Arnell Ignacio leaves OWWA post with heavy heart

We had a chance to interview showbiz newcomer Uno Santiago, the newest “alaga” of famed talent manager Daddie Wowie Roxas. If you still don’t know who Daddie Wowie is, he was the one who discovered Isko Moreno during a wake in Tondo.

Daddie Wowie discovered Uno while he was in a mall. Uno assisted him when he suddenly got dizzy going up the elevator. When he finally regained his bearings, Daddie took notice of Uno’s good looks and asked if he is interested to enter showbiz.

Uno is 19 and is just on vacation from the United States when he was discovered by his mentor. He stayed in the US for five years with his mother where he was taking up a business course. Ever since, he had already been interested to be in showbiz but there was no opportunity that came his way.

Prior to his taking his first crack at acting via the movie “Jesusa” where he plays an important role opposite lead actress Sylvia Sanchez, Uno took an acting workshop as he is very much willing to learn more about the craft and wants to be prepared for the job ahead.

When asked if he has a good singing voice, Uno said he can carry a tune but is unsure if the quality of his voice is good enough for recording. He is willing to take singing lessons.

Uno is very happy to have been given the break to be part of the movie “Jesusa” and to have the opportunity to work alongside Sylvia whom he described as “an amazing actress.”

“Tita Sylvia is very supportive to me in our scenes. She told me not to get nervous. If I get nervous, chances are, I might forget my lines and won’t be able to do our scene well,” said the lanky newcomer who is Daddie Wowie’s first “alaga” as he makes his showbiz comeback as talent manager.

“I have been inactive in talent management for a long time now. Two years ago, I decided to discover and manage talents again. A lot of aspiring talents came to me but I didn’t like any of them until I discovered Uno by accident in a mall and I learned that his mom, who was a former dancer, was my talent in Alpha Recording Company. I had been praying so hard that I might finally find a new talent. I believe Uno has the potential to make a mark in showbiz. He is tall, good-looking and is very much willing to learn. He is the answer to my prayer. I asked the Lord for a sign if I should go back to talent management and when I saw Uno, I believe I found it in him,” said Daddie Wowie.

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Arnell Ignacio was overwhelmed when many labor attaches from various countries sent him a message saying they’re sad that he resigned as OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) deputy administrator.

His phone kept ringing after news of his resignation leaked. Arnell said he is leaving the government with a very heavy heart. When he assumed his post at OWWA, he dedicated himself fully to it. Part of his tasks was attending to the needs and problems of OFWs in different countries.

But his dedication to his work took its toll as he forgot to give ample attention to his family. His dad has stage four cancer which he didn’t know. His daughter, who is used to having him always around, is now the one managing their business, especially Creative Hair Systems in Annpolis, Greenhills. He was attending to the problems of other people around the world but he neglected his family.

Arnell couldn’t help but shed tears as he was hurt by accusations that he probably earned a lot while working in government.

“They don’t know what they’re talking about, because I lost a lot of good opportunities.  ‘Ang Probinsyano’ was getting me but I had to turn it down because I have an official government position. Who wouldn’t want to appear in that show? It’s the number one show tapos tatanggi ako? But my government position prevented me from doing so. I also had to turn down hosting offers. It was a huge amount of money that I had to let go for a small government salary that I am receiving,” he explained.

Arnell says he has learned a lot from his OWWA post and he loved his job where he got the chance to meet a lot of new people. But the job is very taxing. He is hoping that he can be made a consultant as he still wants to do his share to help. But he needs to do his job as an entertainer because it pays well.