THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502210087
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
By all appearances, Ferdie Tolentino would be the typical, All-American man - with a few lingering collegiate qualities thrown in for good measure. He's single, loves the beach and still thinks sleeping in is a great way to spend a day off.
But look deeper and Tolentino, the city's first Filipino School Board member, is a more thoughtful, motivated man who knows that the worst job a person can have is not having any job at all.
Father Richard T. Mooney, pastor of the Holy Family Catholic Church on Great Neck Road, knew Tolentino when Mooney was a minister at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
``Ferdie was one of the founders of the Filipino American Student Association. It was a social organization interested in promoting cultural issues.
``Ferdie is pleasant, intense, very excited about being a Filipino and interested in doing something about that - what, exactly, he doesn't know. But on the whole, he is one of the more focused young men of his age I've met.''
Full Name: Ferdinand Villamor Tolentino.
Hometown: Virginia Beach.
What brought you to the Beach? My parents, Del and Becky.
Birthdate: March 13, 1969.
Occupation: Employment seeker and School Board member, Virginia Beach City Schools.
Nickname: Ferdie.
Marital Status: Single.
Children: 74,000 plus (students in the city school system).
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Sleeping late, going to the beach on 73rd Street and eating dinner with my girlfriend, Angela.
Last smart thing you did? Taking courses to strengthen my background in computers.
Last dumb thing you did? Meeting Tom Randles, WTKR-TV news anchorman. I said, ``Has anyone told you that you look like Tom Randles?'' His response, ``I am Tom.''
Favorite meal: Seafood, especially steamed crabs, and a frosty microbrew.
Favorite movies: ``Schindler's List,'' ``The Breakfast Club,'' and the ``Star Wars'' series. (By the way, director George Lucas is coming out with three more.)
Favorite song: Any song from the Dave Matthews Band.
Last book read: ``A Dynasty Restored: Through the eyes of their No. 1 Fan,'' by David J. Ross, an up-and-coming sports writer and my best friend.
Hobbies: Golf, tennis, skiing (snow and water), mountain biking and beach volleyball.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Not to take everything so seriously.
Secret vice: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Favorite restaurant: Phil's Grill, Croakers and, of course, Beckett's Cafe for breakfast.
What is your favorite night on the town? A casual night out among close friends at a local hangout.
Favorite TV shows: ESPN Sportscenter and ``Seinfeld.''
Favorite sport: Virginia Tech athletics, The `Skins,' and the New York Mets.
Last vacation: San Francisco and the wine country of Napa Valley.
Pets: Sid, a big tabby cat; Nikki and Randy, Shih Tzu dogs.
Worst job: Not having one.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Being the youngest and first Filipino-American school board member in Virginia.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``Emotions are the sail, blind faith is the mast. Without the breath of real freedom, we're getting nowhere fast.'' - Sting. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB