His own trumpeter

DOTC chief supports Laus’ plans for Clark. Thus appeared on the upper left hand corner of this paper’s front page last Tuesday a story datelined Manila written by our ace correspondent Joey Pavia.
“Transportation Sec. Larry Mendoza yesterday expressed his full support to the leadership of Liberato “Levy” Laus as president and CEO of the Clark Development Corp. in a meeting at the Department of Transportation and Communications here.
Laus said Mendoza “noted the progress of the Clark Freeport” under his leadership…”
So the first two paragraphs of the news story go. So goes too an apparently uncivil display of pride and vanity.
There is no reason to doubt that Sir Levy is telling the truth and nothing but the truth in Mendoza’s recognition of his leadership at the CDC and the progress it wrought.
There is not an iota of doubt that Sir Levy’s leadership at the CDC did indeed account for wondrous things at the Freeport.
But for Sir Levy to say so himself goes beyond the pound-per-square-inch (psi) limit in bloviating one’s self-importance. In the old jargon, Sir Levy tooted his own horn, trumpeted his own accomplishments. In current corporate public relations, Sir Levy became his own spokesperson cum spinmeister.
Why did it have to be Sir Levy making a release of Mendoza’s praise to him? He had with him – per the news story too – “other CDC officials in the meeting with Mendoza. They are CDC Director Adrian Chincuanco, Vice President for Operations and Technical Services Frank Madlambayan, AVP for Investment Promotions Bernie Angeles, Corplan Assistant Marichelle Raagas.”
So, why not any one of them accounting for the praise release of Sir Levy? It was not part of their job descriptions? That is being so myopic. The promotion of the Clark Freeport and its officials, especially CDC’s president/CEO, is part and parcel of any job thereat.
None of them heard Mendoza say the good things Sir Levy said the DOTC secretary said? Now, now, that would put Sir Levy under a dark cloud of doubt.
Mind you, the skies above Sir Levy are ever sunshiny bright. Remember his mantra? “The future of Clark is so bright you have to wear sunglasses to see it.”
A slip of the ego there? Or was it only the over-zealousness of Joey-the- writer at meeting Zeus himself in his pantheon of corporate gods?
Whatever, what has been written has been written. As ‘tis often said, and said so true, there is finality in the printed word.
There now shall find an affirmation by Sir Levy’s cabal-yeros – to use the word crafted by his loyal sympathizer Que Sio, Que Tal – of what they have long prejudiced him to be – “credit grabber.”
So sad. So truly sad. Of whom Mendoza “noted the progress of the Clark Freeport” under his leadership…” According to him.
Indeed, a disservice to Sir Levy that which Punto! front paged last Tuesday.
Joey Pavia, no more page 1 stories for you. You’re grounded to page 3.