Keeping things in the family can be bad for the wallet as well as the welfare of the next generation. ---- Sean Silverthorne is the editor of HBS Working Knowledge

In the end, I am still the loyal servant, not of the crown, but of the one true King. But like what Sir Thomas More said before he was beheaded, “I die the king's faithful servant, but God's first.” 

LOVE SONG

You will be missed, Kuya...

My cousin Constancio "Jake" Gregorio passed away this morning at 58 years old.

Kuya as I call him was my number one fan... he simply adored everything I did in life as early when I was in College. My nickname was actually from him and his brother, Diko Francis who re-christened me because there were too many "Juns" in the neighborhood as well as school. They took half my real name and added an "e", hence the name Casie.

Kuya Jake and I used to spend a lot of time together just chatting away about everything under the sun. At times I feel uncomfortable with the fact that my opinion seems to matter too much to him despite the fact that I know that I am not always right. Nevertheless, he held me in very high regard.

He was my smoking buddy, my drinking buddy and my real life chat mate. Early this year, he decided to quit smoking and in my twisted sense of reality, I jokingly said that the sudden stop will kill him. Four months later he was hospitalized... this year he was in and out of the hospital. Up until recently his recovery seemed progressive, until yesterday... he was Kuya to me, Tatay to his children, GP (Grandpa) to his grand children, Jake or Chito to his friends and a good man to many...

Thank you for everything, Kuya... I will miss you and our conversations...

Jun Manalo's Funeral

It is always a fact in a Police Officer's life that the threat of dying of unnatural causes, like a bullet in the brain, is always imminent. I am saddened by the passing of friend who has always been there in my lowest and highest points. Jun was a constant in my life... he is not a fair-weather friend who would show up when he is in need. He would show up at all times. We've managed to get by on gin-pomelos, alfonsos, fundadors, jacks and blacks. I have laughed and cried in front of my friend. He has seen my best and worse... and I will miss him badly.

Rest well, Jun...

VIDEO



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video by Joey dela Vega
photography by Jerry Santos

Goodbye Kuya Jun

Gunmen kill cop, wife in Batangas

Armed men shot dead a policeman and his wife in Malvar, Batangas, Sunday afternoon, police said.

Superintendent Arcadio Ronquillo, provincial police spokesman, identified the fatalities as PO3 Zoilo Manalo, assigned at Metro Manila’s Southern Police District, and his wife Elvie.

Two unidentified men shot the couple along R. Latayan st., Brgy. Poblacion, around 4:10 p.m. before fleeing towards Lipa City on board a motorcycle, Ronquillo said.

Manalo was brought to the Mercado General Hospital in Tanuan City due to two bullet wounds on the head, but was declared dead on arrival by doctors.

His wife expired while being treated at the same hospital for a bullet wound on the body, Ronquillo said. (John Roson)

castles in the air

Learn to fly

Life is frightening... I realized it this year when you suddenly wake up and the life you lead is not yours. You've been cheated, lied to and betrayed! We must learn to fly...

Lick your own wounds...

Growing up, I have never experienced my father laying a hand on me in anger. Despite the many stupid things I've done, he would much rather give me advise or chatter me up to get to the bottom of things.

There was this one time when I got into a fight. He wasn't angry at all because I fought, specially since I have already explained the nature of the conflict. He was more angry because I lost the Batangas fan blade he gave me for my birthday because it ran away together with the thigh it was stuck in. Two days later, I arrive from school and he was home with two pairs of boxing gloves prepared. Before the spar, he warned me that I was not allowed to hit him on the face because he was wearing glasses... But that was it, it was my punishment. I was beaten a bit black and blue but I threw in a few rib shots of my own that made him cringe. -- that was my father. Always fair, always brilliant, always fun.

Since I've lost my father at a young age, I've been a sucker for older, father figure bosses. Unfortunately, none of them really stepped up to the plate of expectations. Then I remembered that these guys are rich and are on top and therefore my father definitely did not have that "thing" they have... nor will they ever have the "thing" my father had... humanity.

