the Terrible Year that was

Every turn of the year brings to us a certain amount of anxiety and/or hope as to what the new year might usher in for us. For since I can remember, I have viewed that time always give us a roller coaster ride into the vastness and uncertainty of life's circumstance.

2018 or the year that was gave me more downs than ups... the past year has seen the demise of a business I helped create and care for,  it has given me much heartache with a relationship that I thought would last me my lifetime, and it has shown me that much of life's offered opportunities are not necessarily and automatically ripe for the picking.

Before the year ended I was heart-broken, beaten and damaged... and all of a sudden I knew what silence meant.

All of a sudden, I heard what the stillness and the quiet was trying to say.

It whispered that happiness leads to complacency, happiness is the couch potato who is unable to be productive, and that happiness all by itself is utterly boring.

I have always said that I have led a consistently sad and sorry life and that the pursuit of happiness means the pursuit of small pockets of happiness scattered in between the vastness on the plains of sadness and misery.

For a few moments of my life, that belief I have forgotten. Drunken by my happiness, smitten by my complacency.

But as luck would have it, failures and injuries are things that I have learned not to nurse or cuddle, at least not for more of the time they deserve. Pain should be cherished only for the briefest of moments, gather up your lessons and then go and then it would be time to move on. Stroll into the sadness... walk into misery and broaden your sights in search for the next pocket of happiness. 

And as my luck would have it, I have ended the year that was, happy and content, and started the new year at the same state. I don't know, as no one does, what will come this new year. What I know and what I have learned is that I will be happy but I will never be complacent because I have learned that not all that has been broken can be fixed.

Thank you, G.

Training the Police

Asked why SPADES (Society of Practical and Defensive Shooters, Inc.) devotes a lot of our time, effort, energy and resources in helping reorient Police Officers in the field of firearms training absolutely free of charge, we say... It is because we collectively believe that capable law enforcers will help guarantee the safety and security of the greater community at large, including our own families. But we don't deny the fact, that sharing our skill sets to law enforcers makes us absolutely feel good!!!

Our heartfelt appreciation to our senior instructors who paved the way for the development of our group, Ed Bar, Tony Magsarili, Jim Reyes, Ernie Claudio of the Philippine Institute of Firearms Instructors Association, Inc, we hope we make you just a tiny bit proud :)

“Training should hurt, but never injure…if there is no pain, there is no fear…if there is no fear, then you’re not really training.”
                                                                       
                                                                                                                           - T. Blauer
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Photos by Ruby Bongcayao

HOW WE BEGUN

The proposed “DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND SURVIVAL AWARENESS CENTER” otherwise known as EXTREME or the EXPERIENTIAL TECHNICAL RESCUE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & EDUCATION facility was conceived in 2015 when three parties gathered at the Manila Film Center at the staging of an Amazing Arts Group show then on its 2^nd year.

The three parties namely the Center for Philippine Arts and Cultural Entertainment Association, Inc. represented by Casie Villarosa and Eugene Baroña, TRAVERSE OUTDOOR represented by Johnny and Jess Tana and Period 8 Travel and Tours represented by Rommel Teoxon.

The Center for Philippine Arts and Cultural Entertainment Association, Inc. was the producer and venue provider of Amazing Show in Manila and the Amazing Arts Group. TRAVERSE OUTDOOR is the facilitation provider of well-known team building venues in the country. And Period 8 is one of the more affluent marketers of shows and venues of educational tours and field trips.

The three parties envisioned a Manila-based facility/venue virtually unaffected by the seasons. A facility that could operate rain or shine and day or night where the target market would be diversified free from given limitations of other venues in terms of team-building activities.

A Manila-based facility would be more accessible and cheaper for the target clientele and the clients could choose packages that would not require them traveling to far locations or simply stated, the clients could insert the activity within their busy schedules.

THE CONCEPT

At the early stages, the three were thinking of the usual run-of-the-mill team building activity facility already existing in other venues. What the basic target was that segment of the market who could not afford the packages available at the time to the lower market segments as well as those as stated above who did not have the luxury of time to avail of these services.

For two years, they held on to this idea as they struggled to seek for a financial partner that would help them realize this endeavor. It was then at this time that Johnny Tana then proposed to address the issue of the “BIG ONE” or what The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed that ‘big one’ earthquake might now strike anytime due to irregular movements of west valley fault.

The idea sold instantly as the “BIG ONE” was well publicized by the media as well as the concept providing the niche needed for better market viability.

EXTREME was niched December of 2017 after 6 months of brainstorming, drawing up plans and designating team members into committees in charge of the development of the venue as well as a marketing plan.

THE STRUGGLE

At the onset, it was anticipated that the Center for Philippine Arts and Cultural Entertainment Association, Inc. will be the capital provider given that the Manila Film Center is leased by the said entity. Two years of budget plan cut meetings, uncertainties and expectations when the Center’s Chairman declined the capitalization.

The two-year setback however will not be a deterrent to this well-meaning project and thus the search for a co-visionary that will allow the group to realize EXTREME.  

WHY THE MANILA FILM CENTER?

The Manila Film Center has been home to the Amazing Show since October of 2001. The primary reason for the selection of the MFC is its very strategic location, the majestic size of the structure and availability of parking spaces for its clientele.

