I first punched in at PAGCOR on March 25, 2004. Jumping in between call centers, PAGCOR dialed in to ask if I was still interested in pursuing a career as a card dealer. I wish I knew how I got in as the only one who survived the I.Q. test from a cast of 35. It made me feel that I accomplished something and was set to achieve more. On the first break of my first day on duty, I wanted to quit and go home. The job is too fast, too intense and yet too mundane to actually mean anything. Dealing feels like you’re perpetually chipping away at this thick boulder with small ball peen hammer and a 4 inch concrete nail. Eventually, you’ll break your will first before you break the rock.As I reframe my motivation, I noticed that PAGCOR probably has the most secured tenure for career service people that seem easily content. A bulk of them have been doing this gig for since 1986 as their ID numbers imply. Yet, their career started as early as mid-70s. In the mix, you can find those who’s been doing it for around 10 years. This is a job for keeps and yet there I was contemplating on going home because I haven’t figured out how anyone can stand doing it for a day.
The PAGCOR front line, as I dove in, is a pool of people with different aspirations that somehow led them to the doors of 1330 Roxas Boulevard. One can find a subject matter expert (loosely used but accurate in description) from any field within the dealer line-up. From engineers to entertainers to conspiracy theorists, this microcosm of compromised ambitions are folks with dreams and means I identify with. I say compromised ambitions because up till then, I haven’t heard of any child saying they want to be a card dealer when they grow up nor do I hear parents impose this path as a paved road they’d want their kids to pursue. Maybe there’s a small demographic that consider this um, again, career with the prestige that the Integrated Resorts that Entertainment City entails, but for most of us exposed to cigarette smoke daily (my wife and I never smoke, we just get paid, not enough, to tolerate those who do), this is a war that I wish not to have my kids experience.
The thing about coming in in 2004, it is clear that we were not just hired to address the expansion of casinos nationwide, the mass recruitment of the early 2000’s was done to cope with the pending retirement of a chunk of its workforce. This is more true in the last 8 years as a good number of PAGCOR servicemen pushed 30, even 40 years dealing (imagine looking at anything that you can gauge and say “I can do that for 40 years!” that is a commitment that asks for simple but daily affirmation). The melancholy of seeing a person I had a great time with, a person I love, respect and pattern on how I approach life’s challenges, seeing them swipe his ID card for the last time is a bittersweet day but truly worth celebrating.
One of my favorite people, Bjon Morano, my daughter’s godfather (he could easily be my godfather, hehe)… it’s his last day today. I’ve known im responsible fun, always having great parties at his house, always a great conversation. The guy is well loved and he did this gig for 40 years. He did this for as long as I have lived! Think about it, there are a handful of people quietly riding in to the sunset, not treated with eminence but their collective work resulted into billions, contributing directly to nation building. On the last day of a dealer, one is not regarded like a hero nor does one demand that they be treated as such. They are just people who show up for work, enjoy life daily that pile into years of great memory.
danDAman 