Recently, I was made to feel that for all the atrocities received, all the sufferings endured and all the wounds afflicted, there will be no apology, there will be no remorse, there will be no public vindication. Lick your own wounds, stand up and solve my problems, because only you can.... you are only a hired help.

then I was reminded, my father has died and gone to heaven...

welcome to hell!

P.S. I drove to work with a blood glucose level of 369... the stress is wearing me down.

Amazing Show History

It is 2011, it has been 10 years since we have built Amazing Show and has lasted more years than what most were not expecting. I am saddened because we are all supposedly happy for this year and yet most are not. We have had turbulent times before, but none as turbulent as we are at the present and the reasons are not clear.

Most of the people here are those without the institutional memory of how we came about and how we thrived and flourished over the years. I wanted to make a reunion of the original people who built this place and this company through sheer perseverance despite the odds we've encountered. I wanted a happy anniversary...

Chairman Lee Jong Hyun with then CCP President Nestor O. Jardin at the maiden presentation of Amazing Show in December of 2001

Mr. and Mrs. Lee singing at the Christmas party of 2002

Father and son addressing the employees / Christmas Party 2002

then Vice President Chris Park at the opening of the Amazing Show December 10, 2001

He would later be President of Amazing Show until he left for unknown reasons in 2003

then Construction Manager Iron Chang in 2001, he would move on to become Vice President and President until his resignation in 2008

then Finance Director Tony Kang in 2001. He moved on to become Vice President for Finance and later President of WOW Amazing Transport until his resignation in 2006

then Executive Director Eric Libramonte who had a short-lived career with the Amazing Show, present occupation unknown

it's me in 2001... Musical Director, later Music and Art Director, Technical Director, Executive Technical Director, Director, Executive Director, General Manager, Executive General Manager and Vice President from 2004 until my constructive (for unknown and unexplained reason) demotion last January to Grand Mama...

then choreographer Dong Cueto who would later become a long time Director of Amazing Show until his resignation in 2006. He presently works as a manager in a call center company

then choreographer Justin Nuñez who would later become one of the most innovative member of the core staff and would take on the helm of the Technical Direction of the Show until his resignation in 2008. He is presently working as a senior technical staff in a luxury cruise liner

then Philippine Traditional Dance choreographer Rick Gonzalo who had a semi-short stint with the Amazing Show would move on to become a professional theater facilitator but he was taken by Diabetes in 2008

then Costume Designer Jerome Buzeta who later moved on to become a student of fashion abroad and a successful designer

then make up artist Aiai Piano is now the make up artist of Vice Ganda

the original "core staff" as we were called by Chris Park. we were the ones who conceptualized and executed the whims of the producers usually from the basement of my home while drinking Emperador Brandy with Spanish bread as "pulutan"

the AMAZING SHOW CAST in 2001

Godspeed, Aira!

Happy Birthday to you and may this day be a good beginning for your new life outside our realm for the last ten years. My apologies for not having been able to keep abreast with the battles we could have fought better... I wish you all the best!

Here's a little something to remind us by...

the EXODUS

If I would just wake up from this terrible dream…

The fourth resignation letter for the year arrives in my office hand-carried by the resigning party. Another blow to the organizational strength of this company… slowly but surely, we are losing people who has worked with us over all this time we’ve existed.

That may be inevitable in any organization. My only concern is that people leave with heavy hearts and gripes that they’ve kept over a long period of time. They are no longer happy, unmotivated and worse, an overwhelming desire to counter the constructive nature of treatment received over the past several months.

The exodus has begun and I do not know up to what extent it will go on. One thing is for sure, going back to a happier state is nowhere near the forbidding future. The primitive strategy of divide and conquer applied to us last January has backfired and it seems that the interest is lost to remedy the matter at hand…

I am sad…

I am angry…

I am frustrated!

Frederick "Bonsai" Sardido 1976 - 2011

Life comes to a stop... but the memories one leaves behind can last for a lifetime. Bonsai Sardido was stabbed to death near her home in Malabon City. She was one of the pioneer performers here at Amazing Show.

