Gino (in red shirt) with his fellow Basilenos at the market in Stockton, California. A good cook, he was accompanied in the early dawn marketing by Butch Alano, Jung-Jung Barandino and Gina Alano. Not so close with what we have at the Isabela Public Market, yet they reminisce the kind of wet market that we have at home.
Gino sharing fun time with his compoblanos after the meeting of the De Basilan USA Association in Stockton, California. Sharing with the laughter and fun were Jose Raveche, Rouie Rubio, Jim-Jim Rubio, Monching Laconico, Jean Martin-Aliga, Renee Atilano, Hermie Aliga and Gina Alano.
Gino (in yellow t-shirt at the middle) with his co-employees during the employee’s post survey party. Extreme right is Gino’s immediate supervisor at the Activity Department, Annie Remie.
A Story of My Friend….
By: Joey P. Tugung (08/15/09)Beaumont, California – I really don’t know how to start with this article. In fact, I kept on vacillating for months mulling whether or not to post an article for a dear friend of mine (in fairness to the rest, I have lots of them actually). Eventually, however, I was constrained to write down my thoughts about him, otherwise, I felt I will be doing a great disservice to myself and my family who had deemed his presence in our family as God’s gift to us. A blessing that we are so very appreciative.
There were other reasons that propelled me to jot down this article. For one, and as far as I am concern, his life-story is somehow compelling; a humbling experience that one can easily relate to. Second, I think that with the kind of travails that he went through all his life, it is worthy to be told, if not, worth emulating especially the good graces that he ultimately was blessed in the end. Third, and which I think is most important, his story exemplifies the kind of character that a Basileno is basically made of i.e., resilient despite the odds. Fourth, just like the rest of the Basilenos who came before him to America, or any foreign country for that matter, he gave Basilan a good name, which we Basilenos should be proud of.
I should know him because he is my childhood friend, classmate and bosom pal. Not only that, he is considered a close member of our family. We slept, ate, cried and joke together. In happy times, sadness and in sorrow, we were together. We sometimes shared the same hope and dreams together. Meaning, our umbilical cords were somehow intertwined.
The generations of Basilenos that left Basilan might not know him but those of you who stayed might be familiar with his name because this guy is a friend to all; a popular person in all the broad spectrum of the community. He is a singer, an entertainer, a disc jockey, a dancer, a carpenter, an artist, a cook and a modest entrepreneur. Name it, this guy is an alphabet soup, or mish-mash of everything. A garden variety of talents, he is a person that has everything in him, that is, talent wise, but through his own admission he can’t really define where his niche belongs.
He had his ups and downs but the highs and lows of his life gave him fodder for self-introspection. Perception of him by our brethren in the local community straddled from the left to right – some would say he was bad while the others say he is good. But no matter how he is being perceived, the common thread, or the bottom line that they have on him is that he is a person who always means well. With his innate good heart, he is always sincere in his dealings with everyone that he associates with regardless of their social standing in life and his as well.
For those who don’t know him, he is the youngest brother of Samuel “Jing-Jong” Luna (arguably anointed as the Johnny Mathis of the Philippines, he now leads a ministry as a Reverend based in Abu Dhabi) and Sandra Luna-Sarcon (she is also a Pastor/Preacher in one of the Christian churches in Zamboanga). For us who knows him, he is simply called “Gino.” Others, fondly calls him “Gino Vanelli.”
This guy has strayed in so many directions but he always came back and fought hard to “right his ship,” so to speak. When the world has literally forsaken him and the weight of the world had fallen on him (e.g., his only child “Niko” died when he was only 8 years old, his wife left him for another, his parents are already dead, his siblings are not residing in Basilan anymore), he simply did not give up life. After all, he still believe that despite the drudgeries and skullduggeries that he went through, life is still worth living. Thus, on his own pace, he went on his creative and ingenious ways to make himself relevant during those trying times, which with God’s graces, he was able to survived. Figuratively speaking, he rose up from the ashes and became a better person.
When some of them had predicted that he will fail in life, stoically he trod on and used it in fact as a great motivating factor. When some of them jeered at him, mocked at him, and even taken him for a fool, unmindful, he endured all these ridicules because no matter what, underneath his skin, is a God-fearing, serious and rational person. When some of them had taken him for granted, he humbly showed them that he has cherish values still left in him and that he is not worthless at all. Lots to give in love, lots to give in talent, lots to give in friendship, in the end, despite the adversities, he was well-loved, well-liked and well-respected for all those who knew him personally.
Because of his resiliency, his innate goodness, his intrinsic talent, his patience, and his steadfast faith in God, ultimately, he was rewarded with a modest success in life. Without parents (they are both deceased), without a child and a wife, or totally bereft of a family, he just took everything in stride and sought refuge in the belief that one day faith can move mountains.
