DODONG GULLAS: In The Eyes Of His Friends

Husband, father, grandfather, uncle, boss, friend – these are some of the many roles that The Freeman Chairman and University of the Visayas Executive Vice President Jose “Dodong” Gullas play. Over the years, he has touched the lives of many people, but what kind of a person is he? How is he as a boss, as a friend? A popular proverb says that you will know a man by the company he keeps. Let us then get to know Dodong Gullas through his friends.

A Fair And Admirable Boss

ABS-CBN anchor and The FREEMAN columnist Leo Lastimosa has known Dodong Gullas since he started writing for The FREEMAN three decades ago.

“Sir Dodong is a fair and admirable boss. For starters, he’s always punctual. His meetings are very organized, guided by his handwritten notes. When Sir Dodong presides over large meetings, he sees to it that everyone gets a chance to speak out his or her mind. He pleasantly goes around the table subtly encouraging everyone to contribute. This is the reason why I always attend his meetings prepared, that way, I don’t make a fool of myself. But I find out he’s also very considerate as well as diplomatic when by chance, anyone blurts out less than million dollar ideas,” Leo shared.

According to Leo, Dodong Gullas is also very passionate in whatever he dips his hands into, just like when, as a congressman representing the first district of the province, he proposes the decentralization of the Department of Education Payroll System.

“Nobody gave him a chance then because he was a neophyte congressman. But he was prepared and insistent, because of the urgency of the need to stamp out corruption in the system and hasten the release of teachers’ salaries and benefits. He had the support of public school teachers and education experts like Dr. Eladio Dioko. He ably shepherded the bill in the House of Representatives. We have Sir Dodong to thank for this landmark legislation,” he said.

Another project that Dodong is so passionate about, Leo added, is when he decided to stage the Kinaiyang Sugbuanon.

“Some people thought it was just another so-so tribute. But he proved the nay-sayers wrong. He reached out to the families of the great Cebuano artists, sent out researchers to Dalaguete to discover the authentic Kulilising Hari, appropriated sizable amounts to the living relatives of the honorees and staged productions two years in a row which were both magical and exemplifying. I for one have resolved to do my best to help preserve and promote the Cebuano language, music, arts and culture, thanks to Sir Dodong’s passion and gratitude,” Leo said.

Despite being a busy man who attends to his family, UV, The FREEMAN, and his various projects, Dodong, Leo said, is a very considerate man. “More often than not, I have been late in his meetings, and I conveniently always blamed the distance and maddening traffic between ABS-CBN, my main employer, and UV, where he holds most of his meetings. Sir Dodong then started sending a vehicle to fetch me, and I got the point. I now strive harder to be on time for his subsequent meetings,” concludes Leo.

A Man Who “Extracts The Best From You”

Atty. Joseph “Dodong” Baduel, president of the UV Alumni Association and is the Vice President for External Affairs, has known his namesake since 1960. He considers Dodong Gullas a considerate, generous and kind friend but a very demanding boss.

“Demanding but not in the strong sense of the word. He wants good performance because he is very passionate with whatever he does. He works with passion and love and when he wants to do something, he gives his all. He’s not satisfied with mediocre work. He extracts the best from you,” shared Atty. Baduel.

But despite being a strict boss, Dodong Gullas, Atty. Baduel said is a very generous and thoughtful friend who makes sure that your concerns are addressed.

“When Sir Eddie ran for congress the first time in 1969, sir Dodong asked me to help in the campaign. He would fetch me at the house in his beetle and we would stay in Talisay to campaign for sir Eddie. When we go home, usually about 11:30 in the evening to 12:30 in the morning, we would always pass by Ric’s Barbecue at the corner of Ramos and Mango Avenue. He never forgets to buy barbecue for my wife YingYing. Kay iya man kuno ko gikuha sa among balay unya ang akong asawa walay bana for the whole day, and barbecue ang puli,” Atty. Baduel recalled with a smile, adding that the Gullas family are really like that, they are very good in human relations, he said.

Atty. Baduel left UV during Martial Law but was asked to return when Dodong Gullas ran for congressman in the 2001 elections. “He remembers his friends. Dili jud na makalimot. He is loyal to his friends that’s why he wants his friends to be loyal to him,” he said.

A Man With A Unique Smile

Monsignor Esteban Binghay knew Dodong Gullas since he was still in the seminary. Dodong’s parents, he said, were close to his family. When he became a priest, Monsignor Binghay said he got to know Dodong better.

“He helped the scholars from my convent finish school in UV. I am very proud because many of my scholars who went to UV are now supervisors,” Monsignor Binghay said.

Dodong Gullas also played a very important role in the advancement of the monsignor’s calling as a priest. “When I became an Honorary Prelate in 1987, he was my sponsor. When I was promoted to Protonotary Apostolic, he was also my sponsor. If I have a chance to become a pope, I am sure he will again be my sponsor! But murag lisod man na ang mag pope no,” Monsignor Binghay said, laughing.

One thing that Monsignor Binghay does not forget about Dodong Gullas is his smile, which, the monsignor said, is unique. “He has a very unique smile. Unique because it is deep and wide,” he said, adding that Dodong is very accommodating, sincere and compassionate.

“Dali ra kaayo masampit si Dodong. If you need something, he is very accommodating, he really looks for ways to accommodate you,” Monsignor Binghay said.