She is well loved and she will be missed.

the exodus begins

it is disheartening to see people go... specially those who have stayed with you and worked with you all these years. But like most things, there comes an end and a new beginning.Over the course of the years past, I have lost good friends and employees who has decided to take a better chance at life beyond what we've built together. I love those times when things were simpler and the treatment more human. I am happy for those who were able to find themselves successful in the outside.

But for those who are leaving with heavy hearts because they were wronged, my heart goes to you. I wish that I could have done something to ease the burden but I have yet to recover from being wronged myself. I will gather enough strength so that maybe someday I may right what was wrong, or maybe altogether just give up. I honestly don't see redemption in the near future. If patience is a virtue, then I have lost mine.

I just hope that they find peace and happiness...

Happy Birthday, Tatay!

Ang tatay ko... (My father)

my tatay and nanay on my wedding day



It has been sixteen years to the day when I lost the one person in my life who understands me the most. My father.

The day he was laid to rest, I kept in his room for more than a week... only trying to lock to memory that familiar scent he had reminding me of how he was while he was with me.

My father was the wisest man I know. Usually quiet and reserved but always arrogant when he talks about his son. Sometimes I'd be shy when I hear about how he exaggerates my small accomplishments, but I guess that's how fathers are.

I miss my father... I miss my TATAY! He was always there at my lowest points, and he was there to celebrate my finer points. I've been an orphan for 16 years... and I still remember every wise verse he'd said. At this lowest point, I wish he were here to say something wise... then I'd be okay.

Mahal na mahal kita, 'tay.

On Core Competencies and the lack thereof…

More than ten years ago, I had a boss who confronted me with this question… “Do you think you can do the things that you do (video production) without me?” Dumbfounded, I said that I could not if he doesn’t allow me to do so, but that I can if I wanted to.

In hindsight, I now know what he was at. He simply wanted to tell to me, as well as reassure his insecure self that he is the powerful one. People like such are usually the ones who have nothing to offer this beautiful planet but their unsolicited arrogance. They are usually without skill, without passion and without soul. Much like self-proclaimed “artists”, “managers”, etc. whose skill level is non-reflective of what they profess.

I only have a handful of people I personally know who is afflicted by this disease. Mostly from my past life who has catapulted me to become what I am. And I also have a few up and coming ones whom I know will allow me the opportunity to better myself in the near future.

Sad to say, one remains competitive only with competition. Without competition, why compete?

In my world, I believe that in–house competition is good to a certain extent. However, sometimes, it becomes an exercise in futility, a waste of precious energy and mostly a routine without effort. I mean for G’s sake, if I needed to compete then at least give me competition with the same skill level or higher. That is to make my effort worthwhile and the forthcoming victory celebration worthy of the tag.

Unfortunately, the competition becomes one-sided simply because the other thing most of these people have aside from their insecurities and arrogance is their money. Now you simply will find it hard to fight with that.

Now in the ideal world, if the playing fields were even, then we’d only be looking at core competencies… or the lack of it…

on birthdays and growing older...

Not necessarily smarter for that matter.



I went low bat on my first hour after activating my phone and it felt good. I was flooded with birthday greetings that made me feel pleasantly well that people remembered.

Last night, my former secretaries treated me with packed dinner in my office together with a low-sugar cake since I am diabetic.

When I got home last night... yes, last night and not this morning. My two sleeping kids prepared their video message for my birthday and the other Compaq has just finished rendering the video. It was a very cute video message with them singing me birthday song. I am blessed having two very caring children.

Today, as I turn towards my mid 40's, I shall look forward to the things that I can change and probably smirk at those that I cannot. As I grow older, I see myself tending to be more "fatalist" with my perception of life. I may perhaps have lost the fire that I once had as a younger man. A bit pathetic, but I am hoping that the bigger challenges ahead, specially that of the daunting task of producing a lawyer (my daughter)will once again inspire me to pursue a more substantial future hopefully armored in financial security.

