(Photo courtesy of Subic Sailing)
Once messenger of doom and herald of awkward humor, now sailing ambassador of goodwill and sponsor-love.
Paolo had some impromptu stage-time at the 2016 SEA-EX last weekend, courtesy of the organizers who find him a rather delightful fellow with some audience engagement skills and semi-commanding presence (he was distracted in the undertaking as is usual, but focused on the prize).
Yes. We know this is late in the posting as there were other things — (the laundry for instance) that needed attending to.
Anyway, Paolo enraptured the packed crowd of twenty or so odd listeners (forty or more if you count the people lining-up for food, children, SeaEx organizers, and “Friends of Team Viloria” that Paolo coerced into attendance) with promotion for the 7th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta 2016, as well as how to get started in sailing here in the Philippines.
Just saying it in proper, and complete sequence was a feat unto itself, but you know our Paolo. He’s always up to the task, no matter how last-minute, unrehearsed, unprepared, or awkward the situation may be. He might not have completely killed it, but the thing was near death as he left the stage.
The resounding applause came as a surprise, and Paolo is still trying to come to terms with the positive results.
Sponsors and partners represented and mentioned were:
Subic Sailing, Europa Yachts, Blood Red Clothing, OverBoard waterproof gear, Cebu Pacific Air, GoPro, LifeProof, Moduvi, Inc., Carepak, TLYC, and the Philippine Home Boat Builders Yacht Club.
Other special mentions were The Philippine Hobie Challenge, Phinsaf, and the Puerto Galera Yacht Club.
Special thanks to Bianca Jison of the SeaEx committee for helping set-up the unscheduled promotional talk.
Although one exhibitor promised Paolo a raffle at around 8pm, he did not win that pair of brand new casual boat shoes that he had his eye on.
He is also, still, trying to come to terms with that.
