Influencer Percy Pinedo: Centipede, Bon Vivant and turns his hobby in work
Interview May 27, 2019
Could you share with us some information of your family life?
I’m married and we have with 2 children, 2 boys, and both are living and working in Curaçao and since January 2018 I am also a grandfather. Both my mother and father passed away. I have a big family of 7 sisters and 3 brothers. Especially my mother was very supportive to me, while my dad was very very proud of me.
Could you share with us some of your educational background and past professional experiences?
I did my high school during the evening hours at the Peter Stuyvesant College and then went on to study “Study and Counselor Guidance” in The Netherlands, then I continued to study Pedagogy and went on to obtain my MBA-specialization in “Educational Management” at the ICUC.
What is your BIG WHY or driving motivation to be whom you are right now? Are you mostly an educational professional interested in “train the trainers” in education at this stage in your life or are you more a music lover. What drives you the most?
Both, I was long involved in “train the trainers” in the ICT World in Education, while I was involved in the organization of concerts. I’m still active in courses for Pedagogische Getuigschrift (PG) at the Stichting Curaçao Academy. Bringing innovation in “Education”, has always been an objective.
How many students follow your courses at the Stichting Curaçao Academy on average every year?
Annually we have two groups of 25 students each to take these courses, that the last 15 months and last year we even got a total of 75 students.
What is your opinion of the state of affairs of our educational system, are we adjusting considering the rapid changes taking place globally?
You know, we are not adjusting yet and we sure have to address this issue as soon as possible to prepare our students for jobs for the future. I believe that there has to be a radical mind shift and right now, to really approach our students in a more modern way.
As the spokesman of Fundashon Bon Intenshon you are having a big effect in the Arts and Entertainment sector in Curaçao. In what sense does North Sea Jazz Festival, the Rotterdam Film Festival and the Blues Festival having an impact locally or what is your vision on what you would like to have as an impact locally as spin-offs apart from the high entertainment value of course for locals and tourists?
Since we’re organizing these events, I think the CTB saw and took up the challenge. Curaçao has a lot to offer and we have the ideal infrastructure for “Event Tourism” and we have a lot to offer tourists.
We have to focus more on this “niche” in tourism, because we have demonstrated, that we can organized these type of big events and that tourists are coming to Curaçao especially for these events.
We have quantified evidence-base data, that the economic impact for instance of the CNSJ is big.
What are the challenges that you as Percy are dealing with?
I think that we still have to work to convince our community and the private sector about the importance of these events for Curaçao.
And how are you dealing with these different challenges you confront?
First of all, as the next event of CNSJ is coming up, we have to be aware of this, we have to focus more on this. We have to inform every one coming to Curaçao of this event and we really have to be proud of what Curaçao is offering. We have to apply synergy through collaboration, because after all, this event is bringing in a lot for us all.
And secondly, “Event Tourism” has to be more specifically taught at Bachelor’s and masters level via our educational systems.
How are you trying also to keep up with your personal skills? Do you like reading books, follow courses, practice a lot and like investing in networks and people that might help you further your knowledge and skills level?
Lifelong learning has for a long time been my focus and I am still doing this, I am teaching at the Bachelor’s level, I am reading books, I am participating in courses, workshops and webinars and of course I travel to festivals etc..and learn a lot attending these festivals.
What are your strengths apart from your apparent leadership skills?
I would love to improve further my organizational skills. I love organizing courses and I love helping non-profit organizations.
Do you have hobbies or interests that you are also passionate about other then music and entertainment industry?
Reading and networking with friends and relatives, watching sports, boxing, baseball and basketball and I love travelling.
If you as Percy Pinedo, would meet a stranger in the bus (let say in Holland or the US) and they would ask you to introduce yourself what would you answer?
I would proudly would tell them where I am from and share with them all the things I’m doing but most of all, I would really show off with my island.
How would you describe Percy in one word or one sentence?
Centipede, who turns his hobby in work.
Who are the persons that have inspired you the most in your career?
In “education” Stanley Lamp (R.I.P.), Phillip Nieuw (R.I.P.) and in “events”, Gregory Elias.
Where they always positive role models or where their also negative role models that you didn’t want to identify with?
These 3 persons were always great role models. Negative people can never be my role model.
What are some of the challenges, lessons learned, that you have encountered in your life when you ultimately discovered your talents and strenghts? Or what was a defining moment in your life?
People with less, meaning poor people can also make it and if you really desire to get something, to become some one, you can do it.
This might sound very cliché, but I come from a family of 10, I got my chances and I fougth for my chances, to become what I am today. It was not easy, but I did go for it. I was one of the very first persons that saw this thing about Curaçao, meaning that Curaçao is one great venue for “Event Tourism” and more and more we are seeing that other people, institutions are thinking accepting this and they are the same.
Where do you want to be 10 to 15 years from now with your career?
Having more time to improve my writing skills and be writing some books in Papiamento.
What would you want your Loved Ones, family, friends and others to say about you let’s say 20 years years from now?
He was a true “bon vivant”, enjoying his life, while working on his hobbies.
What makes you stay optimistic about the future of Curaçao?
The changes we have to go through, little by little we are seeing, that we are moving in that direction and we still got very positive people working towards our future.
One of the 250 Influencers of Curaçao
As the core group of Share2Uplift we love and deeply respect Percy Pinedo for his commitment as an educator and event organizer. He is thereby using his hobby and love for Curaçao to promote Curaçao as an excellent place for “Event Tourism.” We respect him for his vision in being one of the first to see and enable this potential of Curaçao. By using his leadership skills to connect and align others, to see and collaborate to maximize Curaçao’s potential in this “niche” market, these efforts are now tangible and increasingly supported. We definitely consider him one of the 250 ethical leaders of our Island, that continuously works at influencing people’s mindsets for the better, especially in the educational and business sector of our society.