Sad to say, these forties are not looking as good as I have hoped for. But I am banking on some assets that I still have... and I wish to convert them to opportunities...

the SAFEWAY... to DIE!

I've been putting off this desire to blog about how stressed I am when I drive the Metro roads simply because it may sound like an unnecessary gripe to post given the long existent driving conditions in the Philippines as well as the long existent driving ethics we have.

That is why I opt to have a driver despite the additional cost and burden of an additional personnel to care for. The benefit definitely outweighs the burden specially if I consider the amount of stress that would be lifted by simply taking the back seat and taking a nap on my way to the office. Having a driver means that I won't have to freak out a lot on the road.

Why freak out?

Well, let's take the picture my buddy took of this "SAFEWAY" bus on EDSA whose company name is the exact opposite of its driver's behavior on the road. He swerves erratically from the yellow lane and out in pursuit of another bus with the hope to overtake the competition for the next street corner or loading area. Never mind the side mirrors, he perhaps thinks... they've got brakes and I'm bigger, only a stupid driver wouldn't give way. --- That's a bus bully on the road.

But it's not a matter of size alone. In Pasay, EDSA you've got tricycles either crossing or counter flowing. Multicabs plying the Mall of Asia route who stops anywhere and not necessarily moving out of harms way. Jeepneys who wait for passengers in the middle of roads like F.B. Harrison, J.P. Rizal in Makati most specially in the Pembo area in Makati where the intersection is in a constant gridlock despite or maybe because of the presence of traffic enforcers... the place looks like a jeepney terminal.

Point is, an unseasoned driver in the Philippines is at the mercy of "seasoned" public utility transport drivers. Seasoned and regular drivers just curse... that's all.

the sunset of my life

A long time ago, I named my home studio label "sunset records limited" and people always ask me why I would name a label "sunset". I always say that the sunset is more meaningful for me compared to sunrise. That's because I rarely see the sunrise because I would have just slept at the time as well as the fact that I enjoy watching the sun go down with all that beautiful transformation from light to dark... I guess that I would want my death as dramatic and as colorful as a beautiful sunset.

There was another logic to naming my label sunset... I wanted to give musicians, much like myself an opportunity to record their music. Specially those who were never given a break in life or the opportunity to record their songs.

When I transferred into this new office, my Boss did not like the idea. Actually, I was saving the transfer for the day I become President. But since that is impossible, I decided to go ahead and transfer on my own as well as the fact that Senate seems to be salivating to occupy this building soon.

Anyway, the most I love about this office, which doubles as my recording studio is the sunset view I enjoy. Every dusk is a marvel as I peer out into Manila Bay.

That's why despite suffering from my diabetic frozen shoulder, I took these pictures and decided that this magnificent sunset should be memorialized through a Joe Jackson song I've been wanting to cover. My window looked like a painting and it was wonderful. And like a magic pill, all my bad ailments for the day went away.

Bert Bilas

Bert Bilas in the 90's


Bert Bilas today

I have a friend whose name is Bert Bilas. I have known him during the second generation of my band called the Marginals when I replaced virtually everyone in the band in favor of new band members from my town. That meant that rehearsals would be easier since we lived in proximity with one another.

Anyway, Bert was a guy who had a regular job and he saved up for the thing that he really wanted in life... music. He is a composer and he sings his own compositions. He is married with a kid and I honestly believe that they meant the world to him. Even his guitar had a picture of his daughter.

Bert loved the world he lived in. He was essentially blessed and was quite happy about his accomplishments. Two albums released independently, a family and a job.

One day, he suffers a stroke (aneurysm) which left him paralyzed and immobile for some time. And since that fateful day, he has lost everything. His family, his job and his music.

Over the last several years, Bert is my regular house guest every Mondays... lately, he hasn't shown himself and I have no idea if he's okay. But he does that every once in a while and he turns out okay.

A few weeks back, I asked Bert to give me his old pictures during our days when we were musicians and he obliged. So I made this picture video so that the next time he visits, he'll see himself on screen, and hear his voice and feel his music...



Note: Bert's life is an example of "Bad things happening to good people.."