Joee Guilas has seemingly lived so many lives having succeeded in so many pursuits that mere mortals could only dream venturing into. (Musta naman ang mga mere mortals?!)
I met him when he was a bank executive promoting a corporate social responsibility campaign on my afternoon public service TV show. (Puma-public service ako?!) He previously graced TV screens as news reporter on ABS-CBN. (Isa palang poste du’n, nandu’n na siya! ) Months later, we worked together in the same RPN-9 newsroom; I was a police reporter, he was our business anchor. (Major throwback ito ha!)
Joee Guilas
When I pursued radio hosting, Joee focused on a career in banking. He eventually became first vice president of a respected universal bank. (Penge pera!)
Later, Joee found his way back to media hosting his own radio program on the same station where I was working. (Sinusundan ata ako!) Two seasons later, Joee left radio and focused on his corporate career and also became an educator in a university. (Aba, teacher teacher-an!). In time I found myself joining him in the university as a communications faculty member.(Stalker ko ata ito!)
Not only that, I recently convinced him to give radio another shot by joining me again on 91.5 Win Radio where he now hosts his own game show Sunday evenings (“Winning Nights,” 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.).
Even now, I’m still puzzled how he is able to do everything he does. But answer has always been simple (pero ala beauty queen style! ): “I don’t really do things just for myself. I do things for others. I do radio to entertain and even educate the listeners. I teach to share knowledge to the youth. I work my butt off for my family and loved ones. Seeing how my life is relevant to other people’s lives drives me to do even better in all the things I do.” (Thank you, binibini 78!)
Last November, Joee bid adieu his two-and-a-half decade tenure in the banking industry to join Resorts World Manila as communications director. He’s been active there with his duties at the Original Pilipino Performing Arts Foundation or OPPA. (Makapagfoundation nga rin.. sa mukha!)
“As corporate communications director, I happen to be part of the Original Pilipino Performing Arts Foundation, or OPPA. I sit in a board composed of such respected names in theatre as Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Michael Williams. And, of course, RWM President and CEO, Kingson Sian. OPPA gives out scholarship grants to talented and deserving students who wish to make the performing arts their career,” Joee explained. (Eh sa career ko po kaya may mangyayari pa?!)
The two-year-old OPPA Foundation has given out full scholarship grants to 12 student, “but we certainly can do more,” Joee said.
OPPA recently opened applications for scholarships for academic year 2018-2019, with the aim of increasing the number of grantees.
“We recognize the abundance of talents among Filipinos. Maraming maaarteng kabataan ngayon. And yes, pwede na nilang karirin ang kaartehan nila,” Joee said in jest. (Okay lang umarte, basta maganda! )
Scholarship grants are open to both incoming and existing college students who want to pursue degrees in the performing arts (Technical Theater, Theater Arts, Music Production, Music Performance, or even Creative Writing). Interested applicants should visit www.oppafoundation.org; and facebook.com/oppafoundation. (Ask n’yo na baby niyo if need scholarship! Baby niyo?!)
“True to Resorts World’s ‘Nothing compares’ mantra, nothing compares with the feeling of being able to make a difference in people’s lives and helping their communities win,” Joee said. (Makagawa nga ng mantra para ’di lang puro may ganon! Push!)
(MR.FU hosts on 91.5 Win Radio, 9 a.m. to 12 nn, Mondays to Fridays and 9pm to 12mn, Saturdays. Twitter/IG: @mrfu_mayganon FB: Mr Fu the Star DJ. Youtube: WTFu. FU artworks on IG: @republic.art and FB: republic art gallery)