Courtesy of his friends, especially Bobby Reynera, he was given the opportunity to migrate to America in the fall of 2008. Landed in New York, life was harsh but as expected he was given succor by his fellow Basileno, notably Monyeen de la Cruz. In the latter part of December 2008, I took him under my wings here in California. Part and parcel of the family, my children became his children as well. To my wife, he is an older brother. And to me, he is a brother.
He has since been working in one of our client-facilities (Beaumont Care Center) as an Activity and Wandering Aide. In four months time, would you believe he was elected by his peers as “Employee of the Month.” And in that space, he became not only the most popular person in the facility (an 87-bed skilled nursing facility) but also in the community. Well loved alike by his co-employees and the residents, his singing prowess and his trait for being industrious, trustworthy, dependable, has elevated him to become the most popular and well-like employee in the workplace; a first that they ever had in the operational history of the facility.
The owner of the company, the mayor of the city and other prominent personalities sin the community, respects him and is always invited to grace their social affair in providing musical intermission numbers. He is a regular in the singing circuit of the five facilities we have here in the Beaumont and Banning areas. Success has not gone into his head. He knows how to look back (i.e., where he came from) and is not ashamed of his past and his humble beginnings. A person who has no pretensions at all, he is still simply the same Gino that we use to know – well-grounded, humble and very deferential. Most important, he is always proud to introduce himself as a Basileno. Indeed, Gino is the archetypal Basileno who had come a long way in achieving relative success and fame.
This may sound as his legacy, or a tribute to him, but the truth of the matter is that I am just simply proud where he is now and what he made for himself. A story that I would assume anyone can easily relate to. A person with humble beginnings, went through life’s ups and downs, considered a joke by some, ridiculed by some, despised maybe by others, yet he didn’t get discouraged nor perturbed; at the end of the tunnel where light might have been faint but still flickering, he was able to demonstrate that there is still hope and reality somewhere over the rainbow. Because of his faith, he knew that dreams are for real.
Welcome to America Mr. Georgino Luna. Trust me my friend, you are now made! Way to go Gino Boy!
Gino is very popular with his co-employees. Here with the Department Supervisor of Beaumont Care Center where he works as an Activity and Wandering Aide.
Gino with his co-employees at the Activity Department during one of the Luau Parties that their department had sponsored.
Gino with the apple of his eyes – Rosa Molina. Both “loved-struck” as can be gleaned in this picture. Never dreamt that he will have a beauty in his life.
Gino with his best buddy at the workplace – Bernadette Sapalo. She is the promoter and manager of Gino. No one can talk bad about Gino at the workplace because she is his number one defender.
Gino is very popular among his peers at work because of the kind of character that he brings. Here with the Certified Nurse’s Aide at the Employee’s Break Room of the facility.
Gino (left in blue scrub suit) with Joey during the get together of Zamboanguenos at the residence of Rey Luy. Once again he was well-loved and well-received by the group because of how he deals with them, especially the way he entertains them with his singing talent.
Gino (in red polo-shirt sitting at the front) is a constant face of any Basileno gathering because of his dedication to anything about Basilan. Pic taken during the De Basilan USA meeting which was held last month at the residence of Ramona Torralba-Dato in Fountain View, California.
Gino with his patients, which is being attended to by the rehab staff. His tender loving care of the residents earned him the gratitude and respect of the patient’s family members.
Gino (kneeling front row in white long sleeves) posing with the group after the Volunteers Party, which hosted by the facility. He regaled them with his 4 intermission number songs. The audience was so impressed with his talent, such that, he is now being invited in the community’s social affair. Note: The owner of the Company, Emmanuel B. David (kneeling 2nd to the left), was very proud of him as he brought his singing talent popularity to the facility.
Gino with the City Mayor of Banning and the Administrators of the other facility we owned in the area. The Mayor asked him to be a permanent fixture in the City’s social activities, which Gino gladly did with all humility.
Gino is the lead singer of the band. He made a name for himself in the singing circuit in town because he is an all-around entertainer and a professional at that when he regales his audience.
Gino with his friends, Jason and Elena, having a bonfire in Williams, Arizona. This is the south gateway to Grand Canyon where we proceeded the following day.
Gino with the group that join us in the trip to Williams, Arizona. With him are Connie Bona, James and Dina.
Gino found his match singing the Karaoke during our vacation two weeks ago in Williams, Arizona. Marilyn, who is a Registered Nurse based in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Gino sang a lot of duet songs during the time we had the bonfire activity for 2 nights.
