Pinoy US airline employee Chito Ilonggo's work ethic

Pinoy US airline employee 
Chito Ilonggo's work ethic  

"Any job very well done that has been carried out by a person who is fully dedicated is always a source of inspiration."
CARLOS GHON

CHITO ILONGGO (right) and ALEX P. VIDAL in Chicago, Illinois 

By Alex P. Vidal

We won't be surprised if US-based Ilonggo folk singer Luisito "Chito Ilonggo" Villaruel Macatual Jr. will be awarded with a brand new 2014 Ford vehicle by his employer, the United Airlines, for being a "committed" employee.
Chito Ilonggo is among the few United Airlines employees with perfect attendance and who report for work on time, thus making him a shoo-in for a vehicle raffle contest aside from certificate of recognition for being a model employee.
Chito Ilonggo's work ethic is something that will inspire other Filipinos working abroad.
"Regardless of weather condition, I woke up early in the morning, prepare my own foods and drive to my workplace at dawn. I see to it that I'm always ahead of time," said Chito Ilonggo, Customer Service Rep. ground steward in the United Airlines at the O'hare International Airport in Chicago.

MASTERPIECE

Now based in Niles, Illinois (an hour drive away from Chicago), Chito Ilonggo is formerly a folk singer and recording artist in Iloilo City, Philippines. His masterpiece, "Dugo Sang Isa Ka Ilonggo (Blood of an Ilonggo)" recorded in 1992 before he left to work as OFW in Libya, was a hit even among Pinoy diaspora in Europe, Asia and America.
When the United Airlines retrenched employees during the financial crisis in the United States in 2008, Chito Ilonggo survived. 
"I consider it as a blessing," he remarked. "It was a massive retrenchment and some of the casualties were fellow Fil-Ams who had been employed in the airlines ahead of me."
During spare time, Chito Ilonggo dabbles in his favorite past time: singing and recording. He plays the electric guitar while son Aybil, also a musician, plays the drums in the basement of their house where they maintain a band station cum music lounge equipped with state-of-the-art sounds instruments. Wife Jocelyn Soltis-Macatual, a nurse, and Yvette, Aybil's girlfriend, act as regular audience.

PRIORITY

Chito Ilonggo considers his family as "my top priority. Buday (Jocelyn) and Aybil are my best friends," he said. "They are the true sources of my inspiration in life."
According to Luke Punzenberger of the United Hemispheres Magazine, dependable employees at United Airlines who never miss a day of work can earn a certificate as well, with one big difference: "This certificate is the title to a new Ford vehicle."
"In school, devoted students who never miss a day of class may be recognized with a certificate of achievement," Punzenberger explained.
He said since 1996, United Airlines have awarded new cars to nearly 200 employees for their stellar workplace attendance. 
"Through United’s Perfect Attendance program, nearly all full- and part-time employees who show up for work on time every day during a set six-month period may enter their names in a drawing for a new Ford Escape, Explorer, Focus or Mustang," he disclosed.
Last year, the magazine revealed, 11 drawing winners each received the keys to a new Ford from Jeff Smisek, United chairman, president and CEO.

GIFT

Why such a generous gift? Because perfect attendance is tough! “Coming to work on time day after day is no easy task,” the article quoted Donna Towle, vice president for employee relations at United. 
“But that’s the level of dedication it takes to deliver a reliable, flyer-friendly experience for our customers. Fortunately, we have some of the best employees in the business, and this program is one way we recognize their commitment.”
"This month, several new 2014 Fords are on display at United hubs across the country. But don’t get too attached to those sleek curves and that new car smell. These perfect-looking Fords are waiting for a few lucky United employees with perfect attendance," the article added.
Chito Ilonggo visited his roots in Iloilo City on invitation of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog in January 2013 as guest in the Dinagyang Festival where he held a concert together with local artist and friend, PG "Boyet" Zoluaga.