It's a fact of life that most of us, have at one time or another, been bullied by someone bigger, meaner or stronger than us, be it at school, or stores or wherever. It's also a known fact that a few stand up against these so-called bullies and lived to tell their stories and/or turned their lives around. Glenn Conte was one of them. School bullies certainly are known for their ability to overpower others physically, but mental bullying can be just as damaging to us too, moreso the children. Action needed to be taken. While in Grade school, a couple of his friends and Glenn asserted themselves effectively by ganging up on "Lorenzo"... (last name undisclosed), rather than themselves becoming victims of bullying. Sort of Mafia, Filipino-style, huh? All of them became best friends later on. This incident actually made their 3rd Grade teacher, Mrs. Aguinaldo, reward Glenn for standing up for his rights and for showing his classmates that they need not suffer in silence, for fear that speaking up will provoke further torture. Don't misunderstand him though. He made it through to where he is at right now by sheer hard work and determination, not just aggressive behavior. What Glenn was able to demonstrate in his career is an understanding for what it takes to prosper amid fierce competition and life's challenges. When queried about who was the person that had the most positive influence on his life, his immediate response was, "Mrs. Aguinaldo!" Personally, I thought he would say, "Lorenzo!" How else would he be rewarded "The Best Leader" ribbon at the end of school, if Lorenzo didn't prod him into action to assert himself? We don't need Judge Judy to settle this one, dontyathink?
Glenn Cefre Conte was born in Bani, Pangasinan in the early 50's. His father, so much liked western movies and anything American those years, so he named him after Glenn Ford, who was the reigning action superstar then. Glenn speaks Ilocano and Pangasinan dialects, very articulate in English as well. He met "Myra" the former Joyce Baltazar Tangonan, in Manila when she was still in high school, senior, in 1972, and while he was a freshman at University of Santo Tomas. Glenn didn't see her for a while after her senior year until 1976, a chance meeting in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. He vividly recalls, "I was at the dispensary in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan to get a physical exam prior to my Navy physical in Subic (Noy-pi talaga, segurista... just to make sure that he passes the physical exam for the Navy?!)... when this gorgeous nurse in white, she was a senior in BS Nursing doing her YCAP (Youth Community Action Program), came out and that angelic image: she was framed by the door, sunlight coming from behind, thus my heart missed a few beats back then.. that's how it all started!". Glenn can not recall their first date, but it's more than likely, a movie or a stroll at Intramuros, the fave place in the 70's for lovebirds. In the 80's--- Luneta?! In the next decade---will it be "T" Park?! tsk...tsk... They've known each other for 7 years, but only dated 2 years prior to marriage. Now, they've been married for 23 years! They've been living at Support Site since September 2002 but prior to that, they had lived in Pozzouli for three years. They have three children all together, Sarah is 20, born in Bremerton, WA; Glenyce is 13, born in Oakland, CA and Mark is 12, and born in Santa Clara, CA. All pretty smart, straight "A" students; as the old adage says... the apples don't fall too far from the tree! Both parents are well-educated, Joyce and Glenn having completed Masters in their own fields. These guys are way beyond my league, I ought to be careful when talking to these PhD shoo-ins. Wait a minute! I have completed my PHD too... (Plain High-school Diploma), that is! hahahahaha! The rest of the conversation was enlightening to say the least, my B.A.C. was nowhere near 0.0001, wow! Glenn and Joyce are teetotalers, with an ocassional sip of vino for mood.
Q: I know you're not embarrassed of your humble beginnings, what jobs have you had?
GC: First job, I was a bread peddler (pandisal, enseymada sa lata ng mantika, dya get the
picture?); then I was a shoe shiner; tricycle driver; motorcycle mechanic; rice farmer; fish farmer;
waiter; hospital corpsman, histology technician, medical administrative officer (carrier); now project
officer for hospital construction.
Q: How did you decide on your career?
GC: I just took whatever opportunity that came along; if it sounded good I just did it.
Q: So... becoming a sailor, that was the hardest choice that you ever had to make?
GC: Yes...Joining the US Navy; I think I made the right decision.
Q: What motivated you to seek that skill of a medic or corpsman?
GC: To get out of town and earn a living. I selected the HM rating because it was one of the
ratings that did not require security clearance at that time (being a Filipino did not allow you to
obtain a secret clearance). I did ask for other ratings but was told that I have to be a U.S
citizen - being a Corpsman has been a good choice.
Q: Your most important/proudest accomplishments during the Navy enlistment.
GC: Many. Being selected for the Navy was good. Making chief was a bonus. Getting a commission
and being promoted are all pluses. Attaining degrees while in the Navy were all gravies.
