Promotion

Ben Contreras

I OVERHEARD him telling the guests adjacent our table how he got his job years ago. Then, it occurred to me that had he not accepted it, I wouldn’t have known him from Adam. And I wouldn’t be there to enjoy a fine dinner with the guests.

I hope I got the dates accurately, but it was sometime in the ’90s when he took the helm of Equitable Bank along J. R. Borja St. corner Tiano Bros. I was then the treasurer of Chinese Music Association, and that made me frequent the bank. I guess he was just being very friendly and accommodating like any bank manager. But the seeds of our friendship started there.

I don’t remember if I had been a depositor there, personally, I mean. I didn’t have much money anyway to keep in a bank as prestigious as that one. But he treated me like a VIP, so I thought.

Our friendship extended to the day when the bank merged with PCIBank. Having no steady income then, I frequented his office like an employee reporting for duty. He would tell his clients, “Absenan man nako kung dili makaanhe diri sa akong opisina.” Believe me, I was like a permanent fixture of his office doing nothing but chatting, reading newspapers and drinking coffee.

A new chapter came when the bank became BDO and nothing has changed in our friendship. I am still a small depositor treated like big. His office has become my second home outside my home.

My friend has had his ups and downs in life and he has no qualms in sharing them with me. I may not have totally been helpful but I tried to always be there for him when needed. To me, it was an honor to be sought for.

All those years, I saw him rose from one ranks. The promotions were all deserving. Perhaps, he’s due for retirement but the bank gave him an extension. Was it the second time? I guess I lost track.

Lately, he got me worried with a surprise call and his statements. But knowing him as a person, I am sure the Boss up there won’t let it happen. It was followed by another call a few days later. He invited me for dinner and told me to bring my wife. At the last hour, there was a change of venue.

“What’s the occasion?” I asked. “Suko ko,” he answered. This time I was really at sea, a bit worried but calm.

I dropped by the bank before going to Sentro. I saw his car and I thought he must still be there. A friend, Andy Lim, was there. After a few words, he suggested that we proceed to Sentro.

It looks like it’s going to be a happy gathering. He was quick to tell us that there won’t be any program but a simple dinner, a simple get-together. I still didn’t get the cue until couple Art and Bebie Pastor, couple Rudy and Beth Uy, couple Nelson and Gwen Chang and another familiar pair came and began congratulating him.

S—t, I forgot. I was informed about it a few weeks ago. He was promoted to a position unprecedented ever in this (BDO) area. Imagine, Executive Vice President. Bai, did I get it right?

But that’s my friend, humble (not hambog), Mr. Gonzalo “Al” Gesta.

I don’t even remember if I congratulated him while they were congratulating him. But better late than never!

So, here it is. Congratulations, Bai!

Fear that which we do not know. Be brave of the truth. God is with you.