Max Soliven retires

I had the privilege to meet the late Maximo V. Soliven twice. The first was in the 80s in Tarlac City and the second was in the 90s in Manila Peninsula Hotel.

The first meeting was not so special for me because I was very young then probably in my early teens so his name didn't ring a bell however I'm pretty sure his presence was very special for my father. He was the guest of honor during my father's inauguration as the president of Tarlac Lions club. After the inauguration, he had coffee at our house in San Rafael, Tarlac City. I recall asking for his autograph. When I when find time, I shall look for that yellow notebook where he signed his name complete with a dedication.

The second meeting was more significant. I was in my early 20s and a customer care officer for a telecoms company and he was a company VIP. The company gave him a Nokia celfone and I was tasked to deliver the phone and explain the phone features. The brief meeting was in the lobby of Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. I nervously introduced myself and told him that I met him already in Tarlac City about a decade ago and I was happy that he remembered (not me personally) but my father and the occasion.

Manong Max has now retired. He didn't voluntarily retire or was forced into retirement but he passed away doing what he loves best. What a fitting end to his 77 year life story.

(Max Soliven is the publisher of the Philippine Star)

Pacquiao in 3, B5 in 2!

The whole nation is in euphoria! The pride of the Filipino people, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao knocked out Eric “El Terrible” Morales in round 3 while the pride of his parents B5 ranks 2 in the 2nd quarter with a general academic average of 94.5. B5, a nickname he coined himself, improved from 93.5 (1Q) to 94.5 (2Q). What a spectacular win for Pacman and a stellar performance for B5. Til the next fight!

Larry Bird: Confessions of a Michael Jordan fan

Thank you to my teammate Benson Panga for the Larry Bird, A Basketball Legend DVD which he gave me for Christmas last year. I was never a Bird fan. His playing style is BORING. He takes lots of jump shots, rarely drives to the hoop and probably dunks the ball once every season. Unlike HIS AIRNESS, Michael Jordan, at one point in his career dunks 25% of his shots, has a wide array of hang time moves and hustles like it’s the last game of life. However, after watching the DVD, my respect level to Larry Legend shot up tenfold. Here are some quotable quotes:

Larry Bird plays with the passion of an underdog. - Narrator

He was our best passer, our best rebounder, our best defensive player not necessary the leading scorer but he did all the other things that made other people look better. – Jim Jones (high school coach)

By Larry practicing playing 100%, he demanded that you play 100%. He demanded that you take a charge or you dive after that ball because he would do the same thing. – Bob Heaton (college teammate)

He is the most self motivated player that I ever saw. – Red Auerbach (Boston Celtics coach)

I fear no one but Larry Bird because if you keep it close and he has the chance to win it, he’s gonna win the game. – Magic Johnson

Larry Bird never quits, he never says die and he always feels he has the chance to win the game. –Danny Ainge (Boston Celtics teammate)

He wants every advantage whether it be a technical advantage or physical advantage but more importantly a psychological advantage. -Announcer

While accomplishment-wise, MJ has the edge, I tip my hats off to Larry Bird because I think he would have been a better manager if he joined the corporate world. In fact, his coach of the year award in 1998 and his current position as Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations only proves that he’s a better leader than my basketball idol.

Mountain Biking in Pampanga

Mountain Biking and the natural environment in the province of Pampanga are made for each other. We have every conceivable trail in the mountain bike bible such as downhills, single tracks, pure off roads, semi off roads and roads. Then again why will you go into mt biking if you will use it on the road? To compliment the numerous trails that we have in Pampanga, there are at least 20 bike shops selling low end to hi end mt bikes.

Mt Biking is relatively a cheap sport. You can go into the sport for as low as P2,700.00. You can buy a mt bike for P2,000.00, a helmet for P500 , a pair of gloves for P200.00 and you’re off to explore the natural trails in Pampanga. What makes the sport costly is the frequent upgrades on the parts. After a couple of rides, you realize that you will enjoy the ride better if you upgrade to a suspension fork so you spend about P 1,500.00. A couple of rides further and you realize that an 18 speed drivetrain is not enough so you decide to upgrade to a 21 speed drivetrain, thus spending another P 1,000.00. It’s an endless cycle and before you realize it, you’ve completely upgraded your bike and already spent P 15,000.00.