Q: In the military, what are some aspects of your present position that you like? dislike?
GC: The leadership's decision to allow me as their representative on site with the ability to make
decision as deemed necessary for the project. I don't like the long hours but I can live with it for
the time being - it's not permanent.
Q: Just got promoted to CDR, what do you see yourself doing five or ten years from now?
GC: Am lucky to be blessed all my Navy life! Five years from now, probably still in the Navy helping build medical and dental facilities.
Ten years from now, probably traveling. Love Europe, I can fall in love with Joyce all over again!
Q: What has been your philosophy in life?
GC: Be grateful for what you have, always.
Q: Being a success story, what does this mean to you?
GC: Enjoying your work, whatever it is. You should look forward to it everyday.
Q: What things give you the greatest satisfaction?
GC: Reading, traveling and finding and seeing things I heard of or read about.
Q: What have you read lately, your favorite reference books?
GC: Eisenhower - Life of a Soldier; Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Good to Great; and, Churchill
by Keegan.... and of course, Harry Potter #5. For reference, I use The Bible; Lincoln's biography;
and old reliable... the dictionary!
Q: Special talents you possess, singing? musical instruments playing? oratory, etc ...
GC: I play the harmonica but not that good. I don't sing well but I can sing loud (which I usually get an
elbow on my side - from Joyce).
Q: Joyce can sing, she had fun doing the 80's hits with WALA Band during your FAN farewell
party, right? What was the most fun thing you did this year, Fil-Am or not?
GC: Skiing in Campo Felice with my kids and other FAN members, that was a blast!
Q: What U.S. or Philippine President have you admired the most and why?
GC: Lincoln, he was very clever, honest, funny, and didn't let poverty prevent him from achieving what he wanted.
Q: As you see it, what are the biggest problems that face the Philippines?
GC: Population explosion : too many people vying for a finite amount of land or jobs. The Philippine
economy is not primarily a farming industry anymore and the old adage that you need children to help
in the farm doesn't work especially if you live in the city. Less number of kids in the family would make it easier for parents to send their kids to school. Education will help generate jobs and stimulate investments. Private investments would help generate work opportunities but it needs a
government that will provide a climate of fair play in the business world.
Q: Seeing parts of Europe, what is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
GC: The most beautiful place is the place you grew up. For me that was Taggat, Claveria, Cagayan
because of the sea and mountains. Lately, a place called Dingle in County Kerry in Ireland which is
in the southern tip of the island. The seaside view is fantastic and the hills are green and dotted
with old Celtic buildings and full of sheep. The most beautiful city that I've seen so far is Paris
cause of the wide avenues, parks, cafes and many tourist attractions - it's a very well planned city!
Glenn Conte is what most, if not every Pinoy sailor, aspires to be-- a success! To be a Sailor is also to be a story teller, and he might as well write a book. It wasn't simply scholarly knowledge that impressed me about Glenn and maybe most of our members too, but evidence of experience - of attaining his dreams, of adventures lived from our country and in distant lands, like USA, WesPac and Europe. Glenn Conte has clearly been realizing his goals, with the promotion to the rank of Commander, from the meager beginnings as an enlisted man E-1, is a monumental accomplishment for a natural born Pinoy! He doesn't take anything for granted, learned life the hard way, questioning things, and kept on learning anything -- this must be the mindset he had while in High school or UST, thru experiences, that are being carried over to his life continuously. If you meet him, he is a quiet, unassuming, simple man, fully relaxed, laid back, so to speak! In this interview, Glenn Conte never boasted, but downplayed his role in the hospital construction in order to retain the appearance of modesty, even though the "higher ups" are well aware of his humongous accomplishment/s. He doesn't succumb to the temptation of embellishment, and credits several people that had a huge impact and really changed the course of his life. To quote him, "Dr. Mark Ryan, my boss when I was a histology tech, used to talk to me about classics Shakespeare, etc. and history, philosophy and math while we were doing work. He took upon himself to teach a group of lab technicians English grammar, we broke down sentences and diagrammed them until we learned - most of it anyway, all the parts of speech, and conjugated verbs, etc. Dr. Greene pitched in and took us under his wings, educating, preaching all the time!" He adds, " Dr. Adman, another pathologist, used to say " What are you doing here? Go do something else!" And Glenn Conte did just that, he finished his first MBA, despite the odds. Glenn Conte is forever grateful to have had leaders in the US Navy that have nurtured his young mind, withstanding even the clash of cultures and the test of time. He is ready to share his wealth of knowledge and experience to anyone willing and with an open mind. Teaching by example? Yes! But, who needs teachers, when we got friends like Glenn??
