Tuesday, October 03, 2006 Lavinia in the workplace By Vincent Alocada
SHE’S the character created by the imagination of Nerissa Cabral that hit the pages of Pilipino Komiks in the 80s. She was brought to life in the silver screen by Cherie Gil who uttered one of the most unforgettable and classic movie lines ever:
“Sinira mo ang kanta, binaboy mo. Baliw ang nagsasabing isinilang na ang aking karibal. You’ll never make it. You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat.”
Currently, she’s portrayed by Angelika de la Cruz in Bituing Walang Ningning the TV series and still she has unfailingly elicited hatred from those who watch her life on the boob tube.
Undeniably, Lavinia Arguelles is one of the most memorable villain fictional characters in the Philippine entertainment industry. She’s classy, driven, talented and competitive but she becomes a green-eyed monster when somebody gets on her way, especially her stardom. She resorts into dirty tricks to get rid of those who pose as a threat to her. For Lavinia, competition is never friendly and should be fierce or cutthroat.
Sad to say, Lavinia is not only a fictional singing superstar who is eventually surpassed by her adoring fan turned- rival. Lavinia is especially present in any workplace where unconscious or conscious competition is available. Lavinia is the jealous person in our workplaces who, ironically, thinks highly of herself and belittles others. If what she wants in the workplace doesn’t fall on her lap, she’d gear up to grab what she thinks rightfully belongs to her, even if it really doesn’t -- just to achieve the honor and prestige she wants. She can pretend to be okay with the person she envies and stab him/her at his/her back.
She’ll use her friends to get what she wants, even if it means inflicting pain to the one she deems as her nemesis. Furthermore, Lavinia is not only a woman. She can be of any gender in the workplace engulfed by jealousy, pride and greed.
If Lavinia is in the scene, can the cast be complete without a Dorina Pineda?
That goes without saying that of course not. Lavinia is not Lavinia without Dorina who becomes her prey. In the movie, Sharon Cuneta was Dorina while in the teleserye, Sarah Geronimo plays the role. In real life, you can be Dorina. Should you happen to be the Dorina, what would you do once Lavinia has locked her eyes on you as she bends over backward to devour on you? What would you do once you feel Lavinia’s fangs are about to puncture your neck?
Do
1. Stay away from her (or him) and play it cool. Remember, sometimes the best way to win a competition is to avoid one. After all, you work to earn a living or fulfill your passions in life and not to compete with your fellow workers.
2. Think to yourself that Lavinia is pathetic. Tsk. Tsk.Tsk. As they say, there’s no cure for the insecure.
3. Be grateful that you have something that is enviable.
4. If she resorts into character assassination, behave in such a way that nobody would believe her.
5. After brushing her off and still the situation stays the same, accept the competition silently and make it a chance for you to better your craft.
6. Vow to make Lavinia bite the dust, using your own talent and potentials as your weapon.
7. Never do the things that Lavinia does. Compete -- fight silently if you want to but do it cleanly. The universe punishes the unjust, jealous and arrogant.
8. In the event that you have bested or feel you’re winning over Lavinia for whatever it is the both of you are competing for, be humble and act like a grateful winner. Victory should make you grateful, not boastful.
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