We have a long list of mountain bike trails, thanks in part to Mt Pinatubo for wreaking havoc in 1991 and in the process improving the natural landscape in the province. The Clark area alone has at least 20 discovered trails and a lot more left to be discovered. One of my favorite trails is called Aquino’s Point located in Sacobia. The starting point is usually at Clark main gate. The trail is about 35 kms. long with 40% off road. The off road portion used to be longer but the Clark management introduced improvements in the last 2 years. It is called Aquino’s point in honor of the former President Cory Aquino. The place is a lahar watch tower and it is about 1,800 feet above sea level. Image pedaling your way up to the top of the mountain for 1 hour. The scene is breath taking and the climate is cold especially if you’re there between 5 to 7 in the morning. Going down is the best part, what took you 1 hour to climb will only take than less than 4 minutes to descend.

Munta na kayu Pampanga, mag bike tamu! (Go to Pampanga and let’s ride a bike!)

A Well Traveled T-Mobile Cellphone

I've visited North America once since May 2006 but my T-Mobile TOGO cellphone has been to the country thrice already! I bought a Nokia 6110 phone last May in a T-Mobile store in Santa Monica, Ca for $50 with a $15 airtime load. The same phone retails for about P5,000 ($100) in Pinas. I used a total of $100 in airtime load during my 25 day trip. My computation shows that if I used my Philippine based cellphone during my trip, I would have spent P15,000 ($300) therefore my actual savings is about P10,000 ($200).

My friend Raymond brought the phone to his US trip last July then my Uncle Reggie brought the phone last October. The deal is so good that my Uncle, who has been to the US at least 10 times already, bought his own T-Mobile phone.

Biyaheng Bicol

My teammates and I just got back from a grueling 11 hour drive from Bicol region visiting Daet, Naga City, Legaspi City & Sorsogon City. The “long and winding” Quirino highway (which was recently renamed Andaya highway) seemed endless. The trip was one for the books as it was the first time a South Luzon team meeting was conducted outside Makati or Tagaytay. While the trip was generally tiring, the team bonding was worth it. I’ve always believed that teamwork is an important factor in the performance of a group of individuals. There should be a balance between work and fun. As they always say “hard work should be fun!”

Fast and the Furious

As a certified car nut, I’ve watched the Fast and the Furious at least 10 times; 2X in the cinema, 3X in HBO movies and the balance on VCD.

I especially like the line delivered by Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) and Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) during a drag race scene about 10 minutes into the movie. Dominic won and Brian came in last. Despite the lousy finish, Brian mustered enough guts to say that he almost beat Dominic, who was considered the “king” of street racing. Here are excerpts from the movie:

Before the race:
Brian: So check it out it’s like this…I lose, winner takes my car, clean and clear. But if I win, I take the cash and the respect!
[the crowd says “respect?” Then laughter]
Brian: To some people, that’s more important.

After the race:
[Brian was smiling despite losing big time and thrashing his car]
Brian: Dude, I almost had you!
[Laughter]
Dom: You almost had me? You never had me - you never had your car... Granny shiftin' not double clutchin' like you should. You're lucky that hundred shot of NOS didn't blow the welds on the intake! You almost had me?
Extra: You Tell him Dominic. Get out of here
Dom: Now, me and the mad scientist got to rip apart the block... and replace the piston rings you fried.
[closes bonnet of car]
Dom: Ask any racer. Any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning.

It’s a matter of perspective. For Brian, respect means a lot. Even if he “almost” beat Dominic, it was an accomplishment for a novice racer like him. For Dominic, it’s an on and off thing, it’s either you win the race or not. Another way to look at it is the experience factor. As you gain experience, your standards increase. You progress from being satisfied with almost meeting your objective to getting addicted to the prospect of always exceeding your set objectives.

