A TRIBUTE TO OUR OFWs
Jun, Under the Shining Arabian Sun
By Leo P. Udtohan
TRUE 25 May 2008 issue
'bout u
BOHOL SUNDAY POST
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A seasoned writer holding his piece under the sun, Dioscoro “Jun” O. Ayag Jr. stands at the forefront among Filipinos with flourishing careers in a foreign land. And, he is a Boholano in Saudi Arabia.
His knack in writing has brought him to places, maintaining the lead in the fast-lane of global competition.
Before turning 50 on December 20, Jun Ayag had already mustered a heavy bulk of achievements as he always takes the lead with excellence in his chosen field.
That’s versatility.
And, that’s because his literary authority gives distinct color to every piece he writes.
Endorsed by the Philippine Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jun, as he is fondly called by friends and relatives, got a nomination to the Year 2006 Presidential Awards For Filipino Individuals Overseas an award that the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) gives to “Filipino individuals or associations for contributions that significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities; and who exemplifies the talent and industry of the Filipinos or have brought honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of work or profession”.
In 1992, he received the Service Excellence Award For Outstanding Achievement by the Saudi American Bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As recipient of Cocofed Scholarship Grant for a full four-year college education (1976-1980), Jun finished a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Major in Management and Minor in Accounting) at the University of San Carlos, in Cebu City, where he was conferred as outstanding graduate.
In 1983, three years after college, he became a recipient of Scholarship for a Post Graduate Diploma Course on Shelter Systems Management and Development at the University of Life in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Settlements and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).
Then after earning enough experience, he chose to pursue an Arabian dream.
The Middle East sun honed his awareness on market trends, culture and lifestyle through business and personal trips to many countries other than Saudi Arabia- -Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
Jun’s training and work experience back home established in him the professional experience in human resources management and organization development particularly on recruitment and selection, benefits and compensation management, performance management, employee relations, event management, training and development, dispute settlement, contract & policy administration and asset/facility management, systems development, implementation & maintenance.
And, in the corporate world, Jun can boast of his competency in conducting in-depth organizational diagnosis, learning and training needs analysis, market research and industry analysis, budget planning and monitoring, performance measurement/benchmarking, strategic corporate planning and quality management review; business development, advertising, marketing & promotions and executive support services.
Aside from being an effective HR expert, Jun is also a licensed real estate broker after passing the Licensure Examination For Real Estate Brokers that the Department of Trade and Industry gave in 1983, but has now become an inactive member.
For more than a decade, Jun as gained significant experience in international banking systems covering remittance, foreign exchange, short-term credit, relationship management from his employment with Saudi American Bank (formerly a Citigroup/Citibank affiliate).
He also has professional exposure in petrochemical manufacturing and marketing, banking, outsourcing solutions, human resources/manpower supply and advertising.
He had been a speech writer, author, editor, contributor of various sports and corporate literatures.
He was among the chosen writers of the administration during the Marcos regime, and had written the Aide Memoire, Ministry of Human Settlements Input To The State Of The Nation Address that the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos delivered in July 1983 at the Batasang Pambansa.
He had also written the speech of the then first lady Imelda Marcos, during the inaugural opening of Sea farming and Research Development Center, in Bo. Binloc, Dagupan, Pangasinan in 1985.
He was the editor -in-chief of Connection, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Cocofed Scholars’ Association school newsletter in University of San Carlos from 1978 to 1980.
As sports writer, he had written for the Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, Saudi Arabia’s newspaper dailies.
He had also been an associate editor of Color and Vision, Astra Polymer’s company newsletter; and contributed articles for the Reach Staff Magazine and Attitude- -Quality magazine of Saudi American Bank.
He had also been a writer and editor of Corporate Profiles: JAL International, Best Group, an Outsource Solutions and Raiz Group of Companies.
He had also been invited to be the master of ceremonies in various seminars, conferences and entertainment programs.
He had also been a choreographer of concert back-up dancers for Valentine’s presentation at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital Multi-Purpose Hall, Riyadh, in 1988 with Canadian and American nationals.
He had also served as adviser to the Association of Filipino Fashion Designers in AlKhobar, Saudi Arabia, from 2000 to 2004.
His long list of contributions to the promotion of Filipino culture and arts flaunts an artist’s fine inkling of details that gains for the recognition and respect to Filipino’s creativity that forms the emblem of pastime and entertainment for a cause.
In Saudi Arabia where is now based, Jun Ayag had achieved so much in his involvement in arts and culture-related activities.
Being part of the organizing team, he functioned as art director of the 1st Philippine Trade Exhibition at the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was part of the Philippine Independence Day celebration under Ambassador Rasul’s regime way back in 1987.
The next year, he was the choreographer for the Pamana Ng Lahi, showcasing the evolution of Philippine dances and fashion under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. It was attended by members of the ASEAN diplomatic corps and the Filipino community.
Then in 1999, he directed the three-act play entitled “Coming To Terms”, Entablado Filipino’s adaptation of “Teaching Josefina”- -a sampling of Filipino literature at Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
He had also been an author, resource speaker, and facilitator for “A Glimpse On Theatrical Arts”, a series of acting workshops under the auspices of Entablado Filipino, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia which was attended by Filipinos and other nationalities- -Irish, Polish, American, Canadian.
The workshop prospectus had been taken as a model seminar material for acting workshops at International Philippine School in AlKhobar (IPSA).
In 1999 and 2000, he served as the resource speaker in the first and second acting workshops that the International Philippine School conducted in AlKhobar (IPSA) attended by high school students with inclination to acting and theater production.
