Good people, great friends

WHEN I was sitting in front of my laptop thinking of my next topic for my column, I just thought why don’t I mention some good people and great friends in the community, in the circle of business or civic or government, maybe.

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My mentors in my passion for journalism were two good people and great friends—the late Philippine Star publisher Maximo Soliven and the late columnist Joe “JQ” Quirino also of Philippine Star and who really gave me the good advice on how to write to be understood by my readers. JQ always reminded me—use simple words in your column that would not require your reader to grab a Webster to check the word’s meaning. And that I remain to be.

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Another close associate whom many regard as just simple is Singaporean but Filipino grown Charles Lim. He is married to a Filipina and has stayed decades already in Cebu City. Charles Lim was a former marketing director of the then Cebu Plaza, the landmark hotel of Cebu rising six hundred meters above sea level and now known as Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Charles is a formidable PR Consultant whose charisma has brought magic to his clients, among them Cebu Pacific Air, Sun Cellular, Universal Robina Corp., TGI Fridays and Italliani’s to name a few.

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My other friend is steel and construction low-key but giant BF STEEL owner Bayani Fernando. When he discovered me in 2002, he simply hired me to help him in some business projects in Marikina. When I asked him, “Sir anu po ang trabaho na gagawin ku para sa inyo?” In an instant he responded – “Ah yung trabaho mo? Lahat ng trabaho ikaw ang bahala, maliban lang umutang ng pera.” The man is brilliant, sharp, smart, intelligent, firm, disciplined and all. Of course he is not the kind of man that the Filipinos want to be a political leader. He follows the examples of Singapore’s Lee KY.

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In Bacolod, several good natured personalities count the likes of couple Philip and Tata Lacson who has been a strong couple together. A businessman at a young age and very successful at this point is advertising man Raymond J. Dabao who humbly brought up himself in his business ventures and thus is being repaid with graces by the heavens. Very helpful and kind is an Antiqueño who transferred to Bacolod by nature of his job in Standard Insurance and until today Ariston Minez Jr has remained to help many people. With his skills of being an Etheric Nerve Impulse Therapist, he has helped so many in their health development.

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Down Mindanao is our family friend Rey and Letty Golingan. Rey is a long-time friend and he has moved up to success in the business of trucks and hotel operations. He owns Family Country Hotel and has for decades maintained a boxing gym that included the ever great Manny Pacquiao in his circle. It was Rey who personally told me that he was the one who introduced Manny Pacman to Mayor Bing Leonardia. Rey is a good man and he is blessed with graces too, just like the humility of the Pacman.

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I have been writing in several newspapers and my passion to write has remained for almost two decades. I only had one condition with the publisher. I do not want to get paid to write a column. It is my passion and my love for writing makes me brisk and strong in life. I am happy writing and more happy when I am talking when invited to be host in programs and events. Life is simple. With good people and good friends, life is fulfilled with God’s guidance.