Gino with close friend from Lake Havasu, Arizona, where we spent our vacation last month. She just loves the way Gino sings and the food that he cooked for the group. Her name is Jane and she is a Physical Therapist.
The Party Boys of Lake Havasu, Arizona, can't hide their beer belly anymore. Maas na! . Tanning in the sun are Gino, Kenneth Lim (he is the son of former NBI Regional Director Gil Lim), Joey Tugung and Dr. Angelo Ong-Veloso.
Gino and me with the Zamboanga boys – Bing Serrano and Kenneth Lim, in Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Gino having a good time with the girls from Lake Havasu, Arizona. Very entertaining and well-like, they loved his humor and jokes. The hosts in the picture – Dr. Angelo Ong-Veloso, Kenneth Lim, Willie Torres and Arnold Atilano.
Toys for the Big Boys. Gino had the opportunity to drive these motorbikes when we were in Lake Havasu. Gino loves motorcycles and it drove him crazy during our mountain trail biking.
Gino with all of my kids. Kenneth Lim, host of the house, Gino, me, my daughter-in-law, Heather, and my son (Jiggy). Front: Joko, Denise, Jeo, Yen-Yen and Jako. The only one who is not in the picture with us is daughter, Yzza, who is in Europe on a study tour.
Gino in a jet ski at Lake Havasu, Arizona. He was just too happy driving this jet ski and even bantered that if he had this in Basilan, he would use this to travel to Zamboanga. In the picture with him is a friend from Zamboanga, Arnold Atilano.
Party time never stop for these boys in Lake Havasu. (L-R): Arnold Atilano, Gino Luna, Joey Tugung, Kenneth Lim and Angelo Ong-Veloso.
Gino was so happy reuniting with Boy Umali whom he has not seen for the last 28 years. Boy used to be our family driver in Manila while Gino, Tata Dumadaug and Bobby Reynera works in the staff of the Manila Office of my late father.
Gino with his singing duet partner, Suzette Sumampong, in one of their singing activities for the residents and their family members.
Gino with my Mom and kids before taking off with the luxurious Recreational Van, or RV, to Williams, Arizona.
Gino with Ruth Tigmo (she has not seen him for almost 20 years) and Dr. Noli Bucoy, Joey Tugung and Marites Araneta. This was taken during the birthday occasion of Noli Boy.
Gino at the façade of Disneyland in California. It was a dream come true for him when he joined me and my family to Disneyland two months ago.
Gino always treated my kids and my family in general just like his own. He is very protective and always at their service. Here at Disneyland with my kids (Jako, Joko, Denise and Yen-Yen) and my wife (Annabel).
This shot was just taken today while Gino was washing the van of Kauzar. Kauzar Tugung was here at home to pick-up my mother and bring her to my sister, Aiza, to Glendale. Incidentally, my eldest son, Jiggy, and his wife, Heather, passed by before leaving for Luke Air force Base in Arizona. Also, my eldest daughter, Yzza, just came from her trip to Europe. (L-R): Daughters Yen-Yen & Ynna, Gino, my mom, Noring, Kauzar (or KC), Heather and her husband my son, Jiggy, and Yzza. Note: My daughters Jeo and Denise are at the Los Angeles Convention Center while my wife Annabel is at work.
Last January, we tendered a party for Gino here in Beaumont. Our guests included Jung-Jung Barandino and his cousin Ai-Ai Barandino.
My sister-in-law, Mellany Barrera-Yap, acknowledging the culinary expertise of Gino. She and my other sister-in-law, Judith Pangilinan (she is based in Arizona), just loved his cooking. Here, Gino cooked Batchoy for us.
Gino with fellow Basileno, Nina Benitez-Hinahon (she also works in one of our nursing facilities in the area), along with Mellany’s daughter, Yuna. This was taken during the 2nd birthday of Yves.
Gino with my kids at home – Jako, Joko and Jeo. They just love him to death!
Gino with my kids. He loves them so much. Here bringing my daughter, Yzza (second to the right), to her dormitory in UCLA Westwood where she is taking up nursing.
Weekends during the summer, Gino and I just love to dip in the pool-spa. Here having our beers with our contented smiles.
Gino took time to take this shot with one of the usherettes during the break that he had in one of the social occasions that he was invited to sing in the community. Gino, basta ya bo, sobra ya se!
Gino with my son, Joko, took a pit stop at the famous historical Route 66 in Arizona. Marilyn Monroe used to drop at this store every time she travels from Arizona to California.
Bosom buddies, Gino and Joey, taking their orders at a Chinese Restaurant after our tour of Disneyland California.
Gino at the car garage cooking our favorite Filipino dishes yesterday – Kambing Papait and Kaldereta. The sound system at the back is one of his proud investments. He just loves music.
Author
