A friend of my wife, China, asked if I could join Negros Now Daily as a columnist. Who am I to refuse a lifetime opportunity to share my thoughts?
Every writer desires to see their work getting printed. My father submitted his columns to a publisher in New York. After it was reviewed, the old man needs to invest thousands of US dollars to have it printed and distributed to the public. Dean Ralph Sarmiento has been blessed to have published three law books, so far.
Many writers died not seeing their works published. My interest in writing has been influenced by my late father, Desiderio “Ding” Deferia. He wrote short stories in Hiligaynon and Yuhum, and Philippine Free Press. He was also a columnist of Kapawa News owned by Jerry Moles and Negros Daily Bulletin of Pert Toga. During his career as a writer, he, together with Max Soliven were charged for libel before a local court. This case was eventually dismissed for lack of merits. One of the columnists here in Negros Now Daily, Sir Allen Del Carmen, if I’m not mistaken, is a contemporary of his.
Looking for the right topics to discuss is one of the many challenges a columnist faces. But life experiences have left us many lessons. It might be strange that a person with medical background is a writer, but thanks to Negros Now Daily, Wise or Otherwise was reincarnated. This title was used to be owned by my father. I have revived it to honor him.
I love reading books at a young age. Gay Talese probably has a lot of influenced on my fondness for reading books. His book, Thy Kingdom Come and Thy Neighbors Wife are just two of his masterpieces that I have read. As I matured and ventured into management, I got excited to read Jack Welch’s management books which has been helpful in my work as national sales manager in Marsman Drysdale and later, as national marketing manager for Zafire. This are, so far, two of the largest companies that control the market for medical supplies and equipment.
Growing up in Libertad area in Bacolod City, I have seen the afflictions of our poor neighbors who, despite the absence of money, continue to enjoy life drinking Tanduay day in and day out. These people blame others for their miseries, but it was them that brought this affliction upon themselves. And it will only be them that can emancipate themselves from this despicable condition.
It was this daily scenario that pushed me to strive in life. After working in hospital as a respiratory therapist, I finally got tired of reviving other people’s lives, while my family lives in a hand-to-mouth existence. I have seen how medical representatives were happily joking each other while their car keys, pagers and cellphones hang on their waist. That’s how I shifted to sales and marketing. And the rest was history. I am happy to share my experiences but maybe, in other upcoming columns. Happy reading. ||
