By Dido Nubla
Dimacs and i worked for quite some time in IBM, he was DOO and i was Marketing Manager for banking and finance. He was a "down to earth" person, action man, always positive and never said NO to an idea......no pretensions.
When IBM decided to move to the BPI Family Bank building on Paseo de Roxas, i had the 14th floor for the banking sales and SE group, Dimacs told me that he wanted to stay on the top floor, which was the 14th. Since he was the boss, he got the best corner room facing Solid Bank, and i got the other corner room facing the Philcom building. We had a very harmonious relationship. He would come to my room and vice versa for chit chat and he had great words of wisdom. We had long discussions even after office hours.
when i left IBM, after 27 yearsof service, I joined an IBM Business Partner - Right Computer Systems, which is now the oldest IBM Business Partner in the Philippines. Mon treated all partners FAIRLY ......resolved issues equitably among partners and he made sure that the Business Partners maximized their earnings, sometimes, with help from IBM.
At some point in time, Dimacs moved to an ASEAN role in Singapore where he had responsibility for the Business Partners in the region. That was the BEST time to be an IBM BP. Why??? Aside from the business of making money, Dimacs organized Business Partner meetings in Australia where he flew all the ASEAN BP CEOs to Aussie land. He organized Business Partner ASEAN Recognition Events in South Africa's Sun City which included a safari where the Philippine delegation's Land Rover had a flat tire in the middle of lion country.... There was also a unique dinner at "Carnivore BBQ Restaurant" where we ate exotic food such as zebra, elephant, kudu, etc.and also a dinner in the middle of the Great African plains where wild animals roamed. There was also a trip to Barcelona which included bull fights, tapas at Las Ramblas, flamenco dances and tour of the famous Basilica de la Sagrada Familia .....places you rarely visit and the best thing was all these were paid by IBM. How Mon did it, i do not know but it was very much appreciated. To this day, the IBM Business Partners during his time will never forget Mon Dimacs.
Now, fast forward to the most recent years. Dimacs is part of the group of 15 known as the "Big Blue Boys". Members of which includes Manolo Abellada, Nilo Cruz, Manny Dimaculangan, Paul Zaldarriaga, Hory Aycardo, RD Najar, Ricky Banaag, Vic Reyes, Ronnie Latinazo, Mon Jocson, Doy Santos, Beebot Jaramillo, Wilson Go, Dido Nubla, and RYD. This group meets monthly for drinks, food and fellowship. No business talks. The bill is divided equally except if there is a birthday celebrant for that month, he does not pay. His motto was let's live life.....best food best drinks, best company. Normally he brings a bottle of scotch, on top of his share in the bill.
One time, dimacs was the first to arrive. So, he started ordering for everybody without knowing the prices. But we all ate with GUSTO. sarap talaga. Finally the bill came and we almost fell from our chairs. Sabi ni Dimacs, gusto ninyo masarap and we all started laughing and started paying our share.
Dimacs was an optimist, with a can do attitude. The group will miss him and his laughter but we will keep a chair for him in our next get together. Rest now my friend, mentor, supporter, colleague, and boss. In behalf of the now "14 Big Blue Boys", Good bye raMOAN. Rest in Peace. Thank you.