Hangover: Lines I will never forget when I was on vacation

Five months after my US vacation, I must admit I still have a hangover. I'd like to share with you the lines I will never forget:

“Wow! Are those Oakleys? They are expensive. Those are pretty cool!!!” – from a T-Mobile representative in New York City while I was purchasing airtime load (Actually, I got mine on sale in Pinas)

“You’re in New York, son. They don’t give free refills in this part of town.” – from a Russian sounding waitress at a New York Diner after I asked for a Coke refill

“Jeffrey’s toy store is just around the corner. It’s the only toy store in the whole of San Francisco.” – from a 60-ish information guy at Nordstrom San Francisco

“I don’t mean no trouble, just give me a dollar.” – from a 6’10” black guy in a New York subway who can pass off as an NBA center

“You are in Manhattan! Where do you want to go?” – from a white guy who’s sexual preference doesn’t match mine while I was asking for directions

“Excuse me? Do you know where the Brooklyn bridge is? – from an Italian sounding tourist in New York who was asking me for directions

“You mean you walked from the Empire State to Central Park? That’s a long walk!” - from a seemingly busy yuppie in New York while I was asking for directions

“You have to ask the tourist assistance counter” – from a very compartmentalized Grand Central Station information employee when I asked how to go to ground zero

“You have to ask the information counter” – from a very compartmentalized Grand Central Station tourist assistance employee when I asked how to go to Path Station (which was located at ground zero)

“You’re going to buy your wife a Coach purse? Oh, that’s so sweet.” – from a 50-ish sales lady cum cashier at Saks Fifth Avenue in Torrance, CA

Tip for the day: Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Politics: Love it or live with it

We live in a politics crazed country, a trait that is difficult to escape. It is what our current Philippine President does best reason why she is staying in power. It is present in practically every nook and cranny of our society – government, corporate, sports, entertainment, socio civic. It is a reality that we have to embrace if we want to survive in this culture. If we have to live with it, might as well work on a guide:

1- It’s who you know that’s important, not what you know. Work on your PR skills. Be a master the art of small talk. Continuously build your network.
2- Make the right connection. It doesn’t matter if more than half of the organization hates you as long as you invest on a relationship where it really matters. To borrow a former superior’s line, this is not a popularity contest.
3- It’s all a matter of projection. Master the art of communication, doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. Chances are, the audience won’t question you anyway. Speak in English, you’ll be questioned less. Project a tough stance. Show the world you know what you’re talking about.
4- Learn to compromise. Say yes even if your stand is no. You have to weight options and protect your interest.
5- Learn to cover your behind. As Milli Vanilli’s song goes, blame it on the rain. Cause the rain don’t mind and the rain don’t care. You have to blame it on something.
6- Hear ye! Hear ye! Your good performance will not speak for itself, you have to announce it to the whole world. At most, the glory of a good performance will last for a day. On the second day, you have to market it.
7- Flower Power. You went fishing and you caught a tilapia but describe it as if you caught a tuna. The key here is learn to hype and while you’re at it use flowery words.
8- Effective Delegation. To borrow the HSBC ad tag line, life is a matter of perspective. If you’re an optimist, the term is called delegation. If you’re a pessimist, the term is called bullying.
9- Choose your battles. A more apt term is select your projects. Volunteer to projects that will make you look good. If it won’t make you look good, refer to number 8.
10- What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine. It is a wife’s perspective of their income. It’s also a leader’s perspective of initiatives. If it is his subordinate’s idea, at top level, that is usually diluted and ends up his idea. But if it is his idea, he’ll fight tooth and nail to make sure it’s acknowledged.

I can’t believe I’m writing these down. Much more, I can’t believe I have to follow these guide. Then again, I’d be ‘plastic’ if I said I never practiced some of these traits. Probably, it’s just a matter of frequency in applying it and if you want to embrace it eternally. However way you look at it, life is a game called survival of the fittest.