Then in 2003, he directed and choreographed the fashion show entitled “Colors“ at the Astra Polymers Annual Party, Hotel Intercontinental, Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Later, he was chosen as adviser to the organizing committee and chairman of the panel of judges in the Search For A Singing Star (Adult Dreamer and Bulilit categories) by the United Filipino Basketball Federation, AlKhobar in 2005 and 2007.
He was also a member of the board of judges for the GMA-7 Search For Pinoy Pop Superstar–World Challengers, Saudi Arabia 2007 at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 9, 2007.
Then he has served as member of the board of judges for the Search For Ginoong Pilipino, and Ginoong Maharlika (two-separate events), showcasing Barong Tagalog designs by the Association of Filipino Fashion Designers in AlKhobar.
Of course, he started in his own backyard with involvement in various arts-and-culture events in Cebu City where he actually carved his name in the entertainment industry.
Jun was a member of Kabataang Barangay Provincial Choral Group, and competed in the Himig Ng Kabataan regional competition held in 1976 at the University of San Carlos Cultural Center, Cebu City under the directorship of Enriqueta Butalid, the present head of the Center for Culture and Arts Department of the Provincial Government of Bohol.
He was among the cast in the ANNIE Broadway Musicale in 1979 at the Colegio dela Immaculada Concepcion; and in A Return To Forever Concert by the Missionary of Sacred Heart (MSC) Seminary and Capitol Parish Choir in 1978 at the Sacred Heart School For Girls Auditorium under musical director, Fr. Art Mateo, who was once associated with the famous Circus Band.
He was among the cast of the Pagsambang Bayan in 1978, a stage play production of the University of San Carlos–Theater Guild, an output of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Outreach Program, at USC–Cultural Center with the mentoring of Behn Cervantes and the Cebuano PETA members.
He had also joined the Norkis Angels of the Norkis Group of Companies Choral Group in a concert at the Thomas Jefferson Center Auditorium, SSS Building, Cebu City and Norkis Club House, and guested at Channel 7-Cebu and sang at the Redemptorist Church Christmas celebration in 1981.
Earlier in 1978, he was among the cast Member of the Bits and Pieces Dancers and guested at Dolphy’s Show at Cebu Coliseum with Matt Ranillo III and Lea Navarro.
The following year, he joined the Bandwagon Show of the University of San Carlos Theater Guild that visited the Hospicio de San Jose Home For The Aged, in the Argao and Consolacion Parishes.
He was also the choreographer for the Rhea Garments Show, ramp modeling and fashion show at the White Gold House, Lu Du and Lu Ym Bldg.; and the Best Buy Mart, a roving fashion show that guested in Ormoc City, Leyte, in 1980.
He had also tried as production staff in A Day In September, a fashion show of Albert Arriba creations in 1981 at the Magellan International Hotel, in Cebu City.
Jun had also been a part-time instructor at the Casa Bella Finishing School in Cebu City, a tutorial school for modeling, fashion photography, ethics and social graces.
He had also worked as public relations officer of the University of San Carlos–Theater Guild, voted as one of the university campus’ Top Ten Outstanding Organizations.
Back in his home province of Bohol, Jun was a member of the panel of judges for Miss Talent portion of the Search For Miss Sandugo in 1997 at the University of Bohol Auditorium, Tagbilaran City.
He was also chosen chairman of the panel of judges in various beauty pageants during Anda town fiesta celebrations whenever he comes home and dance competitions.
His other links to the publication industry as writer and editor include the following: editorial board, Story of A Filipino Enterprise, Norkis Group of Companies, 1982; contributing editor, Norkis Press, Norkis Group of Companies Newsletter 1981–1982; associate editor, The Resource, Phil. Human Resources Devt. Center newsletter, 1983–1985; and contributor, The Diehards, University of San Carlos Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) newsletter, 1977-1978.
In Saudi Arabia, he was associate editor of the Color and Visions, Astra Polymers Company newsletter, Saudi Arabia, 2002–2004; freelance sports writer for Saudi Arabian dailies- -Arab News, Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and ghost writer for Abante Middle East contributors), 2002–2007; contributor, Saudi American Bank “Reach” newsletter and “Attitude“ quality magazine, 1991–2002; editor, JAL International Co. Ltd., Corporate Profile and author of the Company’s HR Policies & Procedures Manual and Employee Staff Handbook, Saudi Arabia, 2006; consultant, Best Group Outsourcing Solution Corporate Profile and Quality Manual, Saudi Arabia, 2007; consultant, Raiz Group of Companies and Training Center Corporate Profile, Saudi Arabia, 2007.
All led these from a childhood in the rural town of Mabini, Bohol where he was born. All these and Jun has remained single at 49.
His mother, Vicentita Gerodias Orias vda de Ayag, is now based in California, United States, as his father, Dioscoro Uy Ayag Sr., a well-respected barangay captain in his time, had already passed away.
His two younger sisters, both products of the then Divine Word College (now Holy Name University)- -Daisy A. Agunod, finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting, and Maria Divina A. Felicitas, finished Bachelor of Arts major in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is now based in Union City, California.
His early achievements started at school when he graduated First Honorable Mention at the Mabini Central Elementary School in 1972, and Valedictorian in high school at the Holy Infant Academy in Anda in 1976.
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Mr. Ayag! It is a pleasure to finally see your face, sir!
Sir, your accomplishments and your contribution for our countrymen as well as to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia precedes you, sir. My utmost and absolute respects.
