EMPLOYMENT

Lacy’s interest in music began at an early age and in 2011, he formed an alternative R&B band called The Internet along with friends Syd Bennet and Matt Martians — who were members of Odd Future — and Patrick Paige II and Christopher Smith; Lacy served as the lead guitarist of the band.

In 2013, The Internet’s third album, “Ego Death,” would earn Lacy’s first Grammy nomination at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Lacy was also nominated for Grammys for Best Urban Contemporary Album in both 2016 and 2020. n

Kasi mahirap siyang palitan. Wala akong maisip, wala akong idea kasi nag-iisa talaga siya, eh. Parang siya lang ang puwedeng magsabi, ‘Gagaling ka, giginhawa ka,’ na maniniwala ka sa sasabihin niya,” he recalled.

The story explained why a somewhat emotional and jittery-looking Coco Martin walked through the doors of Luxent’s ballroom before his speech, where the entire team of RiteMed executives waited to welcome him. That Monday, he was officially named Tita Susan’s successor for the brand and advocacy she dearly loved.

Coco clarified, however, that he cannot regard himself as a successor but as someone who has been fortunate enough to be part of Tita Susan’s life and deeply honored with the task of carrying on her devotion to empowering quality and affordable healthcare for the masses.

“Alam naman natin kung gaano kabigat ang responsibilidad na aking kakaharapin. Siyempre po dahil ito sa aking lola, kay Tita Susan. Alam naman natin kung gaano ni-re-respeto at minamahal ng lahat ng Pilipino si Ms. Susan Roces. Kaya nakakatakot kasi isang napakalaking obligasyon ito para sa akin,” Coco confided in the audience.

Involving Ms. Susan in every way he considers and approaches the ambassadorship, he always keeps in mind that the revered actress would never endorse any product or line she did not trust.

“Alam [ni Ms. Susan]

‘yung responsibilidad niya sa mga Pilipino. Kaya ngayon, bawat galaw ko pinagiisipan ko talaga na ayokong makasira sa napakagandang reputasyon na iniwan ni Tita Susan.”

Valuing the RiteMed endorsement not as a project but as a challenging and meaningful “pamana” from Ms. Susan, Coco added, “Hindi ako nangangako, pero gagawin ko ang lahat para maitama ko ang sarili ko at maging karapat-dapat sa pagtitiwala niyo sa akin.” Such then goes RiteMed’s new TVC and, eventually, an adjustment to Ms. Susan Roces and RiteMed’s contribution to pop culture, courtesy of this generation’s hero of the masses, Coco Martin: “Ang sabi ng lola ko, ‘wag mahihiyang magtanong...” n