The reason we believe that the MFC is most viable for the EXTREME Project is primarily for the stated reasons above.

From the beginning, the group was already thinking of how to better maximize and make productive the spaces at the Manila Film Center. In 2013 the Amazing Show together with the Amazing Arts Group transferred shows to a newly-built show facility at the back of the MFC leaving the 1,200 seating capacity, almost 3,000 sqm main theater behind.

This dead space is currently in a state of disarray and disrepair. Returning it to its original condition will entail a lot of cost. However, given the premise that EXTREME will be a post-apocalyptic doomsday disaster preparedness and awareness center, it will be perfect for this project. This is considering that theme parks spends a lot of resources making dreadful what is pristine. A quick look at the main theater will instantly spell post-apocalyptic.  

The build will also be relatively simpler given that the facility design is based on the main theater of the MFC. In CPACEAI’s 17-year stay at the MFC, the people behind their builds are already familiar with the structure and has inspected all the nook and crannies of the building.

If we are to state that the target market are those in Metro Manila public and private schools, corporate accounts and organizations, the National Capital Region teems with this market segment.

In the years past, the “field trip” business has been plagued with numerous issues that prompted the Department of Education to issue moratoriums on such trips because of accidents on such trips. All of these accidents occur on trips outside of the National Capital Region. The location of the MFC will allow the targeting of educational institutions and business organizations within the immediate vicinity for us to do a soft opening and thus gain a reputation without the need for our immediate clientele to skip town.

In a nutshell, our immediate target would be the “staycation” market given that we will be soft-opening beyond the usual marketing timeframe of the “field trip” season.

cowards everywhere

Most people in the thick of things hide... some, man up and get things done.

Surrounded by cowards... I know that I cannot fight alone. I am lost in the battles of coldness, strategies and greed that I can never cope. The games I used to play in the computer are single person games of conflict and war.... unlike those who spend time mustering up armies and strategizing with their minds.

I am no General that I know... But I have been in enough battles to know. That honor is when you step of to your foe, use what you've learned from where you have grown.

Honesty is something that I flaunt like a flag... Come here and take it you secret fag.

I know of too many cowards... sad to say, that's all I know.

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.” 

Half a Century of Life

Slightly looking forward and a bit enthusiastic... A bit anticipating but not petrified. By what, you say? By fortune tellers of the past that said that my magic croak number would be 49... and that meant that I'll never reach half a century. Once a doctor said that I'd never live past 30... and yet I made it to today.

On the occasion of my 50th birthday. I only thank LIFE for giving me all the experiences. The pain, the sorrows, the sufferings and the love... oh yes... the love. I'd like to thank life for a second chance on love. This may be the cheesiest post ever but I do appreciate everything that I have now. I am somehow thankful for all the things that I do not have because having them might not be as fun as being me.

What Makes a Bad Boss - Bad?

This is a hell of a good read

Reader Comments About Bad Bosses

Nothing sparks more commentary than asking about what makes a manager a bad boss. With my Web site poll and its lengthy comments thread, I found some common themes in site visitor responses.

Want to avoid becoming a bad boss? Afraid that you may already be considered a bad boss? Just want to commiserate with other people who have bad bosses? Here are your thoughts about what makes a bad boss, well - bad?

Consensus doesn't exist, but several themes occurred most frequently in the comments the site received from readers. Bad bosses, in order of their frequency in the comments thread, do the following.

• Love brownnosers, tattletales, and relatives who report to them. They choose favorite employees and cover up and make excuses for the poor work of their incompetent favorites. They ignore selected people and discriminate against many employees.
• Fail to communicate, and may not even have, expectations, timelines or goals. Bad bosses change their minds frequently leaving employees off-balance. Bad bosses change expectations and deadlines frequently.
• Use disciplinary measures inappropriately when simple, positive communication would correct the problem. Bad bosses ignore employees until there is a problem, then pounce.
• Speak loudly, rudely, one-sidedly to staff. Bad bosses don't provide the air time for staff to respond to accusations and comments. They intimidate people and bully staff. They allow other employees to bully employees.
• Take credit for the successes and positive accomplishments of employees. They are equally as quick to blame employees when something goes wrong.
• Fail to provide rewards or recognition for positive employee performance.

These six were the top "bad boss" characteristics cited by readers. The following came up less frequently but were contributed by more than one reader. The bad boss:

• Is not qualified for the boss job by either skills or experience.
• Will not let go of problems or mistakes. The bad boss returns to discuss negative events continually and searches for faults in employees.
• Will not accept constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. The bad boss can't deal with disagreement from employees who have their own opinions about work related issues.
• Lacks integrity, breaks promises, and is dishonest.
• Does not have the courage to deal with a difficult situation despite knowing that it is the right thing to do.
• Causes dissention among staff members by his or her actions and comments.

Reader comments also made the point that a lot of bad boss behavior is enabled, or at least allowed, by the boss's bad boss.

These comments provide a snapshot about what employees believe makes a bad boss. Listen and learn or listen and commisserate. For the full flavor of the comments - I can't capture them in a summary - please visit the original "comments" thread about bad bosses.