HIS appearance in the Senate made him a household name. But who really is Carlo Katigbak? No, this won’t be some comprehensive profile piece about who he is and what his achievements are. I will leave that to the professionals.
Instead, this is how I personally see him.
Almost 14 years ago, when I moved to ABS-CBN from a stable job under the office of Boy Abunda, I was entering the unknown and I was excited. I had gotten used to my job in Backroom Inc. as a publicist, talent handler and scriptwriter for a number of years which I super loved especially after I discovered the infinite possibilities it could offer. But I don’t mind venturing into the unknown. That is the only thing about me that is versa.
A couple of years in ABS-CBN, I found my way to the office of Sir Carlo, or CLK (Carlo L. Katigbak). I don’t mean to pander to Sir Carlo but even when he wasn’t yet our president and CEO then, I was already surreptitiously watching him in admiration and awe. People talk about his genius and charisma. From a distance, I revered one of Philippine television’s biggest names—then and now. CLK’s genius is solidly anchored in that “simple and humble boy” who has remained whole and has not been lost in the glam of television or his job or, most notably, his lineage. He is a man who has journeyed to a lot of terrain and this has made CLK understand the intricate, amorphous, undefinable taste of Filipino TV audiences. And he is both daring and courageous in his moves. This has made him a champion of what other services, besides broadcast television, that ABS-CBN can offer, such as cable, DTT, digital, Internet, etc. He has the gut feel that is bold but he is very disciplined. But what I admire about him is that if CLK understands the art of television, he has on his palm written the art of life. And so little people have this.
Back to that afternoon in his office for a meeting (that was my first time seeing him up close and personal), he gave a lot of brilliant insights on the issue which we were there to discuss. Of course, he won’t be where he is now without those. But what I discovered behind the brilliance is a simple, charming man. He is decisive, accomplished and a genius, but he is also down-to-earth—and he is a leader who is genuinely concerned for us, his employees. After that meeting, whenever I would see him, he would greet me as if I were a long-lost relative of the Lopezes (that may be true but I think I’m more on the Jennifer Lopez side). He would engage in earnest conversation, sharing a joke or two. Of course, I will always be in awe and also terrified I might say some stupid thing, which is always the case actually—but it seems he doesn’t mind. I’m so drawn to him that if he has a fan club, I would lie, cheat, and steal to become its president, or at least its sergeant-at-arms.
Now, thanks to his appearance in the Senate inquiry about the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, it seems like I would have much competition. That many were enthralled and were drawn to him. In fact, they now call themselves “Katigbakers.” They say words about him that I 100 percent agree with: charming, truthful, intelligent, brilliant and, most important, mapagmalasakit. Scratch that. I agree with them 250 percent.
Of course, social media went abuzz with his good looks. They even compare him with a certain K-drama star. That I only agree about 50 percent. Because for me, he looks more like a Pinoy version of Harry Potter.
I don’t mean again to pander Sir Carlo with my comparison of him and Harry Potter. I can’t help it. I think it’s those eyeglasses he always wears. And, of course, the charm and boyish features, that flawless skin, the dapper look.
But, more important, like Harry Potter who taught us that it takes genuine love for family and friends to defeat evil, I believe Carlo Katigbak would achieve the same.